WMD Clutch: Hi-Hat Reinvented, DivKid Style

The video kicks off with the introduction of the WMD Clutch, a dual-layer hi-hat module that’s far from your run-of-the-mill percussion piece. DivKid, in his typical fashion, brings to life a module designed not just to click and clang, but to weave musical tapestries. Billed as one of the most anticipated hi-hat modules on the Eurorack scene, the Clutch promises a lot more than the traditional hats you’d find in an 80s drum machine. It holds its ground with dual surfaces, allowing for closed and open hi-hat sounds, reminding us of those lively punk gigs where the energy never drops. There’s a nod to traditional XOX drum machine vibes, but the Clutch delves headfirst into experimental territory. DivKid highlights its versatile nature, from raw, machine-like beats to multi-sampled human expressions that redefine how you perceive hi-hats. By layering sounds and using its unique sample playback capabilities, Clutch breathes new life into any beat it touches. This module doesn’t just sit in a mix; it drives it, swaggering into new musical horizons.

Delving deeper into the Clutch, we find a feature stack as tall as Big Ben. DivKid opens up the module’s dual-layer design — a well-conceived playground for sound manipulation. Surface B, for starters, is laid out with a baked-in set of nine sounds, each with its own pitch and filter controls. Think of it like having a pre-set nostalgia trip back to those classic drum machines. Meanwhile, Surface A is the customizable beast, pulling from an SD card full of vibrant, changeable samples. Here, the options feel as endless as a Saturday night in Camden. The global controls, like low-pass filters and release dials, create opportunities for layering and mixing that are both nuanced and intuitive. What’s particularly interesting is the crossfade feature between Surface A and B, seamlessly blending two worlds of sound into whatever you can imagine. Now, you might mistake such intricate capabilities for complexity, but DivKid assures us the module keeps everything straightforward, offering musicians a chance to explore rather than getting tangled in wires.

DivKid dives into the patching realm, demonstrating how to tease out rhythmic complexity that would make even seasoned drummers envious. The module’s performative edge comes to the fore as he unleashes patterns that bop with swagger and controllable chaos. Hi-hats set the groove, breathing life into beats that hum with that familiar head-bobbing satisfaction. DivKid doesn’t just scratch the surface; he digs deep, showing how blend modes, filter dynamics, and accents can turn a basic sequence into an electrifying punk gig, right in your rack. The video explores the nuances of velocity modulation, generating everything from subtle grooves to full-on sonic assaults, not unlike a drum machine after-hours in a club basement. Surely, it’s about more than triggering; it’s about feeling the rhythm beneath the fingertips. He showcases patterns that aren’t just dynamic but full of crunch and grit – sounds that feel as tangible as the bricks of an underground music venue.

In this segment, the focus shifts to the Clutch’s onboard effects, revealing a plethora of sound-shaping possibilities that make ordinary hits extraordinary. The module houses eight distinct effects, each a tool for crafting textures that stretch from subtle enhancements to downright sonic bedlam. Sputter distortion, bitcrushing, and a DJ filter ready to slice through any mix sit alongside dub echoes and chorus effects that fill the space with warmth and dimension. DivKid handles them with the precision of a mixtape DJ, setting alight to pedestrian rhythms and turning them into full-fledged sonic narratives. Each effect is colour coded, making it a breeze to flip between them during performances. Whether using reverb for space or glitch effects for that broken electrical circuit sound, this section is akin to a rave, the kind that echoes long after the lights have come up. Under DivKid’s deft touch, effects become less about mere embellishment and more about transformation.