wmd/kraken

Kraken

WMD

Physical modeling snare drum module for Eurorack synthesizers featuring 100% digital synthesis with no samples. Creates realistic snare drums by adjusting shell type, size, head tightness, and snare brightness. Includes optional pitch shifter and three distortion modes (clipping, wavefolding, bit reduction).673

Capabilities 1

Physical Modeling Drumphysical-modeling-drum
Uses a network of delay lines, digital filters, and noise to physically model a snare drum with 32 shell models, head/rim exciters, and analog or digital noise sources.673

Jacks 6 — 5 in / 1 out

NameSignalVoltageDescription
Inputs (5)
HEADgateGate input that triggers the head exciter, mimicking striking a snare drum in the center. Remains open as long as gate is HIGH.673
LO TUNE CVcv≤5V673
RIMgateGate input that triggers the rim exciter, mimicking striking the rim for a sidestick sound. Striking HEAD and RIM simultaneously enables a third exciter for a rim shot sound.673
VELOCITY CVcv≤5VCV input controlling velocity. When no cable is plugged in, velocity is fixed at approximately 80% of maximum.673
WRECK CVcv≤5VCV input for distortion amount/character control. When unplugged, a fixed amount of distortion is applied per the WRECK switch position.673
Outputs (1)
Audio Outputaudio673

Parameters 9

NameTypeRangeBehavior
DECAYknobControls the decay time of the internal envelope. The envelope remains open (sustains) as long as HEAD or RIM gate is HIGH.673
LOW TUNEknobSets the fundamental frequency of the snare drum. Has a corresponding CV input labeled LO TUNE.673
MODELswitchSelects from three noise/generation models: digital noise (repeatable), analog noise (random variation per hit), and pitch-shifting mode (PITCH knob controls pitch shifter).673
OVERTONEknobControls the damping level of the clean shell harmonics. Increasing OVERTONE decreases damping, making harmonics ring louder and longer (more resonant).673
PITCHknobApplies an offset to some of the shell's harmonics for finer control of OVERTONE and SNARES timbre. When MODEL is in pitch-shifting mode, PITCH controls the pitch shifter on the output.673
SHELLknob≤32shell modelSmoothly interpolates between 32 different shell models, each determining the harmonics of the sound with interaction from OVERTONE and SNARES controls.673
SNARESknobControls the damping level of the noisy shell harmonics. Increasing SNARES decreases damping, making the drum hit noisier and extending the noise tail.673
VELOCITYknobControls hit velocity. Low velocity = softer hits with less noise and fewer overtones; high velocity = harder hits that ring out longer. Fixed at ~80% when no CV cable is connected.673
WRECKswitchThree-position switch selecting distortion mode: fully left = hard clipping (clean when no CV), middle = wavefolder, far right = quantization error (bit reduction). CV input modulates the amount/character within the selected mode.673

Firmware history 0 versions

No firmware history recorded.

References 2

  1. [673]
    WMD Kraken Manual v0.1manual
    verified 2026-05-21
  2. [674]
    WMD Kraken product pageproduct_page
    verified 2026-05-21