http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FlzATgziuY
Big City Music has released a good look at the Metasonix D-1000 Vacuum Tube Drum Machine. It’s unique and definetly sounds ancient in terms on electronic sound. Those who can appreciate the amazing soundtrack to Forbidden Planet (iTunes link) or some Aphex Twin will appreciate this box.
“The first drum machine made with vacuum tubes since the Wurlitzer Sideman of 1959. Unlike the Sideman, it’s a “modern” primitive device–with plenty of inputs, outputs, and flexibility. Even though it has only four drum sounds — two tunable drums, a tunable “snare” drum (harder sounding than the others), and a cymbal — control voltage inputs give great flexibility.” – metasonix.com
For more info: metasonix.com
This entry was written by , posted on March 7, 2010 at 5:40 am, filed under hardware and tagged D-1000, drum machine, Metasonix, tube, vacuum tube. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
A real analog kick processed by some monster hardware boxes. Record it 65 ways and give it away free. That’s what Wave Alchemy just did. Hey, it got me to their site to look around.
“65 24-bit 100% royalty free kick drum (Jomox AIRBase 99) samples which have been recorded through an A-grade signal chain including devices such as the Thermionic Culture Vulture, Empirical Labs Distressor and API 512c pre-amp.” – wavealchemy.co.uk
Get your free samples here: http://www.wavealchemy.co.uk/club_kicks_2/pid60/fr
via Synthtopia
This entry was written by , posted on March 3, 2010 at 5:58 am, filed under sounds and tagged Airbase, API, API 512C, compressor, Distressor, drum machine, Empirical Labs, free, Jomox, kick drums, samples, Thermionic Culture Vulture. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gxbx-fvvsGI
There are similar products to Xfer’s Nerve yet I am still interested. Mac/PC VST/AU. $199. What do you think? Is there something unique to Nerve that should be mentioned?
“Nerve is a software drum machine which brings powerful beat creation and manipulation to your Host Sequencer. Nerve runs as a VSTi or AudioUnit plugin. Nerve was designed and coded by veteran dance music producers, with a diverse sample library included from many of todays top sound designers. Create your own beats entirely from scratch using sounds you already have (AIF/WAV/REX/RX2/AKAI .SND), or utilize the factory-included Drum Kits, Presets, Patterns, and Sounds.” – xferrecords.com
For more info: xferrecords.com
This entry was written by , posted on February 27, 2010 at 10:33 am, filed under plug-ins and tagged audio unit, drum machine, Nerve, plug-in, vst, Xfer. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UyJ__BWiHA
Eric Archer creates a large number of original and hacked audio machines. You can see all his devices: click here. One of his recent creations are these mini analog drum machines. Beyond the fact that they sound good and are inexpensive I dig the last music loop he created in the video above!
“This was designed as an experiment of making the most minimal drum machine possible using analog circuitry. Beyond that goal, the design also includes a new feature, IR Sync, which allows a group of these units to all synchronize together and play at the same tempo automatically. Although the sound of one Andromeda Mk machine alone is simple, a group of them together can play more complex rhythms. The complexity of the patterns is multiplied with each additional unit that is added to the network. A maximum of 12 units can be connected in a chain. The Andromeda Mk-1 analog drum machine has a minimal sequencer with sixteen preset patterns, selectable by the red switch block. The pushbutton restarts the patterns. This feature allows you to shift the timing of the rhythm when synchronized with other Andromeda Space Rockers instruments.” – http://ericarcher.net/
For more info: http://ericarcher.net/
This entry was written by , posted on February 13, 2010 at 5:26 am, filed under hardware and tagged analog, Andromeda MK, diy, drum machine. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmt0ru2Y7wQ
FunkBox looks like it will be the most fun drum machine emulation on the iPhone yet. Coming soon for $1.99.
“Demo of the FunkBox Drum Machine iphone app from Synthetic Bits. FunkBox is a pocket-sized emulation of a classic vintage beatboxes, along with all their dirt and quirks.” – syntheticbits.com
For more info: syntheticbits.com
UPDATE… Available now: click here (iTunes link) Definitely fun!
This entry was written by , posted on January 18, 2010 at 9:26 am, filed under iPhone and tagged drum machine, emulation, iPhone, roland, tr-808, vintage. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Pure analog electronic snares, snaps and crashes are what the new Jomox M.Brain 1_1 is all about. If your like me and have spent countless hours searching for the snap sound in Soft Cell’s Tainted Love (iTunes link) then this seems like this box is for you. I know I’m going to grab one to sit next to my MBase. If you haven’t already seen it be sure to check out my visit to Jomox and interview with Jürgen Michaelis: click here
Audio demo: MBrane11Demo-01Master.mp3
“Analog Membrane Modeling. Two analog T-bridge oscillators become electronic membranes. Why? Because they can be coupled. And because their dampening can be controlled. Then add a little noise, add a little envelope, and the brand new electronic percussion synthesizer of Jomox is ready.” – Jomox.de
For more info: Jomox.de
This entry was written by , posted on January 11, 2010 at 5:38 am, filed under hardware and tagged drum machine, Jürgen Michaelis, Jomox, noise, snare. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLnf_gtBZtg
This morning I had to scan about one hundred energy audit survey sheets collected from our salespersons. Even though I have a nifty (fast!) ScanSnap S1500M I still have only a few minutes for Wire to the Ear before it’s off to the races. I have nothing important musically related in my head so I revert to one of the best things in the world: an analog drum machine. The good old TR-606 is a metal looking and tight sounding box that unbelievable can still be found on eBay for a reasonable price. YouTube and cheap video camera compression works well on the 606’s sound. Someone please tell my wife to throw one of these under my tree this year.
A cool little box! So primitive and cute! The 606 was the percussion side-kick to the TB-303. It even looks like the 303. It stores up to 32 patterns and 8 songs. The 606 allows switching between Pattern Play and Write mode while running – making the 606 the only drumcomputer in the X0X series that can be edited while performing and switching patterns. It is also possible to link up to 4 consecutive patterns in Pattern Play mode. There is only a mono audio output, however there are mods from Kenton Electronics and Analog Solutions that will add individual outputs for each drum tone. The 606 has seven analog drum sounds which are simple, yet great! Kick, Snare, 2 toms, open hat, closed hat, cymbal, accent. The hi-hats are a very tinny electronic sound…” – vintagesynth.com
For more info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-606
This entry was written by , posted on December 10, 2009 at 6:32 am, filed under hardware and tagged analog, drum machine, roland, TR-606. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVXWNEIonAo
I just won an eBay auction for a mint Korg KR-55 Rhythm Machine! I got it for $280 and I am pleased. Even though it’s a preset machine it has a good amount of variation, swing and intros/fills. Watch the video above to see how versatile it can be. As far as DAW recording goes each instrument has it’s own volume knob so it’s easy to record each drum on a different channel if so desired. The real reason to like this machine is the sound. It’s pure analog with silver highs and a punchy tight kick. It was used on pretty much on every song on Depeche Mode’s first album Speak N Spell (iTunes link). Expect to hear it on my own future recordings. If one wanted they can mod a KR-55 and add MIDI using an Analogue Solutions kit: www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~concuss/mods/kr55.htm
“The KR55 was, for its time (1979), an advanced preset rhythm drum machine with up to 96 preset rhythm patterns! These patterns cover the whole gamut of presets (Waltz, Samba, Rhumba, Bossa Nova, Tango, Slow Rock, Swing, Rock, etc.). The KR55 also featured a “swing beat” control to add a variation to the groove. Each drum sound’s level can be individually adjusted for each pattern. It can also be externally controlled via footswitch jack for the Start/Stop and Intro/Fill switches.” – vintagesynth.com
Have you bought any new toys off eBay lately?
This entry was written by , posted on November 20, 2009 at 6:47 am, filed under hardware and tagged drum machine, Korg KR-55. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCa8prvT9yM
I’ve said many times the Roland TR-808 is the king of all drum machines. It has the sharpest deepest kick with the most attack, snares and hats that sound like lighting and a sequencer that makes any beat sound incredible. I love this machine so much I think I subconsciously liked songs because they had an 808 on them (all before I even knew what a Roland TR-808 was!). I love this video above where a bunch of classics with 808 drums were recreated on an Korg Electribe SX. I own everyone one of these songs on 12″.
Here’s a few ways into 808 land: AcidLab Miami (German recreation) $1399, GoldBaby The Tape808 (samples) $24, D16 Nepheton (virtual plug-in recreation) 139 EUR
“Recreations, again by ear, of some classic early 80s beats that were originally made on a Roland TR-808 drummachine. This became the signature sound for freestyle music and later for house. Mantronix – 808 Beats, Shannon – Let the Music Play, Freeez – IOU, Man Parrish – Hip Hop Bebop, GLOBE & Whiz Kid -. Play that Beat Mr. DJ, Nineteen – Paul Hardcastle (iTunes link), C.O.D. – In the Bottle, Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing” – Harlem Nights Music
For more info: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808
This entry was written by , posted on November 16, 2009 at 6:21 am, filed under hardware, live performance, music and tagged drum machine, Electribe, Korg, Man Parish, Mantronix, roland, Shannon, tr-808. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
Here’s a nice look at Moby’s Noahs Ark of vintage drum machines. He also goes into the virtues of replacing your band with electronic instruments. I agree completely. I once performed at an early “rave” in Washington DC with Moby. Before fame he used to DJ a small bar near Suny Purchase (my alma mater).
“Motherboard heads deep into the bowels of Moby’s Manhattan apartment-studio, where he unveils his prized assemblage of rarified gadgets, bizarre synthesizers, and outré drum devices.” – Motherboard.tv
For more info: www.moby.com
This entry was written by , posted on October 22, 2009 at 5:50 am, filed under interviews, video and tagged drum machine, Moby, PIAA. Leave a comment or view the discussion at the permalink and follow any comments with the RSS feed for this post.
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