The HexDrums is a collaborative creation between Erica Synths and Hexinverter Électronique, merging Erica Synths' industrial techno aesthetic with Hexinverter's mutant circuit DNA. This analog drum synthesizer pays homage to classic drum machine designs while introducing innovative improvements and modern features.
At its core, the HexDrums features 10 distinct sound sources, with 8 fully analog percussion voices derived primarily from Hexinverter's acclaimed Mutant series of eurorack modules. The instrument includes two bass drums offering different sonic flavors—the BD9-derived Bass Drum 1 with its triangle core VCO and sine waveshaper, capable of producing everything from punchy kicks to exaggerated tom-like sweeps, and the Bass Drum 2 featuring a twin-t damped sinewave oscillator reminiscent of the legendary TR-808, delivering organic, vintage kick drum tones.
The Machine voice stands as a uniquely versatile percussion generator, combining two synthesis sections: a Membrane section with dual analog triangle VCOs capable of FM-like timbres through detuning, and a Snappy section adding noisy textures. This dynamic instrument produces everything from traditional analog percussion to complex drones and oscillations.
The Snare Drum evolves beyond classic synthesis techniques, featuring two bridged-t sinewave oscillators for the shell tone with adjustable pitch spanning approximately two octaves. Its snappy section includes a 12dB/oct filter switchable between highpass and bandpass modes, with three resonance settings including a self-oscillating option.
The Clap voice utilizes a voltage-controlled LFSR (linear feedback shift register) noise oscillator with pitch control, creating sounds ranging from classic TR-909-style claps to broken, chiptune-like alien textures. A built-in simulated reverb effect adds depth and authenticity to the clap sound.
The Rimshot/Clave generator employs a triple bridged-T oscillator coupled with a state variable filter offering lowpass, highpass, and bandpass modes. Three operating modes—HI, LOW, and CLV (Clave)—provide versatility from classic rimshots to low toms and bright percussive sounds.
The TR-808-inspired HiHats voice features dual generators for open and closed hihats sharing a noise source but functioning independently. A resonant bandpass filter and three interaction modes (Fade, Exclusive, and Independent) control how the open and closed hihats respond when triggered simultaneously.
Completing the sonic palette are the Cymbals—a hybrid digital/analog voice featuring 10 sets of custom crash and ride cymbal samples processed through analog VCAs and unique envelope generators. Each cymbal has independent pitch and decay controls, with the ride cymbal offering a special looping feature that creates delay-like effects during the decay phase. Users can upload their own custom samples (48 kHz, 16-bit mono) to personalize these voices.
The master section features a premium hi-fidelity soft-knee stereo compressor based on 500 Series studio-grade audio ICs, with adjustable gain (+40dB capability), threshold, ratio, wet/dry blend, and three response speeds (Fast, Medium, Slow). A classic topology optical distortion with its own blend control allows fine-tuning of the overall sonic character.
The hands-on X0X-style sequencer provides extensive programming flexibility with up to 64-step patterns divided into four bars of 16 steps each. Each of the 10 tracks can have independent length (up to 64 steps), play direction (forward, backward, ping-pong, ping-pong with repeat, or random), and time division (1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 3/2, 2, and 4). Both step and tap programming modes accommodate different workflow preferences.
Performance features include per-step accents with configurable one-step or two-step response, ratchets (up to 8 repeats per step), probabilities and odds for creating less predictable patterns, and microtiming for humanizing triggers up to 50% off the grid. Per-track shuffle adds organic feel, while the roll function enables constant triggering at various rates (1/16, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32). Track mute, solo, reset, and reload functions facilitate dynamic live performances.
Pattern memory consists of 16 banks with 16 patterns each (256 total patterns), with pattern backup available via USB-B connection. Song mode allows compilation of complete arrangements using up to 16 pattern steps per song, with each pattern repeatable up to 9 times, and storage for 16 complete songs.
Connectivity includes individual line-level outputs for all 10 voices, balanced stereo master output with hard-panned positioning, stereo headphone output, DIN5 MIDI In/Out, USB-B for MIDI control and data transfer, analog clock in/out with configurable PPQ (1, 2, 4, or 24), and a reset input. The instrument ships with a universal 12VDC center-positive power adapter, user manual, and comes housed in Erica Synths' characteristic hands-on, no-nonsense form factor.
Technical Specifications
SOUND GENERATION
- 10 total sound sources (8 fully analog, 2 sample-based)
PERCUSSION VOICES
Bass Drum 1 (BD9-derived)
- Triangle core VCO with sine waveshaper
- Pitch control spanning several octaves
- Pitch decay envelope with adjustable amount
- Variable decay length
- Adjustable click/transient level
- Square wave sub-oscillator (one octave down) with level control
- Sine/Square waveform switch
- Individual level control
Bass Drum 2 (TR-808 style)
- Twin-t damped sinewave oscillator
- Variable pitch (sub-sonic to tom drum range)
- Adjustable decay
- Tone control (lowpass filter)
- Individual level control
Machine
- Dual synthesis sections: Membrane and Snappy
- Two analog triangle VCOs in Membrane section
- Variable pitch and detune (wide FM-like timbres)
- Independent level controls for both membrane waveforms
- Pitch decay envelope with adjustable amount
- Membrane decay control
- Noise generator with pitch control
- Variable noise decay (short snap to drone)
- Adjustable click level
- Individual noise and overall level controls
Snare Drum
- Two bridged-t sinewave oscillators for shell
- Pitch control (~2 octave range)
- Variable decay (few milliseconds to ~10 seconds)
- 12dB/oct filter (HP/BP switchable)
- Three resonance settings (Mid, Low, self-oscillating High)
- Adjustable cutoff frequency
- Shell tone blend control
- Shell/Snappy balance control
- Individual level control
Clap
- Voltage-controlled LFSR noise oscillator
- Variable pitch (white noise to 8-bit crunchy tones)
- Sustain control
- Simulated reverb with decay control
- Reverb source switch (internal/external, off)
- Resonant bandpass filter with cutoff control
- Filter bypass switch
- Individual level control
Rimshot/Clave
- Triple bridged-T oscillator
- Pitch control (~2 octave range)
- Three modes: HI (rimshot), LOW (low toms/kicks), CLV (clave)
- State variable filter (LP/HP/BP)
- Adjustable cutoff and resonance (self-resonates at extremes)
- Mod decay envelope (VCA control)
- Filter modulation attenuverter
- Individual level control
HiHats (Dual)
- TR-808 inspired design
- Shared noise source, independent circuits
- Open hihat: variable decay
- Closed hihat: fixed decay
- Resonant bandpass filter with cutoff control
- Filter bypass switch
- Three interaction modes: Fade, Exclusive, Independent
- Individual level controls for OH and CH
Cymbals (Sample-based)
- 10 factory sample sets (crash and ride pairs)
- Custom sample upload capability (48kHz, 16-bit mono)
- Independent pitch control for crash and ride
- Independent decay control for crash and ride
- Ride loop function (delay-like effect)
- Individual level controls for crash and ride
MASTER SECTION
- Stereo signal path
- Hi-fidelity soft-knee compressor (500 Series studio IC-based)
- Gain: up to +40dB makeup gain
- Adjustable threshold
- Adjustable ratio
- Wet/dry blend control
- Three response speeds: Fast, Medium, Slow
- Gain reduction LED indicator
- Master drive (optical distortion)
- Adjustable drive amount
- Wet/dry blend control
- Master volume control
- Hard stereo panning per voice
SEQUENCER
- X0X-style step sequencer
- Pattern length: up to 64 steps per pattern
- 4 bars of 16 steps each
- Independent per-track programming:
- Variable length (1-64 steps)
- Play direction: Forward, Backward, Ping-Pong, Ping-Pong with repeat, Random
- Time division: 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4, 1, 3/2, 2, 4
- Master length setting (1-64 steps, affects all tracks)
- Two programming modes: Step and Tap
- Per-step features:
- Accents (configurable 1-step or 2-step response)
- Ratchets (1-8 repeats per step)
- Probabilities: 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90%
- Odds: 1/8, 1/7, 1/6, 1/5, 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 7/8
- Microtiming: up to ±50% off grid
- Per-track shuffle control
- Roll function: 1/16, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32 rates
- Performance features:
- Track mute/unmute
- Track solo
- Per-track reset
- Pattern reload
- Global reset
MEMORY
- 16 banks × 16 patterns = 256 total patterns
- Pattern backup via USB-B
- 16 song storage slots
- Song mode: up to 16 steps per song, each pattern repeatable 1-9 times
CONNECTIVITY
Audio Outputs
- 10 individual voice outputs (line-level, unbalanced)
- Stereo master output (line-level, balanced)
- Stereo headphone output (6.3mm jack)
MIDI
- DIN5 MIDI In (trigger notes, MIDI clock)
- DIN5 MIDI Out (triggers, MIDI clock)
- USB-B MIDI
Sync
- Analog Clock In (configurable PPQ: 1, 2, 4, 24)
- Analog Clock Out (configurable PPQ: 1, 2, 4, 24)
- Reset input
Data
- USB-B port for:
- MIDI control
- User sample upload
- Pattern memory backup
- Firmware updates
CONTROLS
- Cherry-key style step programming buttons (16)
- 10 voice trigger buttons (double as track selection)
- Function buttons (8)
- Bar selection buttons (4)
- Start/Stop/Pause/Rec buttons
- Alphanumeric display (tempo and system info)
- Data encoder with push function
- Comprehensive voice control knobs and switches per voice
CONFIGURATION OPTIONS
- Clock source: Internal, MIDI, External analog
- MIDI port: DIN5 or USB
- MIDI Out: Off, Thru, Channels 1-16
- MIDI In: Off, Omni, Channels 1-16
- MIDI Clock Out: Off, On (when playing), Continuous
- Clock In PPQ: 1, 2, 4, 24
- Clock Out PPQ: 1, 2, 4, 24
- Global accent: 1-step or 2-step response
- Pattern load: On (last pattern) or Off
- User sample access: On or Off
- Inverted odds: On or Off
- Factory reset function
- Firmware update via USB (DFU mode)
POWER
- 12VDC, 3A, center-positive
- Universal power adapter (included)
OPERATING CONDITIONS
- Temperature range: -20°C to +50°C
- Not waterproof - indoor use only
FACTORY INCLUDED ACCESSORIES
- HexDrums drum synthesizer
- Universal 12VDC power adapter
- User manual
