Tiptop Audio BD808 Analog Bass Drum Module (4HP)

Full Description

High-Powered Gain Stage

The BD808 is equipped with an onboard high-powered output gain stage capable of producing signals up to 20Vp.p. This addition of a gain stage 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 BD808 gives you the ability to make use of an array of harmonised bass drum sounds from razor sharp attacks to heavily crushed sounds. The BD808 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 BD808 circuitry.

Dual-Input Pulse-Shaper

Tiptop Audio have also added an in-house designed dual pulse-shaper circuit, enabling you to trigger the BD808 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

The BD808 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 BD808 gives you complete independent control over the accent of your bass drum sounds without compromising your other modules, giving you extensive dynamic options.

Extended Decay

Revitalising the original machine's signature sounds, the BD808 circuitry features an extended decay time which reaches to the very limits of decay capabilities with this particular circuit before it would start self-oscillating. The BD808 makes it possible to achieve that low, room-shaking rumble associated with the classic '80s electronic bass drum sound, but with even more versatility.

Tone Control

The BD808 is equipped with a dedicated Tone control, allowing you to set the cutoff frequency of a low-pass filter that the drum sound/signal will pass through. The higher the knob setting, the more high-frequency harmonics will be able to pass through, giving you that classic techno drum sound with a strong focused attack and tight sound. Turning the knob the opposite way will give you a darker sound with a much softer attack characteristic.

Modular Design

Each analog drum module made by Tiptop audio uses a well-tuned patch that utilises a T-Network, os 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.