## About > [!ABOUT] kb is an expressive bassline instrument designed to synthesise both kick and bass parts using only a single oscillator. this allows for surgical kick and bass design with perfect phase alignment and maximum headroom, even when using fast and complex rhythmic ideas. ## Workflow / Signal Flow The device takes two separate midi channels as inputs—one for kick and one for bass. In terms of part writing they operate like separate instruments with independent pitch and amplitude envelopes. These envelopes are fed through an algorithm which dictates what happens when both kick and bass are played simultaneously. The resulting control signal drives the main oscillator. ## Features ##### 1. Single Oscillator - The whole instrument is driven by a single wavetable oscillator (sine by default) - A 'retrigger' button can be found in both the kick and bass sections. This dictates whether the oscillator should always be free running (like an analog synth) or be retriggered when the kick or bass are played ##### 1. Complex Envelopes - Pitch and amp envelopes are adjustable via click and drag graph with unlimited points (Ableton Shaper / Serum LFO section style). 'Sustain mode' allows you to set a sustain stage, which can be different for both the kick and bass channels. ##### 2. Filtering - A single lowpass filter allows you to .... ## Similar devices Analog Kick has the core functionality of kb, but it lacks the complex pitch envelopes found in modern kick synthesisers and is limited in terms of timbre (it's supposed to sound like an 808). ![[Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 13.02.34.png]] ## Max Notes - Use [mc.function object](https://docs.cycling74.com/legacy/max8/refpages/mc.function) for the complex envelopes. Multichannel functionality allows you to switch between multiple envelopes (e.g. one for amp, one for pitch) on the same panel. The function object also has built in 'sustain mode' functionality ![[Screenshot 2025-03-16 at 12.30.34.png]]