E‑licktronic M‑118a Drum Seq – Vintage 808 Feel Meets Modern Eurorack
The M‑118a is E‑licktronic’s flagship addition to the System‑100M-inspired lineup: a pure analog drum voice modulefeaturing a built-in step sequencer, merging classic sound design with modular performance control. Its roots are in the iconic TR‑808 bass and snare, now fully playable and sequence-able within a modern Eurorack format designed for performance and hands-on tweaking youtube.com+13e-licktronic.com+13e-licktronic.com+13.
Key Features
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Dual Analog Drum Voices: A booming bass drum and crispy snare, both inspired by the TR‑808 architecture—real analog circuitry, not samples .
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Integrated 2‑Track Step Sequencer: Inspired by Mutable Instruments’ Grids, thanks to collaboration with its creator Émilie Gillet. You get flexible rhythm programming directly on the module alexballmusic.com+2e-licktronic.com+2matrixsynth.com+2.
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System 100M Compatibility: Flush mount and power integration into Roland-style modular racks (DIN‑8 bus), preserving normalization and the vintage workflow gearnews.com+8e-licktronic.com+8matrixsynth.com+8.
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Available in Kit or Preassembled: Offers both kit-builder accessibility and ready-to-play convenience—PCB and faceplate come pre-wired; you still assemble jacks, knobs, and panel e-licktronic.com.
Pros
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Authentic analog tones—you get a genuine TR‑808-style bass and snare voice, unlike digital clones or samples.
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Sequencer included—eliminates the need for a separate module; ideal for pocket performance setups.
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Seamless modular integration—normalized signals and classic layout reduce patch clutter and cabling.
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DIY flexibility—kit version is great for hands-on users; preassembled for those who want speed.
Cons
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Just bass and snare—no hi-hats, clap, toms, or cymbals; you’ll need more modules to build a full drum rack.
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DIY assembly can be challenging—accuracy in soldering and wiring is essential, even in preassembled versions.
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Limited sequencing depth—Grids-inspired sequencer is great for groovy rhythms but not ideal for complex patterns.
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Power requirements—uses the System‑100M DIN bus; may need adapters or a specific case.
Community Feedback
In modular demos, users frequently highlight the M‑118a’s “closest thing to a Roland TR‑808 around here”, demonstrating authentic 808 rhythm cores within System‑100M patches modwiggler.com+7matrixsynth.com+7e-licktronic.com+7matrixsynth.commatrixsynth.com+2alexballmusic.com+2e-licktronic.com+2.