Sebsongs Modular Rhythmatic module is 16HP and puts a full Roland CR-78-inspired analog drum machine with six voices in your Eurorack system.
Eurorack synthesizers can also be powerful modular drum machines. This is often complex, as you usually need a module for each drum voice. So, you might end up with six or eight modules just for the drum generation without the actual sequencer.
It can also be smaller and more space-saving. Sebsongs Modular Rhythmatic is a module that packs a complete drum machine into the rack and takes up only 16 HP.
Sebsongs Modular Rhythmatic
Rhythmatic features a complete analog drum machine with six voices in a classic Eurorack module. According to Sebsongs Modular, the Rhythmatic drum voices are derived from the classic Roland CR-78.
The available voices are bass drum, snare drum, low conga, rim shot, hi-hat, and cymbal. Unlike the original drum machine, it adds adjustable tune and decay controls for the bass drum and snare drum, as well as a decay control for the cymbal.
These sounds can be programmed into a built-in sequencer. It’s not very ergonomic due to the module’s size, but the developers made it relatively easy to use.
It offers 64 programmable drum patterns, up to 16 steps in length. Each drum voice can have its sequence length, making it possible to create polymetric sequences. You don’t feel like tapping out your own patterns, but instead just playing them straight away? No problem. It also ships with 64 pre-programmed patterns, including many of the original CR-78 patterns.
Drum Sequencing With Looping
Sebsongs Modular has also built some neat, creative extras into its Rhythmatic module. First, you have a random parameter that is controllable with a big knob. It either adds or subtracts steps from the pre-programmed patterns and allows you to create random files on the fly. I can imagine this parameter being very fun and inspiring, especially for performances.
Then, holding the shift button turns the random knob into a four bar loop recorder, which will record pattern changes and movement on the random knob. To round off the performance aspect, Rhythmatic also offers handy mute buttons for each voice.
The module works as a standalone drum machine in your Eurorack system. However, you can also feed the drum voices with another trigger sequencer in case you prefer working differently.
Each drum voice has a dedicated jack that can be configured to either be an external trigger input or trigger output from the built-in sequencer. So, Sebsongs Modular Rhythmatic is also a trigger sequencer. Each jack can be individually set to be an input or an output.
On the I/O side, you have external clock and reset inputs, CV inputs for the pattern and random parameters, and two dedicated audio outputs. The A output gives you the whole mix of all six voices, while the second (B) splits the voices in half between the two outputs.
First Impression
Rhythmatic could be a very intriguing module for easily and efficiently creating a complete drum machine in Eurorack. Its voice tweakability is significantly more limited than six individual voices, but it only has 16 HP.
Sebsongs Modular Rhythmatic is available now at Thonk for £300 (ex VAT) in an assembled version and £210 (ex VAT) as a DIY kit.
More information here: Sebsongs Modular
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