Squarp Instruments Hermod+ is an elegantly rethought modular brain

20 Jun 2023 by Robin Vincent |

4,5 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 2 Minutes

Squarp Instruments Hermod+ · Source: Squarp Instruments

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Hermod+ is the new and improved sequel to the original Hermod modular brain, sequencer and Eurorack adventure playground. It looks magnificent.

Hermod+

The original Hermod was released back in 2017, and it was an ingenious, feature-packed hub of modular activity. It offered multichannel sequencing, a polyphonic modular connection, modular effects and complex possibilities. Hermod was brilliant but also, at least in my view, challenging to navigate. And so I find the idea that it’s been built upon and improved beyond all recognition to be quite a thrilling prospect.

So, what is the Hermod+ bringing to the party? Well, a lot of the brilliance from the original is still with us but there’s new stuff too. Most notable is the 4×4 matrix of 16 pads offering the ability to input notes, turn on effects, mute tracks and launch sequencers. That makes it a thousand times more playful than the original. You’ve got dedicated Reset and Clock outputs, so you don’t have to use up sequencing channels for those utilities. It also has the ability to record modulations.

Squarp Instruments Hermod+

Feature upgrades

The original feature set has also got some upgrades. It can now handle 16 sequencing channels over MIDI or 8 channels over CV/Gate. You can turn that into 8 CV and 8 MIDI tracks which is nicely versatile. You can record notes and automation directly into the sequencer, or you can get busy with the piano roll editor to program monophonic and polyphonic lines. Writing sequences was a bit of a chore on the original, so I hope it has a better flow. The lovely OLED screen is definitely going to help with that.

Squarp has boosted the effect count to 8 real-time CV/MIDI effects per track. These include randomisation, delay, envelopes, LFOs, ratchet, scales, swing and more. It can even generate its own sequences if you want.

Squarp Instruments Hermod+

Scenarios

Hermod+ can be super versatile in different scenarios. It’s a MIDI sequencer and can operate purely in that domain, and you can even plug a controller keyboard straight in the front. It can run your Eurorack producing countless modulation sources, sequencing, notes, triggers and effects. It can be a hub and translation service between your DAW and your Eurorack using MIDI-to-CV rather than all that messing around with DC Coupled audio interfaces.

The Hermod was impressive; the Hermod+ looks amazing. What we need now is to see it in action in a bit more depth than what we get in the lovely-looking marketing demo.

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The Hermod+ is available now for €460.