PERKONS HD-01 Review // Did Erica Synths bottle up thunder in drum synth? Detailed tutorial here...

Download a thunderous sample pack of Perkons on my Patreon:
► Full pack at the high tier: / waveshaper-pack-71467351
Check prices here (affiliate links help the channel regardless of what you buy):
► Perfect Circuit: link.perfectcircuit.com/t/v1/...
► Thomann: www.thomann.de/gb/erica_synth...
► Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/Gj9QLn
Other gear in the video:
► Universal Audio Golden Reverb
► JAM Pedals Rattler
► Torso T-1
► Moog Mavis
► Arturia KeyStep 37
Other places I hang out:
► Instagram: / loopopmusic
► Tiktok: / loopopmusic
► Facebook: / loopopmusic
► Twitter: / loopopmusic
► Web: loopopmusic.com
My music:
► Bandcamp: loopop.bandcamp.com
► Spotify: bit.ly/LoopopOnSpotify
► Apple Music: bit.ly/LoopopOnAppleMusic
TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:30 Overview
3:45 Grid views
5:05 Connectivity
5:40 Banks
6:30 Sound engines
8:00 Voice 1
10:05 Voice 2
12:10 Voice 3
16:05 Voice 4
19:05 BB Delay
20:50 Compressor
21:50 MIDI control
22:15 External FX
24:05 Tempo
24:35 Sequencing
25:00 Speed & groove
25:45 Play modes
26:35 Ratchet & odds
29:00 Live rec
29:20 Motion seq
29:50 Param locks
31:15 Accents
31:45 LFO
34:20 Pros & cons
39:05 Outro
Submit review and video ideas here (sorry I don’t offer 1x1 sessions/setup/purchasing advice):
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links to stores like Amazon, Sweetwater, Thomann and others. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[@morganwebster6636]

This machine is amazing. You’ve sold me on quite a few pieces of gear. Not in nearly the same price range as this monster but a bunch. This will be the most expensive piece your videos have sold me on but this looks to be the most fun to my ears. Man I can hardly wait to get my hands on this insane piece of gear. Thanks a million.

[@nouvelAbstrait]

Sir, you're such a great teacher and I want to thank you for your many guidances.

[@michaeldulsky8492]

This machine KICKS A$$. Sounds incredible, you can get very creative with it in many ways. You haven't heard everything it can do till you really dive into all it's algorithms. One of my favorite drum machines. Yes, it's expensive but very worth it. Also built very solid. You get what you pay for.

[@earlsfield]

IDM in a box. Getting one. Thanks , you got me hooked to it last year with samples.

[@partirparlesarmoires]

The outro is superb and not what I was expecting at all from this machine after other demos I had heard. Very unusual and interesting !

[@loopop]

Glad you liked it!

[@theFloxie]

a lot of other demos of this sound very clinical and made the machine sound quite... dull and boring, especially for the price? Def a nice step away from that.

[@whitedragondojo]

eah, the outros are the best part :hat1:

[@BachelorMachinesTV]

No need for something like this but as a design object it is just aesthetically beautiful to look at.

[@Michael_Smith-Red_No.5]

Sometimes there is a thing that comes along that you weren't looking for; something that perhaps was in the back of your mind as a subconscious desire. Well for me, this is one of those things, and it's in one of my favorite colors. Well done. The outro was outstanding, btw.

[@darkeldarblade916]

Excited to get this in my hands! Thanks Loopop!

[@christoroppolo8742]

Excellent demo I can’t wait for it to arrive 👽

[@neuroactive3301]

Great review! as always... Great sounding device! Another classic from Erica!

[@jedgould5531]

Wow, try paying retail for it and see if you feel the same way. Lemmie guess: Employee? Also: Do you know what classic means?

[@benringer5149]

Love to pair this with my deluge , great review, nice to hear something other than industrial techno on it.

[@michael7018]

Wow what a beautiful piece of gear and sounds! Moving to top of my list. 😮

[@LORANBELTRAM]

Every video you make i just fantastic ....very good job every time ..... thank ou so much !

[@KosmoDeuz]

Best review as always, thanks 🙏🏽

[@mathickling223]

This is the drum machine I've been waiting for. I think this is going to become the core sound of my music for a long time

[@16bitsound]

Stoked! Can't wait for mine

[@Wanttoknowabout]

For the parameter lock I actually think that this works exactly like I would want. The point is that you want to be able to live perform while you make these changes.

[@helpmeiaminhell]

Just picked this up and I'm loving it!!!

[@whitedragondojo]

Yeah, there is some greatness here that aspires to the Elektron stardom, I am chilling and waiting for MKII. If I had the cash for now I would follow you :hat1: (Edit Imagine a semi Modular version, USB access to drop in 'waves', and 8 voices instead of 4) (Edit2 I am not sure how this will beat my RYTM MKII)

[@MagnificentMercer]

Great review, pricey but Very interesting! This drum machine has some out of this world sounds!

[@DD-te6oj]

Great review!! Glad to finally hear the bass on this monster!

[@christopherpederson1021]

yea, we didn't really hear the snare in action, but the demo that Erica did was phenomenal

[@andreagalluccio314]

Great review! As usual :-) Thanks

[@michelvondenhoff9673]

This and a Syntrx is maybe all I need. Maybe... Great video, as always.

[@NSW-ye3xw]

I do love Erica Synths. I have their LXR-02 and DB-01. Seriously bad ass combination!

[@DayflightTrok]

Yes this is a perfect combo. Let’s go

[@night_speed]

That opening jam sounded like something off of Hangable Autobulb. Great job!

[@zamorapablo]

The outro was killer! Wow

[@midichlorian73]

Tangerine Dream vibes in the outro demo... well done!

[@SonicVibe]

This is the best looking and sounding drum machine out and my love for knob per function but that price ouch 🤕

[@christophremmery4520]

It is a beautifull box. Looking beyond the 4 voices : Configuring the midi out for the 4 voices and the 8 knobs per voice for controlling 4 voices on Analog Rytm or Digitakt with midi cc works like a charm. The sequencer is so much fun to play with. Ratchets are being sent out, need to do further testing with parameterlocks. This box and Syntrx2…

[@christopherpederson1021]

You can’t post a review without a video🤣

[@TeleporterM11]

Wow, I am all excited I would love to try out this baby in some of my music. It’s sound is unique and powerful. Reminds me of Dave Smiths drum machine.

[@jedgould5531]

You have 2 weeks to come over to 91105 and try it before it goes back to PC. Reach out.

[@Somnambule]

Big thanx for this great video with this great machine! Greetings 🖖☺️

[@bricelory9534]

It's pricey, but man that thing looks like a joy to play...just from a tactile and aesthetic perspective.

[@petez4608]

Like an actual instrument. I agree. If you can get more subtle expressiveness out of it, it could be worth it if the budget allows.

[@ChurroLightyear]

Yeah I usually make a big music purchase once a year and I think this might be it or close to it. I see it as a big drum machine like a big ole synth. I wanted a super powerful drum machine like some of my synths and I think this is it

[@ChurroLightyear]

Also to add the elektron rhythm looks nice too for a high end drum machine. Zzounds helps me get big purchases easier lmao

[@tommyg5095]

@@ChurroLightyear So, let us know which way the decision goes. Rytm or Perkins???

[@Joe-mz6dc]

It's not pricey. It's overpriced.

[@Daphoid]

oooh I've been waiting for this

[@christopherpederson1021]

Pulsar Is good, but no patch memory, no knob movement recording and no sequencer. The looper can't even store patterns. This thing sounds just as good and has so much more. I have a pulsar btw

[@Daphoid]

@@christopherpederson1021 You know too each their own, but I don't really need preset memory in every device I own. I'm not a gigging musician where I suspect that would be most helpful. For personal jamming/noodling at home - guitars don't have patch memory and folks learn to play songs - I think of this stuff like that. It's also about the patching as well - I just enjoy it. That said, the Perkons does indeed look nice - they're both at the "nice polysynth" level of price point though; combined they'd fetch you a used car. Haven't bought either yet - still pondering. Would you sell your pulsar to buy this?

[@cls6200]

@@Daphoid Feel the same way as a guitar player who became fascinated with synths during the pandemic. I feel like patch saving is very overrated as I generally don't feel inspired going back to the same sounds so your guitar analogy is spot on (how many FX pedals have presets?). Also, think of 70s and 80s synth artists -- no patch saving there. I'll likely remain content with an extensive Perkons sample pack for a while.

[@aikighost]

Sounds great, it seems somewhat like a high end Korg ER1 (Of which I have 2 mk2s and love) but I don't think many will be able to justify the price.

[@bentropy]

I don't see the comparison. The ER1 (i too have the Mk2) is essentially FM based, not analog circuits with analog filter and overdrive, and analog bucket-brigade delay. No analog compression. The sound is so different, as a result. Plus the output section of this allows you to process (an insert on each channel) and route (individual outs) each drum in a way you could only dream of doing with the electribe. The Volca Drum is what most reminds me of the ER1, very similar synthesis engine, tho its own thing.

[@aikighost]

@@bentropy don't have a perkons in my studio (can't financially justify it) so can't compare sound directly, it just reminds me of the vibe of one. Not implying they are the same in any way. But if you like the sound you can do worse than ebaying gor an er1.

[@TheFlippertube]

Girts' recent video interview in which he discusses the Bassline design philosophy is a good vid to watch back to back with this. I'm increasingly interested in what the Perksons sequencer could change how I interact with (control) other synths like a DRM1; not as powerful as Hapax, but perhaps more immediate with some interesting potential in a "sound expander" setup when CC's don't matter. Any sense of what CC's are sent from the Perkons?

[@zackcolbourne6921]

You're one of the main channels to reassure me that the Mavis was a good purchase.

[@bangkokcanon]

this is much more than a nice object. it's a lovely tool to explore musical and rhythmic possibilities with. i bought one and slowly got addicted to it.

[@StudioOOMZ]

sends and returns! all drum machines need this

[@blackduck65]

Finally, he got it. That means the rest of us will get it in a year. I'm very slowly excited.

[@michaelkonomos]

This looks like a total dream. I cannot imagine what a joy it would be to own this. When I get rich it’s on my list.

[@jedgould5531]

Depending on how far off that is, you might hold off until the market improves. Or try Ableton.

[@michaelkonomos]

@@jedgould5531 what do you mean about Ableton? I have Ableton but I don’t know if anything that sounds like the Perkons.

[@theFloxie]

I will admit i absolutely LOVED the sound of this thing, and the compressor sounds GREAT. For a normal consumer (me) i.e i don't earn any income from making music, the price is too steep as a pure hobby/weekend fun machine. Doesn't mean i wouldn't love to own one though.

[@jakejakerson2263]

Luckily for you, for all of us, the WEF says by 2030-WE ALL, "will own nothing and be happy" i assume that means there will be multiple Perkons HD-01's for all of us to use free of charge! After all how else would they accomplish that, seeing as they only have our best interest in mind!

[@ftlaud911]

@@jakejakerson2263 - I spit out my drink!! Bravo my friend - great answer

[@delmarsvlog2662]

Thank you dude. it works

[@paulmint1775]

wow, now that's my cuppa tea. Just what im looking for :)

[@pauloquist6150]

Your feedback is always so good I wish you were a consultant rather than a reviewer! Maybe someday...

[@Sinevibes]

HOLY MOLY that intro groove! Wow. Fantastic job!

[@in_10z]

Thanks so much for the thorough review. I've been seeing loads of jams but only one walk through so far (by Erica). This is a performance beast....err god...I think we will see this at the center of many live acts. I can see this working in other genres besides industrial...hey just listen to that outro! Can't wait for mine to arrive. Question: can you adjust the LFO speed/level/wave per modulation parameter or is it global? Second, is the speed/level/wave the same for all four voices?

[@loopop]

Thanks! There's only one global LFO speed and shape, but individual mod depth settings per each destination in each voice

[@NGC1433]

The name of the synth sounded a little suspicious to me... It's basically a very local and niche version of Thor - the god of thunder. And several seconds later I found out that Erica Synths is a company local to me, they are based in god forsaken corner of eastern europe... Wow, what a discovery! Edit: and the way it sounds is very... IDK how to tell. It has a very similar vibe and mood to my country in it's late USSR phase. Right before the breakup of the union. No wonder it's not to everyone's liking. The sounds it produces makes me nostalgic of the past. The "glad we survived that" kind of nostalgic. The "we had to be tough to keep on surviving in there" nostalgic.

[@sinisteracoustics]

I like this sound, like 90's hardcore (not the happy one) and early industrial strength and overdrive releases. The hands on parts of this machine is what really pushed me over to pre-order this. Probably goes well with their Bassline and Zen delay :)

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

The original techno sound also comes from machines dictating the workers how fast to build cars is Detroit. Also most European techno clubs are in abandoned factories some of which where also behind the iron curtain So I guess it’s a techno machine 😀

[@spiralelektronik9021]

A similar phase is probably just around the corner globally. So Percons might be a premonition of whats to come. I hear from people that have experienced collapse that it makes people party a lot. Thats when stuff like percons comes in handy.

[@dacnis8204]

Latvia is one of the most beautiful places you've ever seen. Seriously. People are dope as well. Lived there for two years and I miss it every day.

[@TheAmazingReiners]

Pērkons/Thunder is a latvian mytho god.

[@dankeplace]

Man oh man..... Do I really want this? YES!!!!

[@electrosonicnebula]

How hard would it be to record a useful melodic bassline using motion sequencing?

[@dengyun846]

I love how the manual moves at 20:50. Did you figure out what the delay's LFO was actually modulating?

[@Dolores5000]

Dang! That looks fun!

[@JeezVince]

I love it, imagine this with a Digitone and a Lyra-8. Seems like it's an instant classic, the simplicity of it is incredible.

[@theFloxie]

*looks at my Lyra 8* i can't afford this i can't afford this i can't afford this i can't afford this....

[@jedgould5531]

Surely you are not remotely associated with a retailer?

[@DiAL033]

Is it possible to have all four step button rows to display, for instance, 4 bars of voice1? And regarding the "knob state doesn't reflect set state when changing kits" thing: can this be set to the kit always taking over the knob state? It's debatable, but to me the latter would seem like the lesser evil.

[@Hospizzzz]

How can I use an external clock to make the sequencer run? I couldn't figure out how to do that... Thanks for any help!

[@ryanperrault8174]

I like the looks and sound but not the price. Love that it exists though. Cool review.

[@_c_y_p_3]

It is a work of art. 💙🔊

[@jadethepusher]

Did NOT think you were gonna do this one!

[@Rafaelfo.]

Super informative review, as always. Wondering if the sequencer is running a pattern, do the trigger inputs work in addition to the programmed pattern?

[@Matt4star]

I have an lxr-02 which I love. This looks like a monster in comparison. This thing looks amazing!

[@SonicVibe]

Lxr great but definitely geared for techno or acid it sounds like ?

[@Matt4star]

@@SonicVibe I mean I use the lxr for house and pretty much anything. I like the interface of the perkons. I also have a jomox alpha base.

[@waltercheng5707]

sounds incredible

[@pk9mmpara]

One Question what are the voice trigger keys .thats the keys each behind the row i ask for updating the perkons.many thanks

[@bentropy]

Wonderfully elucidating review, as always! Thanks! Question: I wonder if a comparison/contrast to Soma Labs Pulsar 23 is out of scope. I gather it's a bit apples/oranges, but they're both analog-centric 4 voice drum machines which sacrifice extensive feature sets, sequencer, and programmability of many modern drum machines (i'm thinking of Elektron's higher end) for distinct sound and experimental, hands-on approach. That's what I see this machine competing with, most closely. I assume you considered this @loopop and I'm curious - just for my own understanding, not a pedantic point - why you ultimately decided not even to go there.

[@loopop]

Thanks! Indeed they both have 4 voices and cost more or less the same, but beside that they're too different to be competitively compared any more than I would compare to any other drum machine - which is why I didn't spend time on it. Comparing them would take about as long as just watching both videos...

[@peadookie]

alright fam, go the cheap route and get this or spend a little extra and get 20 volca drums?

[@keidelt]

Great video. I’m having an issue with the send/return on individual voices. I was under the impression that using the send/return removes each voice from the BBD path, but i’m finding it removes the dry signal as well, so i’m only hearing the return audio. anyone experience this?

[@loopop]

Thanks! It has been a while so I don't remember the behavior but what I say in the video was after testing it... have you contacted the company?

[@prospectnyc]

0:56 How much did Erica Synths sell it to you for and what's the coupon code?

Looks great, but why have the knobs grouped in 4 columns instead of 4 rows that would much better reflect the tracks layout and allow direct comparison of settings between voices?

[@Iron883NZ]

I ordered 1 but I agree … I think the hh should be the top row on the sequencer … but I’ll live with it :)

[@monogee]

I want to cop this, but that price tag is WHOA!!!

[@noiseg33k]

How do you think this compares to the Pulsar-23?

[@Zpro20]

Looks cool but 4 korg volca drums/mixer/fx??? Get pretty close for a-lot less

[@toyfox4228]

I can't afforded soft soft. what alternative can I get?

[@csharp57]

Great review. A little out of my price range for what it does.

[@grzegorzzielinski6574]

Great review as always, love to watch your overviews even for devices I will probably never have:D Can I ask what is that overlay you use for waveform display? what vst is that? I really like it, thanks

[@loopop]

Thanks! It's not real, just an overlay I add in my video editing software. I use MOscilloscope and MAnalyzer by a company called Melda - they’re free with some limitations in the MFreeFXBundle. Occasionally I’ll use scopes by VCV

[@grzegorzzielinski6574]

@@loopop thank you. I really like its look and that it shows freq and key. Thanks for all your content

[@snoogllies]

Can'tt wait for mine to come in!

[@donadoma]

Nice color! 👍

[@online-person]

I noticed that even with all the levels and master volume maxed out, it looks like the drive control was often being used to get all the voices up into "comfortably audible" range. Is this a quirk of the design or just some natural workflow that the device lends itself to? I'm curious if this is the reason that all the demos I've seen of this thing are firmly in the "noisy as hell" zone. Thanks!

[@loopop]

The drive doesn't introduce significant noise - if you check out the sample pack you'll hear the tails are very quiet even though drive was probably set at 75% for most of them. However, the compressor and threshold together DO introduce noise at the extreme settings as there's significant gain, and it is very tempting to use them at those settings.

[@junglismonk4256]

Didn`t AFX have one of these 25 years ago?

[@MCBrainpower]

Very nice. Been lookin’ at gettin’ a Pērkons HD-01 and this video only makes me wanna grab one even more…Erica Synths ftw fr fr 🔊🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Electrictechnic]

There's an older techno track by Ned Coleman on youtube called uncovered. One of my favorites and this perkons sounds pretty close.

[@davidalexander9245]

4 tracks is pretty limiting for a 2k drum machine?

[@respondermusic2543]

17.40 " I`m beginning to feel a little bit like Hector Salamanca making this video... 😀... Made my Day!! Awesome Review like always. It`s a pitty that is it not available for 2 months, i want to buy it right now. Anybody not happy with his/her Perkons?

[@christopherpederson1021]

They told me 4 weeks

[@charonme]

in some earlier videos they say it's an analog BBD (with a clock-cancelling circuit), but on other videos they say it's a digital emulation

[@Iron883NZ]

Yes … they swapped it out in production … I was wanting analog delay … I guess digital is cheaper and more controllable?

[@Iron883NZ]

… but I’m glad they added the compressor

[@InFamousProductions]

any day I hope to see mine showing up

[@indigosnow_]

I'll own one someday, so cool

[@mrluwin5054]

Can you clear recorded motion sequence?

[@gupotus]

Is it possible, to copy a trig step?

[@maciejkwiecien7106]

Hey, Can you make few tracks or gimme a link in reply cos your beginnings are always musically wicked dude. Star

[@xpez9694]

seems like Native Instruments has something similar? anyone have any ideas?

[@x0d-live]

Looks like a fun machine to buy, sample extensively, and then (debate whether to keep or) sell.

[@Cutflower]

It has the one thing I want in my pulsar….a sequencer that makes sense!

[@utubebroadcastme]

now that's an outro!

[@pk9mmpara]

Hi Loopop is it possibel that you make a video about the new firm update from the erica synth Perkons.

[@loopop]

it seems cool but I have reviewed SO many instruments and have so many in the pipeline it's hard for me to prioritize firmware updates

[@katesfather8619]

Anyone getting a noise from the main out. Main out going into my focusrite 18i20.

[@neuzd]

Yeah, the price of this thing is...I don't know, I'm almost fine that I can't afford one, it is "too" awesome. I know it seems like it doesn't make any sense, but strangely it does to me.

[@leehodge7907]

nicely put!

[@josephakers1431]

It's so awesome

[@chandeleerjet5637]

Does anybody know if you can change the tuning per step? To make basslines and stuff

[@loopop]

Not in the current firmware

[@baconbigbeats]

Whenever I see gear like this I always think of the inside of a submarine.

[@higherself7129]

Thank you for fixing the ability to use midi! I think if the Perkons had stereo out or a delay for each output so it can be used it would be the worlds absolute best drumsynth

[@gregvittore5004]

Hektor on drugs😂🤣 Great review ❤️✌️

[@muddykrueger]

Nice review / tutorial !! It’s sounds crazy good ! What the name of the distortion pedal ?

[@loopop]

Thanks! Rattler (gear list is always in the description BTW)

[@muddykrueger]

@@loopop yes thank you I saw that after 🥴I wrote faster than I looked

[@BusinessDuck69]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems like there isn't a way to record automation for longer than 1 bar. Automation recording doesn't seem to work when chaining patterns together. Have you tried anything like this?

[@loopop]

I've never tried it - I think it's a good idea so please email the company and suggest it!

[@BusinessDuck69]

@@loopop I did end up emailing them about this, and it sounds like it's not possible, unfortunately. Luckily it is still possible to modulate all the parameters with MIDI CC, so that's what I'm going to end up doing. Can you explain how you're able to do the arp at the end using your keystep? I'm trying to do the same, getting clock in to the keystep via USB and then running MIDI out from the keystep into the Perkons. I have the Perkons in multi midi mode, and I'm able to trigger it with the keystep, but its only playing a single note, rather than an arpeggio. Thanks for your video!

[@just-ask]

That was sweet!!!