Introducing the BD808, part of our new series of drum modules that brings analog percussion into the modular synth world, instantly turning your system into a self-contained music machine. Its small size, minimalist design and modern production methods have allowed us to bring the world’s most famous bass drum sound generator back at a very low cost. The real thing is here again.

The BD808 is the Roland TR-808’s Bass Drum circuit adapted for use in Eurorack format and tuned to sound like a machine that come fresh off the original 80’s assembly line. The adaption to modular format has allowed us to add some special features like independent Accent level, a high-powered gain stage, dual input pulse-shaper and extended decay; all without compromising the signature sound of the TR-808.

A widely used technique with TR-808 machines is to run the drum sounds through outboard amplifiers to add gain and then pass the sound through just about anything to generate additional harmonics caused by clipping a distortion. In the BD808, we have already included this high-powered output gain stage capable of producing signals up to 20Vpp, extending from the original palette of sounds and allowing you to get an assorted array of harmonized bass drums ranging from sharp attacks to crushed tones using this simple yet effective technique. On the inputs, we have also designed a dual pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger your BD808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This saves you the need to shape the pulses sent to the module and ensuring the same stable sound at its peak power, regardless of differences in your pulse source.

All these little, but unique, features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums and making those speaker cone shake.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

Introducing the SD808, part series of drum modules that brings analog percussion to the modular synth world, instantly turning your system into a self-contained music machine.

The SD808 is the TR-808’s analog snare drum circuit adapted for use in Eurorack modular synthesizer format and was designed to sound like a fresh-out.of-the-box, 1980s TR-808 snare. Adapting the circuit to the modular format has allowed us to add special features like independent accent levels, a high-powered gain stage, a dual input pulse-shaper and an adjustable noise source, all without compromising the signature sound of the TR-808 snare drum.

The SD808 sounds tight and extremely snappy because it’s analog, the real thing, not samples. The sound is made with three analog sound generators mixed together: two oscillating sine waves and a noise source. The SD808’s front panel controls have a lot of sweet spots with sounds that are not just limited to snare drum sounds; it can also create other electronic percussive elements.

The noise source generator in the original TR-808 machines were revised in later production batches, resulting in variations in sound across the production run. The SD808 used this later, revised circuit to create a snare drum hit that is slightly darker, has more body and is more realistic. Just like other drums in this series, the SD808 includes a high-powered output gain stage capable of producing signals up to 20Vpp, allowing you to get an array of harmonized snare drums sounds with even tighter attacks. On the inputs, we have designed a dual input pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the SD808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencer, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. All these unique features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

Introducing the HATS808, part of our new series of drum modules that brings those classic percussion sounds into the modular synth world, instantly turning your system into a self-contained music machine.

The HATS808 is the TR-808’s real, analog closed and open hi-hat circuits adapted for use in Eurorack modular synthesizer format and teste to sound just like it did back in the 80’s. Adapting to modular format has allowed us to add some special features for each voice like independent accent levels, a high-powered gain stage and dual input pluse-shaper. Filter Q and VC-Q knobs were added to the main band-pass filter for additional tuning and to allow you to generate crushed tones and self-oscillation at the knob’s max position, all without compromising the signature sound of the TR-808 hi-hat.

The HATS808 sizzling sound is made using six analog square wave oscillators mixed and processed by band-pass filters. This multi-oscillator design is what gives the 808 hi-hat sounds their unique metallica character and makes each HATS808 sound slightly different from one another. The original “choke” circuitry that makes it sound so dynamic and tight is fully implemented,
just like the original, but can also be disabled if needed by disconnecting the internal connection between the two hats.

Just like the other drums in this series, the HATS808 high-powered output gain stage allows you to further harmonize the sound using distortion and clipping. On each input, we have included a dual pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger your HATS808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. All these unique features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The CB808 is the TR-808’s analog cow bell sound generator in Eurorack format. It’s a low-cost module that brings that classic cow bell tone and continues to expand your TipTop Audio modular drum machine.

Just like the other drums in this series, adapting the circuit to the modular format has allowed us to add some special features like pitch modulation, LFO (with control over rate and depth), independent accent levels, a high-powered gain stage and dual input pulse-shaper, all without compromising the signature sound of the TR-808’s spacey cow bell.

The CB808 sound is generated by two square wave oscillators that go through band pass filtering and the get mixed together. It’s a simple analog circuit with a very cool output. What makes the 808 cow bell sound so well know is that it doesn’t feel constant, but rather slightly spacey. The internal pitch-modulating LFO that we added takes this effect eve further, but stays within the bounds of the 808 sound, keeping it very musical and easy to play with.

Compatible with all the other drums in this series, the CB808 includes a high-powered output gain stage capable of producing hot signals that can be easily distorted if desired. On the inputs, we have designed a dual input pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the CB808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. All these unique features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The RS808 is the TR-808’s analog Rimshot and Claves sound generator in Eurorack format. It’s a low-cost module that brings back the classic sound, but with even more variation and control, continuing to expand your Tiptop Audio modular drum machine.

The RS808 come with two switches that give a total of 4 different position: two are the classic Rimshot and Claves sounds as found on the original, and two are unique to the RS808 module adding a range of snappy “click” sounds the circuit is capable of producing. Two control knobs were added, each have different effect for the selected sound. In general, these controls can be categorized ad Pitch and Snap as they control the frequency of the oscillator and decay of the envelope generator. The RS808 is an exact reproduction of the original circuit which sounds like a fresh machine analog coming off the assembly line back in the 80’s.

Compatible with all the other drums in this series, the RS808 includes a hot modular level output gain stage capable of producing signals that can be easily distorted if desired. On the inputs, we have designed a dual input pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the RS808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module ensuring the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. These distinctive features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The MA808 is the TR-808’s original analog Maracas drum voice and a white noise generator in Eurorack format. It’s a low-cost module that brings back that classic sound, continuing to expand your Tiptop Audio modular drum machine.

The MA808 is a must have sound with its fluffy, harmonically rich presence that greatly enhances the dynamics of Hi-Hats sounds in the groove. The Attack control knob can turn the sound from a sharp edged Hi-Hat and up to a slow rise exponential attack Maracas sound; a dot on the scale indicates the original 808 set position. The MA808 also provides the continuous analog white noise generator of the 808 machine: a full spectrum of harmonics ideal for use as a starting point for patching your own drum sound or for general use of white noise. The MA808 is an exact reproduction of the original circuit which sound like a fresh machine coming off the assembly line back in the 80’s.

Compatible with all the other drums in this series, The MA808 includes a hot modular level output gain stage. On the inputs, we have designed a dual input pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the MA808 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. These distinctive features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unlashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-808 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan