Erica’s Perkons HD‑01 is one of the most inventive drum machines of recent years. Its four voices combine digital synthesis and samples with analogue filters and overdrive, all controlled by a WYSIWYG X0X‑style sequencer that mixes traditional TR‑type programming with Elektron‑style p‑locks, chance, probability and ratchets. The result is something that’s truly original, but it’s not without its frustrations. For example, there’s a 16‑step pattern limit when there are 64 step keys crying out to be used on a per‑track basis, and while you can modulate all the voice controls, the modulation itself is global. And wouldn’t it be nice if you could use multiple instances of the same voice? It’s also far from cheap, so all those sounds and idiosyncrasies have so far been out of reach to most.
The Perkons Voice is, as its name suggests, a single Perkons’ synth voice in Eurorack form. Unsurprisingly, it’s considerably cheaper than the HD‑01, but it may also answer a lot of the other drawbacks with the original. For example, it has modulation inputs aplenty, it can switch between algorithms instantly, and it’s Eurorack, so you can sequence it with whatever you like. OK, so it doesn’t come in a sturdy metal box in a divisive blue colour, but again, it’s Eurorack, so you can put it in whatever colour box you like. As you get to know the Perkons Voice you might even start to wonder if, far from being a cut‑down version of the original, in many ways it might be better...
At its heart are the same 13 synth algorithms as the HD‑01, a mix of analogue and digital styles — the latter including wavetable and Karplus Strong — and a sprinkling of user‑replaceable samples (256kB is a sprinkling, right?). You can scroll through these algorithms using the data wheel, edit your selection with the front‑panel controls and save it as a patch. The Voice controls are also the same as the HD‑01: Tune, Decay, Drive, Parameter 1, Parameter 2 and Cutoff, and there are CV inputs for each of these alongside inputs for Trig, Accent and Patch CV.
The innocuous sounding Patch CV could be the Perkons Voice’s killer feature. All it does is change the Patch when you feed it CV, but this changes it from being a drum voice to drum voices, and while linear drumming is obviously compulsory, the four‑note polyphony eliminates voice stealing on all but the most sustained sounds. So, when paired with any CV and gate sequencer you can carefully program multi‑part drums with, say, kick, snare, tom and hi‑hat sounds. Or, and it’s a big ‘or’, you can point something like a Turing Machine at it, turn the tempo up and sit back to enjoy the absolute chaos that ensues.
A more measured approach is obviously possible, but even turning the knobs on a CV sequencer is a hugely creative way to program percussion, immediately taking you away from the considered ‘select an instrument, pick a step’ method of TR‑style programming into something much more fluent, where you’re feeling your way, making adjustments until it sounds right.
The Perkons Voice, like the HD‑01, has its own sound. It’s possible to coax TR‑type sounds from it, but it sometimes feels as though you’re swimming against the tide. For the most part the sounds here are weird. They can be brash, aggressive, unruly, abrasive and all sorts of other adjectives you wouldn’t want to see on your child’s school report.
That said, time spent getting to know the Perkons is rewarded with a huge variety of sounds, and the extra modulation on offer here adds to that considerably. Having just two parameter controls per algorithm can feel frustrating on the HD‑01 (as is trying to remember what they control with each different algorithm), but it’s less of a problem here in Eurorack world where you can use additional envelopes and modulate to your heart’s content. It’s not Plaits, but there’s a huge range on offer here beyond the obvious percussion duties. Erica’s trademark sound is often in evidence, but this is much more than a drum voice for making very hard techno. In fact it’s much more than just a drum voice.
Time spent getting to know the Perkons is rewarded with a huge variety of sounds...
The Perkons Voice obviously isn’t an instrument in the same way the HD‑01 is, but it delivers the same sounds at a fraction of the cost — and with far greater flexibility than the original.