MATRIXSYNTH: Roland TR-707 Circuit Bent Drum Machine


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Roland TR-707 Circuit Bent Drum Machine

via this auction

"professionally circuit bent by the guys at CircuitBenders.co.uk...

Listen to some MP3 examples of the sounds this beast can make!
http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk/drummachine/TR707.html

Here is a list of the additions:

18 Way 3.5mm Jack Patchbay
Connections made between sockets on the patchbay cause distortion, ring modulation, sound swapping, modulation and otherworldy alien effects to be applied to the sounds. Each 3.5mm patchbay socket is home to a certain audio process or effect which either combines with the effect from another socket when they are patched together, or sometimes just produces an entirely new effect you've never heard before. Multiple simultaneous connections may also combine in unexpected ways to produce a brand new unexpected effect, giving you a virtually unlimited number of warped alterations and audio mutations. The only limit on the number of connections you can make at any one time are how many sockets and patch cables you have available. Connections can be made at any time or even switched in and out using the patchable switches.

2 x 3 Way patchbay multipliers
These are the 2 sets of 3 sockets to the left of the cartridge port. They further multiply the creative possibilities of the machine by allowing you to connect more than one plug to the same patchbay source.

2 x 3 Way Distortion Switches
These switches on the top right of the machine offer four types of distortion from mild over-driven crunch up to all out electro grinding. Each switch also has an off setting in the centre. You may want to go easy on the top switch as the distortion available is absolutely brutal.

2 x Patchable Switches
Four plugs and two switches on the top left enable you to route a plug from the patchbay to one of these sockets and then from the adjacent socket back into the patchbay. This effectively allows you to find two patchbay settings you like and then turn them on and off at the flick of a switch without having to keep re-patching.

HiHat Decay Knobs
The knobs in the bottom right corner control the decay of the Open and Close Hats, giving you much more control over the hats in your performance.

Audio Input Socket
Last, but by no means least is the audio input jack socket on the right hand edge of the machine. When a plug is inserted, the Hi-Hat sound is removed from the mix and replaced with the audio input controlled by the Decay Knobds detailed above."

4 comments:

  1. ugh another classic ruined...

    ReplyDelete
  2. my thoughts EXACTLY !!! such a shame people deem this, the Casio RZ-1, et cetera as circuit-bending fodder. people have no imagination whatsoever...

    ReplyDelete
  3. In what way is it 'ruined'? Patch leads removed, it sounds exactly like a 707 which hasn't been bent. The mods just add sound-shaping options (and an audio input).

    Do you mean the 'look' of it is ruined? Well, that is a matter of personal preference. I am more interested in how an instrument sounds when being played than how it looks on the shelf.

    It sounds great. Wish I didn't have to sell it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. LOL! i wasn't aware that vastly expanding the sound making potential of a drum machine while still retaining every original function and sound was in fact 'ruining it'. I've been a fool!

    Next time i'll make sure that i use my 'imagination' and make sure i keep every machine i ever use exactly as it came out of the factory!

    ReplyDelete

To reduce spam, comments for posts older than one week are not displayed until approved, usually same day. Do not insult people. For items for sale, do not ask if it is still available. Check the auction link and search for the item. Auctions are from various sellers and expire over time. Posts remain for the pics and historical purposes. This site is meant to be a daily snapshot of some of what was out there in the world of synths.

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