HexDrums Analog Desktop Drum Machine

Our plan was always to use the Mutant Drum DNA to create a next-level desktop drum machine. We began early work on one before the Pandemic. I'm so glad that the Erica Synths crew was able to carry out the vision and finish the dream!

Stacy GaudreauHexinverter Électronique

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10 sound sources

64 steps per pattern

16 × 16 banks × patterns

HexDrums is the desktop drum machine we always meant to build from our Mutant Drums, realized by the amazing team at Erica Synths! It combines the range and flexibility of the Hexinverter sound with the incredible sequencing engine, no-nonsense layout and performance-focused design that Erica Synths’ desktop instruments are known for.

Its 10 sound sources source their DNA from our Mutant Drums series of percussion modules, with the sizzling hot cymbals of Erica Synths completing the set. Every drum has an individual output, and in the master section they are panned in the stereo field before being sent into the compressor and master drive, which were evolved and improved from the Mutant Hot Glue. A hands-on, easy-to-program sequencer offers up to 64-step patterns with accents, per-step microtiming, ratchets, rolls and per-step probability, and a memory of 16 banks with 16 patterns each.

The Voices

10 sound sources carrying the DNA of our Mutant Drums series of percussion modules, completed by Erica Synths' sizzling hot cymbals.

Bass Drum 1

Mutant BD9

One of two kick drums, for different (or combined) flavours.

Pitch
Decay
Pitch Decay
Sub Level
Decay Amt
Wave
Click Level
Level

Bass Drum 2

Mutant Bassdrum

The second kick drum, for different (or combined) flavours.

Pitch
Decay
Tone
Level

Machine

Mutant Machine

The Mutant Machine, optimised.

Membr. Pitch
Detune
Noise Pitch
Membr. 1 Level
Membr. 2 Level
Noise Decay
Pitch Decay
Membr. Decay
Noise Level
Decay Amt
Click Level
Level

Snare Drum

Mutant Snare

A shell of two bridged-T sine oscillators, plus snappy noise through a highpass or bandpass filter.

Shell Pitch
Cutoff
Decay
Tone
Filter Mode
Resonance
Shell/Snappy
Level

Clap

Mutant Clap

Pitchable noise with a simulated reverb, from TR-909-like claps to chiptune-like sounds.

Pitch
Sustain
Reverb Decay
Cutoff
Reverb
Filter
Level

Rimshot

Mutant Rimshot

Rimshots and claves from three bridged-T oscillators and a resonant filter.

Pitch
Mod Decay
Cutoff
Filter Mod
Filter
Mode
Resonance
Level

HiHats

Mutant Hihats

Open and closed hihats.

Decay
Cutoff
Mode
Filter
OH Level
CH Level

Cymbals

Erica Synths

10 sets of crash and ride cymbal samples.

Crash Pitch
Ride Pitch
Crash Decay
Ride Decay
Select
Ride Loop
Crash Level
Ride Level

Master

Mutant Hot Glue

The drums are panned in the stereo field, then sent into the stereo compressor and stereo master drive.

Gain
Blend
Threshold
Ratio
Response
Master Drive
Blend

The Sequencer

A versatile, hands-on, X0X-style sequencer in the spirit of the much-loved sequencing on Erica Synths' desktop instruments: quick to program and immediate to play. Enter patterns step by step or tap them in live, then perform with mutes, solo, per-track shuffle and instant pattern reload.

Up to 64 steps

Four bars of 16 steps, and every track can have its own length, play direction and time division.

Accents

Set globally or per track, and adjust them after the pattern is programmed.

Ratchets and rolls

Up to 8 trigger repeats on any step, and live rolls on any voice.

Per-step microtiming

Nudge any trigger up to 50% ahead of or behind the grid.

Per-step probability

Odds from 1/8 to 7/8, or chances from 10% to 90%, on any step.

16 banks of 16 patterns

Plus up to 16 songs chained from patterns, and memory backup via USB B.

Connections

Balanced, line-level stereo master output
A dedicated line-level output for each voice
MIDI in (5-pin DIN): trigger notes and MIDI clock
MIDI out: trigger and MIDI clock messages
Clock in and out for analogue sync (PPQ configurable), and a reset input
6.3 mm stereo headphone output
USB-B: MIDI control, user sample upload, pattern memory backup and firmware updates
12 VDC power input

Dimensions 45.5 × 7.8 × 21.5 cm Weight 2.65 kg Included HexDrums, universal 12 VDC adapter, user manual

Demos

Erica Synths x Hexinverter HexDrums sound demo

Erica Synths HexDrums: an exploration into circuit bent 808 and 909 classic sounds (loopop review)

Get yours

HexDrums is made, sold and supported by Erica Synths.

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