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Check out our most frequently asked questions below. For more detailed support checkout our Help Center. Or send us an email at help@thebuttkicker.com.
Gamer PLUS Manuals
Life size mounting template for ButtKicker Gamer PLUS transducer. View Footprint Template.
Gamer PRO Manuals
Gaming / Sim Setup
Download Connecting ButtKicker to a Gaming Console - Quick Start Guide
Use the table below to determine what setup option will work for you:
HDMI Audio Extractor:
These devices allow you to tap into the audio being sent via HDMI and convert them into analog for ButtKicker Amplifiers while passing the HDMI signal on to the TV/monitor. Since the audio is captured after the console, we can bypass some of the console’s limiting factors with audio output to multiple locations. Audio Extractors do come in a few different variations (HDMI v2.0, v2.0b, v2.1), research and consider the differences based on your setup (Primarily, your monitor’s capabilities).
Ex: You’ll want to find an extractor with analog outputs similar to this one.
Headphone Splitter:
Everything needed comes included with your ButtKicker kit. You can plug the headphone splitter into the controller to send audio to both your wired headset and ButtKicker Amp (Using the 3.5mm to RCA adaptor cable).
Note: Older systems supported stereo headphones but did not accommodate mic output for in-game chat audio. Current BK systems include full support for mic functionality.
Optical to Analog Converter:
Also called Digital to Analog converters, these run from the optical output on your TV or console to send analog audio to the ButtKicker Amplifier. For example, on the Xbox One and PS4 you can use the optical output on the back of your console.
Ex: Pictured above is a sample Optical to Analog Converter (Note: DC 5V Power)
In some cases where the optical output is already being used, an Active (Externally Powered) splitter may be helpful. There are 2 main types of splitters, Active and Passive. Instead of passively dividing the signal, Active Splitters produce full output to multiple devices (Ex: Soundbars).
Do I need HaptiConnect?
ButtKicker® HaptiConnect® is haptic software that enhances and extends the capabilities of new and existing ButtKicker hardware. HaptiConnect is available for PC’s but not consoles. However, modern console games provide high quality sound design and audio driven ButtKicker haptics on console is engaging, immersive, and highly accurate.
Adding ButtKicker® Brand Transducers to your Home Theater or Home Entertainment Environment.
Download Connecting ButtKicker to a System without a Subwoofer Output Quick Start Guide
HDMI Audio Extractor:
These devices allow you to tap into the audio being sent via HDMI and convert them into analog for ButtKicker Amplifiers while passing the HDMI signal on to the TV/monitor. Since the audio is captured after the console, we can bypass some of the console’s limiting factors with audio output to multiple locations. Audio Extractors do come in a few different variations (HDMI v2.0, v2.0b, v2.1), research and consider the differences based on your setup (Primarily, your monitor’s capabilities).
Ex: You’ll want to find an extractor with analog outputs similar to this one.
Headphone Splitter:
Everything needed comes included with your ButtKicker kit. You can plug the headphone splitter into the controller to send audio to both your wired headset and ButtKicker Amp (Using the 3.5mm to RCA adaptor cable).
Note: Older systems supported stereo headphones but did not accommodate mic output for in-game chat audio. Current BK systems include full support for mic functionality.
Optical to Analog Converter:
Also called Digital to Analog converters, these run from the optical output on your TV or console to send analog audio to the ButtKicker Amplifier. For example, on the Xbox One and PS4 you can use the optical output on the back of your console.
Ex: Pictured above is a sample Optical to Analog Converter (Note: DC 5V Power)
In some cases where the optical output is already being used, an Active (Externally Powered) splitter may be helpful. There are 2 main types of splitters, Active and Passive. Instead of passively dividing the signal, Active Splitters produce full output to multiple devices (Ex: Soundbars).
Yes! The isolators will not only maximize the effect of your ButtKicker transducer(s), they are also important to support and level your couch and to make sure that the effect is contained within the couch.
The amplifier driving your ButtKicker transducer(s) needs to have a signal source, we recommend using your AV Receiver's "Subwoofer Output" (which will include the .1 or LFE channel, and possibly the low frequencies of all the other channels).If a subwoofer is currently connected to the Subwoofer Output an RCA "Y" splitter can be used to run the one signal to both the subwoofer and the BKA1000.
Please consult your ButtKicker product manual and/or Quick Start Guide for detailed instructions.
If your A/V receiver uses speaker wire connections for the subwoofers and/or speakers you can use the Speaker Level Interface Adapter to connect to the receiver. The Speaker Level Interface Adapter connects to the subwoofer output at one end with speaker wire and leads into an RCA "male" jack at the opposite end.
If your A/V receiver does not have a subwoofer output (because of a proprietary cable being used for the subwoofer) you can still connect the center channel speaker or other speakers. In this case ensure that low frequency sound is being sent through the selected channel so that the ButtKicker transducer receives signal. If a speaker channel is unavailable some A/V receivers may have a line level output to connect to. If no such connections are present (this occasionally occurs on low-end "home theater in a box" type systems) there is unfortunately no way to connect to the A/V receiver. In this case please contact the manufacturer for suggestions on connecting external audio devices.
Your home theater system has developed a "Ground Loop" which is caused by having more than one ground connection in the system. Most likely, your cable TV combined with the ground of the ButtKicker power amplifier power cord is causing interference in the audio system. Any other electronic device with a grounded power plug might cause the problem as well.
You can eliminate the problem in your system by adding a "RCA Ground Loop Isolator". Plug one end of the ground loop isolator into the RCA input on the back of the ButtKicker power amplifier and then plug the RCA cable coming from your A/V processor into the other end of the ground loop isolator.
Most A/V processors have an option to increase the output from the subwoofer channel. Turn up this output to get more audio signal to the ButtKicker Power Amplifier. This may require you to turn down the volume of your subwoofer so that it is balanced with the rest of your system.
Many home theaters have more than one row of seats, with the second and third rows being built upon risers. These risers, for ButtKicker transducer applications, have two purposes; raise and support the seats and occupants, and allow vertical platform and seat movement.
Height for the ButtKicker brand transducer:
ButtKicker brand transducers can be mounted above or below the top surface of the riser. If above, consider people traffic, furniture placement. If under the surface, some simple framing can be done to avoid the extra room needed under the riser. As always, keep in mind any maintenance that may become necessary.
Think "suspension."
In essence, you're constructing a floor above the room's floor. Build the riser similar to a suspended wood joist floor to give the riser its greatest low frequency response.
The major differences between a riser and real floors are the suspension points and tie points (to other external structure). The riser should be free floating (not tied into any adjacent walls), and suspended by short sides only. Use vibration isolators on the short dimension to support the riser from the room floor.
The greatest flex of the riser will be along its long dimension, the riser's short dimension will offer much less low frequency flexibility. Therefore, when possible, avoid any support along the long dimension.
For sim rigs we suggest using the RI-4 isolator. You’ll want 1 isolator foot per point of contact, typically 4 isolators or more are needed.
For couches or chairs, use 1 isolator foot per furniture leg.
If you have questions on your specific setup email us at help@thebuttkicker.com .
The ButtKicker Wireless Kit (model BK-WCK) is designed to shake one three-seater couch or, one love seat, or, one or potentially two home theater seats, if the backs legs of the two home theater seats are close enough to both fit on the ButtKicker Advance Mounting Kit plate which is approximately 8 ½ “ wide. (Please note that some large and or very heavy couches, especially those that have hide-a-beds or heavy reclining seats at both ends, may require two Wireless Couch Kits. This is rare but can happen.)
The ButtKicker Wireless Couch Kit comes with one BKA300-P amplifier, 300 watt @ 4 ohms with integrated wireless receive, wireless send unit, one ButtKicker Advance transducer (model BK4-4), one ButtKicker Advance Couch Mounting Plate (model BK4-CMAK) and five RI-4 rubber isolators. The BKA300-P is not sold separately and only one ButtKicker Advance transducer can be powered by the BKA300-P amplifier.
The ButtKicker Power Amplifier (model BKA1000-P) can power up to eight ButtKicker equipped individual seats. Individual home theater seats can be powered with one ButtKicker Advance (model BK4-4) or two ButtKicker mini concerts (model BK-mini-CT) or two ButtKicker mini LFEs (model BK-mini-CT). Please not that even if home theater seats are clipped together that each individual seat will need to have ButtKicker units installed in them.
Wiring diagrams and seat installation information can be found here.
Rubber isolators, either the larger RI-4 isolators or the smaller RI-K28 isolators are strongly recommended to be used instead of, or under, the feet of home theater seating for optimal performance.
It is not recommended to power a home theater seat with just one ButtKicker mini-LFE (model BK-mini-LFE) or one ButtKicker mini-Concert (model BK-mini-CT).
Yes, the wireless ButtKicker Link2 (model BK-Link2) is an easy to use low latency audio send / receive system for use with the ButtKicker Power Amplifier as well as powered subwoofers. Setup instructions for the wireless ButtKicker Link2 can be found here. The ButtKicker Link2 is a low latency 2.4 GHz solution and is not Bluetooth.
We do not recommend using any other amplifiers to be used with ButtKicker brand transducers for consumer use. Additionally, we are unable to support amplifiers other than ButtKicker amplifiers. If you have a different brand of amplifier and need support, please contact the amplifier’s manufacturer directly.
Setup instructions for the ButtKicker Wireless Couch Kit can be found here.
No, only one ButtKicker Advance can be powered by the BKA300-P amplifier that is included in this Kit. The BKA300-P amplifier is not sold separately from the ButtKicker Wireless Couch Kit.
Advice for individual home theater seats.
Individual home theater seats, even if clipped or nestled together can be powered with one ButtKicker Advance (model BK4-4) or two ButtKicker mini-Concerts wired together (model BK-mini-CT). This, one ButtKicker Advance or two ButtKicker mini-Concerts, is how we’ve equipped over 45,000+ movie theater recliner seats are the world.
The ButtKicker Power Amplifier (model BKA1000-P) can power up to eight ButtKicker individual seats.
Wiring diagrams and seat installation information can be found here.
Rubber isolators, either the larger RI-4 isolators or the smaller RI-K28 isolators are strongly recommended to be used instead of or under the feet of home theater seating for optimal performance.
It is not recommended to power a home theater seat with just one ButtKicker mini-LFE (model BK-mini-LFE) or one ButtKicker mini-Concert (BK-mini-CT).
Advice for couches and loveseats.
The ButtKicker Wireless Couch Kit (model BK-WCK) is designed to shake one three-seater couch, one love seat, or one or potentially two home theater seats if the backs legs of the two home theater seats are close enough to both fit on the ButtKicker Advance Mounting Kit plate which is approximately 8 ½ “wide. (Please note that some very heavy large couches, especially those that have hide-a-beds or heavy reclining seats at both ends may require two Wireless Kits. This is rare but can happen.)
The ButtKicker Wireless Couch Kit) comes with one BKA300-P amplifier, 300 watt @ 4 ohms with integrated wireless receive, wireless send unit, one ButtKicker Advance transducer (model BK4-4), one ButtKicker Advance Couch Mounting Plate (model BK4-CMAK) and five RI-4 rubber isolators. The BKA300-P amplifier is not sold separately and only one ButtKicker Advance transducer can be powered by the BKA300-P amplifier.
Up to four ButtKicker LFE (model BK-LFE) or eight ButtKicker Advance (model BK4-4) can be powered by one ButtKicker Power Amplifier (model BKA1000-P). The ButtKicker Couch Mounting Accessory Kit (model BK-CMAK for the BK-LFE and model BK4-CMAK for the ButtKicker Advance) allow the user easily use the BK-LFE or BK4-4 with most types of furniture without requiring the ButtKicker unit to be installed inside the furniture. The Couch Mounting Accessory Kits can be found here and here.
If desired, the easy to use low latency ButtKicker Link2 (model BK-Link2) can be used to wireless send audio signal from the signal source, such as an audio video receiver (AVR) to the ButtKicker Power Amplifier.
Please see this link (coming soon) for diagrams on suggested installation methods of ButtKicker transducers in home theater seating and other types of furniture.
Wiring diagrams and seat installation information can be found here (coming soon).
Rubber isolators, either the larger RI-4 isolators or the smaller RI-K28 isolators are strongly recommended to be used instead of or under the feet of home theater seating for optimal performance.
The ButtKicker Link2 is a low latency 2.4GHz solution that allows you to send the audio signal wirelessly from your TV, audio video receiver, TV, soundbar, etc. to the ButtKicker Power Amplifier. This allows you to place the ButtKicker Power Amplifier near to your seating and then run speaker wire to the ButtKicker transducers in your couch or seats.
Please note that the amplified power from the ButtKicker Power Amplifier output to the ButtKicker transducer unit(s) cannot be sent wirelessly but must be hard wired using the appropriate gauge two conductor speaker wire.
ButtKicker brand products can still be used even if your audio video system does not have a separate subwoofer output if you are using a TV, TV plus soundbar without a subwoofer output, or a gaming console connected to your TV and / or soundbar without a subwoofer output.
Instructions for connecting to an a/v system that does not have a subwoofer output can be found here.
Instructions for when you are using a gaming console and do not have a subwoofer output can be found here.
If you are using the ARC or eARC function of your TV as part of your audio visual system you will want to make sure that your HDMI extractor supports ARC or eARC so that it will properly allow pass through of 4K video, HDR, Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos.
If your audio receiver is capable of Dolby Atmos playback you should consider having or experimenting with the settings below to get the most possible bass signal sent to your ButtKickers to provide a more immersive experience then just using the .1/LFE signal:
- Subwoofer output setting set to “bass + LFE”, or “main + LFE” or similar setting. You should not need to change your speakers from “large” to “small” or vice-a-versa if that is how they are set. Ideally you want your subwoofer output to output the LFE plus redirected bass, and a copy of the low frequency signals from all large speakers.
- Set your subwoofer or LFE low pass filter to 80 or 120Hz and if desired, lower the high cutoff on your powered subwoofer.
- Set your crossover frequency to 80Hz or 100Hz.
- If your speakers are set to “small” make sure the appropriate settings are configured to enable all possible bass frequencies to be output from the subwoofer output.
Test your system by selecting a five or ten minute section of content that features a range and mixture of onscreen action and dialogue only sections. Play back this section multiple times to test your different settings and configurations.
To optimize power and equal power distribution, the number of BKs in a BK system needs to be an even number.
When the number of BKs in the system is an odd number, a “Dummy Load” should be included as a final BK to make the total number even.
A Dummy Load is a BK transducer with the internal moving mass removed. The coils are still active, but there is no shake from the Dummy Load
Dummy Loads are not offered for sale on our website. If needed, please email help@thebuttkicker.com to order.
Gamer PRO for Drummers
The Gamer PRO was originally developed for sim. racers, flyers, and gamers. However, drummers began looking at the Gamer PRO as a suitable replacement for the discontinued product we developed for Pearl Drums years ago, the Pearl Throne Thumper powered by ButtKicker. After a number of drummers used the Gamer PRO for both live, notably worship, and studio use, we decided to market the Gamer PRO to drummers as an affordable solution that was mostly “plug n play,” see below for connection considerations.
It is close to, but not the same. Both the Pearl Throne Thumper powered by ButtKicker and the Gamer PRO feature(d) a mid-sized 2-ohm impedance ButtKicker transducer with a 16oz. moving mass, magnetically suspended piston and post clamping mount with a maximum opening of 1.77”. The Gamer PRO has a 150-watt amplifier while the Pearl Throne Thumper had a 200-watt amplifier.
The Gamer PRO amplifier has one RCA and one USB type C input, therefore you most likely will need some type of line level adapter. Either an XLR to RCA or ¼” to RCA adapter may be needed to connect your audio source, whether a drum module or personal / in-ear monitoring system or some other audio mix.
Your audio source will come from either your drum module, drum pickup or mic, personal / in-ear monitoring system, mixing console, etc.
Please note, Guitammer cannot offer you technical support on how to enable or configure the proper audio source to be used as input for the Gamer PRO amplifier.
Yes. However, typically gas lift thrones will tend to shake more because of the “spring” effect from the gas lift on the throne.
The ButtKicker Concert and its companion BKA1000-P are long time stables of touring professionals. Please note the Drum Throne Mounting bracket was discontinued, but a no charge download of its CAD file is available here if you want to have one made or make it yourself. The ButtKicker Concert is a 2-ohm impedance transducer with a 3.75 lbs. moving mass, magnetically suspended piston. The BKA1000-P is both 2 ohm and 4 ohm stable and offers 1300 watts into 2 ohms RMS, with 2100 watts peak.
Most drummers tell us that when playing live in large, loud public venues that they need the large ButtKicker Concert transducer to be able get the tactile feel they want from their drum throne. However, for worship (esp. when playing behind the glass), studio or smaller shows the Gamer PRO typically provides enough tactile feedback in those more controlled and less loud environments.
NO, the Gamer PLUS is not suitable for musician monitoring / drum throne use. Like the Gamer2 that it replaced, the Gamer PLUS has a 6 oz. magnetically suspended, moving mass piston and a 90-watt amplifier. Experience, especially with the Gamer2 and Pearl Throne Thumper powered by ButtKicker, has shown that the smaller transducer in the Gamer2 and / or the Gamer PLUS is simply not powerful enough for drummers.
HaptiConnect® Track Pak or Flight Pak connects the telemetry data available on many PC based racing and flying sims to be used as the input source for the Gamer PRO amplifier. For musician use the amplifier requires an analog audio signal and therefore HaptiConnect software is not applicable or needed for drummers or musician use. See the FAQ: “What audio signal do I send to Gamer PRO?” for more audio connection information.
Wiring Diagrams
Connecting 1 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 2 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 3 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 4 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 6 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 8 Advance to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 2 Mini LFE to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 3 Mini LFE to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 4 Mini LFE to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 6 Mini LFE to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 8 Mini LFE to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Pictoral Wiring Diagram 6 Seats - 2 mini LFE per Seat (12 total) to BKA1000-P Amplifier
Pictoral Wiring Diagram 4 Seats - 2 mini LFE per Seat (8 total) to BKA1000-P Amplifier
Connecting 2 Mini Concert to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 3 Mini Concert to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Connecting 4 Mini Concert to 1 BKA1000-P Power Amplifier
Pictoral Wiring Diagram 6 Seats - 2 mini CT per Seat (12 total) to BKA1000-P Amplifier
Pictoral Wiring Diagram 4 Seats - 2 mini CT per Seat (8 total) to BKA1000-P Amplifier
Older Product Manuals
Other Information
The following are considerations when using a ButtKicker low frequency audio transducer with your kit. The ButtKicker Concert series is recommended for use by bass players, drummers and other musicians.
ButtKicker Concert Mounting:
When mounted directly to the throne seat, the ButtKicker Concert will of course deliver the most direct kick, but some thrones' seats are too small for direct mounting of the ButtKicker unit. A small platform isolated from the floor with rubber feet can be constructed on which the ButtKicker unit is mounted and the throne is set.
Signal Source:
A large factor on the signal is kick drum head tuning (loose vs. tight; low vs. high, etc.). You do not change your playing habits or drum tuning in order to advantage of the ButtKicker transducer.
Microphone:
A tap off the kick drum mic signal used by the sound system can be taken for the ButtKicker transducers's feed.
Pickups / Triggers:
The pickup's position on the head is a large factor on both the level and frequency content of the output signal.
Mixer:
A pre-fader aux send can be used to send a signal to the ButtKicker Concert. This allows a mix of whatever drum mics you want to feel, though most other drums may have little usable program content within the ButtKicker Concert's range.
Signal Processing:
No signal processing is necessary to energize the ButtKicker Concert, but some circumstances may warrant extra measures.
Gate:
If the signal contains a lot of "garbage" between beats from other picked up stage noises, you may want to gate the signal. (Compliments of Jeff Kathan, drummer for the Paul Rodgers band)
Hi-Pass:
Your kick drum signal could easily include infrasonic (below the hearing range) signals which are not relevant to your need and could cause excessive excursion within the ButtKicker Concert. This is not damaging, but it could result in lack of control, and the possible missing of complete beats. These infrasonic signals are influenced by head tuning, other sound sources in close proximity, etc. Eliminate the infrasonic signals by passing them through a Hi-Pass filter.
Troubleshooting:
Missing a beat? ...especially on the hard beats? See "Signal Processing, Hi-Pass".
As always, your feedback is welcomed by us, and considered important to us.
ButtKicker Haptics partners with only the best international retail stores to help bring our immersive haptic products to the world.
Check out our International Retailers page to find a ButtKicker Haptic retailer near you.
To inquire about partnering with us on distribution, please contact our Sales Team at sales@guitammer.com.
There are no current recalls at this time.
A recall was issued a number of years ago for the BKA-1000 amplifier for this serial number range:
BKA1000-4A-A0005570 --- BKA1000-4A-A0005815
ButtKicker brand low frequency haptic feedback transducers utilize a patented magnetic suspension which is different from any other speaker or shaker and can be used couches, theater seating, platforms, and any type of structure. ButtKicker transducers accurately reproduce the "feeling" range of many natural and man-made sounds, such as earthquakes, thunderstorms, rocket launches, waves, explosions, tornadoes, volcanoes, dinosaurs, sound effects and all styles of music.
Different from other shakers or tactile transducers that use voice coil technology, ButtKicker transducers are much more powerful, more musical (linear) and offer true infrasonic or low frequency response with their resonant frequency of 9 Hz and range of 5 - 200 Hz.
One ButtKicker transducer will easily replace 2 - 4 or more of the other types of shakers previously available, and perhaps more importantly: it is virtually indestructible and maintenance free.
If you are looking to delight and electrify yourself and others with an affordable and easy to use solution, now is the time to incorporate ButtKicker brand low frequency audio transducers into your design and to "Feel what you've been missing!"
Each transducer has a specificed maximum and minimum power handling (RMS values). Unlike conventional voice-coils underpowering or overpowering a ButtKicker transducer will not cause permanent damage. However, greatly over-powering a ButtKicker transducer will cause the intergrated thermal switch (75C) to trip and the unit will need to cool before operation resumes.
The ButtKicker is an excellent low frequency haptic transducer, but what it drives (your chair/sim rig/platform/floor/furniture) will have a direct influence on the total system response. Good low frequency response is a combination of both the ButtKicker transducer and the surface/platform driven by the ButtKicker transducer. The platform, whether it is a suspended wood floor, or a platform built under your furniture, needs to be able to move/shake at low frequencies. A tight (usually small) platform may vibrate freely at higher or midrange frequencies but not have the freedom to move for the low frequencies.