Vintage Drum Machine Demos & Book - RHYTHM MACHINES The Rise and Fall of the Presets

video upload by Momtnz

"RHYTHM MACHINES - The Rise And Fall Of the Presets - by Alex Graham

Rhythm machines – the precursor to what we in the modern age refer to as a drum machine. This book documents the emergence of the preset pattern electronic rhythm instruments that (for a time) were used as a viable alternative to the drummer. Contained within are the Rhythmates, Rhythm Aces, Rhythm Boxes, Rhythmers, Rhythm Kings, Rhythm Masters, Donca Matics, Mini Pops and many more. Nearly three hundred rhythm instruments are documented here, with over two hundred pictures and information provided on their country of origin, instrument sounds, patterns and features. The book is a ‘must have’ for collectors, vintage instrument enthusiasts and recording artists.

For information on purchasing this unique book, follow the links here:

https://www.amazon.com/Rhythm-Machine...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rhythm-Machi..."
video uploads by Momtnz

This is one massive playlist of 68 videos. You can use the player controls to skip around.
The Godwin DM32 gets my vote for best looking rhythm machine.

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ELI CompuRhythm CR-7030

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

Playlist:

1. ELI CR-7030 Beat Box Analog Drum Machine Demo by Daniel’s Electronics

This is supposedly a clone of the Roland CR-78, however functionally it is closer to the CR-68. It has no programming ability and the sounds, while good, are not as varied as the CR-78. The demo includes some slight reverb effect.

2. ELI CR-7030 Drum machine Beatbox demo by Momtnz

Rare ELI CR-7030 CompuRhythm drum machine. This unit was also badged as a Gemini and Ness unit. The CR-7030 and nearly three hundred other preset pattern drum machines can be found in the recently released book RHYTHM MACHINES, out now on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

(AUG 2018) RHYTHM MACHINES 2 - The 1980s Drum Computers is released! Written by Alex Graham. The most comprehensive book on 1980s Programmable drum machines out there, over 200 fact filled ALL COLOUR pages...Available only on AMAZON.COM and AMAZON.CO.UK.

Rhythm machines – the precursor to what we in the modern age refer to as a drum machine. This book documents the emergence of the preset pattern electronic rhythm instruments that (for a time) were used as a viable alternative to the drummer. Contained within are the Rhythmates, Rhythm Aces, Rhythm Boxes, Rhythmers, Rhythm Kings, Rhythm Masters, Donca Matics, Mini Pops and many more. Nearly three hundred rhythm instruments are documented here, with over two hundred pictures and information provided on their country of origin, instrument sounds, patterns and features. The book is a ‘must have’ for collectors, vintage instrument enthusiasts and recording artists.

For information on purchasing this unique book, follow the link here:

Rhythm Machines: The rise and fall of the presets

(Jan 2018) Also available, the newly released book RHYTHM MACHINES III (3) - From Decline To Retro Designs by author ALEX GRAHAM, now found on Amazon.com (USD$26.95) and Amazon.co.uk (19.95 GBP). The book has 150 full colour pages and covers information (with photographs) on all commercially released drum machines released from 1990-2017, featuring Akai, Korg, MFB, Jomox, Elektron, Roland, Zoom, Yamaha and many others including Cheetah, Arturia and Dave Smith Electronics/Linn etc.

Rhythm Machines III: From Decline To Retro Designs

3. ELI Compu Rhythm drum machine quick demo by Momtnz

"ELI CR-7030 Compu Rhythm demonstration. Preset box clearly modelled on the Roland CR-68/78 but manufactured shortly afterwards in Taiwan. Good to see an adjustable power option 110/240v selecter fitted. Has an interesting 'Rolling' feature that provides a fill-in pattern to break up the monotony of the preset patterns. In truth there are only three or four patterns that are that great and useable (Rock, Disco etc.). And the ''Guiro' field full of crickets sound is annoying to most but is easy to cancel out. For more information on rhythm boxes why not check out either the all-colour Rhythm Machines book by Alex Graham [links above], or the black and white (cheaper) version called Drumfax 1. Both are available on most Amazon sites."

via this Reverb listing

"Very rare vintage analog drum machine from the late 70’s it has a very similar sound to the CR line of drum machines from Roland, very good condition for its age minimal scuff marks and scratches around the case. Everything seems to be functioning as it should, volume knob and balance knob are a bit scratchy I’m sure it can benefit from a good cleaning.

Believed to be the first unit to use the term 'Beatbox' and"Compurhythm'-little info on this unit can be found but either ELI copied Roland or vice versa."

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Cheetah MD8 Digital Drum Machine

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

via this auction

This one was spotted and sent in via M Me.

This appears to be the first MD8 featured on the site. You can find a handful of posts mentioning Cheetah drum synths here.

Pics of the inside below.

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Cheetah SpecDrum (ZX Spectrum Peripheral) Demo

Published on Mar 28, 2013 snolan1990·26 videos

"This is a demonstration of the Cheetah SpecDrum, drum machine software & hardware combo for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48k. This add on was released in 1986 and achieved moderate success by providing Spectrum owners a fully fledged PCM drum machine for significantly less than the cost of a new stand alone drum machine at the time.

Both Spectrums & SpecDrums can be found at relatively low prices however the need to load the software on each start up and connect the spectrum to a TV to display the interface coupled with the lack of MIDI means that, unless you are truly oldschool, samples might legitimately be the best way to utilise the SpecDrum sounds.

Despite all the downsides of the SpecDrum the sounds are undeniably punchy and the interface, while slightly clunky, does work well."

Cheetah MD16RP Drum Machine

via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"Finally! After 5 years in the dark dungeon that has been the BugBrand Workshop I am just about to move to a better place! Over that time I have picked up quite a stack of bits'n'pieces and it is really time to have a serious clear-out -> to clear space, to pass on unused items and to generate some funds for setting up the new workshop. So! Over the next few weeks I will be running several Ebay auctions - do have a check of my other auctions!

Cheetah MD16RP Drum Machine System - needs some TLC - sold for spares/repairs
I was very excited to get this (off ebay) maybe 8 years ago, but it has unfortunately always had some issues -- due, I'm sure, to a leaky memory backup battery sometime in the past. I replaced the original battery and it certainly works to some extent, but has been sat for a few years now feeling unloved and I really must pass it on because I know very well I will never give it enough time..!

For info on the unit have a read of the Sound-on-Sound article: (the best drum machine ever?!) - note that this is the less common md16RP which has trigger inputs. It certainly is (or should be) a very powerful system - with the editting menus you get a load of control over sound and control parameters. Plus there are lots of outputs and MIDI. You'd be lost without the manual -- so its just as well I have the original! (which is included in the sale, naturally). This is a 2U 19" rack mount and quite deep.

I've given it a basic test recently but couldn't do a full one - I'll try to be as clear as possible in descriptions of problems:
- the PSU is quite a strange one -> 3pin DIN into a 5pin DIN socket. It works but the connector isn't all that strong. It is a UK version. The back of the unit states it is simply 9v DC so I don't know why you need such an irregular plug type!
- the LCD screen is working fine, but never had a cover - it is hard to read unless you're looking straight at it and I think the cover may have improved that.
- on recent testing it came up with the message 'cold start' and initially would only make a few distant digital sounds. But then I read the manual a bit more, did the 'cold start' procedure and began to hear the sounds again.
- some of the buttons aren't very responsive at all (need cleaning!) - this makes some of the editting very difficult at the moment.
- I haven't recently tested either the MIDI or trigger inputs.
- the PCB around the memory battery doesn't look great and could do with more cleaning but I don't think anything is actually bad. But -- the silk-screen legending on the PCB has seemingly come off / come loose (you can see stray bits on the bottom picture)

So, as I say --- sold-as-seen -- but ask questions and I'll try to answer.
Shipping Weight: 6.00kg"

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Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) - Book Review + Flip Through

synth4ever

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) is also available on Amazon here.

"Ciat-Lonbarde

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) book review & book flip through. Synthesizer Evolution is a recently published book covering every major synth, drum machine and sampler from 1963-1995. Each instrument is hand drawn and includes vital statistics and quirky facts.

Synth Evolution is published by Velocity Press (https://velocitypress.uk) and written & illustrated by Oli Freke (https://www.synthevolution.net), a London-based musician, artist and author with a life-long passion for analogue synthesizers and electronic music.

Synthesizer Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (And Back) provides us with an in-depth look at synthesizer history over the decades and covers a variety of vintage synthesizers including analog synths, digital synths, modular synths, wavetable synths, FM synths, additive synths and more.

Join me for a narrated book flip through highlighting various synths and concluding with a brief book review at the end. Hope you enjoy and feel free to grab a copy of Synth Evolution if you like it.

--------------------
TIMECODES
--------------------
00:00 - Intro

► SYNTHESIZERS
01:01 - 360 Systems, Access Music (Virus), Ace Tone
01:46 - Akai (AX80, AX60)
02:43 - Arp Instruments (2500, 2600)
03:44 - Behringer
04:07 - Buchla modulars
04:22 - Casio (Casiotone, CZ series, HT series)

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Rare Cheetah MDR 16 Drum Machine

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

via this auction

This appears to be the first MDR-16 to be featured on MATRIXSYNTH. Cheetah is mainly known for their MS-6 analog rack synthesizer. See the Cheetah channel at the bottom of this post for more. Not much info on the MDR-16 unfortunately. If you know more about this rack let us know.

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Siel Cruise + Cheetah MD16 + Roland SH-101 demo

Published on Sep 20, 2019 Carambolage

"Little demo piece created many years ago with three machines from the 80's: Siel Cruise (Italy, 1981), Roland SH-101 (Japan, 1983) & Cheetah MD16 digital drum machine (UK, 1991). Recorded in 2011. Additional effects & mix in DAW."

Rare Cheetah MD16 Drum Machine Sounds

Published on Jul 10, 2017 djhombre

"Quick listen to the sounds of an MD16 digital drum machine from the 80s, UK made."

Cheetah MD16R Rare Drum Machine w/ Original Power Supply

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

via this listing

You can find brochures for the MD16R, MS6, & SX16 here.

"It' s rack version of md16 + factory user manual

Single drum sounds works when assigned pad and output but can' t play pattern, pattern section must be repaired

Sometimes doesn' t switch on but if you unplug power supply and shake works

It's 220v external power supply, you easy find a compatibile 110v"

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Rolamtech Synth Stuff

Click here for some details and samples of the following:

PEAVEY PARADOX – The Synth that Was Not
Paia Fatman Page
MFB Synth Lite 2
Cheetah MS6
Evolution EVS1
Novation Bass Station
Ensoniq ESQ1
Oberheim Matrix 1000

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Electric Avenue (BBC 1988) SpecDrum (Micro Live follow-on) [ZX Spectrum 'SpecDrum']

Uploaded on Apr 25, 2011 atariman1988

"A programme from the 1988 BBC series 'Electric Avenue'. This series was a late-night follow on from Micro Live broadcast in 1988/89 and presented by Fred Harris. This episode documents the two guys behind the old ZX Spectrum 'SpecDrum' add-on and their quest to produce a stand-alone drum machine for the mass music market in co-operation with Cheetah Marketing. Full of nostalgia! This programme is owned by the BBC."

This one in via ni.ce.ly (@PlaysNicely). There has only been two prior SpecDrum posts on MATRIXSYNTH, a demo video from March of 2013, and post from Music Thing back in 2005 with a link to some samples from Analog Industries.

Cheetah MD16 Drum Machine

Spotted on Sequencer.de.