Terrarum Perc8 is a new drum Synthesizer plugin for iOS and macOS, featuring 8 independent drum synthesis voices, a sequencer, and more.
In recent weeks, there has been a huge wave of new releases on iOS. I suspect it’s not so much that every possible developer is now making iOS apps, but rather that AI has made tools available that allow anyone to develop apps, even those who can’t code.
I expect it’s also the case for this release. Joe Topjian, aka Terraum, the developer who brought us several free AUv3 FX plugins for iOS/macOS based on Airwindows algorithms, has now released Perc8, a new drum Synthesizer.
Terrarum Perc8
Perc8 is a new 8-voice drum Synthesizer plugin for iOS and macOS. According to Terrarum, Perc8 is designed for techno, alAcid, industrial, and experimental electronic music.
Don’t let that confuse you, though. It’s still an instrument, so you can use it for anything. The TB-303 was originally invented as a bass replacement, but today it’s much more than that.
The UI looks somewhat generic, like many apps released in recent weeks. I can’t confirm it, but it looks very much like it was prompted, i.e., AI.
At its core are eight independent drum synth engines for kicks, snares, claps, cymbals, hats, and noise percussion. Each engine offers eight expressive macros for intuitive, musical control.
You can shape the engine tones with seven different filter types and multiple distortions. At the signal path end, you can process them further with delay, reverb, and chorus/flanger. My guess was wrong: these are not based on Airwindows’ algorithms but on new ones from the developer.
Sequencing
Part of the Terrarum Perc8 is also a sequencer with which you can build sophisticated patterns with probability-based triggers, conditional fills, per-step parameter locks (p-locks). and variable- length retriggering.
There is also a song mode that lets you chain patterns into a full song with timeline-based automation. Automation for every parameter is also available across your arrangement with the Chain editor.
The app also includes a master mixer with gain, pan, mute/solo, EQ, master drive, and stereo width control. Perc8 also supports MIDI with multi-channel routing, pattern triggering, and MIDI CC learn.
First Impression
At first glance, it’s a beautiful, versatile drum synthesizer for iOS and macOS. My only complaint is the user interface, which looks very generic.
Terrarum Perc8 is available now $6,99 on the Apple App Store. It runs as a standalone and AUv3 plugin on iOS and macOS (native Apple Silicon).
Hi there! Thank you for posting about Perc8 and for the kind words.
I wanted to add a comment here and provide some additional info about Perc8:
I used agentic AI to help make Perc8, but Perc8 wasn’t entirely prompt-created or generated by AI. I’ve programmed/developed code for over 20 years and using AI has accelerated my coding, but “blindly” using it to create apps/programs is something I wouldn’t recommend.
User interface and graphic design has always been a weak spot for me. I’m more used to working on command lines and terminals. The Perc8 interface is certainly “functional” but I agree that it’s not going to win any awards 🙂 On the other hand, I can be quite confident that the underlying code is solid!
The effects algorithms are my own and not Airwindows-based.
Again, leaning on my developer background, open source attribution and “correct” use of open source code is very important to me. The “Rivet” apps that I created use Chris’s algorithms, and make note of which ones throughout. They’re free apps out of respect for Chris’s work and so others can enjoy his algorithms on different platforms.
I’d be happy to answer any questions about Perc8 or go into more detail about it!
Thank you again for writing about it!
Joe
thanks Joe for your input 🙂 this is very helpful 🙂
I can’t find any audio demos?!?!? What does it sound like?
Checked the website again, no demos, no audio, literally no idea what this sounds like?!?!
Is the developer expecting people to buy it without hearing it first?
Extraordinary!
YouTube has demos