Tiptop Audio RS909 Analog Rimshot 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 RS909 delivers those classic analog rimshot tones 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 RS909 will fit perfectly in existing and new setups thanks to its versatile circuitry and compact design.

High-Powered Gain Stage

The RS909 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 RS909 gives you the ability to make use of an array of harmonized drum sounds with razor sharp attack, or even heavily crushed and distorted sounds. The RS909 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 RS909 circuitry.

Dual-Input Pulse-Shaper

Tiptop Audio have also added an in-house designed dual pulse-shaper circuit, enabling you to trigger the RS909 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 RS909 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 RS909 gives you complete independent control over the accent of your sounds without compromising your other modules, giving you extensive dynamic options.

Oscillator Frequency Control

The RS909 features two knobs labelled OSC-1 and OSC-2. These are used to control the frequency of two of the oscillators out of the three in the RS909. A dot on the scale of each control indicates where the settings for the original '80s circuitry would be. Moving the controls either side of the dot will alter the frequency of these oscillators, giving you access to a larger array of sound variations.

The RS909 Design

The RS909's front panel contains controls featured on the original drum machine from the '80s, with some added unique features to enhance the sonic versatility of the module. You have full control over the sound's volume levels and ability to mix it with other drum sounds, alongside an independent Accent input and level control and a unique ability to control the frequency of the two internal oscillators.

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.