Synthesis and Synthesizers
Published on 17/02/2026
If you like percussion machines that go beyond the "classic drum machine," Erica Synths ' PĒRKONS family is one that will change your workflow: it is designed for live performance, sound design, and pushing percussion into synth and drone territories.
In this article we look at two complementary products: the PĒRKONS HD-01 (a standalone stage/studio instrument) and the PĒRKONS Voice (the percussive "heart" in Eurorack format). We will understand what they do, how they sound, how they complement each other, and most importantly for whom one or the other is more suitable.
The PĒRKONS concept revolves around a hybrid architecture: a digital engine for sound generation followed by a multi-mode analog filter with overdrive. Result: attack and variety of digital + body and "grain" of analog.
This gives rise to two declinations: the complete machine (HD-01) and the module (Voice) to bring that character into your modular system.
PĒRKONS HD-01 is a performance-oriented instrument: it offers 4 hybrid voices (digital engine + multi-mode analog filter with overdrive), each with 3 sound engine modes and dedicated controls for quick and musical intervention.
Each voice includes HP/BP/LP, controls for very hands-on sound design, and an internal send to a BBD-style effect (emulation), plus solid dynamics management thanks to the compressor on the master bus.
The sequencer controls the four percussion tracks simultaneously, with tools designed to move the pattern and never make it "static": ratchet for step, probability, and shuffle/groove settings for each track. There are also several rhythmic divisions and multiplications per track, which are useful for polyrhythms and quick embeddings in live performance.
To make the machine "come alive," HD-01 incorporates parameter automation and a modulation LFO that can be assigned to virtually any parameter, with "morphing" waveforms and multiple vocal destinations. It is very much a synthesizer approach: not just hits, but timbral evolution over time.
You can save voice settings as KITs and recall them quickly. Memory includes 64 kits and 64 patterns, with additional memory on SD card-a practical advantage if you alternate between different projects or live sets.
PĒRKONS HD-01 is designed to coexist with other instruments: each voice has dedicated trigger input, individual output, and FX send/return on 6.3 mm jacks. In addition you find MIDI IN and MIDI OUT with extensive implementation, useful both in the studio and in hybrid setups.
Aesthetic note: There is also a version with a black finish in keeping with Erica Synths' typical "dark" aesthetic. And to bring out the best, it's worth keeping the firmware updated to unlock improvements and new features.
Erica Synths PĒRKONS Voice brings the percussive voices of the PĒRKONS world into your Eurorack case: digital engine followed by multimode analog VCF and overdrive. It's designed for those who want that timbre but with the freedom of patches and modulations typical of modular.
The engine offers 13 sound generation algorithms, with the ability to save up to 99 easily recallable presets-an invaluable feature for switching between sounds during a session or live show without having to "rebuild" everything every time.
The TUNE and PATCH CV inputs are configurable and calibrated to 1V/oct. This means you can use the module not only as a "drum voice," but also as a tonal/tuned element, integrating it with CV sequencers, quantizers, and complex modulations.
In addition to percussive use, find a Drone mode and a 4-note poly overlap mode, useful for layers, "percussive" chords, clusters, and evolutionary sound design when you want to push the module beyond the role of a single rhythm voice.
In the "Rompler" engine, samples can be easily substituted: great if you want to customize the sound palette with your own hits, textures or field recordings, while keeping the analog filter and overdrive as your timbral "signature."
| Requirement | Better HD-01 | Better Voice |
|---|---|---|
| You want a complete machine with sequencer | ✅ | - |
| You want to integrate into your Eurorack and patch everything | - | ✅ |
| You need 4 voices ready for performance | ✅ | (need more modules) |
| Quickly recallable presets | ✅ (kit) | ✅ (99 presets) |
| Triggers, individual outputs and "stage" routing | ✅ | Depends on your case/mixer |
| Do you want to easily replace Rompler engine samples. | - | ✅ |
If your goal is to play and perform with a machine that combines drum + synth + drone, choose PĒRKONS HD-01. If, on the other hand, you want to bring that character into your Eurorack ecosystem and build everything via patch, PĒRKONS Voice is the natural choice.
Find both available at Milk Audio Store:
👉🏻 Erica Synths PĒRKONS Voice (Eurorack)
If you would like advice on the setup (standalone + modular, routing, MIDI/CV and integration with your system), please contact us: we will help you choose the best setup for your way of producing and playing.
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