Tiptop Audio HATS808 Analog Hi-Hats Drum Module (8HP)

Full Description

High-Powered Gain Stage

The HATS808 is equipped with two enhanced output gain stages 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 HATS808 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 HATS808 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 HATS808 circuitry.

Dual-Input Pulse-Shaper

Tiptop Audio have also added an in-house designed dual pulse-shaper circuit, enabling you to trigger the HATS808 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 HATS808 features an accent input, which is a gate/trigger signal, for both the Open Hi-Hats and Closed Hi-Hats. 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 connect, 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 HATS808 gives you complete independent control over the accent of your hi-hat sounds without compromising your other modules, giving you extensive dynamic options.

OH Decay

The HATS808 is equipped with a dedicated decay control for the open hi-hat sound on the module. This gives you full control over the length of the open hi-hat envelope. However, this decay will be overridden by the choke function (if in the enabled position on the PCB) when a closed hi-hat triggers during or at the same time as an open hi-hat trigger.

Band-Pass Out

The HATS808 utilises a mix of six analog square wave oscillators as its sound source. The oscillators have their frequencies spaced apart, and this mix is then fed into the main Band-Pass filter to achieve the basic tone for the hats. This is where the Q and VC-Q come in. They use voltage control to control the resonance of the filter, and can be used to alter the sound of the Band-Pass Output. This output is useful in a multitude of ways, one of which includes using the output to create your own hat sounds by sending the signal through additional Band-Pass filters and VCAs in the rest of your modular rig.

Q & VC-Q

The voltage controlled resonance circuit within the HATS808 works with the internal Band-Pass filter. This special feature is not something that can be found on the original '80s drum machines, and adds an extra amount of control over your sound. The module can be used to recreate the exact sound of the original circuitry by keeping the Q knob set to its minimum position. However, increasing the Q control will result in a gradually more metallic tone set to a slightly different tune. This can go all the way up to maximum, where the filter will transform into an oscillator, and generate a constant tone. The VC-Q is a 0-5V CV input, and the Q knob will offset the applied voltage control. The input is also ideal for use with positive signals such as envelope generators and sequencers. It can be modulated into the audio range using oscillators or any other sound source.

Choke Function

The HATS808 features a clever choke function which is an interation between the open and closed hat sounds, providing dynamic feel and movement to your beats. It was featured in the original hat circuitry from the '80s drum machine, and is fully incorprated into the HATS808 module. If both sounds are triggered at the same time, the shorter envelope of the closed hi-hat will be forced on the internal VCA of the open hi-hat, resulting in a short closed hi-hat from both outputs. It also chokes the long decay of the open hi-hat if a closed hi-hat is triggered afterwards, granting a realistic dynamic reaction between the two sounds. When combined with accents, the choke function can deliver some incredibly interesting rhythmic movements. The choke function can also be disabled on the PCB to maintain the long open hi-hat decays regardless of when a closed hi-hat is triggered.

Noise Source Adjustment

Following in the footsteps of the original drum machine, the SD808 is equipped with a trimmer, allowing you to set the gain of the white noise generator. Originally calibrated to match the factory settings of the classic drum machine, this can also be adjusted by yourself using the trimmer on the left hand side of the module. Using a small flat-heat screwdriver, you are completely free to experiment and control the different levels of noise on your SD808.

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.