ULT Sound DS-1 is the Eurorack adaptation of the DS-4M, an analog clone of the super rare Toyo Gakki DS-4 drum synth.
Drum synths are exciting instruments. You can craft countless drum and percussive sounds from pure analog or digital synthesis from scratch without samples. The super rare Toyo Gakki Ult Sound DS-4, which was re-released as a clone in April, is a gem among analog drum synths.
ULT Sound, the developer of this clone, has now unveiled the US-1, an intriguing Eurorack adaption of the DS-4M drum synth.
ULT Sound DS-1
DS-1 is a new analog drum voice for Eurorack based on the DS-4M clone. The Eurorack version offers a single “Toyo Gakki DS-4” voice with a multi-wave VCO, attack-sustain envelope (long/short), multi-color noise, mixer, and LFO.
In addition to the DS-4M features, the ULT Sound DS-1 offers various new features. One is a new mixer function that blends between the VCO (triangle) and noise sources. The latter comes with four percussion modes, offering various colors.
Then, you get LFO speed and level controls, an LFO retrigger option, and a sweep level slider. On the interface side, the module has various CV inputs: 1V/octave, a gate external input, LFO speed, LFO level, mix, and sweep. The main sound comes out at the main output.
The new module will be available in two versions. A classic black/white and a custom yellow/blue. I like the yellow-blue one better because it gives you some color in your system.
First Impression
It is a great idea to revive the rare Toyo Gakki DS-4 as a Eurorack module. The module offers many features and is currently the only drum voice based on this particular drum synth. In addition to the mini production, this is probably one of the factors why the module is priced higher.
ULT Sound DS-1 is available now for pre-order for $400. Shipping starts in January 2025.
More information here: ULT Sound
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