Making a lo-fi track with just one cheap synth

video upload by vekoni

"I limited myself using only Stylophone Beat with Loopy Pro to make a chill lo-fi track. This little drum machine can also do neat bass sounds, which I've used to create a melody over the recorded beat.

I was usually using the Beat exactly as intended: punching in notes with its built-in sequencer (which is quantized), then jam over it with a synth or a guitar (so basically it was a groovy metronome for me). This time I wanted to try something new and use it exclusively to create something "off the grid", so I've played the Beat freely and looped it. With the use of some great effects I managed to elevate the sounds of this unit."

Clave Euclidian Drum Machine by Oficina de Sonido

video upload by Oficina de Sonido

CLAVE. Euclidean Drum Machine - Quick Start

video upload by Oficina de Sonido

via Kickstarter

"Clave, Ecuclidean Drum Machine lets you intuitively play rhythmic patterns that complement and syncopate with one another. Prepare your compositions across 16 steps and 8 sample tracks by saving different versions or parts, and refine your performance with the included effects and filter. All in a single, lightweight, and portable unit. It comes with 5 factory-installed drum kits and has space for you to add your own.

It’s based on what’s known as Euclidean Rhythms, which describes the distribution of beat intervals. It sounds complicated, but that’s exactly what makes the system simple. The best part is that you’re not limited to using the automatic distribution system, you can also program it step-by-step, 'XOX' just like any other drum machine.

In our musical quest to create a hybrid sound that blends electronic music with organic rhythms, we have collaborated with percussionists, designed our own synths and drum machines, programmed digital instruments, and even built electromechanical percussions!

This campaign is to introduce our new drum machine to the world; we already have a couple of working prototypes. We need your support to be able to produce the first batch of machines. This is already our fourth project on Kickstarter—we hope we can crowdfund this one, too!"

You can find the user manual here.

P.S. They reached their Kickstarter goal in 24 under hours!

AE Machine | Architecture For Drums That Never Repeat & Oxide Virtual Tape Processor

video upload by Emiliano

"One practical note: listen to this on monitors or proper headphones. Most of what the machine does lives in the low end and in the stereo field, and laptop speakers will simply delete it. Loud is not necessary, full range is."

This one was spotted and sent in via Ivan Trajkovic aka deejayiwan. There are 21 videos in the playlist above. They mainly focus on AE Machine as a whole, but video 7 is focused on Oxide. You'll find the full video descriptions for the first and seventh videos further below. You can find full details on AE Machine at https://www.peamarte.it/ae - Oxide in chapter 52 of the user manual.

In short, AE Machine (estimated release date of October 2) consists of:

"Eleven synthesis voices built from scratch at sample level, five samplers, two free-running pads. A sequencer where a 16 × 16 Markov matrix decides which step may follow which, a note sieve that re-orchestrates the pattern when you transpose it, a chaotic modulation matrix reaching 271 parameters, morphing between any two presets, and a stem recorder that writes twenty-six files in one press. It runs in Max/MSP 9 on macOS and Windows, and playing it requires no paid Max license: an unlicensed copy of Max opens and runs the machine in full.

This is not commercial software in the ordinary sense. It is my working method, the environment I built night after night for my own music, packaged so that you can play it. When you get it, you are getting research: the reading, the listening, the failed versions, the decisions. The manual is a hundred pages and it is already here, whole, free to read. Trust your ears over any paragraph in it."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Yamaha RX21 - A Vintage Drum Machine that Promises Realism

video upload by Manitou Productions

"In 1985 Yamaha released the DX21 Digital Rhythm Programmer, promising the drum sounds were 'indistinguishable' from the real thing. We know better, don't we? That doesn't mean we can't enjoy the RX series of drum machines for what they are: fun and simple beat boxes that still have something to offer in 2026. Let's go!"

Chapters: 0:00 We don't want it that fast! 0:09 Titles 0:17 Intro 0:33 A quick look at the manual 2:22 Wedge shaped 2:36 Ins and outs 3:30 Adapter 4:04 Let's turn it on! 4:48 Sounds! 5:36 Some patterns 6:25 Tempo 8:41 Let's open it up! 9:42 Battery test 10:00 The button matrix 10:56 Cleaning the carbon pads 13:39 Partial reassembly 14:05 The circuit board 14:59 Adjusting volumes 16:52 Recording a pattern 20:27 Playing it through the Rev7 Reverb 23:17 Outro 24:22 Ivy's Corner

SUPER 606 - DRUM MACHINE | iPhone/iPad

video upload by MATTHEW FECHER

Super 606 by AudioKit Pro | Drum Machine Presets Demo & Walkthrough

video upload by Moby Pixel

"Today we are taking a look at Super 606 by AudioKit Pro for iOS inspired by the legendary Roland 606 drum machine. It has been a while since AudioKit released a drum centric app and this one might just be the droids you are looking for. In this video, I’ll give a quick walkthrough of the app and demo a bunch of presets.

Chapters:
0:00 Super 606 Intro
1:15 Sound Editing
2:58 Presets Demo

Thanks for watching!
Nick C.
Moby Pixel"



Inspired by classic hardware. *Roland Cloud and TR-606 are trademarks of Roland Corporation. SUPER 606 is not affiliated with or endorsed by Roland Corporation.

SUPER 606 features SYNTH generated drums. Give your music movement, character, and life.

CLICK FOR MORE »

The Drum Machine That Was Too Big to Handle | Oberheim Stretch DX

video upload by Nostalgic Explorer

"There's a drum machine from 1983 that was intended to sound like a real drum similar to the Linndum — rolls, flams, off-the-beat feel. But the real story is bolted to its side, and most people have never seen one.

The Oberheim Stretch DX is the machine almost nobody talks about — the expansion that turned a 6-voice box into something else entirely. Here's how it happened, and what it can still do.

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 — The drum machine that didn't want to be a machine
00:38 — Oberheim DMX: the little brother that came first
01:20 — 18 sounds, EPROM cards & the idea that predicted sample packs
02:00 — Inside the DX: sequences, quantize & the swing mode
02:40 — Rear-panel tuning & individual outputs (why 6 voices matters)
03:10 — The Stretch DX: the bolt-on nobody expected
03:40 — Installing a Stretch: soldering irons & ribbon cables
04:00 — Why the DX & Stretch DX faded — and what they left behind
04:20 — Let's make some beats

🎛️ Gear in this video: Oberheim DX, Oberheim Stretch DX"

Ranger FX Snare Trap Rhythm Device

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by Noise Generator

Note the video above is from 5 years ago. This appears to be the first post to feature the Snare Trap.

via this listing

Additional Perfect Circuit listings

via Ranger FX:

"The Snare Trap is a drum machine you play guitar or synth/keyboards through! It’s designed to be used either on the desktop – by hand – or on the floor – by foot. The drum sounds are bass drum, snare, and hi-hat, and these can be individually triggered externally by a CV – so it’s very useful for modular synthesists.

CLICK FOR MORE »

You Can't Go Back #1

video upload by flightofharmony

https://flightofharmony.com

"An experiment in doing longer-form videos: I show a patch, then take it apart and rebuild it, explaining how it was made and why it was made that way. "You can't go back" because, once you change something, you can never get it back to way it originally was.

This is also a blatant display of how to use various flight of harmony modules (some not yet released), because of course it is.

00:00 Introduction
00:35 You Can't Go Back (me)
00:47 Demo clip
01:13 4-note pattern (Infernal Noise Machine and Facehugger)
02:09 Accompaniment (IMP)
03:31 Thicken the sound (Plague Bearer)
05:48 Un-boring the sine wave (Shroud)
06:40 How to voltage-control Shroud VC Wavefolder
07:24 Needs delay (Sound of Shadows)
08:38 Adding a beat-ish thing (Parasite Antifilter)
11:22 Time for Famine
12:52 k thanks bye"

Cyclone Analogic - TT-78 Beat Bot

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

via this Reverb listing

Additional NOISEBUG Listings

"An analog drum machine clone of the famous CR78, coming with a lot of new features and improvements, from the sound point of view as well as the ergonomics of the machine and the sequencer.

The design of the analog circuit and the sequencer gives it a warm and groovy sound as its elder with much more varied sound possibilities.

The very intuitive sequencer takes on the original spirit while bringing new and unique features and allows you to quickly create complex patterns and grooves while offering great flexibility for live jam and more sound variations.

Among the highlight and new features we find:

- A new, ergonomic design that is very elegant and modern.

- New pots / knobs, bigger, more flexible and very pleasant.

- Carrying bag and decksaver (dust cover) included.

- Numerous possibilities for customizing the LEDs colors to better identify your patterns and more.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums & Resonant Filterbank - SonicDemo

video upload by sonicstate

"@matthsmatthsmatths takes a look at the @EricaSynths Erica Synths Bullfrog Drums - sample based drum machine with decent sequencing options and performance based sound parameters. Was quite the hit of Superbooth this year.

Bullfrog Drums is a simple to use, dynamic drum machine , with a ton of performative features to make the beat live and breath. Up to 64 steps, parameter recording/locking plus voice control.

Available now, priced at around £589/$779


Also featured is the Resonant Filterbank, which we first saw last year, its now in production and is a clever 10 band, bandpass stereo resonant filterbank with drive, modulation and dynamic EQ mode. With up to +24dB of gain, you can really push it to extremes, or use it for more subtle, tool type functions.

Capable of some great sound mangling and for hands on or preset based processing, its available this month (19th June 2026) priced at £675/$859

00:00 BullFrog Drums
04:38 Pattern Switching and Kits
05:59 Mutes
06:02 Sound Modifications
08:00 Sample Switching
09:38 Parameter Locks
11:00 Rolls
12:15 Sample Looping
16:15 Ratchet
18:00 Sampling In
22:00 Resonant Filterbank
26:25 Configs
28:50 Filter Mode
31:45 Clk Mod
34:23 Dynamic EQ Mode
41:18 Macros"

Novation Peak on Drums — How to Turn a Peak (or Summit) into a Drum Machine (with free soundbank)

video upload by TheGuacamoleXplosion

"This no-talking video explores 7 different methods of using the Novation Peak as a drum synthesizer, a drum machine or even a groovebox.

A soundbank for the Novation Peak (should also be mostly compatible with the Novation Summit) with all stuff from this video and some more, as well as the individual Peak patches, can be downloaded here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folder...

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Peak Drum Jam #1: Fake Trance for Drake Fans
03:13 - Kraftwerk — Autobahn throwback
03:36 - How to turn your Peak into a drum machine? The Autobahn beats
05:10 - Peak as a Groovebox: The Streets — Blinded By The Lights
06:22 - 'What if?' break: AFX mode for the Peak now!
07:02 - Simulating AFX mode by sending MIDI PCs to the Peak
08:32 - Surrogate Multitimbrality: Marvin Gaye — Sexual Healing
09:15 - 6 Methods for Peak beatmaking — Drummer from yet another Mother
09:55 - JMJ — Oxygène IV throwback
10:38 - 'Played' drums
11:28 - Arpeggiator 'played' mode — how it works
11:59 - Pink Floyd — On The Run throwback
12:08 - Feeding 'played' mode from an external sequencer
12:18 - Testing the limits of 'played' mode: Elbow — Grace Under Pressure
13:05 - Patch from scratch: Four-to-the-floor beat with rumble
19:24 - Changing the master tempo (impact on LFOs vs. Envelopes)
20:12 - Peak Drum Jam #2 (with the patch just made from Scratch)
22:39 - Making a drum template patch (with random Peak Spa Meditation background music)
26:02 - LFOs vs. Envelopes: Creating an early 80s beat from our drum template patch
36:14 - Final Peak Drum Jam #3 (1983/84 throwback)

All Peak Patches in this video were created from scratch. All Peak tracks were recorded through RME audio interfaces (Babyface Pro and Fireface UC) directly into Cubase stereo tracks. There are absolutely no effects on the individual Peak stereo tracks, not even panning, and levels are set to unity gain, to give an as-clear-as-possible impression of the Peak’s sonic potential and limits. On most parts (except intro), there is brickwall limiting on the stereo master, and on most multitrack parts also additional compression and EQ on the stereo master. Guitar parts recorded D.I. into the Fireface UC with a 1973 Stratocaster, several track and send FX on those.

Disclaimer:
I bought the Peak at regular price in 2020. Nobody paid me to make this video or compensated me in any other way, and it’s not monetized. No generative AI was used in the making of this video.
All songs © by their original writers and publishing companies; covered here in the framework of fair use for educational purposes.

Autobahn — written by Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider and Emil Schult
Blinded by the Lights — written by Mike Skinner
Sexual Healing — written by Marvin Gaye, Odell Brown and possibly David Ritz
Oxygène (Part IV) — written by Jean-Michel Jarre
On The Run — written by David Gilmour and Roger Waters
Grace Under Pressure — written by Guy Garvey, Craig Potter, Mark Potter, Pete Turner and Richard Jupp

Everything else © 2026 TheGuacamoleXplosion"

The Sweet Sounds of the HAMMOND auto-vari64

video upload by CGMAGIK

"The Hammond Auto-Vari 64 analog rhythm machine from the mid-1970s.
In this video I go through every preset beat and it's variations."

Next Level Drum Modules A Perfect Pair // Bohm + Drum Farm

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Two of the most powerful drum modules in Eurorack, working better together than apart. In this review and demo I dig into the Knobula Drum Farm and the Ohmforce Bohm — and show how combining them gives you a complete, performance-ready techno drum setup in a single rack.

The Knobula Drum Farm is a drum synth AND sampler in one: 16 synth models (FM, Simmons, 808/909-style snares, toms, congas, claps, ring-mod tones, hats, cymbals and more), 16 onboard effects (reverb, delay, multi-tap, reverse, cymbal crash), plus two sample players and 256 factory samples across 16 banks. Sample your own synth tones on the fly, record straight into the module, and route everything through the main or aux outputs for instant variation.

The Ohmforce Bohm is a seriously deep kick drum module with FM, tube drive, bass and wavefolder shaping — but the Performer (DJ filter, beat roll, beat slice, ducking) and Groove (clocked rumble/reverb tails) expansions are what turn it into a room-filling techno machine. Duck the Drum Farm through the Bohm and the whole groove locks together as one living pattern instead of separate hits.

Together these run around £535 (Bohm + expansions) and £450 (Drum Farm) — close to £1,000 of drums — but if you're building a live, hands-on modular setup, they're stunning."

Over 600 Monster Kicks from the Bohm

▶ Patreon: / starskycarr
▶ Website: https://starskycarr.com

ellitone groov~e console

video upload by ellitone instruments

"Limited edition.

ellitone.com

The ellitone groov~e console is a new variant of the original groov~e device. The console version includes the same sounds as the original, but features several new additions including built-in stereo speaker system, battery-power, hardwood body/knobs, and individual volume control over each sound layer

The groov~e console is a fun and mysterious interactive drum-machine and polyphonic-synthesizer that automatically generates musical “grooves”. A “groove” consists of 3 individual sound layers: a drum-machine layer, an ambience-sample layer, and a polyphonic-synthesizer sequence layer. Each of these 3 sound layers can be individually tweaked or swapped out to find the right mixture of sounds to make you say “WHOAH, that’s funky!”.

CLICK FOR MORE »

5/29/26 (goofy samba) EML 400/401 & 200 + Roland CR-78 + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-57 + ADE Panscan (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"5/29/26 (goofy samba) EML 400/401 & 200 + Roland CR-78 & SPH-323 + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-57 + ADR Pan Scan + Alesis MIDIVERB II

Whatever this is, it came about when I hooked up the Roland CR-78 drum machine trigger output (Disco 2/Samba) to the ElectroComp EML 400/401 external clock input. And it sounded so goofy I had to record it. A kick from the DSP 808 was added on the 1. The EML 400/401 is auto-panning through the ADR Pan Scan. Then I did an overdub, alternating octaves on the EML 400/401, with the CR-78 beat running through the Metasonix R-57, and a clave on the DSP 808. There is an additional clave sound towards the end, from the EML 200, using the envelope output from the EML 401. Reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II."

Roland AIRA Compact T-8 Beat Machine Demo & Review

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

MORE WOODY PIANO SHACK
https://woodypianoshack.com

Alan Instruments SpaceDrum

See it in BoBeats SUPERBOOTH favorites at 11:34.

via Alan Instruments

Combining generative beat-making
with real-time audio reactivity,
SpaceDrum is a rhythmic revelation.

It’s an endless idea machine,
an inspiring rhythm instrument,
and the ultimate jam companion.

Built to last a lifetime
in the studio and on stage,
SpaceDrum is handmade
by musicians in Chicago.

CLICK FOR MORE »

BEAT GEMS - the new book on drum machines...

video upload by Bjooks

"Soon to launch on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

BEAT GEMS is a premium hardcover book from Bjooks that explores this remarkable history through rare and iconic machines, vivid photography, artist stories, technical insight, and the people who turned boxes of circuits into culture. The book explores more than six decades of electronic music history through the drum machines that changed the way music is made, recorded, and performed.

An inspiring and visually rich book for anyone interested in music technology, design, rhythm, and recording culture, this comprehensive work follows the evolution of drum machines from early experiments and preset rhythm companions to programmable icons, studio powerhouses, genre-defining classics, and the hardware revival of recent decades. The project structure already maps that story across eight major stages – from invention and standardization to creative misuse, programmability, studio control, genre definition, and rebirth.

The book presents comprehensive research, writing, editing, photography, and visual development by author Oli Freke and editor Kim Bjørn.

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LCD 647B Loop Maker

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by bogushokus1980

Note the video above is from 17 years ago. The listing below was spotted and sent in via M Me.

It was also available in Red:

loop maker toys by struktur. beat square

video upload by flao raphael

via this eBay listing

"We are offering this super rare LCD 647B Loop Maker, a truly unique and hard-to-find vintage electronic instrument designed for beat creation, sequencing, and hands-on performance 🎶🔥

This is not just a simple loop player ❌
It’s a programmable drum machine & sequencer that lets you edit individual rhythm parts and shape your grooves in detail.

✨ Special Features:
• 🎚️ Full rhythm programming & editing
• 🎧 Built-in scratch wheel function for DJ-style effects
• 🔊 Deep, bass-heavy, highly distinctive sound
• 🎹 Built-in speaker for standalone use
• 🎙️ Audio input for extra creative possibilities"

CLICK FOR MORE »

Audio Computer Interview London Synth and Pedal Expo 2026

video upload by Take the Fear out the Gear

"Hi everybody this time we bring you the Audio.Computer Interview at the London Synth and Pedal Expo 2026 talking about the beat friend drum machine

Beat Friend is the first offering from audio.computer, a UK-based duo making ‘benevolent, semi-autonomous music machines’. Beat Friend is an analogue drum machine, using circuits based on the ‘twin-t’s from the legendary Roland CR-78. Each drum has a slider that changes the drum’s complexity within one of the 30+ preset patterns, which already allows hundreds of variations on any given beat.

But wait! There’s more! Turning the Enthusiasm knob allows Beat Friend to add or subtract notes from the pattern as it sees fit, either keeping the pulse of the pattern or going completely off piste. It's like having an enthusiastic robot Labrador playing a 70's electronic drum kit just for you.
All the sounds are routed through a Triforce of digital and analogue effects, which...well, you just have to turn knobs to find out what they do. If you’ve ever wanted to base a track on a 7/8 samba through a bit-and sample crusher, then this is the unit for you.
And, sure, if you’re a control freak who absolutely must design every bar, you can control the drums individually via MIDI. It even includes a letterpress-printed manual, numbered to match your unit.
Beat Friend plays in glorious mono and is powered by a universal 12V power supply (included in the box)."