2hp Perc (2013–Present)
A deceptively simple drum module that punches far above its size, serving up organic, unpredictable hits with surgical precision.
Overview
You flip on a 2hp Perc, and at first it seems almost too minimal—just a few knobs, a couple of jacks, and that familiar deep blue panel. But the moment you send it a trigger, it snaps to life with a character that feels alive, like a tiny mechanical creature suddenly aware of its surroundings. It doesn’t just generate drum sounds; it performs them. The attack isn’t just sharp—it bites. The decay doesn’t just fade—it breathes. This isn’t a machine that mimics acoustic drums so much as it interprets them through a warped, analog lens, turning a snare into something between a slapped spring and a struck tin can, or a kick into a subterranean thump that feels like it’s coming from under the floorboards.
Despite its tiny 2HP width—among the narrowest modules in Eurorack—Perc punches way above its weight class in sonic versatility. It’s not a full drum module with separate circuits for kick, snare, and hi-hat. Instead, it’s a single-voice percussive synthesizer, designed to be patched, modulated, and pushed into unexpected territory. The core sound engine is analog, built around a resonant oscillator and noise source that can be blended and shaped with surgical control. What makes it special isn’t just the sound, but the way it invites interaction. Turn the tone knob and you’re not just adjusting a filter cutoff—you’re morphing the very identity of the hit, from clicky and metallic to deep and woody. The decay knob doesn’t just set length; it transforms transients into evolving textures, letting short taps bloom into resonant drones if you let them.
Within the 2hp ecosystem, Perc sits as one of the foundational voice modules, alongside Pluck and Snare. It’s not the most complex, nor the most feature-rich, but it’s one of the most frequently used. Where Pluck leans into melodic physical modeling and Snare offers more specialized, snappy textures, Perc is the workhorse for general-purpose打击 sounds—kicks, toms, claps, even metallic effects. It’s the module you reach for when you need something punchy but not generic, tight but not sterile. And because it’s only 2HP wide, it’s often the first drum voice people add to a cramped system, a testament to its efficiency and utility.
Specifications
| Manufacturer | 2hp |
| Production Years | 2013–Present |
| Module Width | 2HP |
| Depth | 40mm |
| Current Draw +12V | 30mA |
| Current Draw -12V | 10mA |
| Inputs | Trigger, Accent (CV), Tone (CV), Decay (CV) |
| Outputs | Audio |
| Trigger Input Sensitivity | 2V |
| Accent CV Range | 0–10V |
| Tone CV Range | 0–5V |
| Decay CV Range | 0–5V |
| Audio Output Level | 10Vpp |
| Weight | 45g |
| Panel Material | Aluminum |
| Color | Deep Blue |
| Made In | USA |
Key Features
Analog Sound Generation with Dynamic Response
Perc’s sound engine is entirely analog, relying on a combination of a resonant oscillator and noise source to generate its core timbres. The oscillator produces the pitched component—ideal for kicks and toms—while the noise generator adds the unpitched snap needed for snares and claps. These two elements are blended internally, but the balance shifts dynamically based on the tone and decay settings, creating a natural interplay between pitch and noise that feels more organic than most digital drum modules. What sets it apart is how it responds to accent voltage: unlike simple level boosts, accent increases both amplitude and brightness, mimicking the way real drums respond to harder hits. This gives patterns a dynamic, humanized feel even when sequenced rigidly.
Compact Size, Full Patchability
At just 2HP wide, Perc is a marvel of efficient design. It doesn’t skimp on functionality to achieve that size—every essential control is present, and all key parameters are CV-controllable. The trigger input accepts standard 2V+ pulses, making it compatible with most sequencers and clock sources. The accent input allows for velocity-like expression, while the tone and decay CV inputs open up real-time morphing of the sound. You can sweep the tone from a high-pitched click to a subby thud using an LFO, or modulate the decay to create swelling impacts. Despite its size, it doesn’t feel cramped or compromised. The knobs are small but precise, and the jacks are recessed just enough to avoid snagging patch cables in tight systems.
Minimalist Interface, Maximum Expression
The front panel is stripped down to the essentials: tone, decay, and volume. There’s no screen, no menu diving, no hidden functions. What you see is what you get—but that simplicity belies a deep level of expressiveness. The tone knob adjusts the oscillator’s pitch and the noise color simultaneously, creating a seamless transition from metallic to woody. The decay knob controls the envelope release, but also affects the damping of the oscillator, so longer decays don’t just ring out—they evolve in timbre. The volume knob sets output level, but because the accent CV affects amplitude, it’s often left at unity and controlled dynamically via CV instead. This hands-on immediacy makes Perc feel more like an instrument than a module.
Historical Context
When 2hp released Perc in 2013, the Eurorack modular synth scene was growing rapidly, but many drum modules were either bulky, expensive, or overly complex. Perc arrived as a counterpoint—a minimal, affordable, and sonically compelling option for adding percussion to a system without sacrificing precious panel space. It was part of a wave of ultra-narrow modules that redefined what was possible in compact synthesis, proving that you didn’t need 10HP to make a meaningful sonic contribution. At a time when many manufacturers were chasing feature sets, 2hp went the opposite direction: focus on one thing, do it well, and make it fit anywhere.
Perc’s design philosophy aligned with the broader minimalist trend in modular—exemplified by brands like Intellijel and Make Noise—but with an even more radical commitment to size reduction. It competed not with full drum machines, but with the need for a single, high-quality percussive voice that could be duplicated across a system. Its closest analog competitors were modules like the Doepfer A-110-3 Soft Sine VCO or the Noise Engineering Basimilus Iteritas, but Perc carved its niche by combining drum-specific behavior with general sound design flexibility. It wasn’t just for rhythm—it became a go-to for impacts, sweeps, and experimental textures in ambient and industrial patches.
Collectibility & Value
Perc has remained in continuous production since 2013, which means it’s not rare in the traditional sense—but its enduring popularity has made it a staple. Used units in good condition typically sell for $120–$160, while new modules retail around $189. Because it’s been in production so long, there are no major revisions or “versions” to track—just consistent, reliable builds. The module is known for its durability, with few reported failure points. The most common issue is worn-out jacks from frequent patching, especially in live rigs, but these are easily replaced. The recessed jacks help, but in tightly packed systems, repeated insertion can stress the solder joints over time.
There’s no real “collector’s premium” for early units—serial numbers don’t matter, and cosmetic variations are minimal. The deep blue panel has remained consistent, and there are no limited editions or color variants. That said, because 2hp modules are often bought in multiples (many users run several Percs for layered drums), finding a single unit in a seller’s inventory can sometimes mean it’s part of a larger system teardown, which can be a good opportunity to score other 2hp modules at a discount. For buyers, the main thing to check is jack stability and knob tightness—loose knobs can usually be fixed with a drop of thread locker, but wobbly jacks may need resoldering.
Maintenance is minimal. The module draws little current and runs cool, so heat-related failures are rare. There are no user-serviceable parts, but the circuit is simple enough that qualified technicians can troubleshoot and repair it without difficulty. Because it’s analog and not microprocessor-based, there’s no firmware to update or memory to lose. It’s about as close to “set and forget” as a modular synth gets—just patch it in and let it work.
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