Cre8audio have just announced the upcoming launch of two new devices that have been developed in collaboration with Pittsburgh Modular. The first, the Boom Chick, is an analogue drum machine that features a powerful onboard sequencer; the second, the Assembler, is a vintage-inspired mixer designed specifically for contemporary electronic artists.
Boom Chick
The Boom Chick is an all-analogue affair that draws inspiration from classic drum machines, but employs cutting-edge circuitry and fresh design concepts from the experts at Pittsburgh Modular. There are five drum voices provided, along with a built-in sequencer that promises to provide users with a wealth of programming capabilities while remaining simple and intuitive to use.
The Sounds
Cre8audio say that the Boom Chick’s percussion palette is vast and endlessly customisable, and offers everything from classic drum machine sounds to far-out, futuristic beats. Here’s a quick overview of each of its five voices:
- Kick Drum: Fat, deep, and punchy with extensive shaping controls.
- Snare Drum: Dynamic and expressive, from crisp to experimental.
- Drum 1 & 2: Multi-functional voices for toms, claps, cymbals, and creative textures.
- Hats: Custom oscillator noise matrix for bright, crisp hi-hats and metallic percussive elements
The Sequencer
There are two modes of operation available for the onboard sequencer: Step mode, which allows users to program beats with a typical step sequencer-like approach; and Live Mode, which makes it possible to perform and record beats in real time. There’s plenty of customisation functions on offer, too, including:
- Step Shift, Roll and Chance: For intricate rhythmic variation.
- Humanize, Swing and Quantize: To fine-tune groove and timing.
- Per-Voice Polyrhythms: Set different step lengths for evolving beats.
- Generative Rhythm Tools: Built-in Euclidean pattern and sequence generators.
- 64 Save Slots & 16 Song Memory: Store and recall your creations.
The Boom Chick has been designed to integrate effortlessly into a wide range of different setups. It can function as a standalone unit or a Eurorack module (40HP, 30mm depth, +12V/250mA, -12V/200mA) and includes a healthy selection of I/O including individual drum trigger inputs and outputs, dedicated line and headphone outputs, Clock and Reset I/O and 3.5mm TRS MIDI I/O.
Assembler
The second collaboration between Cre8audio and Pittsburgh Modular is the Assembler, a synth-focused analogue mixer that’s been designed to deliver a vintage console sound with intuitive hands-on control thanks to a knob-per-function layout. The companies say that the Assembler eliminates unnecessary complexities and focused on superior audio quality, reliability and user-friendliness. It’ll happily accept line-level and Eurorack signals, and features a total of 10 (two stereo and six mono) audio inputs. Once again, the unit can be used either as a standalone mixer or Eurorack module (40HP, 30mm depth, +12V/380mA, -12V/275mA).
All 10 inputs include a preamp with enough gain to cover everything from levelling different instruments to intentionally driving the mixer’s circuitry into saturation, along with a trio of aux sends that can be used to integrate external effects and a pan control; the first two channels also feature a vintage-inspired two-band EQ.
Pricing & Availability
The Boom Chick and the Assembler are both due to ship in May 2025, priced at $399.99€319.99 each.
