Tiptop Audio CP909 Analog Clap Drum Module (4HP)

Full Description

Classic Tone In A Modern Format

Tiptop Audio have managed to faithfully recreate the circuitry from the classic '80s drum machine to bring you an uncompromised percussion sound in a unique and functional modular format. Designed to work alongside their other drum modules in the series, the CP909 delivers that classic analog clap tone in heaps, with additional features added in for creating that personal touch and sculpting the ideal sound for your project. The modular format enables incredible customisation within your rig, and the CP909 will fit perfectly in existing and new setups thanks to its versatile circuitry and compact design.

High-Powered Gain Stage

The CP909 is equipped with an enhanced output gain stage capable of producing much hotter signals than the original drum machine. This addition of gain stages emulates the old practice of running original drum machines through outboard amplifiers to add gain, and passing that signal through other devices to generate additional harmonics from clipping and distortion. This expanded sound palette featured in the CP909 gives you the ability to make use of an array of harmonised drum sounds with razor sharp attack, or even heavily crushed and distorted sounds. The CP909 can even go hotter than the standard levels of modular VCOs, making it one of the most useful ways to achieve big, gritty, rich sounds from the CP909 circuitry.

Dual-Input Pulse-Shaper

Tiptop Audio have also added an in-house designed dual pulse-shaper circuit, enabling you to trigger the CP909 using Trigger or Gate signals from a variety of other equipment such as clock dividers, step sequencers, or other clock/pulse sources. This design means you get the same stable sound at its peak power regardless of differences in your pulse source without the need to shape the pulses sent to the module.

Accent & Levels

Accent is what makes a beat sound natural and full of life. The CP909 features an accent input, which is a gate/trigger signal. When this accent input is not in use, the incoming gate input is routed to both the accent input and the gate input, serving two purposes. It allows you to reach the hottest drum sound possible, even when no accent input signal is connected, whilst simultaneously utilising the Accent control knob to act as a fine control for the output gain level. However, when connecting to the accent input, the gate input routing will be broken, allowing for independent control over your desired accent regardless of the incoming gate signal. Setting the knob higher will result in large gain level differences between accented and un-accented notes, where as lower will have the opposite effect. Compared to the original drum machine which featured a global accent control which affected all of the sounds on the machine at the same time, the CP909 gives you complete independent control over the accent of your sounds without compromising your other modules, giving you extensive dynamic options.

The Trash Control

The CP909 uses a quasi-random logic-based noise generator, and the Trash control affects the speed of this generator. At the max position, the generator is set to the original speed of the classic drum machine to achieve that typical '80s analog clap sound. Lowering the setting "trashes" the noise source, opening up a huge array of sonic possibilities enabling you to generate significantly more sounds. Decreasing the clock speed also increases the volume due to the nature of a logic-based noise generator.

Trimmer Setting

Located at the centre-right of the PCB, the Trimmer is used to balance between the clap sound and the clap reverb sound. As standard, the CP909's Trimmer is set according to the original specifications of the classic '80s drum machine. However, this can be adjusted and experimented with by using a small flat-head screwdriver to carefully rotate the Trimmer while listening for tone changes.

The CP909 Sound

The CP909 creates its clap effect by using a special triple-saw envelope generator that controls the gain of the VCA. A quasi-random logic-based noise generator creates the sound source that feeds into the VCA, and this creates that signature analog clap that can be found in a classic '80s drum machine. The CP909 is also equipped with a unique Trash control knob which opens up a whole new world of sounds that can be generated through this module.

Modular Design

Each analog drum module made by Tiptop audio uses a well-tuned patch that utilises a T-Network of sine generators, noise sources, VCAs, envelopes, and filter circuits designed specifically for creating incredible percussive sounds. Patching each of these modular components together, Tiptop has created a tremendous way of generating specific sounds. Only the highest quality discrete parts are used, and in a minimal fashion. Combining multiple Tiptop Audio modules gives you the option to create a truly personalised sound-set with a huge range of flexibility. Whether its just for playing a groove alongside other bass-lines and other melodies, or complex switching of trigger signals on the fly whilst having drum sounds travel through additional sound processors to create unpredictable and intricate results, Tiptop Audio's premium modular design opens the doors to a whole new world of sound.