Schlagzwerg

Back in 2009, this compact powerhouse fused true analog drum modules with semi-modular flexibility, letting you patch CV into kicks and snares like a mini Eurorack system without the cables.

It packs six discrete analog voices—bass drum with attack, tune, decay, pitch, and drive; snare offering snap, decay, tune, and pitch; toms; plus hi-hat and cymbal—each with CV inputs for real-time modulation from the internal sequencer or external sources. A 16-step sequencer with A/B variations chains to 32 steps, six gate tracks, and six CV tracks that double as outputs for controlling other gear like the Kraftzwerg, complete with TR-style LED chase lights, seven shuffle levels, and a data knob for tweaking. Hands-on controls include per-drum pots for sound shaping, tempo and pattern switches, plus MIDI in, USB, clock/trigger I/O, stereo outs with panning, and individual drum outputs—all in a desktop footprint about the size of MFB's smaller synths.

Users love its raw, punchy 503-series tones that cut through mixes and the MIDI-to-CV converter modes for hybrid setups, though some note the two-octave pitch limit on drum channels and lack of save memory as quirks for live use. It's a cult favorite for analog purists chasing that modular edge on a budget.