2hp Drums (2010s)
Three tiny modules that punch like a full drum machine twice their size
Overview
Two empty HP in a Eurorack case is where the 2hp Drums live. The Kick, Snare, and Hat are sold individually but designed as a set. They are small, but they are not gimmicks or space-fillers. Plenty of compact cases end up with at least one 2hp drum module tucked beside a utility or a mixer.
Designed and built by the Southern California-based 2hp (Two Horses Pedal), these modules emerged in the early 2010s, when Eurorack was shedding its experimental niche status and creeping into live rigs and bedroom studios. Many drum modules then were either bulky multi-sound units or analog emulations chasing vintage timbres. 2hp went the opposite direction - digital synthesis, minimalist control, maximum flexibility. Each drum voice uses carefully tuned digital algorithms rather than sampled sounds, which means no memory cards, no loading times, and no sample-locked rhythms. The result is immediate, tweakable, surprisingly organic-feeling percussion that runs from tight 808-style kicks to glitchy metallic snares and modulatable hi-hats.
The Snare is a texture generator. Turn the snap knob and it moves from a crisp pop to a granular burst that sounds like someone shaking a bag of ball bearings underwater. The 1V/oct tracking means you can sequence it melodically, which is weird, but it works in the right context. The Kick has weight without being boomy. It won't shake your floor like a Motm-630, but it carves a clean hole in the low end. The Hat feels like the real standout: six oscillators, three sound sources, and a sizzle knob that doesn't just add noise - it warps the entire harmonic structure, so the hat breathes, chokes, and shimmers.
These aren’t modules for the “I want a 909 in a box” crowd. They won’t perfectly replicate acoustic kits or give you velocity layers or round-robin variations. But if you’re after something that’s immediate, malleable, and capable of sounding both familiar and alien with a twist of a knob, the 2hp Drums deliver. They’re the kind of modules you reach for when you don’t know what you want—until you hear it.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 2hp |
| Production Years | 2010s |
| Original Price | $139 per module |
| Width | 2HP |
| Depth | 45mm |
| Power: +12V | Kick: 70mA, Snare: 75mA, Hat: 83mA |
| Power: -12V | Kick: 3mA, Snare: 3mA, Hat: 2mA |
| Outputs | 1x audio output per module |
| Inputs | 1x trigger input per module; Hat has separate open/closed inputs |
| CV Inputs | All parameters CV controllable on Snare and Hat; Kick has pitch and decay CV |
| 1V/Oct Tracking | Yes (Snare and Kick) |
| Color | Silver faceplate with black text and controls |
| Module Type | Digital drum synthesis |
| Weight | Approx. 50g per module |
| Construction | Aluminum faceplate, PCB-mounted jacks |
| Manual Availability | Available online via 2hp website |
Key Features
Digital Synthesis with Analog Feel
The 2hp Drums use digital oscillators and noise sources paired with analog-style filtering and envelope shaping. The Kick starts with a sine wave but layers in transient noise and a tight decay envelope that can be voltage-controlled for everything from subby thumps to short clicks. It tracks 1V/oct, so you can sequence pitch changes, which is useful for rhythmic basslines or tuning the kick to the root of your chord progression. Unlike sample-based modules, there's no looping or artifacts. The sound is generated in real time, so it is responsive and dynamic.
Minimal Front Panel, Maximum Control
Each module has just a few knobs and inputs. The Snare's "snap" knob adjusts the balance between noise burst and resonant body, while the Hat's "sizzle" knob modulates oscillator frequencies and filter states across its three sound sources. What isn't obvious from the front panel is the extent of CV modulation: every parameter on the Snare and Hat can be controlled via CV, and the manuals provide voltage ranges for precise automation. That suits generative patches or evolving rhythms. There are no dedicated attenuators, so you'll need to pair them with mixers or attenuators in your case. That's a fair trade for the space savings.
Modular Integration Done Right
These aren't standalone drum machines. They are drum *voices* built for integration. The separate open and closed trigger inputs on the Hat let you sequence complex hi-hat patterns without switching modules or using logic. The trigger response is snappy and consistent, with no noticeable latency, and the outputs are line-level, so they sit well in a mix without additional boosting. Each module is only 2HP, so a full kit - Kick, Snare, Hat - fits in just 6HP, leaving room for a mixer, envelope, or sequencer. Most all-in-one drum units take up 10HP or more.
Historical Context
When 2hp launched these modules, Eurorack was still expanding fast, with builders experimenting on size, power, and usability. Most drum modules at the time fell into two categories: analog drum synths like the Malekko Varigate 5U or the Doepfer A-178, which offered classic 808/909 emulations but with limited variation, or full digital samplers like the Squarp Pyramid or the Critter & Guitari Organelle, which were powerful but bulky and complex. The 2hp Drums took a third path - digital synthesis in a micro format, prioritizing immediacy and integration over realism or feature overload.
They arrived alongside a wave of compact utility modules from builders like Intellijel, Make Noise, and ALM, but applied the "small is beautiful" philosophy to percussion. In an ecosystem where every HP counts, 2hp showed you didn't need a full drum computer to get expressive, controllable rhythm sounds. The modules found fans among minimalists, live performers, and case-builders optimizing for portability. They weren't trying to replace the Roland TR-808.
Competitors like the Erica Pico series or the ALM Squid Squeeze offered multi-sound drum modules, but often at the cost of individual voice control or CV flexibility. The 2hp approach of splitting the kit into discrete, specialized modules gave users more granular control, even if it meant buying multiple units.
Collectibility & Value
The 2hp Drums aren't rare in the traditional sense. They were produced in steady numbers throughout the 2010s and remain available through dealers and the secondary market. A used 2hp Snare or Hat in good condition typically sells for $100-$130, slightly below the original $139 MSRP. The Kick tends to hold value a bit better, especially among bass-heavy genres, and NOS (new old stock) units with original packaging can fetch closer to $150.
Failures are uncommon but not unheard of. The PCB-mounted jacks are the weakest point - repeated plugging and unplugging can stress the solder joints, especially in live setups. There are no moving parts, no displays, and no firmware to update, so the modules are largely maintenance-free. Because they're digital, a failed chip could render the module unusable, and 2hp doesn't publish repair schematics, so board-level fixes are left to advanced technicians. Documented failure rates are low, and most units from the early 2010s still function perfectly.
When buying used, check for clean PCBs, firm knobs, and consistent trigger response. Test all CV inputs if possible - some users report slight calibration drift over time, especially in temperature-variable environments. Power draw is modest, but make sure your case can handle the combined load if running multiple units. A full kit (Kick, Snare, Hat) pulls about 230mA on the +12V rail, which is negligible in all but the smallest power supplies.
For a compact or travel case, the 2hp Drums are an easy choice. For others, the decision comes down to whether you value space efficiency and deep CV control over all-in-one convenience.
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