Superbooth 2026: Erica Synths released Bullfrog Drums, a new 7-track sampling drum machine with music education in mind, in collaboration with Richie Hawtin.
Two years ago, Erica Synths gave a preview of the Bullfrog Drums at Superbooth 2024, the second product in collaboration with Richie Hawtin.
Like the Bullfrog Synth, this product is aimed at the educational sector and is intended to give people an easy way to make music. Now, just before Superbooth 2026, the Bullfrog Drums drum machine is ready for pre-order.
Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums
Bullfrog Drums is a sampling drum machine and CV/gate sequencer with seven sample-based drum voices.
According to Erica Synths, Bullfrog Drums is optimized for a learning path in drum programming, sampling techniques, working with samples, and integrating into various performance setups.
It features 7 sample-based drum voices. You can sample into the device via the line input or via the built-in speaker. Alternatively, you can import your own samples into the 64 MB of sample memory.
Bullfrog Samples ships with 7 banks of factory samples by Richie Hawtin and the Erica Synths team. Plus, up to 16 banks are available for user samples. There is also memory for 4 banks, each with 16 kits.
A wide range of hardware parameters lets you shape sounds in a very hands-on way. It has seven parameters for sample sound design, including pitch, decay, loop point, cutoff, resonance, drive, and pan.
In addition, you have individual-level controls for each voice.
Sequencing
A 64-step XoX style sequencer with ratcheting, probability, and microtiming powers the Bullfrog Drums. For additional variety, you can program parameter locks and automations per track.
Space for up to 4 banks with 16 patterns is available in the internal memory. So you can store your favorite patterns for later.
Neat, you can also use it as a CV/gate sequencer for controlling synthesizers with 1v/oct/gate.
On the connection side, it has 5-pin MIDI in/out sockets, a USB-C port for MIDI/firmware/memory backup, a stereo output, and a line-level input for sampling. Plus, it has a headphone socket, CV/gate connectivity, reset, clock in and out, and a power supply input.
It comes in a signature Erica Synths aluminum enclosure (40,5 x 18,5 x 6 cm – 2,7 kg) with color-coded knobs, clicky buttons, and a built-in speaker.
First Impression
At first glance, it’s a lovely, very hands-on drum machine with on-the-fly sampling. It’s a bit pricey, but so is the Bullfrog synth.
Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums is available now for pre-order for 600€ + VAT. Shipping will start May 6, 2026.
More information here: Erica Synths
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Article from May 20, 2024
The Bullfrog Snythesizer is the joint project of Erica Synths and star producer Richie Hawtin. This year, the Bullfrog XL version was released. Frogs were also the big topic at Superbooth 24 this year, but not in the context of music.
But another bullfrog sneaked into the Erica Synths booth. The Latvian company has shown a prototype of the Bullfrog Drums.
Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums
Bullfrog Drums were not officially shown; only a prototype was on the stand. According to the YouTube channel motobor, Bullfrog Drums is a 7-track sample-based drum machine.
It looks very easy to use with its classic 909-style clicky buttons and large knobs. An official feature set is not yet available, but we can see on the unit that it has 16 instruments and functions, such as last step, shuffle, mute, accent, ratchet, probability, and more.
Then, the big knobs will mainly tweak the loaded samples, including the pitch, attack, decay, drive, volume, and more. There is also a classic display with a data encoder.
At first glance, I’m sure the Bullfrog Drums won’t turn the drum machine market on its head. I think it is again made for the education sector, and it fits in very well. According to the first features, it looks like a solid, hands-on drum machine. Stay tuned for more details.
More information will follow here: Erica Synths
Looks nice, whether it slots into the studio or not just depends on the price.
No Jomox news on the Alpha Base mk2? I believe he was at superbooth but no one mentioned.
coming soon
i would love this for the kids but 600euro is breaking the bank.
Heady days for sampling fans. They’re falling from the skies! Love it!