Spark - Ritmo RT 15 - 1976 - Brazilian Drum Machine - Analog

Published on Mar 24, 2018 Gargula Tron

This is the first post to feature the Spark - Ritmo RT 15.

There have been a few posts featuring the term Ritmo, including the Ritmo 12 drum machine, and the Siel Ritmo analogue string synth with beatbox.

rare birds: Welson Ritmo / analog drum and accompaniment unit

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

Also see this one from 2022 with a smaller keyboard controller.

"The Welson Ritmo was a accompaniment unit intended as an add-on to some of Welson's organ line. It consists of a rhythm unit, a bass section, a chord section and an arpeggiato section. All sounds are of course fully analog. It is very similar in features and sound to the Elka Wilgamat, Böhm Böhmat and Wersi Wersimatic CX1. They are actually built around the same chipset family (SGS M2xx), but the Ritmo cannot be programmed.

It was never intended as a standalone unit so I built a custom keyboard to make it so.

Unit is very easy and straightforward to use with some nice features: for instance you can play it in "free chord" or 'one finger chord'. In the first mode you need to make a 3 notes chord to trigger the arp sound. With one or 2 notes you only trigger the bass and chord sounds, this make for some nice performance variations. The bass section can be set to 'walking bass', and in this mode you also need 3 notes to trigger the melody.

In 'one finger chord' you play a major chord with one key. There is a pedal input on the back to make the chords minors. I also added a switch on the keyboard to alternate between major and minor chords when playing in the "one finger chord" mode.

Other nice features are "keystart" (obvious functionnality) and 'memory' which holds the played notes (and rhythm). And like almost all the preset rhythm units you can combine different rhythms together."

Pics via SALES.OHMSTUDIOHM@GMX.FR

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SOLTON PROJECT 100 / EKO RITMO 20

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"This is the last out of four videos of songs made entirely with our Solton Project 100. Or almost - We're using it along a few hits and bangs from the EKO Ritmo 20 - a very nice sounding Italian drum machine with individual volume controls for each sound.

For effects we're using two 1980s, grade B rack units - the half rack format LEM FX 22 and the Vermona DEG 50 Echo. The LEM FX 22 is a multi-effect with a combo mode that lets you engage two effects at the same time. The Vermona DEG 50 is actually part of our secret weapons arsenal - a pretty crappy and noisy Digital Delay rack unit but the chorus modulation has that magic wonk.

The Solton Project 100 is maybe the coolest name for a synth we've ever heard - prove us wrong in the comment section :)"

YAMAHA CS60 - COMPILATION VIDEO

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"The Italian term to describe this synth would be blasonato:
Someone so noble they have a their own coat of arms.

we give you the Yamaha CS60 :
45 kilos of heavy duty Japanese build quality.
We just couldn't pass this one on although it's not typically the machine of our choice it sounds incredible.
Put on your headphones and you'll get it.
The range of sounds you get out of this synth seems frankly endless and the general interaction with an important instrument always makes us want to sell all our other machines and just keep this one instead.
We have to think about this - meanwhile it's going to a Yamaha CS-series specialised repair man for a new ribbon control and a general calibration since it's never been tuned or serviced in its 45 year old life - also kind of incredible - the build-quality is insane.
We got two drummers in this video: first songs are backed up by the elusive CRB Computer Drums (the drum section from the Computer Band 2000) and the second half of the video the rhythm unit is the EKO Ritmo 20.
Both machines have individual sound options - mute switches on the Computer Drums and volumes on the EKO Ritmo 20.

More videos with these two will go up soon so subscribe if this is your thing and follow us on Instagram for first dibs vintage gear sales and much more."

YAMAHA CS60 / EKO RITMO 20

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"This time we're pairing the Yamaha CS60 with a pretty hard-to-find drum machine : the Eko Ritmo 20 from 1982.

It's a hybrid digital and analog machine with individual volume controls for each sound as well as some pretty great fill-ins.

Less ring mod and funny stuff on the Yamaha CS60 this time - cinematic and orchestral was the task and it does it well although it could use a calibration. It's going to get that plus a new ribbon controller and a general look-over before we put it on the market - holler if you're looking for a very good condition CS60 with legs and lid that's just been serviced ;)

We used the Mooger Fooger phaser on the bass, some Roland Space Echo as well as some Ableton reverb on melodies and chords."

YAMAHA CS60 / EKO RITMO 20

video upload by Vintage Audio Institute Italia

"Switching up the drum machines on this one : from the CRB Computer Drums to the more compact Eko Ritmo 20 from around 1982.

Hybrid digital / analog sounds with individual volume controls for every sound as well as some pretty groovy fill-ins - love it ❤️.
Lots of ring modulation on the CS60 this time - the aim is to get harsher textures out the synth."

Eko Ritmo 20

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

via this Reverb listing

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Eko Ritmo 12 (Italy, 1982) - Vintage Analog Drum Machine Rhythm Box

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

via this Reverb listing

"The Eko Ritmo 12 has, as the name suggests, a selection of 12 preset rhythms to choose from. The machine also offers Intro and Fill-in breaks for each of the 12 rhythms.

The rhythms are selected by 6 black switches arranged in a 6 x 2 format. All of the switches have built in red LED's to indicate the rhythm selected.

The rhythms encoded in memory are:

· Bank 1: Waltz, Tango, March, Swing, Ballad, Bossa Nova.

· Bank 2: Cha-Cha, Beguine, Samba, Rock, Disco 1, Funky.

The sound quality of the voicing of this drum machine is very good, especially the Snare, Hi-Hat, Cymbal and Cowbell!

Eko was the Italian brand that produced many legendary instruments. The Company was based in Marche, Italy, in the same area where Elka, Elgam, Farfisa, Crumar, Jen, Siel, Solton, CRB, etc. were born.

This is your chance to get your hands on a super rare drum machine made in Italy!"

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Welson Ritmo - Serviced with DIY Keyboard

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

via this listing

"Rare, analog auto-accompaniment machine from Italy with DIY keyboard - these don’t come up for sale often and if you’re a fan of Elgam Carousel or Elka Wilgamat you might need this.

The Welson Ritmo has 4 sections with individual volumes and minor modulation controls:

1. Analog drum machine with 12 preset rhythms

2. Bass line generator with 2 sounds and 2 bass lines per rhythm

3. Chords section with 2 independent chord sounds with volumes.

4. Arpeggiator with 1 sound with volume and decay controls and harmony.

Very good condition unit just back from service with some minor paint chips on top and a few smaller dings on the wooden sides.

The DIY keyboard is heavy duty and has a vintage feel - it was made from a vintage Gem organ keybed.

220 volt with Italian 3-prong power plug

Item ships from Italy"

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Befaco Slicer Sequencer Videos

BIYI AMEZ PRESENTA:MONOTRON+STYLOPHONE BEAT BOX+SLICER V2.

YouTube Uploaded by MrGuillermofrancisco on May 8, 2011
Via the comments of this post.
"En este caso se trata de la modificacion del Korg Monotron,para que reciba cv in,gate y cv filter ,sincronizado con el slicer v2(BEFACO) y un simple ritmo del stylophone beat box lupeado.

Que la roña os acompañe...BIYI AMEZ 2011."

CACOPHONATOR + SLICER V2BEFACO

Uploaded by MrGuillermofrancisco on Apr 18, 2011

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Vinyl Drum Machine Collection

video upload by GoldbabySamples

"Vinyl Drum Machine Collection. Available now: https://www.goldbaby.co.nz/vdmc.html 16 drum machines cut to vinyl and played back on multiple record players."

"The inherent charm of vinyl has consistently enriched my sampling technique. Vinyl adds warmth, depth, and character to audio.

I meticulously recorded 16 drum machines for this pack - sending them to renowned record-cutting studios, DubStudios, and Analog Cuts. Back in the Goldbaby studio, the resulting Acetates and Dub Plates were played back on an audiophile deck (Project), vintage decks (Technics and Pye), and even a portable deck (Vestax). Tastefully recorded through high-end studio hardware and carefully edited into one-hit drum samples, these are some seriously good drums with loads of character and made with love!

This pack also includes a selection of drum samples recorded on a lo-fi Japanese plastic toy vinyl recorder (Gakken). Some very useful vinyl synth oscillators (Triangle, Saw and Square). Lastly, a folder full of vinyl noise and vinyl click samples.

Drum Machines: Syntakt, Uno Drum, TR808, TR909, TR606, TR505, TR626, LM-1, Linn Drum, Drumulator, SP12, MicroTonic, MBase01, Ritmo 12, DR110, CR78.

This is an upgrade of my old Vinyl Drum Machines pack. Most of the drums have been re-tuned and re-mastered. I also added more drum machines and more samples! **Those who own the old Vinyl Drum Machine pack are entitled to a 60% discount. Contact me with your proof of purchase via the contact page to get the discount."

Layered Drum Machine Snares by Goldbaby

video upload by GoldbabySamples

"Layered Drum Machine Snares. Available now: https://www.goldbaby.co.nz/ldms.html"

"I love layering snares! It's a great way of adding depth and character and giving a more unique flavour to them.

I have used 30 drum machines in different combos and multiplelayering techniques.

These snares are production-ready and will work in lots of different genres.

Drum Machines used: Pulsar-23, Korg 55B, MFB-522, TR-707, TR-808, TR-909, CR-78, TR505, MicroTonic, LinnDrum, Double Drummer, LXR-02, Uno, NordDrum2, Tanzbär, Heartbeat, MR-10, PO-12, KPR-77, PB-300, Axon2, DRM-1, ER-1, R-70, R-100, Olsen, XD-5, Kastle Drum, Ritmo, RX5"

Latinsizer / live at Sunrise

YouTube via pepemogt.

Be sure to check out this post followed by these for more.

"playing live at sunrise, Rosarito beach, Mexico.

playing the song TRISINE followed by a jam with 303 bass lines and linndrum beats(more info about 303 and linn below).

Latinsizer
Pepe Mogt In this project Pepe Mogt works with a very synthetic and basic set of musical tools to create a quirky approach to electronic music exemplified by "Ritmo 55", the first track released by Latinsizer which appeared on the Nortec Experimental CD. This approach could be described as a combination of the melodic work of early synth Pop classics such as Eno-era Roxy Music and Switched on Bach, modular synth based artists like Tangerine Dream and the grit of urban Tijuana, Latinsizer "live at MUtek CD" has a more noise dance oriented aproach without loosing his analog roots

Latinsizer becomes an alternate project to Nortec, and particularly, to Fussible, recently playing at experimental and dance music festivals like Mutek or Decibel, currently is working on his new album and EP, Celofán is a video of his latest works.

The TB-303 is THE sound of acid and techno house music! It's a monophonic analog bass synthesizer married to a pattern-based step sequencer released in 1982. It features a single analog oscillator with two waveforms (ramp or square) and has a simple but excellent VCF filter with resonance, cut-off, and envelope controls. There are also knobs to adjust tuning, envelope decay, tempo and accent amount.

How does it work? Well, it's not a performance synthesizer because you have to program a pattern of notes and timing info into it (sort of like a drum machine). Patterns can then be linked into songs. It was originally made to accompany a drum machine, the TR-606 specifically, and provide bass-line accompaniment to guitarists, keyboard players, etc. It was not a successful product in its time. As a result, creative DJs and aspiring electronic musicians found them for next to no money and began using them for techno and acid music. Usually a single pattern is continuously played while the performer tweaks the knobs creating an exciting and expressive musical event.

The TB-303 has become one of the most sought after vintage synths ever! It has helped develop and stylize many forms of electronic music including House, Acid, Trance and Ambient. If ever there was a need for a repetitive bassline/groove or an extremely resonant and bubbly sound, the 303 is KING. Truly a unique machine with a very identifiable sound! It has spun off several imitators as well: Novation BassStation, ReBirth, Doepfer MS-404, MAM MB-33, Syntecno TeeBee, and more (see Related & Alternative Gear sidebar).

Ironically, these days it's become trendy to dislike the 303 again, now because of over-use. But I don't and you shouldn't either because it is one-of-a-kind and it's just got that sound that everyone loves! Fatboy Slim says it best in his song "Everybody Needs A 303".

The LinnDrum was the second machine from Linn Electronics. It's basically an upgraded version of the original LM-1 with added crash and ride cymbals to the kit. The LinnDrum uses samples of acoustic drum sounds. At the time, they sounded great and much more realistic and they were a fresh alternative to the analog drum sounds of the '80's drum machines. The LinnDrum also had a handy upgrade option, a well designed layout and interface, and live drum trigger inputs.

The LinnDrum had beefed up the sampled sounds from 28 to a 35kHz sample rate. It features 15 sounds including bass, snare, rimshot, hihat, crash, ride, three toms, cabasa, tambourine, high and low congas, cowbell, and clap. Up to 12 sounds are available simultaneously. Individual controls are available to tune, pan, and mix each drum sound via dedicated knobs and sliders. An Accent is available for the kick, snare and hats. The handy upgrade options involve inserting new chips containing new sets of sampled drum sounds created by many session drummers of the time.

The sequencer had some innovative features (for the time) such as swing, quantizing and memory storage! Two-bar patterns can be recorded in real or step time, with or without quantizing. There are 56 user patterns for storing your drum patterns. There are also 42 preset drum patterns. Patterns can be arranged into Songs for which there are 49 memory locations. Old songs and patterns can be off-loaded to cassette tape for storage. Designed for the studio, there are 15 individual outputs for each sound around the back as well as external sync and trigger but no MIDI (unless modified by a 3rd party). The LinnDrum's features made it the most professional drum machine of its time. It was widely used throughout the 1980s and there are about 5,000 of them which have been used by professionals (such as Sting, Prince, Jean-Michel Jarre, Sheila E., Todd Rundgren, Jimmy Edgar, Jan Hammer, Peter Gabriel), hobbyists, and educators alike!"

Documental: Bostich+Fussible y la música del Nortec

YouTube via pepemogt [click and scroll for more video posts from pepemogt].

Also read this post I wrote for Create Digital Music back on August 27, 2007.

Note this video is only Part 1 of 8. I will let you know when more parts go up.

Description in Spanish followed by English:
"Documental: Bostich+Fussible y la música del Nortec
Parte 1 de 8
Después de una década de haber creado el sonido que definió a la frontera, el colectivo Nortec muta. De esta metamorfosis aparece hoy la producción Tijuana Sound Machine, de Bostich y Fussible. Si Nortec fusionó la electrónica con la música popular del norte mexicano, para conseguir un sonido único, que ya se convirtió en emblema musical no sólo de la frontera y de una generación entera. En Tijuana Sound Machine, Nortec da una vuelta más mediante la experimentación con nuevas tecnologías, la consolidación de un ritmo y la densidad emocional característica de Fussible y Bostich. Tijuana Sound Machine más que un nuevo album es una nueva urbe. Una ciudad hecha de puros sonidos.

http://www.myspace.com/tijuanasoundma...

Documentary: Bostich+Fussible y la música del Nortec

After a decade of having created the sound that defines the border, The Nortec collective evolves. From this metamorphosis, appears the current production that is Tijuana Sound Machine which include Bostich+Fussible. When Nortec fused electronica with the popular sounds of northern Mexico, it created that unique sound that has become emblematic not only of the border, but of an entire generation. In Tijuana Sound Machine, Nortec, via the experimentation with new technology and the consolidation of a rhythm, again, reestablishes the well know sounds of Bostich+Fussible. Tijuana Sound Machine, more than a new album, creates a new city, fully created by this pure sounds."

GRPA4 Synthesizer: music and sounds exploration

video uploads by Davide Micheli

"In this series of videos I used the GRPA4 analog synthesizer to explore and experiment some of the sound possibilities in electronic music and beyond.
The GRPA4 is suitable for creating dynamic and very entangled situations in electronic music and sounds.
To emphasize the rhythm and sequence of sounds created with the GRPA4, I inserted a very simple rhythmic pattern of the Roland TR-8S electronic drums machine synchronized via midi with the GRPA4 by means of CUBASE.
In this first video I inserted some initial vocal notes with the GRP 22 Vocoder.
In the other videos of the series dedicated to the GRPA4 that follow, I continue to explore the sound possibilities of the synthesizer arriving, in the last video of the series, to add a part of an chords amrony using a piano. This demonstrates once again the possibility of using electronic synthesizers together with more traditional instruments with success.

ITALIAN
In questa serie di video ho utilizzato il sintetizzatore analogico GRPA4 per esplorare e sperimentare alcune delle possibilità sonore nella musica elettronica e non solo.
Il GRPA4 è adatto per creare situazioni dinamiche e molto intrecciate nella musica elettronica e nei suoni.
Per enfatizzare il ritmo e la sequenza dei suoni creati con il GRPA4, ho inserito un pattern ritmico molto semplice della drum machine elettronica Roland TR-8S sincronizzato via midi con il GRPA4 tramite CUBASE.
In questo primo video ho inserito alcune note vocali iniziali con il Vocoder GRP 22.
Negli altri video della serie dedicati al GRPA4 che seguono, continuo ad esplorare le possibilità sonore del sintetizzatore arrivando, nell'ultimo video della serie, ad aggiungere una parte di un'armonia di accordi utilizzando un pianoforte. Ciò dimostra ancora una volta la possibilità di utilizzare i sintetizzatori elettronici insieme a strumenti più tradizionali con successo."

DOZE - Ambient Modular #6 // Arbhar, Moog Subharmonicon

video upload by David Falcon

"doze
verb (uk /dəʊz/ us /doʊz/)
to have a short, light sleep from which you can easily wake up.

La sensación de esta semana de "vacaciones" es del cansancio acumulado, de niños enfermos y no encontrar un momento de desconexión.
Este tema es un poco un reflejo de ese sentimiento, un bucle interminable y pequeñas distracciones constantemente.

La parte técnica es bastante sencilla: una secuencia de tres notas en el Moog Subharmonicon que proceso en el modular. El Instruo Arbhar actúa como efecto granular y reverb, y los transientes del Subharmonicon trigean la captura en Arbhar. Uso bastante esporádico del Qubit Prism.
Es un tema para sentarse e intentar relajarse y frenar del ritmo frenético del día a día.
Gracias por escuchar.
David.

(eng)
The feeling of this "vacation" week is one of accumulated fatigue, sick children and not finding a moment to disconnect.
This track is a bit of a reflection of that feeling, an endless loop and constant little distractions.

The technical part it is quite simple: a sequence of three notes in the Moog Subharmonicon that I process in the modular. The Instruo Arbhar acts as a granular effect and reverb, and the Subharmonicon transients trigger the capture in Arbhar. Quite sporadic use of the Qubit Prism.

Sit back and relax from the stresses of life for a bit.
Thank you for listening.
David."

Sequential Circuits Prophet 2002 Vintage Sampler with Analog Filters SN 0452

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

via this auction

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Siel Ritmo Analogue Synth String Beatbox

via this auction

"Pretty cool Beatbox synth here from Italian synth company siel. It has built in rhythms and a melody section which has analogue sounding strings, it also has a built in phaser...

It also has a built in speaker!

Sound wise it has that LCD soundsystem 'losing my edge' early drum machine sound...other points of reference would be stereolab, Sebastian teller, air..."

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New Tape Drum Machine Collection from Goldbaby

Goldbaby has a new sample pack out. Further below is a Flickr set containing pics of the actual drum machines used.

"55 drum machines recorded through real tape machines and hardware tape emulations in the Goldbaby studio. Vintage drum machines from the 70's, 80's and 90's and a few modern classics. Also some rare and unusual auto rhythm machines. A veritable smorgasbord of warm, punchy and interesting analog and digital drum machine sounds.

7000 x 24 bit wav samples and 325 x Auto Rhythm Drum Loops (Rex & Wav). With kits and instruments for Maschine, Geist, Battery, Logic Pro and Kontakt.

Check out this Flickr gallery for some photos of the drum machines I used for this pack

List of drum machines used: CR-78, 4 In The Floor, Acetone Rhythm Producer, Mam ADX-1, Dr Bohm, Combo Sideman, Conn Rhapsody, DDM-110, DDM-220, DDR30, DPM-48, DR-55, DR-110, DRM-15, DRM-16, DRM-32, Drumulator, DSM-1, ED-10, Super Spacedrum, Crash Pad, ER1, KPR-77, KR-55B, Linn LM1, Linn LM2, MBase01, MFB-522, MicroRhythmer, MPC-The Kit, MR-10, MRX-185,Olsen X-100, PB-300, PO-12, R-50e, R-50III, R-70, R-100, Rhythm-80, Ritmo-12, RPM-40, RX-5, RX-21L, RZ-1, Synsonic Pro, Tom, TR-55, TR-330, TR-505, TR-626, TR-707, TR-727, Volca Kick, XD-5, Various Rom808 and Rom909 sounds.

Discount Alert!

Those who have bought any of these packs in the past are entitled to a substantial discount: Tape Drum Machines Vol 1, Vol 2, Vol 3 and Analog AutoRhythms Vol 1. Each pack owned will get $11 off... so if you have bought all 4 you can get the TDMC for only $5. Contact me with your proof of purchase via the contact page to get the discount.

Many of the samples from these old packs have been remastered and tuned. Also new drum machines have been added.

For more info and audio demos of full pack: http://www.goldbaby.co.nz/tdmc.html"

Rare birds: Elka Wilgamat 1 / analog drum machine and accompaniment unit

video upload by ohm_studi_ohm

"Here is another 'one man band' from the 70s I just serviced. Many dead CMOS chipsets, lots of bad connections on the motherboard daughterboards sockets (broken pins, bad solder joint) and a dying voltage regulator, among other things. Custom built keyboard to trigger the accompaniment unit, with jack socket input for pedal that introduce drum breaks. A different flavor than the Welson Ritmo I recently demoed but definitely in the same mood.
Recorded through a Teisco 120 to add some reverb."

This appears to be the first post to feature the Elka Wilgamat 1. Note the "1" on the right. The Elka Wilgamat minus the "1" has been featured on the site before in previous posts here. Which came first? :) You can find additional Elka Wilgamat models here.

Update: according to Ohm Studio: "Electronics are exactly the same. I think this one is later and was an add for some Elka organ, maybe Concorde or something. The black color is I think factory since it’s all over the case even inside. It’s clearly the same fake wood as the original but painted black, probably to better match the organ aesthetics. I definitely remember seeing auctions with Elka organ and this wilgamat unit bundle. Also the complete wilgamat electronics and controls are fitted in some Elka organ, spinet and combo. Don’t remember which model but I did scavenged à spinet one to retrieve all the pcbs."

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