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.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator | Version 1.20 Update

video upload by RolandChannel

"The TR-1000 continues to evolve with Version 1.20, expanding its sound design and performance capabilities.

New MFX include SP-303 and SP-404 Vinyl Sims, Cassette Sim, and DJFX Delay, adding new ways to shape and texture your patterns. LFO functionality has also been enhanced, with new modes for more controlled, rhythmic modulation.

Version 1.20 introduces new ACB sound generators for powerful 808 and 909 bass tones, alongside workflow improvements like independent layer panning, updated gain staging, and expanded MIDI control.

In this video, we break down the key updates and show you how to get the most out of Version 1.20.

Chapter breakdown:
00:00 Intro
00:21 New MFX
03:10 Locked-In LFOs
05:55 Kit LFO
07:25 LFO Sample and Hold
08:42 808 and 909 Bass Lines
09:56 Independent Panning and IFX Switch
11:19 Gain Staging and MIDI
12:06 Final Thoughts"

Roland TR 606 / TR 608 / TR 808 Mod

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

via this eBay listing

This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me.

One was previously listed on Vemia.

"Modified Roland TR-606 / by Filippo Samore / TR-608 > as used by Hainbach on YT [posted here].
The TR-606 in 808 territory and beyond, with tuning, decay and tone mods.

' This Drummachine is on a another level and is a lot of fun (you become very creative) '

' The mod is high-quality and truly enhances the sound engine of the 606
without compromising its handy form factor. It is almost like a TR-808 now,
except maybe a little more interesting, because it is still a charmingly shuffling 606 at its core.'

Examples:
Visit the phunkydesk dot com Domain / > the files after the slash (/) are as follows:
608_BD.wav, Loop1.wav, Loop2.wav
(there is no distortion/overdrive or clipping converters!)

The main modification in this revisited classic is the complete redesign of the kick drum circuit
with a lot of borrowed technology from the 808!

+ Kick: Tune, env Control, tone and decay.
You can also send the kick through the second output separately!
+ The Kick can also have "almost infinite" decay

+ Snare: same borrowed technology from the 808 but with an improved decay length.
It gives access to tune, snappy and decay.

+ L.H Toms: Tune independent from each other and cuts out the annoying noise present in their circuit.

+ Hi-Hats: Tune and decay, separate for both open and closed hats


++ Original Roland TR 606 carrying case
++ Device is serviced (while Mod)

++ Device checked in endurance test
(Batteries or the 9V TR-606 power supply)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

The early 90s Genesis Sound with Roland JD-800 & Korg Wavestation Synthesizers

video upload by RetroSound

"Experience the early 90s sound by Genesis’ “Hold On My Heart,” from the album We Can’t Dance (1992) recreated using two of the most powerful synths of the era:

The Roland JD-800 and Korg Wavestation.
Drums: Roland TR-808

This video dives into lush digital textures, warm pads, and expressive atmospheric layers that defined a generation of pop and progressive rock. From shimmering soundscapes to evolving cinematic tones, you’ll hear the unique character of these classic synths—known for their rich sound design capabilities and emotional depth.

Whether you're a fan of vintage gear, a producer chasing that authentic retro sound, or a Genesis enthusiast, this performance captures the essence of timeless synth artistry."

4/23-26/26 Metasonix S-1000 + Ladik S-143 + DSP 808 + Roland TR-606 + Simmons SDS1 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

Dub Techno sketch 36 (MPC Sample & Roland TR-1000)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

"BPM 115; MPC master midi synced to Roland.
MPC Sample: Sequencing Dub Chords, vox sample, atmos
Roland TR-1000: Drums
909 Kick
808 CHH1
606 CHH2
707 Rim-cow
Perc 2
Perc1"

PROKRASTINATION (Elektron Monomachine SFX-6, Machinedrum, Analog4)

video upload by Acid Gray

"Trippy melodic IDM ride on the classic Elektrons.

Live recorded in a single take on 1010 BlueBox.
Delay and reverb added here."

MOVEMENTS (Roland TR-808, Roland RE-201 Space Echo, Elektron Analog4)

video upload by Acid Gray

"Dreamy Dub.Techno take on the Roland TR-808 (my favorite Kick of all times), the Roland RE-201 Space Echo and the Analog 4.

Additional field recordings done on Zoom H1e (also sounds much better than expected).

Live recorded in one take on 1010 BlueBox.
Sorry - got lost in dubchord filtering / space-echoing - so the track got much longer than I initially intended."

Dub Techno sketch 27 (Roland TR-1000)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

"BPM 118

Kick: 808, light saturation
Vocal sample- high pass filter
Chord 1-delay/reverb
Pad -delay/reverb
Sub bass sample
Clap: 909 reverb
CHH: 707
CHH2: 808
Perc sample-delay/reverb"

Starsky Carr's Studio: Vintage & Modern Synth Setup Explained

video upload by Starsky Carr

"Welcome to a full synth studio tour — a look inside my hardware setup featuring vintage analog synths, modern wavetable instruments, modular gear and classic drum machines.

See how a mix of vintage synths, modern instruments, modular gear and drum machines all come together in one integrated setup. In this video I walk through the studio, explain how everything is connected, and show some of the instruments that regularly appear on the channel.

The studio is constantly evolving as new synths arrive, others get repaired, and different setups are tested for videos. In this walkthrough you'll see how classic gear like the Juno-60, Prophet series, Minimoog, TR-808, TR-909 and Jupiter synths sit alongside modern instruments such as the UDO Super 8, Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave, Waldorf M, Arturia PolyBrute and Roland System-8.

I also explain how everything is routed through the studio — from CV-controlled vintage synths integrated with MIDI, to the AudioFuse interface and Neve summing mixer that handle the audio side of things.

If you've ever wondered how to organise a hardware synth studio, integrate vintage CV instruments with modern DAWs, or just want to see a room full of iconic synths and drum machines, this video gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the setup behind the channel.

You’ll also hear a few stories along the way — including the slightly ridiculous “six degrees of separation” link from my studio gear to Charlize Theron and Kevin Bacon through the Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels soundtrack.

Whether you're into analog synthesis, wavetable synths, modular gear, or classic drum machines, this studio tour is packed with gear, ideas and inspiration.

Gear featured (selection)

• Roland Juno-60
• Roland Jupiter series
• Moog Minimoog, Voyager % Sub37
• Sequential Prophet synths
• Oberheim OBX8 and OB6
• UDO Super 8
• Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave
• Waldorf M
• Arturia PolyBrute
• Roland System-8
• TR-808 / TR-909 drum machines
• Analog Solutions Leipzig & Fusebox
• Modular & Eurorack gear"

SubBass ToolKit by GoldbabySamples

video upload by GoldbabySamples

"Window rattling sub bass. SubBass ToolKit is available now: www.goldbaby.co.nz/subbass.html"

"Sub bass is a mainstay of many electronic music genres. Drum & Bass, Dub, Hip Hop, Dub Step, Techno, Trap, etc. It’s a sound that you feel as well as hear. This pack contains a wide range of floor-shaking, window-rattling sub-bass sounds.

Made with vintage and modern synths and drum machines. Recorded and processed with tasty high-end outboard.

With patches for Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and TAL-Sampler, MPC/Force. Well-organised and labelled files also make it easy to use in other software and hardware.

Some of the gear used: Roland SH-101, Roland Juno 6, Roland MKH-80, Korg MS-20, Roland TR-808, 8Raw8, Elektron Syntakt, Moog GrandMother, Thermionic Fat Bustard II Valve mixer, Empirical Labs Fatso, Electrodyne 511, ez1073-500."

Minimal Techno sketch 21 (Roland TR-1000)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

"Experimenting a bit with layers.

kick: 909
ohh: 909
crackle/ride 909
modular atonal sample
mid tom 808x
perc fx13
triangle
fm cymbal
808 ch
mg888trrim

#rolandtr1000
#tr1000
#minimaltechno"

Roland TR-1000 w/ 808 Skin / Accents on Unit: E - Mbali Mbrace (Jam Version)

video upload by Unit: E

"This is a quick jam of the song I'm working on, Mbali Mbrace. Testing out the fx and recording levels. All percussion in this song was sequenced on the ‪@rolandglobal‬ TR-1000. The vocal samples were imported, chopped, transposed, and layered in with the percussion, all within the 1000. The pads and keys were recorded live from the SH-4D, and in through the Ext In of the 1000. All FX are from within the TR-1000."

Dub Techno sketch 19 (Roland TR-1000 & Samples)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

Kick: 808x
CHH: sample
CHH2: 808 X
Tom: 808 mid tom
Brush: Brush SR
Rim: 707 highpassed
Chords: Sample
Vocal: Sample
Perc4: Sample snare roll
Noise: Crackle

Soft compression: Attack 30ms; Release 170ms; Threshold -3; Ratio 2:1; Gain 3db

#rolandtr1000
#tr1000
#dubtechno

Breakbeat sketch 17 (Roland TR-1000 & ES Bassline & Digitone2)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

Kick: 909
Snare: Clap&finger
OHH: 909x
CHH: 808 CHH
Shaker: 8xmaracas
Tom: 808 high tom
Conga: Sample
Crackle: Crackle
ST_Metallic

Digitone:
FM tone
Swarmer

Bassline, drive, detune, lfo 10 o clock

MSTRBLSTR - Pattern Clear Pattern Write

video upload by MSTRBLSTR

"MSTRBLSTR - Pattern Clear Pattern Write.
124 BPM machine-driven acid house - negative space, dub handoffs, tape delay + spring reverb. Brief clears, then a new polymetric logic takes over."

https://open.spotify.com/track/4dNO60... https://mstrblstr.bandcamp.com/track/...

"Machine-driven acid house at 124 BPM: transient-forward percussion with hollow-bodied punch, a constant bass groove that shifts in intensity, and an arrangement built on negative space and dub-style handoffs.

Tape delay and spring reverb open wide. Brief breaks wipe the grid just long enough for the pattern to snap back into focus. Then the momentum clears and a new polymetric logic takes over. Modulated melodic drifts change the room without abandoning the floor, leaving you somewhere familiar but newly yours.

Hardware: Din Sync RE-808, Roland TR-606, Roland/Tubbutec MC-2oh2, Cyclone TT-303, Alice 1228 mixer, Boss KM-60 mixer, Boss RCL-10 compressor, RE-201 Space Echo, Jeff Rubin Mu-tant Fly Phase, edited in Ableton Live.

iLL ACiD Cat. No. ILL015

iLL ACiD is 5 years old, so this one’s a free Bandcamp download + available on all platforms"

https://mstrblstr.bandcamp.com/track/pattern-clear-pattern-write

Get the TR909 upfront presences from the TR1000 ... or anything else for that matter!

video upload by Starsky Carr

"How Close Is Close Enough? Is the TR-1000 really a TR-909 replacement… or is that missing the point entirely?

In this deep-dive comparison, I also put the Roland TR-1000 head-to-head with my original Roland TR-909 to see how close we can actually get — and more importantly, where the differences really matter.

Roland are clear: this isn’t meant to be a clone. But with TR-909-style analogue circuits, 808-inspired elements, and ACB models under the hood, it begs the question… can you sell your 909 and fund a TR-1000 instead?

After putting these 2 together I realised the biggest tonal difference isn’t to get that live 909 vibe is the main outputs. The TR-909’s main outs are band-limited, with less low-end and a high-frequency tilt that creates that bright, exciting presence. Using Logic’s Match EQ, I recreate that curve so you can apply it to:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Berlin Techno sketch 11 (Roland TR 1000 & Erica Synths Bassline)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

Bassline: Erica Synths
BD: 808 w/ reverb
Rumble sample
Clap sample
CHH 1: 808
CHH 2: 808 x
CHH 3: sample
Perc sample
Atonal synth sample

#ericasynths
#rolandtr1000
#tr1000
#berlintechno

Roland TR-1000 Sketches

video uploads by Olu Ondas Studio

Future Retro FR 777 Reissue early prototype jam Roland TR-808 #fr777 #synth #tb303

video upload by INHALTVIDEO

https://future-retro.com/

RetroSound Studio Tour: The Drum Machines

video upload by RetroSound

"Welcome to the heartbeat of RetroSound Studio
Explore legendary vintage drum machines like the Roland TR-808, LinnDrum, Simmons SDS-8 and more in this classic drum machine studio tour.

From analog rhythm boxes to early digital drum machines that shaped electronic music history.
Now step inside the studio and explore a legendary collection of classic drum machines that shaped electronic music, hip-hop, synth-pop, house, and early techno.

In this studio tour, we showcase iconic rhythm machines including the Roland TR-808, TR-707, TR-606, Boss DR-55, Boss DR-110, Boss DR-220A, Boss DR-220E, Keio Minipops Junior, LinnDrum LM-2, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks, Korg KR-55B, Simmons SDS-8, and the rare Solton Programmer 24.
These vintage drum machines defined the sound of the 70s, 80s, and early 90s — from deep analog kicks and crunchy digital snares to iconic patterns still used in modern music production today. Every machine in this video is fully functional, synced, and used in real studio workflows.

Perfect for fans of vintage drum machines, analog rhythm boxes, classic electronic music gear, retro studio tours, and old-school beat making."

The Drum Machine list:
0:06 Roland TR-808
1:06 Roland TR-707
1:59 Roland TR-606
2:37 Boss DR-55
3:40 Boss DR-110
4:28 Boss DR-220A
5:14 Boss DR-220E
6:04 Keio Minipops Junior
7:50 Korg KR-55B
8:55 Sequential Circuits Drumtraks
11:24 LinnDrum LM-2
12:48 Simmons SDS-8
14:49 Tama TSQ-1000
15:37 Solton Programmer 24

Shop: https://retrosound.creator-spring.com/
Bandcamp: https://retrosound.bandcamp.com/"

Acidlab Miami

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

via this Reverb listing

"excellent condition

German made analog drum machine based on the circuits of the Roland tr 808.

individual outs.

with power supply"