Modbap Trinity

The Trinity is a three‑voice drum module with four separate synthesis algorithms to generate its sounds. Modbap promise a module capable of producing an astonishing range of drum and percussion sounds from right across the spectrum, and this promise the Trinity very much fulfils. With all three of its voices offering identical architecture, it can spread these sounds across the fundamentals of an electronic ‘kit’, focus on a limited palette with subtle variation, or just about anything in between; kicks, snares, blocks, hats, cymbals, shakers, bells, and more, it can not only do them all with ease but with surprising speed.

Each of the Trinity’s digital voices begins with one of four algorithms: Block is a classically analogue‑inspired synth voice with a sine and triangle core, named for its simplicity as a ‘building block’ of sound design. Next is Heap, an additive synth voice offering 12 detunable partials. Neon is an FM voice, and Arcade is a noise generator with more than a few distinguishing factors. The Trinity features controls for pitch and pitch envelope, as well as a state‑variable, DJ‑style low‑pass/high‑pass filter. There’s a Clipper knob to add clipping distortion, and I was pleased to see Hold as well as Decay for flexible envelope control.

These controls ostensibly retain the same functions across the Trinity’s different algorithms, save one or two variations when it comes to the Arcade noise...