Rare Vintage Movement MCS-2 Drum Computer for Sale

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via this auction

" Up for auction is one of the rarest drum machines out there! Made famous by the Eurythmics, Thompson Twins and Thomas Dolby, the Movement is a true "drum computer" in that all sequencing is done on a modified home PC that triggers external analog and digital drum sounds. Each sound card contains both analog synth drum type sounds (think Simmons) and gritty digital samples (like the Linn drum)

There were only about 35 of these made, and there are very few in existence these days. Of those that are still around (perhaps less than 10), most probably don't work. I am guessing there are only probably 1 or 2 of these in the US at most.

Although the software is not loading correctly on this particular unit, all drum sounds can be triggered from the front panel buttons OR they can be sequenced using an external sequencer (there are trigger inputs for all sounds). The sequencer was pretty basic anyway, so using an external sequencer is definitely the easiest way to go. This makes it totally useable in a modern studio.

This is a piece of vintage electronic equipment and so it is being sold totally "as-is" and there will be no returns. Although it is fairly robust and should work upon arrival, I make no guarantees that it will. Anyone buying it should be prepared to deal with a partly non-working unit.

Don't miss your chance to grab an extremely rare piece of music history!"

This one in via MV.

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The Movement MCS-2 Percussion Computer at Knobcon 2014

Published on Sep 15, 2014 Henry Birdseye Jr.

"Rare, cool looking machine."

Knobcon 2014 Synth Meet Video via Stephen Drake

Published on Sep 14, 2014 Stephen Drake

"Some videos from around the exhibition room."

via Stephen Drake on The MATRIXSYNTH Lounge

1982 Movement Percussion Computer Review

via noyzelab where you'll find the rest.

"Review of the ultra rare Movement Percussion Computer, as heard and seen in the Eurythmics : Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) video with Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart. This review is scanned from my copy of Electronics & Music Maker, Jan 1982. Review written by Dave Crombie."

See the Movement-MCS channel for more.

Synth Rorschach #19: Hubble Space Telescope Control System

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
via this auction

What do you see?

"NASA ARTIFACT VPI Vehicle Power Interface Rack & Console Hubble Space Telescope

Being offered is one of the most important pieces of hardware associated with the Hubble Space Telescope that will ever be offered for public sale.

This is the Vehicle Power Interface (VPI) Equipment Rack and 2 Person Control Console for the Hubble Space Telescope.

It was the heart and soul of the HST during it's testing phase at the Space Telescope Assembly/Verification Facility and the Thermal Vacuum Chamber Facility at the Goddard Flight Center.

The VPI Console provided power to the HST and performed tests to it's batteries and solar panels as it was undergoing final testing before it's planned launch in September of 1986

There are two log of operation books that come with the VPI, chronicling it's history from it's first entry of "initial power on" 6/7/84, through it's Validation Test on 6, June 1986, to it's final entry date of 3/19/90, just a few weeks before STS 31 launched on 4/24/1990 to deploy the most famous telescope in world history!!!

The more prominent features of the VPI Equipment Rack are:

Six (6) HP 6012B DC Power Supplies,
Two (2) Lambda Power Supplies
Two (2) Battery Loads
Two (2) Remote and Command Monitor Modules
One (1) Vehicle Power Control Module
One (1) Vehicle Power Conditioning Module
One (1) Vehicle Battery Control & Monitor Module
One (1) Vehicle Power Conditioning Solar Array Input Module
One (1) AC Power Distribution Module
One (1) Clear-Com Intercom System Remote Station

Everything is housed in a very substantial 3 rack metal cabinet with lockable 3 door access in the back.

Cabinet is completely hand wired, as only NASA can do, it's a thing of beauty!

All pieces of equipment have wire seals that have not been tampered with

There are three large Heat Vent Stacks with internal fans on the top of the cabinet.

This rack is large, and has quite an impressive Presentation!

Overall size is 79" wide by 48" deep by 82" tall

Weight of the VPI Console is 2750 lbs.

The more prominent features of the Dual Control Console are as follows:

PSSP Simulator Panel
HUBBLE PSSP Simulator Panel
(2) Ball CRT Monitors
(2) ADDS Keyboards
T-O Control Panel
Telemetry and Command Panel
Auxiliary Monitor Panel
NorthStar Computer
Battery Trickle Charge Panel
(2) ADDS Panels

Control Console measures 7' long and weighs about 800 lbs.

This was a multi-million dollar piece of sophisticated electronic equipment with a remarkable place in history.

It is an Investment Quality NASA Hubble Space Telescope Artifact!"

Rorschach: I'm seeing Fairlight racks, Roland MSQ-700 buttons, Movement MCS Percussion Computer, EMS meets ARP 2500, & Akai samplers.



I'm thinking this one belongs in Bernee's Aliens Project SynxsS studio.

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Movement MCS Percussion Computer MK2 (Drum Machine) for Auction

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this auction

"This is a very rare British made drum machine from the early 1980's. According to wikipedia approximately 30 were made! Famous users included The Eurythmics (can be heard on Sweet Dreams, 1984), Phil Collins and The Thompson Twins.

It is capable of both analogue synthesised sounds (Simmons style) and sampled drum sounds and has 14 voices in total (2 per card). Each voice can be switched individually between analogue and 8bit sample playback - quite an unusual feature. Patterns are created using the internal computer and chained together into a sequence much like any other drum machine.

Overall physical condition is excellent, the casework is free from cracks and there are no missing knobs / keys. Of course, there are some signs of use which is to be expected. Most obvious are some scratches on the orange casework (can be seen in the photos) and a few missing knob caps.

Functionally, there are a few issues which I shall list below. None I believe are serious.

Voice 1 - doesn't switch between analogue/digital playback - digital always seems to be selected.

Voice 5 - very very quiet.

The CRT display is faulty and does not display an image. However, as you can see from the photos the internal computer is alive and well. I've demonstrated this by connecting an external monitor to the video out on the back panel.

There are some crackly pots.

I was unable to get the midi input to respond.

Other than the above it seems to be in good working order.

Approx. dimensions: 52cm(w) x 56cm(d) 45cm(h)

Power requirements: 240v 50Hz

More info here"

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Movement MCDU1 In The Garden

flickr set By Waveterm
(click for more)

"A rather unusual sight."

Indeed.

"The very rare Movement Computer Systems MCDU1 Drum machine"

Movement Drum Computer Mk II x 2

via Vemia
"I purchased both of these Movement Mark II's around eight years ago - both are sold as one lot (reason in a minute) and as non working. The first appears to be an earlier machine (no floppy drive) and is in cosmetically better condition than the other. It comes with a customquality flight case and appears to have been used by someone called 'T Vallis' although I can't find anything about them. Note this unit does not have MIDI. Upon powering on there is a nasty crackling from the power supply so it needs some care from a person qualified to do so! The second unit is I suspect later, firstly it has a built in floppy drive and seems to want to boot from it - however I have no boot or other discs for it. Secondly it has MIDI ports on the back. Movement produced very few units of the MkII - the Mk1 having been famously used in the 'Sweet Dreams' video by Eurythmics [see this post]. I understood Blancmange used a Movement Mk II for a couple of their albums - hence my having to try and own one (hands up to being a huge Blancmange fan!). They need to go to a good home who can get them working again - hence being sold as one lot - tragically I suspect one is going to have to be used to provide parts transplant for the other to make one working unit. ** According to nLi, the Movements were based on a NASCOM computer - lots of info at http://www.nascomhomepage.com/ **"

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Movement MCS-2

YouTube via waveterm | September 13, 2010

"FIrst Internet appearance of the Movement MCS-2 running its software."

Movement MCDU1

flickr set by Waveterm

See the Movement-MCS label below for more info on this rare Drum Computer.

Update: Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) video featuring the Movement MCDU1 added below. Thanks to Christopher in the comments!

MOVEMENT DRUM MACHINE (DR55 like)

YouTube via popitem — April 16, 2010 — "Here 's a short clip using the Movement "Sequence Memory Rythm". This one got the same feature and sound almost like a dr55 .
Didn 't know much about this brand but after a quick search it seems that they also released some big drum computers in the early 80 's."
Also see the rare Movement-MCS Drum Computer (scroll)

John Foxx takes you on an Arp odyssey and MORE

YouTube via Synthasy2000
"John Foxx takes you on an Arp odyssey."

Vince Clarke describes an early sampling drum machine



"Vince Clarke describes an early sampling drum machine."
Anyone remember what this one was called? See the update below.

Phil Oakey describes how the Human League got the drum sound to Being Boiled


"Phil Oakey describes how the Human League got the drum sound to Being Boiled."

OMD Andy McCluskey breaks down the structure of Enola Gay


"Andy McCluskey breaks down the structure of Enola Gay.
From Synth Britannia"

Update on Vince Clark's drum machine via 7ate9 in the comments:
"drum machine = movement 2

first one i've seen in brown, all others seem to be in a tasty orange

movement 1 had a seperate monitor on top of a flat main unit"

See the Movement-MCS label below and scroll for more.

PPG Wave 2 and 2.2

flickr by Waveterm
(click for more)

PPG Wave 2.2 on top of Fairlight
Note the Movement-MCS II Drum Computer below.

Also see Waveterm's PPG Wave 2 set (image below)

Movement-MCS II Drum Computer

via this VEMIA auction
"Here is a rare Movement Drum Computer that seems to be in perfect working order. However, I lost the software years ago and have not been able to get hold of copies. It's been stored in a studio workshop (clean and dry) for the last 22 years and apart from a little damage to the fibre glass case (top right) is in good condition. All the drum sounds play using the 14 trigger keys and the pitch, volume and release can be controlled. Some of the volume pots could do with a clean but not bad considering their age. The computer is running and you can type on the keyboard, all the keys work, but without the OS nothing happens. MIDI seems to work as well because you can plug keyboard into it and characters appear on the screen - but does not trigger the drums. For more info go to www.vcf.talktalk.net where there are more pictures and videos. (VEMIA note: undoubtedly one of the most sought-after drum-machines in the world, vying with the LM-1!)" via Pablo

Mystery Beat Box

This one sent in via an anonymous reader who hopes someone out there can ID it. Anyone know what this is? Above the keyboard, there is text that reads MOVEMENT. Title link takes you to another shot. You can zoom in on each by clicking on the image followed by the "All Sizes" link after you click on an image in the set.

Update via Gustavo in the comments:
"Movement Drum Computer. Used by Thomas Dolby, and Dave Stewart of eurythmics.

More info:
on Wikipedia
on Sonic State

Update via El Gaucho Andres:
"Seems also exist the System I and System III but never saw one of this. Others who used it: Japan, Willian Orbit, Chemical Brothers, Vince Clark, and...
Check this nice picture (below). I think the correct name is "Movement Computer Drum System II" and Movement Computer maybe was the company." Follwed by: "reading further more my old info about this beast I've found that was also named Larking Movement and now seems to me the name of the company was probably Larking... I know that was a sort of analog drum, digital drum and sequencer and nothing more. Cheers."



Update via J Lesser in the comments:
"In 2001 I was in a large practice studio in London preparing for a long tour. I snuck down into the equipment cages and took some pics of some famous folks' gear... and just look what I saw in Phil Colllins' cage: [link]