Metamyther’s WMD Clutch Review: Hi-Hats That Slap Harder Than a Subway Door

Metamyther kicks things off by introducing the WMD Clutch as the answer to every hi-hat prayer. Right out the gate, it’s clear this isn’t just another module—this thing wants to elevate your drum patterns from background noise to front-row hype. The Clutch is pitched as a solution for producers who need their hats to do more than just tick along in the mix.

Unlike WMD’s earlier modules, Clutch lets you load your own samples, opening up a world of sonic possibilities. Metamyther’s cinematic industrial vibe shines through as he sets the scene for a module that’s all about immediacy and performance. If you’re hunting for a hi-hat box that’s more than just a one-trick pony, this video’s got your number.

The promise here is simple: make hi-hats that don’t suck. With features aimed at both live performers and studio heads, Clutch is positioned as a serious contender for anyone looking to upgrade their percussion arsenal.

Metamyther wastes no time diving into the dual-layer magic of Clutch. You get two layers—A and B—that you can blend to taste, like mixing the perfect street taco sauce. Layer A is where you load your own samples via SD card, and you’re not just stuck with factory sounds. Want to drop in your own open and closed hats? Go for it. The module expects both versions for each sample, so you can get expressive with every hit.

Layer B, on the other hand, is the home base—nine fixed samples that don’t budge, but they cover classic territory from 909 sizzle to real acoustic vibes and noisy, experimental textures. The blend knob lets you fade between A and B, so you can get wild with your custom samples and then bring it back to basics when you need to. It’s like having a safety net for your weirdest ideas.

Metamyther points out that Layer B doesn’t respond to CV, which means it’s always steady, while Layer A is your playground for modulation and chaos. The controls are all about immediacy: pitch, release, filters, and a clever switching system that lets you tweak the sound on the fly. You can even format your SD card banks for up to 32 samples (16 open/closed pairs), so you’re never short on options.

But the real kicker is the groove implementation. Clutch isn’t just about static samples—it’s got built-in grooves you can swap out, edit, and customize. These grooves are stored on the SD card and can be tweaked in a simple text file, letting you control everything from pattern length to step intensity. That’s the kind of flexibility that turns a boring hi-hat into a groove monster. For beatmakers who live for that swing, this feature alone is worth the price of admission.

Let’s talk about the secret sauce: the feel feature. Metamyther highlights how most hi-hat patterns end up sounding like a broken printer—mechanical, stiff, and lifeless. Clutch flips the script by letting you inject real groove and swing into your patterns, all with a simple button press. You hold the switch, and suddenly you’re scrolling through a menu of groove patterns that live on the SD card.

Each groove brings a different vibe, from subtle shuffle to wild, off-kilter funk. You can swap grooves in real time, which is a game changer for live sets or spontaneous studio jams. No more static, soulless hats—now you’ve got movement and attitude baked right in. Metamyther shows how easy it is to edit these grooves on your computer, changing step intensity and pattern length to fit your track’s mood.

This feature is a godsend for anyone who’s ever struggled to make their hats feel human. Instead of spending hours nudging notes in your DAW, you can dial in the perfect groove with a couple of clicks. For beatmakers and live performers alike, this is the kind of expressive tool that turns a good beat into a great one.

Metamyther puts the Clutch’s effects section through its paces, showing off a lineup that’s anything but boring. You get everything from sputter distortion and bitcrush to comb filter, DJ filter, dub echo, chorus, reverb, and a wild glitch effect that’s perfect for those moments when you want to break the grid. Each effect is color-coded and easy to access—just hold the bank button and twist away.

The effects aren’t just tacked on—they’re integrated into the workflow, with dedicated knobs for parameter and intensity (think dry/wet). This means you can go from subtle spice to full-on destruction without losing your groove. Metamyther’s jams show how these effects can take a basic hi-hat pattern and flip it into something unpredictable and exciting.

What’s dope is how quickly you can switch effects mid-performance. No menu diving, no head-scratching—just instant mayhem at your fingertips. Whether you’re looking for a little shimmer or a complete sonic meltdown, Clutch’s effects section delivers.

For live beatmakers, this is the kind of feature that keeps your set from getting stale. It’s like having a bag of tricks ready to go, so you can keep the crowd guessing and your beats evolving all night long.