2hp HAT (2018–)

Name: 2hp Hat
Brand: 2hp

A sliver of metal and mayhem that turns two horizontal inches into a universe of clatter, hiss, and robotic sizzle.

Overview

The 2hp HAT is a hi-hat module, but it doesn't copy cymbals so much as take them apart and rebuild them from oscillators and noise. People reach for it because a patch needs texture. It gives you a metallic flicker and a sizzling decay that hangs on just long enough. It's only 2HP wide, and in a system full of oscillators and filters it slips in without taking much room.

Despite its size, the HAT is a full percussion voice with three internal sound sources. Each is built from a pair of oscillators and tied to a noise generator and filtering network. That makes six oscillators in total, all tuned for the complex, inharmonic mess of a real cymbal strike, but with the control of synthesis. The "Sizzle" knob does more than change timbre. It shifts oscillator frequencies and filter responses across all three sources at once. You can go from a tight, choked 909-style hat to a wide-open, washy crash that dissolves into digital dust. That is a broad range for a module this small, from clinical and robotic to organic and breathy.

It has separate trigger inputs for open and closed sounds. You can sequence full hi-hat patterns without patching logic or using multiple modules, which saves a lot of space in a crowded Eurorack system. Most compact percussion modules sound thin, predictable or brittle. The HAT has weight and presence, and it responds to dynamics. Patch in some CV to modulate Sizzle or decay, and each hit can be shaped by voltage.

Specifications

Manufacturer	2hp
Production Years	2018–
Original Price	$129
Width	2HP
Depth	45mm
Power Consumption	+12V: 83mA, -12V: 2mA
Module Type	Eurorack Percussion Voice
Sound Sources	Three unique sources (six oscillators total), noise generator
Filters	Multiple internal filters (type unspecified)
Inputs	Open Hat Trigger, Closed Hat Trigger, Decay CV, Sizzle CV
Outputs	Audio Output
Control	Sizzle knob, Decay knob
Color Options	Silver, Black
Weight	Not specified
1V/Oct Tracking	No
MIDI	No
Trigger Sensitivity	Sensitive to rise time and voltage levels (notable with certain sequencers)

Key Features

The Sizzle Knob Is the Secret Weapon

Calling it a “tone control” would be like calling a flamethrower a lighter. The Sizzle knob is the soul of the module, warping the entire sonic character in real time. Turn it one way and you get a tight, almost plastic snap—the kind of closed hat that cuts through a mix like a scalpel. Turn it the other, and the sound blooms into a shimmering, metallic wash with decay that lingers like steam off hot metal. Because it affects all three internal sound sources independently—shifting oscillator tunings and filter states—it doesn’t just change brightness; it changes *structure*. This isn’t filtering after the fact; it’s re-synthesizing the sound on the fly. Patch a slow LFO into the Sizzle CV input, and you’ve got a hi-hat that breathes, pulses, and evolves with every hit. It’s the closest a 2HP module can come to feeling alive.

Open and Closed Triggers in One Tiny Package

Most compact percussion modules give you one trigger input and maybe a CV to switch between open and closed states. The HAT has two dedicated trigger inputs, one for open and one for closed. You can sequence both sounds independently without logic modules or complex patching. Run a clock into one input and a delayed version into the other, and you get realistic hi-hat patterns from a single module and a basic sequencer. No XOR gates, no slew circuits. You can also use different trigger sources, say a drum pad for closed hits and a sequencer for open, for patterns that feel less programmed.

Three Sources, One Cohesive Voice

"Three sound sources" does not mean three separate drum sounds you can switch between. All three sources are layered and blended internally into a single, complex percussion voice. Each source combines oscillators and noise in a different configuration, then runs through its own filter network. The result is a composite sound that mimics the layered resonance of a real cymbal. You don't control the sources individually. You shape them together with Sizzle and Decay. That keeps the interface simple, just two knobs and a few jacks. It's a cymbal synthesizer, not a drum machine.

Historical Context

The 2hp HAT arrived in 2018 as part of a trio of drum modules, alongside KICK and SNARE. At a time when modular systems were getting bigger and more complex, 2hp went the other way: smaller and more focused. The HAT wasn't the first attempt at a Eurorack hi-hat, but it was the first to deliver such a wide sonic palette in such a tiny footprint. Competitors like Make Noise Mimeophon or Qu-bit Nebulae offered more flexibility but demanded far more space and patching. The HAT didn't try to be a full drum machine or a sample player. It does hi-hats.

It also arrived when modular percussion was shifting from an afterthought to a centerpiece. Artists were using drums as textural elements and as sources of rhythmic tension and release, not only to keep time. The HAT wasn't about replicating acoustic kits. Compared to vintage drum machines like the 808 or 909, it didn't aim for nostalgia. It sounded mechanical, alien and sometimes unsettling.

Collectibility & Value

The 2hp HAT has held its value well since its 2018 release, with used units typically trading between $110 and $140 depending on condition and color. The silver version is slightly more common, but both black and silver command similar prices. Unlike some boutique modules that inflate due to scarcity, the HAT remains accessible because 2hp kept production steady and demand consistent. It isn't a "grail" module, but it's a "must-have" for many, which keeps the resale market active without wild speculation.

There are a few quirks to watch for. Owners report that the HAT can be sensitive to trigger rise time and voltage levels, particularly with certain sequencers like the Mutable Instruments Grids. Some users see timing inconsistencies or missed triggers unless the incoming pulse is fast and clean (ideally 5-10V with a sharp edge). That's a design characteristic and not a flaw in the module, since it expects solid triggers. Systems with weak or slow-rising gates, like some DIY or older modules, may need the signal buffered or conditioned. With a solid trigger source like the Intellijel Steppy or a Doepfer A-160, it performs flawlessly.

Maintenance is minimal. There are no moving parts, no trimpots to drift, and no known failure points. The PCB is compact and well-built, and the front panel is anodized aluminum that resists wear. The only real risk is static damage during installation, so as with any Eurorack module, ground yourself before plugging it in. Given its simplicity and solid construction, the HAT is likely to remain functional for decades with basic care.