2HP Kick (2018–)

A tiny drum synth that hits well above its size. When it lands right, it feels like a sub-bass earthquake in a matchbox.

Overview

It slides into a rack almost as a joke. It's 2HP, barely wider than a patch cable. Then the trigger fires and the floor shakes. The 2HP Kick is a minimalist black rectangle with one knob and one CV input. The sound ranges from vintage 808 thump to distorted, metallic thwacks that feel built for glitch techno in 2057. It doesn't look like much. It isn't trying to be everything, just the right thing at the right moment, and often it is.

The Kick is simple and flexible. It's not a sample player and not a full drum computer. It's a dedicated analog(ish) kick generator with a synthesis engine that's surprisingly deep for its footprint. The core sound is a pitch sweep, shaped with the single front-panel knob, which controls tone. The voltage control is where it gets interesting: 1V/oct tracking across five full octaves means you can sequence melodic kick lines, drop sub-bass stabs that land exactly on key, or sweep from a high-frequency click down to a subterranean boom in perfect chromatic steps. That kind of pitch accuracy was rare in a drum module when it launched in 2018.

Owners report that the Kick excels in electronic genres where the kick isn't just timekeeping but a lead voice. IDM producers like how it goes from rounded and warm to jagged and synthetic with a twist of CV. Live performers appreciate how little space it takes and how reliably it cuts through a mix. It's not a one-trick rack-filler, either. The internal circuit includes a configurable soft-clipping distortion stage. Dial it in subtly for warmth, or push it into crunchy, overdriven textures that sound more like a malfunctioning robot than a drum. It doesn't emulate acoustic kicks. This is electronic percussion with a strong personality, sometimes too much.

Specifications

Manufacturer	2HP
Production Years	2018–
Original Price	$129
Width	2HP
Depth	45mm
+12V Current Draw	74mA
-12V Current Draw	2mA
5V Current Draw	0mA
CV Inputs	Tone, 1V/Oct
Gate Input	Trigger
Audio Output	1x 3.5mm
Color Options	Black, Silver
Weight	Approx. 50g
Construction	PCB with front panel controls
Distortion	Configurable soft clipping
Pitch Tracking	1V/Oct over 5 octaves
Module Type	Eurorack drum synthesizer
Manual Available	Yes

Key Features

The 2HP Minimalist Philosophy, Fully Realized

The Kick follows 2HP's design approach: do one thing well and take up as little space as possible. Larger drum modules pack in multiple voices or complex sequencing. The Kick is tightly focused. There's no menu diving and no hidden functions, just a single knob that adjusts the tone of the kick, which essentially controls the pitch envelope's sweep range and decay. Turn it left for a short, clicky thud. Turn it right for a long, sub-heavy dive. You're never hunting for parameters mid-performance. What you see is what you get, until you start patching.

Full 1V/Oct Tracking: A Game Changer for Drum Synths

Most analog kick modules either don't track pitch at all or do it inconsistently. The 2HP Kick tracks across five full octaves with impressive stability. That opens up real compositional options. You can sequence basslines entirely with the Kick, use it for pitched percussion solos, or modulate the pitch in real time for drops and risers. Service technicians observe that the tracking is more stable than many larger, more expensive drum modules, likely due to the dedicated voltage-controlled oscillator core and careful calibration at the factory. The 1V/oct input isn't an afterthought. It's central to the module.

CV Over Everything: Subtle or Extreme Modulation

Every parameter that can be voltage-controlled, is. The tone knob has a CV attenuator, so you can blend in external modulation from LFOs, sequencers, or envelope followers. Want the kick's pitch to wobble with your filter cutoff? Patch it. Want each successive kick in a sequence to dive deeper? Same thing. The soft-clipping distortion can be modulated via CV as well, so it can go from clean to dirty in real time. Collectors note that this level of control in a 2HP space was unprecedented at launch. It turns a simple drum into a dynamic, evolving sound source.

Historical Context

The 2HP Kick launched in early 2018 at NAMM. Eurorack was already deep into the "golden age" of module proliferation, but space was becoming a premium. Racks were full, builders were fighting for every HP, and utility modules were being sacrificed for flashier voices. Into that climate stepped 2HP, a brand known for ultra-compact designs that didn't feel like compromises. The Kick, along with its siblings Snare and Hat, wasn't just small. It was *smart*. It offered full synthesis control in a footprint previously reserved for attenuators or passive multiples.

At the time, the drum module market was split between sample-based players like the Erica Pico Drum and analog emulations like the Tiptop BD909. The 2HP Kick took its own lane: not a clone, not a sampler, but a synthesis-first drum voice. It appealed to minimalists, live performers, and experimentalists who wanted expressive control without sprawl. Competitors like MakeNoise or Intellijel offered more complex drum solutions, but none matched the Kick's blend of size, price, and musicality. It arrived as modular was becoming more accessible, and it became a gateway module for many new users.

Collectibility & Value

The 2HP Kick has settled into a stable secondhand market, trading between $100 and $140 depending on condition and color. Black and silver versions are equally common, with no significant price difference. Unlike some boutique modules, it hasn't become a collector's item, partly because it's still in production and partly because it's too useful to sit on a shelf.

Failures are rare, and when they happen they're usually power-related. The module draws a modest 74mA on the +12V rail, but its compact design leaves little room for error in power distribution. Documentation shows that a high-quality power cable with proper spacing is essential. Daisy-chained power connectors can cause instability or, in extreme cases, damage. There are no user-serviceable parts inside. If the PCB fails, replacement is usually more cost-effective than repair.

Before buying, check for consistent triggering and clean pitch tracking across the full range. Some units exhibit slight pitch drift at the extreme high end (above 1kHz), but this is usually within tolerance. The front knob is a standard 9mm pot, so replacement is easy if it becomes scratchy. The biggest "flaw" isn't technical. It's tonal. Forum discussions frequently mention that the Kick can sound "laser-ish" or too synthetic in certain settings, especially when the tone is set high without CV modulation. It doesn't do "natural" kicks. It does electronic ones.

For a compact or travel-friendly system, the Kick remains one of the best values in Eurorack. It's not trying to replace a full drum machine. Don't expect it to do 909s or acoustic toms.