Hexagon 85: Revive the Legend of Electronic Drums!
Immerse yourself in the vintage atmosphere of the 80s with Hexagon 85 – a powerful virtual instrument that revives the unique sound of the legendary Simmons SDS-V drum synthesizer. This plugin from MARVIN PAVILION is not just an emulation, but a true portal into the golden era of electronic music, where synthetic percussion dominated, defining genres from synth-pop to early techno.
The Simmons SDS-V was one of the first commercially successful electronic drum kits, known for its distinctive hexagonal pads and unique, sharp and “plastic” sound. Its aggressive bass drums, dense snares, and melodic toms have become an integral part of countless hits. Hexagon 85 aims to convey this very essence, combining synthesis for the main drums with sampling for the cymbals.
Key Features of Hexagon 85:
- 5 Analog Drum Synthesizers: Unlike simple samplers, Hexagon 85 offers full-fledged synthesizer modules for the bass drum, snare drum, as well as low, mid, and high toms. This allows you to deeply shape the sound of each drum, adjusting the synthesis parameters to achieve both the classic “Simmons” sound and create completely new, unique electronic percussion timbres. From the rich low end of the bass drum to the ringing “snap” of the snare – it’s all in your hands.
- 4 Mono Samplers: For more complex and noisy sounds, such as hi-hats and cymbals, the plugin uses high-quality mono samplers. This applies to the closed hi-hat, open hi-hat, crash cymbal, and ride cymbal. Sampling provides realism and detail to these elements, perfectly complementing the synthesized drums and creating a complete electronic drum kit.
- 8 Separate Outputs: Hexagon 85 is equipped with eight separate audio outputs. This feature is extremely valuable for production, as it allows you to route each or a group of instruments to separate channels in your DAW. This opens up wide possibilities for individual processing of each drum: applying unique effects, precise adjustment of dynamics and panning, which greatly facilitates mixing and allows you to achieve a professional result.
- MIDI CC Support: Full MIDI Control Change (CC) support provides flexible control of the plugin’s parameters using a MIDI controller. This is ideal for live performances or dynamically creating drum parts, allowing you to “play” the settings in real time.
- Automation Support: The ability to automate all parameters in your DAW allows you to create complex, evolving drum patterns. You can automate changes in drum timbre, volume level, panning, or any other available parameter throughout the track, adding movement and expressiveness to your mix.
Ideal Solution for:
Hexagon 85 will become an indispensable tool for musicians, producers, and sound engineers working in 80s electronic music genres (synth-pop, new wave), as well as for those looking for unique, vintage electronic drum sounds for modern styles such as techno, house, EDM, or industrial. It can also be used to add a characteristic “retro” touch to any musical project.
With Hexagon 85, you get not just a plugin, but a piece of musical history, ready to breathe life into your tracks. Experiment with synthesis, use the flexible routing and control options, and create memorable drum parts.
