50 Dollar Vintage Drum Machine - Zoom Micro Rhythm Trak MRT-3 - is it worth it?

Expanding Sound


"I see these Zoom MRT-3 Drum machines going for 50 bucks up to about 100 or so. I got my hands on one, I wanted to see if the samples are any good. My thought process for every electronic instrument is simple, I'll enjoy it if it sounds good, and it's fun to use. Sometimes a synth or drum machine will sound great but is such a pain to be creative with that I just get annoyed and want to use something else. This little zoom unit sounds decent for the money and was very easy to program. Mine was picked up second hand, so I had no manual, but it didn't stop me from being able to make patterns 5 minutes after turning it on. If you're looking for a cheap drum machine, this isn't a bad choice at all."

Zoom MRT-3 Micro RhythmTrak Drum Machine

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

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

You can find demos on the MRT-3 in previous posts here.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Circuit Bent drum machine ZOOM MRT 3 by stamou instruments

Published on Aug 3, 2014 tasosstamou's channel

"Patch bay modification of the excellent and compact drum machine from ZOOM. The mods upgrade it into a powerful rhythmic and noisy machine.
It also features a chaotic clock output.
www.stamouinstruments.blogspot.com"

Could You Spell It (Korg KO1, Zoom MRT-3 & H4)

YouTube Uploaded by ratface1987 on Dec 31, 2011

"A spur of the moment jam. Dusted off the Zoom Micro Rhythm Track and was surprised at how pleased I was with everything. I bought it about 10 years ago and it still works perfectly despite some pretty heavy usage throughout the years.

Let me know what you think! :)

Free MP3 of track: http://soundcloud.com/ratface1987/could-you-spell-it"

CIRCUIT BENT ZOOM MRT-3 drum machine by stamou instruments

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

via this auction

"Patch bay modification of the excellent and compact drum machine from ZOOM.
The mods upgrade it into a powerful rhythmic and noisy machine.
Combining 2 mini banana cables (included) you can create an endless amount of effects over the internal sounds.
It also features a chaotic clock output via mini jack socket (tested with eurorack modular synth system).
This instrument has been professionally modified by 'Stamou Instruments'."

Video previously posted here.

Groovesizer Golf & RED Jam

Published on May 13, 2014 MoShang·64 videos

"Jamming with a Groovesizer MB with Golf firmware (32-step, 12-track MIDI drum sequencer) and a synced Groovesizer RED. The Golf is triggering drum sounds on the Zoom MRT-3, as well as sending MIDI clock and pattern trigger messages to the RED. Pressing F1 on the Golf repeats a step, whilst F2 reverses playback for as long as it's held."