Roland MC-101 Six FREE Vintage Drum Machines

Published on Nov 21, 2019 kvfive

"Six FREE Vintage Drum Machines for the Roland MC-101 Groovebox

Linn LM-1
Boss DR-110 Graphic
Boss DR-220E
Korg MiniPops MP7
Sequential Circuits DrumTraks
Boss DR-55

To make use of these six project files (.mpj)
simply place them within the 'PROJECT' folder located on your Roland MC-101 SD Card.

To load the individual Drum Machine:

Press the 'Project' button on your MC-101,
use the data wheel to display 'LOAD' - depress the data wheel,
scroll through the project files to locate and load a machine.

These early Boss DR beat boxes had very few sounds onboard,
so I've added some phrases from the Texas Instruments vintage 'Speak & Spell' machine. (Just to fill the slots up on the MC-101)

Download link:

http://www.kv5.uk/freestuff.html

Thanks for watching :-)"

Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 | By Design

Published on Nov 21, 2019 Alex Ball

"Another synth demo, this time with the Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 buddied up with its siblings.

This synth was the very first instrument released with midi (with Dave Smith of Sequential being the "father of midi"). He was later awarded a Grammy for its invention along with Ikataro Kakehashi of Roland. It was famously hooked up to a Roland Jupiter-6 at the Winter NAMM of 1983 to demonstrate that a universal protocol had been achieved.

The Prophet~600 was the third of this iconic series to be released after the Prophet~5 (1978) and Prophet~10 (1980). With their eye on affordable poly synths such as the Kory Polysix and Roland Juno-60, Sequential looked to create a cutdown version of their earlier Prophets and the 600 was the result. Around 6,000 of them were made between 1983 - 1985.

It has 6-voice polyphony with two oscillators per voice and has mixable saw, triangle and pulse available on both of those oscillators. The VCOs are identical to those found in the Prophet~5 rev3, Pro~One and Prophet~10 but the other ICs are different.

It has a resonant low pass filter, two envelopes, an LFO, poly mod, glide, oscillator sync, unison mode, patch memory, an arpeggiator and two sequencers.

And here's where things get interesting: the 600 has digitally generated envelope, LFO and glide voltages as well as digital values for the switches and potentiometers. In order to keep the cost down, an 8-bit Z80 processor and DAC were used that didn't quite have the spec to perform these functions at the speed or with the resolution that was ideal (it was 1983 after all). The result was that the envelopes weren't snappy enough and when sweeping the filter you can hear it stepping through the values.

Most owners rectify this and unlock the potential of the 600 with the GliGli mod that replaces the old processor with a modern one and also adds a bunch of features and the unit I'm using has this upgrade. We now have increased resolution, extra LFO modes, multimode envelope generation, unison detune, noise source, mix overdrive, full midi implementation and more.

In terms of physical changes, the oscillator mix potentiometer is now the Oscillator A level and the portamento the Oscillator B level. The envelope amount is now bi-polar with level 5 being the 0 volt point. The other updates are accessed via the numeric pad and speed dial whilst in manual mode.

I made all the sounds in manual mode and also used some timed automation of various parameters in places via midi.

Instruments used:
Sequential Circuits Prophet~600 (1983)
Sequential Circuits Pro~One (1981)
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks (1984)
Ibanez Jem 7DBK (2002)
Fender Blues Junior II mic'd with an SM57
Boss CE-2 (1979)"

SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS TOM Vintage Drum Machine 1985 | HD DEMO

Published on Oct 1, 2019 AnalogAudio1

"(c) 2019 by AnalogAudio1

This is one of my favourite vintage drum machines.

The Sequential (Circuits) TOM is a great digital drum machine made in USA - similar to the SCI Drumtraks. It has a decent MIDI implementation. The TOM's has 8 samples built in; inserting a sound cartridge, you can have 7 additional samples. A shame, that it does not have individual outputs.

The crispy 8-bit samples sound great. The built in sequencer has a 'tight' groove, it grooves like hell!
I don't mean the 'shuffle' function (there is none). It has a very tight timing!"

Reverb Drum Machines | The Complete Collection Sample Pack for Free

You can find them here.

"Over 50 volumes of vintage, rare, and landmark drum machines that narrate the history of this modern instrument—from the inception of this invention to relevant contemporary devices—this collection covers any and all electronic rhythm needs and sonic character.

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Sequential Circuits Drumtraks Vintage Drum Machine SN 2656

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via this auction

"Sequential Circuits Drumtraks 400

Vintage drum machine! In great condition. Everything works great, and cosmetically it is amazingly clean, with little to no signs of wear."

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Drumtraks: Sequential's answer to the LinnDrum (includes FREE SAMPLES)

Published on Jul 18, 2019 Alex Ball

"I've been planning to giveaway a detailed sample pack of my Sequential Circuits Drumtraks and so I thought I'd tell you a bit more about the machine whilst doing that.

Download the sample pack:
http://bit.ly/Drumtraks

As mentioned in the film, much of the specific information about Sequential Circuits comes from 'The Prophet from Silicon Valley' by David Abernethy and I thoroughly recommend getting a copy if you're into synth history. [you can find it on Amazon here]

Some of the original adverts and posters come from Retro Synth Ads.

The Boss DR-55 footage was shot by Ra Smith at madFame for my Roland documentary, so that's recycled here. Ra has been putting out a very cool series called 'Synth Quest' so go have a look. [episodes posted here]

Thanks for watching!"

Previous posts featuring Alex Ball

Korg Mono/Poly | Four Play

Published on Jul 13, 2019 Alex Ball

"This is a synth I've been wanting to demo for a long time and it didn't disappoint.

The Korg Mono/Poly was released in 1981 and is the somewhat quirky sibling of the Polysix.

It's essentially a 4 oscillator monosynth with different waves, footings and volumes available on each oscillator. There's two independent LFOs, two envelopes, cross mod, oscillator sync, a 4-pole low pass filter that can self oscillate, pwm, detune, portamento, an arpeggiator, CV/trigger in and out and a couple of assignable wheels.

However...things then get very interesting in the "key assign mode" as this is where the "Mono" and "Poly" parts of the Mono/Poly are found. You can play monophonically with just one oscillator triggered or you can select 'unison' and have all four oscillators triggered simultaneously. Combined with whatever waves and footings you've selected on each oscillator this can get interesting.

In Poly mod you can have one oscillator per note with up to four-note polyphony OR select 'unison' and the oscillator count automatically changes dependent upon how many notes you're playing so that all four oscillators always sound.

The arpeggiator can behave in Mono or Poly modes too, which I utilised in my track.

With one vca and envelope there isn't individual note articulation when playing polyphonically so this is a paraphonic setup (tips hat to Marc D). There is a note damp switch to help (a little) with that.

I also have a Korg VCF FK-1 Synthe module in the studio at the moment which is a filter and envelope follower from the 700 series synths that Korg made into a stand-alone unit with a wah-style foot pedal in 1975. I ran my guitar takes through it which isn't captured on camera as it's happening on the floor by my feet.

Gear used:
Korg Mono/Poly (1981)
Ibanez Jem 7DBK (2002)
Korg VCF FK-1 (1975)
Fender Blues Junior II mic'd with SM57
Oberheim DXa (1984)
Sequential Circuits Drumtraks (1984)
Vocal "dahs" recorded with a C414s

Mixed by Jakob Ole at Sonic Peak Studios.
Instagram.com/sonicpeak

Social:
Instagram.com/alexballmusic"

SOLTON ARRANGER PLUS PROGRAMMER 24

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
Published on Mar 24, 2019 Vco Vca

"Very quick demo of the Solton ARRANGER PLUS.
Forgive the poor audio quality and performance of this video. It is solely intended to demonstrate the unit is running fine and to get you an idea of what you can achieve with this unit."

via this auction

"Here is a vintage 80s arranger. Small brother of the cult SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24 / 24S arranger. They share the same audio engine but this one lacks themore advanced editing possibilities. To those who are into Italo Disco music they know these machine rule !

Consisting of a rhythm unit (digital 8bit PCM samples very like the LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks etc) and a analog synth engine made of: 1 bass sound, 2 "chords" tracks, 1 "solo" track and 1 organ track.

I just recently cleaned and serviced it. It works perfectly. I replaced the dead battery with a new one, and used a battery holder instead of the original solder-on type.

Condition est quite good. Front plate paint does show some scuffs and scratches and fainted part but as a whole it does look very nice. See pictures and judge for yourself.

The keyboard comes with its rare original manual (italian, english, french and german).

I made a video of this very same unit, to prove its working condition and get you some idea about the possibilities of the keyboard."

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Roland Jupiter-6 | You Got Me Dreamin'

Published on Mar 13, 2019 Alex Ball

"Finally got to have some time with the one Jupiter I've not played properly; the Jupiter-6 from 1983.

For starters, it's a big bulky instrument that matches the Jupiter-8 in terms of scale, but then there are quite a lot of differences.

It's sound is rawer and colder than the hi-fi Jupiter-8, most likely to do with it having different circuits and also digital LFOs and envelopes (combined with an otherwise analogue signal path).

It also has combinable wave shapes on both of the oscillators (rather than them being switchable as on the Jupiter-8) and various keyboard modes with some quite narly detune.

The verdict: I like it.

Sounds used:
Roland Jupiter-6 (1983)
Roland SH-101 (1982)
Yamaha DX7 (1983)
Oberheim DX (1983)
Sequential Drumtraks (1984)
Roland TR-606 (1981)
Roland TR-808 (1980)
Ibanez JEM 7DBK (2001) / Fender Blues Junior II mic'd with an SM57 / Boss CE-2 (1979)
Vocals recorded with an AKG C414s

Sequencer: Cubase
Plugins: Waves, IK Multimedia, Past to future, Steinberg, Goodhertz"

Alesis HR 16 (Strellis Eprom) - Patters and Demo sounds. Linndrum,SP12,Linn9000,Drumulator,LM-1,DMX

Published on Feb 13, 2019 Sun's May Flower (Official)

"Alesis HR 16 sporting Strellis Eprom.

Some pattern i have programmed plus single sounds in the end of the clip.

All 49 sounds in the HR 16 are replaced with a selection of Linn LM-1, LinnDrum, Linn 9000, Oberheim DMX, Oberheim DX, Sequential Circuits Drumtraks, Emu Drumulator, Emu SP12 and Emu S1200 samples."

Ich Bin Ein Disco Biscuit

Published on Jan 3, 2019 Alex Ball

"Start 2019 as you mean to go on.

Guitar: Squier Jagmaster, Vox Wah-Wah, Boss CE-2 Chorus, Fender Blues Junior II, mic'd with an SM57.

Bass: Fender Jazz Bass, Orange OB1-300, DBX 266XL.

Synths: Sequential Circuits Pro~One, Roland SH-101, Roland Juno-6.

Drums: Past To Future, Oberheim DX & SCi Drumtraks claps, Samples from Espen Kraft's Dr Bohm drum machine and various percussion.

Virtual instruments: Spitfire Audio Chamber Strings, Kick Ass Brass.

Vocals: Recorded with an AKG C414s

Plugins: Waves, T-racks, U-he, Past to Future, Goodhertz, TAL, Steinberg."

Tom Modded Sequential Circuits DrumTraks Model 400 Vintage Drum Machine SN 0860

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via this auction


"This unit was modified Individual Output for TOM."

Low & Hight Outputs
Pan Width & Pitch knobs.

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Skcart Epat

Published on Nov 28, 2018

All synths: Roland D-50
Drums = Sequential Circuits Drumtraks

Sequential Circuits Drumtraks | Cosmic

Published on Sep 20, 2018 Alex Ball

"The Sequential Circuits Drumtraks is an overlooked unit, perhaps because of the Linn, Roland and Oberheim classics that came first, or perhaps because Sequential are so famous for their legendary synthesizers. Either way, it has a very punchy sound and reminds me of the DMX and LinnDrum.

I was interested to see that Tame Impala had made use of one on the Currents album and combined with the "May peace prevail on earth" message on the circuit board; I thought I'd try some space pop rather than something 80s.

Instruments used:
Drums: Sequential Drumtraks (1984) and PastToFuture Drums
Bass Guitar: Fender Jazz Bass / Orange OB1-300 / DBX 266XL
Electric Guitar: Squier Jagmaster (1998) / Blue Junior II / Vox Wah / Ibanez Tubescreamer / Boss CE-2 Chorus / SM57
Acoustic Guitar: Alvarez Baritone / AKG C414
Bass Synth: Sequential Circuits Pro-One (1981)
Polys: Roland Juno-6 (1982) / DSI Prophet REV2 (2017)
Dirty Synth: Korg MS mark I (1978)
Electric Piano: Rhodes Mark I Seventy-Three (mid 70s)
Vocals recorded with an AKG C414
Harp: GForce Mtron Pro
TamTam & Cymbals: Spitfire Joby Burgess Percussion

Plugins: Waves, Goodhertz, U-he, Past To Future reverbs, T-racks
Sequencer: Cubase 9.5"

Sequential Circuits Drumtraks SN 06150

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Simmons SDS7 Digital / Analog Drum Synthesizer w/Mods & Massive Eprom Collection SN 70189

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Simmons SDS7 #70189 w/ Stock Eproms Published on Apr 10, 2018 Ed Rose

"Quick run-through of Simmons SDS7 #70189 presets."

via this auction

"It comes with a new battery, freshly cleaned potentiometers, switches, edge connectors and ribbon connectors, and loaded with original Factory Preset Kits.

It also comes with a number of highly useful modifications:

- ZIF Sockets on each Module for quick and easy Eprom changes

- 8k/16k Switches on each Module for changing the Eprom type so that any 8k or 16k Eprom can go in any Module

- Sequencer In jacks have been re-routed to run through the Sensitivity pots so almost any level of signal can drive the inputs

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Sequential Circuits DrumTraks 400 Vintage Drum Machine SN 06713

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Synth Funk on the Behringer Model D

Published on Feb 12, 2018 snolan1990

"I got hold of a Model D today so I thought I would throw something together quickly to show what it can do in terms of funky sounds.

This is nothing special just a little jam in the first hour or so of getting the thing out of the box. Suffice to say I am impressed with the sound of the thing!

Bass - Behringer Model D
Lead - Behringer Model D
Synth Pad - Roland JX-3P
Arpeggio - Novation Bass Station
Drums - Sequential Circuits Drumtraks
Synth Drum - Moog Slim Phatty

Anything that is sequenced was sequenced via the Akai ASQ10."

Mid-'80s Synth Pop / Italo Disco with DrumTraks & DW-8000

Published on Jan 7, 2018 SynthMania

"[The full music mix starts at 2:40] Sooo many people ask me to do '80s Synth Pop / Italo Disco, so here's a little ditty in that vein. I used only one Sequential Circuits DrumTraks drum machine (1983), and one Korg DW-8000 synth (1985). Most of the effects come from the DW-8000's on-board DDL FX, and I added some slight reverb in the DAW. Enjoy and thank you for watching"

Sequential Circuits DrumTraks In Excellent Condition SN 05790

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