Modbap Trinity: 3-channel Digital Drum Synth Array
4,3 / 5,0 | 
Modbap has revealed the stunning-looking Trinity. It’s a three-channel digital drum voice with four sound engines and heaps of character. Modbap is calling it a Digital Drum Synth Array – nice!
Trinity
It’s Trinity because of the three channels of triggerable digitalness, although the module actually has a choice of four algorithmic sound engines. You have the analogue-inspired Block for your traditional 808/909 sounds. Heap brings in 12 partials of additive synthesis for bells, chimes and percussive wood blocks. Neon is all about FM for your clangs and metallics. And finally, Arcade is a quirky noise generator for sizzles, claps, zaps and explosions. This is going to be a riot!
For each channel you can select one of the four algorithms. So you can build the kick, snare and hi-hat of an 808 kit if you like, or go full-on chiptune with Neon and Arcade, or mix and match whatever floats your boat.
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Modes and modulations
The module has 24 CV inputs giving you 8 inputs for each channel. You have an input for pitch and of course the trigger, but then you have another 6 controls to shape the algorithm. There’s Character, Shape, Sweep, Grit, Time and Decay and all of them have corresponding knobs. The emphasis is given to the Character knob that sits in the prime tweaking spot.
But we’re not done yet; this thing has some interesting Modes. In Stack Mode you can tie channels together so they all fire on the primary trigger input. In Cycle mode you can switch between drum types with every new trigger either in a Round Robin style or randomly. So you can get some big fat hits going on and skip through multiple sounds giving Trinity a massive scope for sound that belies the modesty of the three channels.
Modbap Trinity
For outputs all three channels get their own but there’s also a master mix and some useful performance switches for live routing changes. To round things off it has a USB-C socket on the front for MIDI.
Dreaming of digital drums
Trinity looks and sounds amazing. Modbap keep coming up with sublime designs and interesting features that set them apart in the crowded modular market. I’m slightly annoyed that the channels and the output don’t manage to pull themselves into symmetry. But otherwise this could be an extraordinarily playable drum synth.
Trinity is currently available to preorder for $549, no information on the shipping date as yet.
- Modbap Trinity: Modbap
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