Recovery Seven Sisters is a new percussion synthesizer designed for both desktop and Eurorack formats, bringing back the distinctive sound of iconic late-70s drum machines like the Pearl Syncussion and Pollard Syndrum.
Drum synthesizers have a long history, with many legendary models, such as the TR-808 and TR-909, originating in Japan during the 1970s and 1980s. Over the years, developers have produced a range of hardware and software clones, emulations, and replicas of these classic instruments. Now, a new developer is looking to revive the distinctive timbres of vintage drum synths with two new hardware releases.
The Recovery Seven Sisters aims to capture the essence of vintage drum synthesizers like the Pearl Syncussion and Pollard Syndrum. While it is unclear whether this is a direct replica or an inspired version, the unit promises a retro sound with modern features.
The device offers seven independent voices in total, with six voices available for simultaneous playback, while one is switchable. Each voice has minimal parameters, including pitch and decay, focusing on simplicity rather than deep sound design flexibility. This makes it clear that advanced synthesis isn’t the main goal for this instrument.
At its core, Recovery Seven Sisters utilizes a mix of oscillators, noise generators, and filters, with the developers promising sounds that extend beyond the classics. However, the controls are extremely limited, providing only pitch, decay, or volume adjustments for each voice. This keeps the interface straightforward, but it may not appeal to users seeking deep, intricate sound design.
The unit is designed for simplicity in triggering sounds. You can either use the built-in buttons on the front of the device or connect external trigger inputs via the top of the unit. However, it is worth noting that all the sounds are routed through a dual-mono audio output, and there are no individual outputs for each voice. Additionally, the device lacks MIDI functionality, which further limits its integration with other gear.
In addition to the desktop model, the Seven Sisters drum synth is available as a 10HP Eurorack module. This version has seven preset sounds, but you can only play one voice at a time, unlike the desktop version where up to six voices can be played simultaneously.
The Eurorack version offers more control over the sounds compared to the desktop model. It allows users to adjust parameters such as volume, decay, pitch, and filter for each preset. There are also four CV inputs for greater parameter control, and a trigger input for triggering sounds. Like the desktop version, it features dual-mono outputs, but it still lacks MIDI connectivity.
At first glance, the Recovery Seven Sisters may seem like a strange drum synthesizer. The drum timbres are solid, but the controls are quite limited, especially on the desktop version. With only pitch and decay adjustments, the device feels more like a rompler—ideal for quick, one-press drum sounds, but less suitable for those who want to dive deeply into drum synthesis.
The Eurorack module is a step up, offering more control, including a filter, but still remains constrained by its single-voice playback and lack of MIDI.
Recovery Seven Sisters is now available for pre-order at an introductory price of €288.95 (without power supply) or €302.95 (with power supply) for the desktop model. The Eurorack module is priced at €220.95.
For those looking for a straightforward, vintage-inspired percussion sound, the Recovery Seven Sisters could be an interesting option. However, for users seeking more control and deeper synthesis, this drum synth may not be the right choice.
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