“This is a classic bit of kit. It’s still one of the best hand clap synths ever made. It combines gritty 8-bit sampled claps with typical Simmons filtered noise to create a huge range of clap and percussion sounds.
This unit has just been upgraded with a second digital eprom featuring the Linn LM-1 Drum Machine HiHat. Both the Clap Trap and The HiHat from the original Linn LM-1 (not the later LinnDrum which is different) share very similar playback circuitry, where the samples are looped continuously and the sample start point varies from trigger to trigger, which gives a very natural variation to the sounds (unlike the usual machine-gun effect). This was a unique feature of the LM-1 and I don’t know of any other classic drum machine that used this method of sample playback. On the LM-1 this was the way it was designed and was always active, but on the Clap Trap it can be switched on and off using the ‘Humaniser’ switch, so you can choose to use it or not. This, coupled with the Simmons filtered noise adds a lot of sonic possibilities to the Linn HiHat sound.
The Linn HiHat data was copied directly from an original LM-1 eprom chip and converted to the Simmons eprom format, so it is as close to the original sound as possible.
Other work done to this unit includes all new control potentiometers installed (and new control knobs to go with them). Also a new proper power switch has been fitted on the side, with a smaller selection switch for the eprom sounds behind it.” Click here to visit listing on eBay