Sonic Potions and Erica Synths have introduced the LXR-02 Digital Drum Synth, an updated version of Sonic Potions’ renowned DIY kit.
The LXR-02 is described as “a complex standalone drum synthesizer with a powerful integrated sequencer”. It features six voices: three multipurpose drum voices, a dedicated subtractive clap/snare voice, FM percussion voice, and a hi-hat voice.
Each voice is equipped with a variety of modulatable and tweakable parameters, including oscillator, amplitude envelope, frequency modulation, transient generator, filter, and variable waveform assignable LFO. This means it can create classic analog drum sounds, but has the flexibility to go much further.
Sequencer:
The sequencer is split into seven tracks—one for each voice, and an additional one to control the open hi-hat of the sixth voice.
Each track can be set to a different length, with a maximum length of 64 steps. This opens up the possibility for creating complex polymetric patterns.
The sequencer also allows for automation recording, with two parameter changes per step. The sequences programmed in all seven tracks can be stored as a Pattern, and up to 64 patterns can be saved as a Song, and furthermore 64 Songs can be hosted by a single Project.
Performance Mode:
The LXR-02 also features a dedicated ‘Performance Mode’. In this mode, parameters like track muting are easily accessible, without a ‘shift’ function involved. It also provides access to Manual Rolls, which can be simply triggered via the first seven sequencer buttons with adjustable rate, and even recorded into the pattern if the recording mode is active.
Global sample rate reduction provides another way to mometarily “inflict radical sonic destruction to a beat”.
Finally, a ‘Morph’ function allows for morphing between the active and target presets (the latter can be any preset file on the SD card).
Features:
- Powerful drum synthesizer with integrated 64 step sequencer
- 6 synth voices: three multipurpose drum voices, a dedicated subtractive clap/snare voice, FM percussion voice, and a hi-hat voice
- 7 sequencer tracks: 1 per voice plus an additional track for open hi-hat
- Per step parameter automation
- Performance mode features manual rolls per voice, global sample rate reduction, and a special Morph feature for morphing between presets
- Comprehensive project structure
- 4 x 1/4″ outputs
- Dedicated headphone output
- MIDI I/O
- USB
- Analog Clock I/O
Audio Demos:
Here are official audio demos of the original LXR Drum Machine:
Pricing and Availability
The Sonic Potions and Erica Synths LXR-02 Digital Drum Synth is available to pre-order via Perfect Circuit and other retailers for about $600.
Well that’s a surprise, given the “original” LXR software hasn’t been updated in ages – not that it’s bad, really. Guess it’s time to sell mine, if anybody is actually still interested now there’s this new kit.
Not bad? It almost killed my ears, headphones and mixer. Absolutely unstable firmware. Until they finish the LXR 1, I am not going to buy anything with the Sonic Potions name on it.
my re303 with sonic potions cpu and latest os (0.95) is buggy too, some notes combination make it mute, only restart helps. they say on the re303 forum they couldn’t reproduce this, i tested a friends unit and it makes the same bugs…
this is not so good for live use (need to restart the input clock) but i still like it and sonic potions, the sequencer with the original 303 timing is a musical magic.
all my machines have bugs, really all of them, it can be frustrating some times but i guess it’s better to take the good with the bad.
Why would anyone buy this after Sonic Potions completely abandoned the first LXR even though it had several huge bugs remaining that made it totally unsuitable for live use? Including big problems with clock and skipping beats. Many many users reported this before SP shut down their forums. The alternative firmwares were interesting, but none of them fixed the core problems.
It’s tough justifying hardware drum machines in a studio setup. They have to either sound extremely good or have some other amazing advantage, like an inspiring sequencer. Otherwise you will eventually return to your DAW and plugins for drums, because it’s pointless going with something that sounds worse in your song just for the sake of using hardware. Not sure if this one would do the trick for me, have to check out.
i’m not the first to say that but sometimes the “advantage” in hardware is the restrictions, the limited options can make me more creative. the more limited it is, the more i tend to explore it.
maybe it’s not and it’s my justification to buy new toys but its still works for me 🙂
For sure, restrictions are one of the advantages I would call inspirational. But I noticed that when I’m working on a song and want to nail a certain type of beat or drum sound, hardware drummers often are less flexible and precise so ultimately the computer does the better job. For instance, listen to the DnB example in the SoundCloud playlist of this. It just kind of sort of sounds Drum&Bass-ish. But would anyone actually use it in a real life DnB production when they have the option to really nail the beat with the computer right next to them? That’s what I meant with sacrificing sound for the sakes of using hardware. Live on stage, totally different story. But in the studio, there are few drum machines that really make sense to me.
Sure, if you have a sound that you want exactly then the computer is probably the way to go.
The way to work with boxes like these is to see where they take you, with their unique sound and features and the interaction with other machines you’ve got.
If that’s not your thing then fair enough, everyone’s looking for something different.
usually demos (hardware or software) are not a perfect genre examples,
for nailing dnb sound i will prefer to use samples or 70’s drum breaks.
but i get your point about “sacrificing sound for the sake of using hardware”
plugins can be much more easier to work with and usually have better timing.
i guess it can be true if you are into specific direction, genre or have “goals” 🙂
but if you enjoy discovering places you didn’t plan of, half of the time don’t know what you looking for and a little “punk” in your attitude, machine drums can be allot of fun. in some way it’s the essence of playing. maybe it’s more like “sacrificing a purpose for the sake of having fun” or again maybe i’m just looking for excuses to buy nice stuff
Totally agree to both your points about hardware drummies often being the better choice for open-ended creative exploration. I sometimes forget that’s a thing, as most of my jobs are more about creating a very specific sound and aesthetic with less room for surprises. But if I want to jam out and explore new ideas, hardware is fun.
elektron rytm is probably the best attempt at “all in one” type machine,
even though that wasnt the original design, it has grown that way
and imho its in a status like a 808 or 303 in terms of iconic capability
ANalog RYTM: i sold it because to me it did not do that at all soundwise and the userinterface is an absolute nightmare. The only Elektron that( i will ever) have is the model Cycles (Or Samples) because the interface is doable, if you can deal with al the elektron idiosyncrasy’s. Like: want to copy a pattern to the next slot? Do some fingergymnastics for Copy, then Paste , (something most people do dialy about from 5 til 500 times). But while pasting Keep Pressed For Four Seconds, just to make sure you did not want to paste by mistake! On a drummachine. yes sure Elektron frk designer, good call! To me the Model Cycles is not an all in one machine at all though.
More on Topic: I used to own an LXR too. the soundmorphing was cool, but the user interface was very indirect and nerdy. Not a performance machine to me. I even bought the third party dedicated controller. but soon sold al to get something more simple. that user interface was really quite weird.
100% agreed with everything you said here about elektron.
the rytm is straight forward and very easy to use.
the only way i can think it will be hard for someone is if he didn’t take the time to learn it.
copy is func record
paste is func stop
if record is pressed you copy a track, if not you copy the all pattern.
can’t be easier.
many, even not so technical use it with ease.
if you did a mistake simply press it again and it will undo.
(i don’t know what you talking about with the 4 seconds)
you don’t have to open a manual, watch a video or even remember them. all the “func” are printed on the front panel,
ironically, if you can’t deal with that or impatient to learn, “all in one” machines are probably not for you
btw, this is the same with all elektron machines including the model series.
they are all the same with this basic functions.
the model have more knobs and less matrix control i will give you that, but it’s not making it easier to use.
the matrix (on the analog’s) is based on pressing one button (clearly labeled) and turning a knob (the function viewed on the screen)
it’s easy. i’m pretty shore i can teach you all of what there is to know about elektron machines in 45 minutes. but you will need to want to use it 🙂
I owned about 6 different elektron machines, including the analog rytm and the analog rytm mk2. I did not spend that kind of money if i did not want to like them. You (better) take a steep learning curve for granted with elektron. But i know there are big numbers of geniuses out there who fly over them from the very first second. Thanks for explaining to me the basic functions after having sold them without regret. To me they were un-intuitive, and not using them for a few weeks means back to the manual. Also their effects, even though of good quality, never inspired me. Delay & Reverb. Good enough for 20 minutes dub-techno jams that contain zero amount of dub 😉
When you ever actually get to use the model cycles (and i am pretty sure the model samples works the same) you will understand what I am talking about with the 4 seconds.
copy a pattern is exactly like pressing ctrl c and ctrl v.
it’s actually easier since my computer keyboard don’t have this written on it in bold letters like my elektrons. i explained to you this functions because you don’t remember it correctly
i have the model cycles (and the rytm/a4/heat) but all elektrons instruments pattern shortcuts are the same. the only 4 seconds wait is when you choose a pattern, you press a bank (and release it) and you have 4 second to choose a pattern with the triggers before they change again to steps or notes, is that what you talking about?
The next pasted text from the manual is what i was talking about. Your statement is thus proven wrong here. There would not be anything wrong with that so that i would have to over-emphasise this as i do now, but I noticed before that on this subject, you mostly seem to don’t like my opion, on the unintuitiveness of elektron machines, and then start “explain” and “teach” me, why I should think different. This goes as far as post-truth style argumentation that always have a next reply, even after I corrected a last argument. I don’t have the time for it.
Peace man enjoy your machines of choice, I am enjoying mine.
To copy, press and hold [PATTERN]
—–
—
Finally, press and keep holding [Paste-stop] to paste the pattern(s) (hold until the timer counts down the paste process).
i told you from the start it’s probably not for you so i clearly don’t care to change your opinion (or to teach you).
but check your facts,
i only now understand what you are talking about.
pasting multiple patterns at once (btw, countdown is less than 2 seconds). if you don’t want to wait you can past multiple times.
but copy and pasting one pattern like you described is instant.
if you didn’t know that fact, i don’t understand how you seriously ever used elektron instrument. this is mandatory.
> Feature:
> Powerful drum synthesizer
what does that mean? re the sound or functions? seems unclear. drumulator w/ “rock drums” eprom set kills everything under the sun when it comes to powerful sounds. even linndrum, dmx and drumtraks.
you also said it’s better then the tr909. seems you really like to talk about the drumulator rock drums eprom 🙂
do you also know one song that is more “powerful” than any song?
the demos are of v1 from 2013 and they couldn’t be bothered to make a new demo?
yes i noticed that too.
Why!?
if it’s the same “guts” its’ the same sound so the old demos really reflect how the new one sounds and this is fine.
but if it is the same why they don’t say that even once or giving a list of what’s updated from the first lxr?
something about this adverting is not transparent.
Here’s a video about it https://youtu.be/LhzziIM1IQo
The original was so buggy as to be unusable. The sequencer didn’t work correctly, and there were bugs with driving it with an external sequencer. None of them were fixed… So basically a brick, unless you only wanted to make the simplest of tracks. Which is such a shame because the drum synths were fantastic. Can you tell us why we should buy this new one, which looks like it has identical functionality?
I have an LXR since years and made numerous live jams with it and it never crashed, failed or went out of sync. It also sounds really nice and the sound creation is very versatile. Different to the common 808 and 909 sounds.