Niner
Key Features
- Three-layer kick engine combines sub sine, mid sine-plus-noise, and top click layers with independent tuning and envelopes.
- Parallel 909-style clap voice adds a noise-based burst and tail alongside the kick without requiring a separate drum plugin.
- Five-stage saturation and drive palette covers clip, diode, tape, transformer, and automatic master warmth behavior.
- Master bus includes compressor macros, attack and release controls, tilt EQ, low shelf, variable-Q notch, and brickwall limiting.
- Built-in 16-step sequencer can sync to a DAW host or run from the standalone editor.
- One-shot bounce renders the current sound to 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV or AIFF from inside the plugin.
- Forward-compatible JSON presets support factory and user sound design without breaking saved settings across future releases.
Description
Niner is a three-layer kick drum synthesizer from Hyperfocus DSP with a parallel 909-style clap voice. It layers a sub sine, mid sine-plus-noise body, and band-passed click into a dedicated kick designer for producers who want to shape the transient, body, pitch movement, and final drive inside one instrument.
The signal path is built for detailed low-end design rather than preset browsing alone. Each layer has its own tuning and envelopes, then the combined kick can move through per-voice clipping, master saturation, compressor controls, EQ, transformer drive, limiting, and automatic warmth.
Niner also works as a practical drum-writing tool. The 16-step sequencer can follow a DAW host or run internally in the standalone editor, while MIDI Learn and sample-accurate note dispatch make it usable from pads, controllers, and tight programmed rolls.
The official release ships as VST3, CLAP, and standalone builds for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with source code on GitHub under GPL-3.0. For producers who like turning custom kicks into audio, the bounce button renders the current patch to WAV or AIFF through the full DSP chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Niner different from loading a 909 kick sample?
Niner synthesizes the kick from editable layers instead of playing back a static sample. You can tune the sub, shape the pitch and amp envelopes, blend noise and click, then drive the result through the built-in master chain.
Does Niner support Logic Pro?
No. The official page says Niner ships as VST3, CLAP, and standalone, but not AU, because the nih-plug framework does not support AU.
Can Niner run as a standalone drum synth?
Yes. The official page lists standalone builds for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the sequencer can run from internal transport outside a DAW.
What does the bounce feature export?
The BOUNCE button renders the current sound through the full DSP chain as a 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV or AIFF file. The developer says it runs away from the live audio thread and uses a fresh DSP instance for repeatable output.
