Metamyther’s Kick Drum Cage Match: A Eurorack Rumble

Kicking off Metamyther’s chaotic journey through Eurorack kick drums is the Jomox Modbase 09 MK II. This module struts in with a swagger, promising a hundred presets, each one a new flavour of destructive bass. It’s no wonder this one drew the crowds, hungry for its sonic ferocity. But beware – this beast is a tank. Trying to fit it into a 4ms pod is like cramming a punk band into a Mini Cooper. With MIDI in and out like a rare punk rock relic, the Modbase isn’t just wide for its size, but perfectly packed to deliver seismic waves. Flipping through its presets feels like unwrapping Christmas gifts, if Christmas was filled with distorted kicks and anarchic beats. As Metamyther says, it’s almost like navigating a spaceship, mall-wing lights pointing the way through this clunky yet brilliant interface. Dive deep and you’ll find a metallic edge in the transient banks and an onboard compressor to boot. Now, brace yourselves as those basslines roar to life.

Moving onto the next challenger, the Knobula Kickain steps up, proving size isn’t everything as it smashes out serious sound. This module is a compact dynamo, loaded with features that give it the upper hand in a dense setup. It’s like a tiny firecracker in a mosh pit – unexpected but unforgettable. With sidechain parameters and bass cut options that wrestle unwanted low-end frequencies into submission, Kickain’s got versatility tucked up its sleeve. The surprise feature is the addition of reverb, providing transitional warmth usually sidelined in kick modules. Metamyther demonstrates how this clever functionality can transform textures, unveiling additional layers that’re more than just the icing on the cake – they’re the whole bleeding dessert. With output modes giving you stereo kick mixes or mono-effect loops, Kickain shows that underestimating a small module is like picking a scuffle with the tiniest bloke in a punk gig – he’s probably got the biggest bite.

Enter the Patching Panda Blast, a module that’s bold enough to integrate a through-zero FM input. It’s an audacious move, blending subtle modulations with preset ferocity to create an appetising kick cocktail. Think of it as a dodgy kebab past midnight; you know it’s a risk, but it’s oddly satisfying. Metamyther’s keen to explore these possibilities, citing the later introduction of Noise Engineering Tauros to funk up those FM frequencies. As the demo unfolds, observe how Blast maintains its sonic integrity while playing host to wild variations and subtle tweaks. With each twist, the module offers a different take on kick transients, a reminder that audio creativity doesn’t always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers with intention. It’s a quirky but admirable attempt at modulation fusion, holding onto its sound without slipping into chaos.

Rounding off the bonanza, we meet the underdog duo of Mutable Instruments’ Plaits and Endorphin.es Queen of Pentacles. Plaits isn’t your conventional kick module, but its adaptable nature earns it a rightful spot in this showdown. Like a punk band lead singer who moonlights as a poet, Plaits brings flexibility with a series of algorithms that open up uncharted sonic terrain. Metamyther points out that, whether it’s a straight kick or a sound sculpted through electronic acrobatics, Plaits has got you covered. On the flip side, Queen of Pentacles struts in with all the bravado of a vintage drum machine – think 909 but with the twist of 21st-century wit. It’s got drive, it’s got distortion, and it’s ready to blow your speakers if you let it. As Metamyther dubs it, the Queen is truly the crowned head of a punk-infused Eurorack court. Together, these modules make a case for hybrid creativity, proving that you don’t always need to follow the rules to command a room. With riffs and thumps echoing through the air, this duo shows off its worth in style.