One thing Eurorack modular doesn’t normally make you say is, “awwwww… cute!” But here’s a modular synth rig that looks as likely to contain a peanut butter and jelly sandwich as a synth.
Meet the 2hp Lunchbox, which is literally an oldschool lunchbox with handle. It’s 42hp – which isn’t itself a new idea, as the Erica Synths Pico System does the same. The new idea is putting that in an actual lunchbox, which is adorable – and practical, since it comes with a handle.
In order for this to be useful, you need modules that take up as narrow a footprint as possible. 2hp are already deep into that business, focusing exclusively on tiny modules. The fat-fingered or clumsy need not apply, but lovers of kawaii and tiny will be happy. They’ve got loads of stuff in their shop:
Put that together with modules like the Erica Pico line and a handful of other minimalist makers, and you could have something really wonderful. It’s ambitious to say you’d use this on a plane as they claim, but … taking it on a budget short hop flight as carry-on sure as heck gets practical.
They’ve got full-blown systems in mind, in case you’re unsure how to populate your new lunch box. There are four systems coming (guess you can think of this as having mum or dad pack your lunch for you, eh?):
- Picnic Basket
- Synth Voice
- Drum Machine
- Effects Box
I don’t know what a picnic basket is, but all in all sounds, good.
And the minimalism is inspiring compelling designs – also upcoming from 2hp this spring: a compressor with sidechain, a time-domain pitch shifter with flutter, and a sound on sound looper. That looper should appeal to ambient creators; it’s got a 5-minute (!) loop time.
All of this stuff is economical to buy, meaning you get your fix of a new module for $119-149. And they’re not clones of existing modules (ahem) but new ideas.
Plus the more makers like 2hp join in with this form factor, the more choices tiny modular lovers will have. That sounds great indeed.
https://www.twohp.com/coming-soon
Hat tip, MATRIXSYNTH.
Now can someone just get me a real food-oriented bento box matched with a modular? Then I’m in.
