Hexinverter Mutant BD9 (13HP)

Full Description

Parametric Bassdrum Synthesis

The Hexinverter Mutant BD9 (13HP) is a powerful analog bass drum generator in the form of a compact Eurorack module. At its core is a primary analog VCO, which provides 909-style sinusoidal bassdrums, which can also be switched to generate a square wave bassdrums for added flexibility. The analog circuitry provides that vintage-style warmth and grit, punching through any mix for a powerful bass response. It features a wide range of patch points and modulation control that allows you to shape and sculpt your tone with ease.

In-Depth Modulation Control

The VCO features a wide range of controls including: Pitch, Pitch Decay, Amp, Decay, Pitch, CV, Amp Decay CV and more. The pitch of the VCO spans numerous octaves, ranging from 30Hz – 240Hz, allowing you to modulate it with voltage control. The Pitch Decay circuit provides you with the means to adjust the duration and amount of the pitch-mod envelope, changing your tone from short snappy kicks to tom-like sweeps. A Click generator is also included, providing the attack intensity for the oscillator. You can adjust the generator and push it to the extreme for a sharp and punchy kick.

Integrated Sub-Oscillator

One of the most unique features of the Mutant BD9 is the integrated sub-oscillator that provides added depth and power when creating your sound. The square wave sub-oscillator is comprised of the primary oscillator’s pitch, allowing you to mix in the sub-oscillation to the BD9 for added versatility. The Output Drive and Sub LVL combine and can be modulated using the CV to saturate the BD9 output. The Sub Oct can be set up to -2 octaves down from the primary oscillator for added power. The drop of 0 means you can blend in an equal-pitch square wave with primary wave.

Design & Connectivity

The compact and ergonomic layout features clearly annotated controls and attenuators, providing a quick and easy way to create powerful bass drums. The Eurorack-compatible design features a range of control voltage inputs, with bipolar attenuverters. The analog trigger circuitry provides activation of the BD9 from a variety of signal sources, allowing most drum pads and other equipment to directly trigger the Mutant BD9. There is also an accent input that accepts analog voltage control, as well as connection for the Pitch, Amp Dec, Sub LVL and a dedicated output.

Features

• Parametric bassdrum synthesis offers creative control of the core sound
• The primary analog VCO offers classic 909-esque sinusoidal bassdrums, but can also be switched to generate a square wave bassdrum
• The PITCH of the VCO spans several octaves, from about 30Hz to 240Hz, and can be modulated with voltage control
• A novel PITCH DECAY circuit allows you to adjust the duration and AMOUNT of the pitch-modulation envelope applied to the bassdrum, from short blips to exaggerated tom-like sweeps
• The AMPLITUDE DECAY allows adjustment of the length of the bassdrum, from short punchy kicks to massive booms. This parameter is voltage-controlled with a snappy CV response time, allowing you to modulate the duration of your kicks per step.
• The CLICK generator is responsible for the attack intensity of the BD9. A fair amount of circuitry goes into creating this subtle punch at the beginning of the kick. The level of this effect is adjustable up to a fairly dramatic extremity.
• The overall timbre of the BD9 varies with the DRIVE control from warm, analog bassdrums at low settings to speaker-shattering overdriven sounds at high settings. Output levels are modular-level signals, unlike many classic line-level percussive devices.
• Integrated sub-oscillation for added power
• A square wave sub-oscillator derived from the primary oscillator's pitch can be mixed in (manually and with voltage control) to the BD9. The effect can be subtle deepness or extreme timbre changes.
• A jumper on the back of the module allows you to select between the sub-osc being a raw square wave or having some of the high frequency components removed with a lowpass filter.
• At high OUTPUT DRIVE and SUB LVL combinations, the sub-oscillator can be modulated with CV to saturate the BD9 output in evolving ways.
• The SUB OCT can be set to 0, -1 or -2 octaves down from the primary oscillator. A drop of 0 means that you can mix an equal-pitch square wave with a sinusoidal primary wave.
• Designed for the contemporary modular synthesizer
• Plenty of eurorack-compatible control voltage inputs with bipolar attenuverters allow synthesis of dynamic percussion
• A practical analog trigger circuit allows activation of the BD9 from many signal sources (anything with a positive-going edge lasting 2ms or longer). Most electronic drum pads can also directly trigger the Mutant BD9.
• An accent input accepts analog voltage control (0 to 5V will fully modulate the volume from low to high)

Specifications

• Size: 13HP
• Depth: 30mm
• Power: +50mA, -50mA