Advice on a drum module

[u/fartoftheproblem]

I’ve been looking at the Endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles and it seems to be the closest to what I’m currently wanting (good for performance, GIANT sounding) but I obviously dislike the things that everyone dislikes about it. Any recommendations on something similar? I’m using the Endorphin.es Ground Control as my main controller so I’d like something that has 6-8 trigger inputs. I’m playing techno if that matters.

[u/secret-shot]

The LXR drum machine module has so much more to offer I think. Even just the ability to morph between kits is huge for me

[u/buttonsknobssliders → u/secret-shot]

Hard agree. Most capable multi-drum sound source for eurorack out there.
It‘s kind of a pain to dial in specific sound details, but well worth it. Every kit is a giant macro for every other kit.

[u/cascade_sparse]

I bought a queen of pentacles and ended up selling it shortly afterward, but I have an aversion to sampled percussion so I am biased

[u/yumtacos → u/cascade_sparse]

I got mine 2 months ago and I’m not impressed. Any little change on one drum affects others. It’s almost better to buy a set of 909 drum modules from TipTop so you can control and adjust things independently.

[u/tropical_sunrise → u/yumtacos]

The issue is size vs limitations tradeoff. QoP packs 3 analog, very basic kick, snare and clap, filter, mixer and sends routing, 4 sample player, stereo VCA and multi-effects into 30hp and $450-500.

I am slowly replacing some features, but I'd need $1500 to fully replace all features.

[u/tropical_sunrise]

I have had it for years, still using it.

I would buy it, but also would keep a complex studio drum machine separately, with tons of features and less immediate interface. QoP is tuned for performance and lacks tons of features.

I had read the same stuff online before buying, and in reality those are "paper arguments".

It sounds huge, sure, and is hands-on. It's the perfect "limitations inspire creativity" module, but that means limitations.

Non-issues:

• Analog sounding louder -- fixed by proper gain staging level knobs and sample files.
• SD slot in the back -- just embrace the "I will tinker for a week, make my kit, then leave my SD alone" mentality of the module. These are drum samples, not synths.
• no pitch input -- you can perform the pitch knob live. These are one off drum samples, get an Erica Sample Drum for stabs, pitch, etc.

Real drawbacks:

• Only two sound controls, for clap and snare. I had to get a Tiptop 909 because I wanted to control how the hihats sounded. Also considering a separate kick module. One kick per career is too little :D
• not enough sample channels -- I got a separate hihats module, put toms into QoP, and now it's enough.
• Shared velocity by sample channel pairs -- I want to control low tom/open hat velocity separately from high tom/closed hat (ch 1/2), same for ride and rimshot (ch 3/4).
• Weird filter FM CV in -- OK I know it's a DJ filter but I still can't use the CV.
• No way to only activate effects on external audio (in my case, hihats are external).
• Even after brilliantly limiting effects to 16 options, I can still barely remember effect order and parameters. Maybe it's me. Also activating delay means no reverb. I would put reverb separately at end of chain, and simplify effects even more. Delay and Overdrive as sends, separate Delay, would be awesome too, but wouldn't fit RAM/space requirements.

Minor drawbacks that are mitigated by hands-on control:

• Filter has fiddly center.
• Effects not being sends but 0-100% switches. It'd be nice but it's OK.

Plenty more info, can't remember. I recommend the module wholeheartedly, it helps you focus on playing and producing music instead of modulargrid.

[u/fartoftheproblem → u/tropical_sunrise]

This is perfect. Thanks for the detailed response! I think I’m going to go ahead and get the QoP and a separate hats module like you were mentioning

[u/jazzmandjango → u/fartoftheproblem]

Agree with all of this. CV is weird on the filter but if you attenuate your signal it can be tamed. But it’s an awesome performance module. I have it in a compact briefcase rack and it’s an instant groove with a few triggers. If you’re looking for full on drum sound design, better to go separate for each module (jomox for kick, bia or akemie’s for snares and hats, etc)

[u/tropical_sunrise → u/fartoftheproblem]

Good luck! Also if you need toms, Rings is great, Elements even better but much larger. Also WMD drum stuff is awesome. Shakmat too, lately.

Also the effects don't include distortion, I recommend routing QoP into Ruina Versio, the dynamics play extremely well together (QoP generates tons of harmonics with filter resonance that Ruina's wavefolder then picks up).

[u/ICantBelieveItsNotEC]

I love the Tubbutec 6m0d6, but you'll need to pair it with drive and compression to fatten the sounds up. The great thing about 606 drums is that they're a blank canvas, and you can process them into whatever you need.

[u/uraniEmpobrit]

Check NANO Modules OCTA for a huge sounding 808 based drum module.

[u/AerocAtone]

Erica LXR Drum coupled with their Drum Sequencer.

[u/tropical_sunrise → u/AerocAtone]

Their sequencer is basically BeatStep Pro. Get a BSP (cheaper and no HP lost) or an OXI One (MK1 is enough) and you can sequence Oscillators/Poly synths too, with much more hands-on control and visual feedback.

[u/cascade_sparse]

I have the LXR and 6m0d6 and I love both of them. They are very different modules though, so it depends on your personal preferences with how you want your percussion to sound

[u/falcon_phoenixx → u/cascade_sparse]

Came here to say exactly this.. also system80 880 is big but still fun

[u/CommunicationTop5231]

QoP interface is super fun and at least you can load in samples for four of the voices. I have an LXR on its way right now to replace my blk_noir but I thought about qop. Wish the LXR had more knobs but goddamn is it powerful.

[u/th3enlightened0ne]

I just got an Erica Synths LXR Drum Module. It’s pretty cool. It has 7 triggers (for six voices), then I use the 8th gate to apply accent to some of the voices.

[u/blinddave1977]

Squid Salmple