We met up with Girts from Erica Synths at Superbooth 2026 and he showed us the new Bullfrog Drums designed in collaboration with Richie Hawtin.
Bullfrog Drums is a compact sample-based drum machine designed with accessibility and hands-on use in mind. It combines seven sample playback voices with a built-in CV/gate sequencer, offering a straightforward approach to drum programming and rhythm-based performance without feeling overly simplified.
Although it is primarily presented as a drum machine, the use of samples gives it a broader range than percussion alone. The voices can just as easily handle textures, chords, drones, or found sounds, which makes the instrument flexible enough for more experimental sequencing and sound design. Its interface follows a traditional layout with dedicated controls and minimal menu dependence, making it relatively easy to understand even for newer users.
The aluminium enclosure feels solid and portable, and the overall design seems intended to work equally well on a desk, in a modular setup, or in a live performance environment. Rather than focusing on deep complexity, Bullfrog Drums leans toward immediacy and clarity, which gives it a more approachable character than many modern grooveboxes or modular drum systems.
Price: 600 euros plus vat
For more info go here: https://bullfrog.ericasynths.lv/drums/