Oficina de Sonido Clave: a portable Euclidean drum machine – now on Kickstarter

Oficina de Sonido Clave is a new portable 8-track drum machine powered by a Euclidean sequencer, coming soon to Kickstarter.

A kick on the first, fourth, 8th etc. Snare on the third, etc.  Anyone who has ever worked with a drum machine is familiar with classic XOX step-by-step sequencing. The TR-808 and TR-909 popularized this approach. 

In recent years, however, new ideas have emerged, such as generative sequencing or Euclidean. Oficina de Sonido, a company from Mexico, will soon launch Clave on Kickstarter, a drum machine that uses the latter.

Oficina de Sonido Clave

Clave is a new, super compact drum machine designed by Mexican company Oficina de Sonido. Among other things, they have already brought several modules to market.

With the Clave, the Mexican developers are bringing their first drum machine to market. They hope to cover development costs through Kickstarter.

Clave has eight sample-based tracks. It comes with 5 factory-installed drum kits and has space for you to add your own. There will be a browser-based app that lets you upload mono samples via USB, and download firmware updates.

Each sound can be controlled with three parameters: accent, pitch, and volume.  In addition to pitch, volume, and accents, each channel has panning, distributing sounds across the stereo field. This means that even though the internal samples are mono, the audio output is stereo. 

Euclidean Sequencing

A drum sequencer triggers the eight channels. This offers both classic linear step-by-step programming and an Euclidean rhythm engine. The latter is the drum machine’s standout feature, according to the developers.

Unlike the classic XOX concept, a Euclidean sequencer uses math to spread a chosen number of hits as evenly as possible across a set number of steps. In this instrument, you use the eight touch pads and the big top knob to operate this engine.

Turning the knob distributes the beats as evenly as possible (Euclidean algorithm). The central ring of lights indicates what’s happening at any given moment. This can be steps, effects, presets, sound kits, etc.

You can have both Euclidean and linear channels in your song. When you save your presets, each channel retains its editing mode.

The sequencer also supports parameter automation, so you can record parameters such as pitch or effects. Probability is also onboard.

Yes, there are also effects. Oficina de Sonido Clave features a multi-FX processor with various reverbs, echo, delay, distortion, bit-crusher, phaser, and comb-filter. A low-pass filter is available and is separate from the effects. It comes right before the multi-FX.

For connectivity, it has a USB-C port for power and an audio output. You can also sync it with other devices.

First Impression

You can support Oficina de Sonido Clave now on Kickstarter for  $260, with shipping in December 2026. The early-bird price was $240, but they are all gone.

More information here: Oficina de Sonido / Kickstarter 

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