THE FIRST COMMERCIALLY RELEASED DRUM MACHINE - Wurlitzer Sideman

video upload by THIS MUSEUM IS (NOT) OBSOLETE

"The Museum Is now going to Offer sample packs of its machines,
a couple a month to help fund improvement of the running of the museum to be open more often and offer more this coming year after the refurbishment we are doing over the next few months.
Johnny is now recording some of the machines at the museum and offering them as sample packs. https://this-museum-is-not-obsolete.c...
the first one is of the Wurlitzer Sideman,
this specific machine :- [posted here]
it is run through numerous mic and effects pedal setups. and also foley sounds."

The First Ever Drum Machine You Could Buy - 1959 Wurlitzer Sideman

video upload by LOOK MUM NO COMPUTER

"Today we take a look at the Wurlitzer Sideman, the first Commercially Released Drum Machine.
Download the wav of the samples from this machine and much much more :- https://www.patreon.com/lookmumnocomp...
it also makes @THIS MUSEUM IS (NOT) OBSOLETE get bigger and better."

Also see: The 1932 Rhythmicon - World's First Rhtyhm Machine

And: posts mentioning the Wurlitzer Sideman.

Metasonix D-1000 Vacuum-Tube Drum Machine | Drum Synth

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

via this auction

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Moby's Drum Machines For Sale

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

You can find them on Reverb here.

Don't miss the video here.

Update: some pics and details captured. I made the mistake of trying to capture them all and then realized how many were listed. :) I ended up switching to the more esoteric models. Quite a few have never been featured here on MATRIXSYNTH before. What's a little bit interesting, is only two new labels were needed, one for Domino and one for Side-Kick-Er. All other brands have been featured before. See the labels at the bottom of this post. Side note: Blogger limits the number of characters to 200 for labels, so I wasn't able to capture them all for this post. You can always search for the brand names featured for more. I assume most do this anyway. The labels are more for maintenance and for finding posts that may not feature brand names in descriptions.

Pictured:

Realistic Concertmate Electronic Accompanist-Metronome

"Fully analog rhythmic companion utilizing 5 beat buttons to combine how you wish. Features metronome, speaker and line out, and tempo control.

Serial: 42-2103. Works with no issue."

CLICK FOR MORE »

Metasonix D-1000 Vacuum Tube Drum Machine Jam

Sound Provider
Published on Aug 7, 2017

"Recording the lovely Metasonix D-1000 Drum Machine for http://www.sound-provider.eu/
I'm in Love with its kind of primitive sound, Don't use it if you are afraid of background noise or uncontrolled sub :)

Info from schneiders laden Site:
The D-1000 Vacuum-Tube Drum Machine is the first drum machine made with vacuum tubes since the Wurlitzer Sideman of 1959. Even though it has only four drum sounds -- two tunable drums, a tunable hard "snare" drum, and a cymbal -- control voltage inputs give great flexibility.

DETAILS

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The 1932 Rhythmicon - World's First Rhtyhm Machine

Uploaded on May 8, 2009

"Demonstration of the third version of Rhythmicom built by Leon Theremin at Moscow State Conservatory in early 1960-s. The first Rhythmicon was developed by Leon Theremin for Henry Cowell in 1932. It was the first rhythm machine ever built."

Spotted this one on BoingBoing. Via the Red Bull Acedemy where you'll find the full post:

"The Rhythmicon was never mass-produced. Only three models were ever made. One of them has been lost to the sands of time – depending on whom you ask, it was either tossed in the trash by a janitor at Columbia University or disposed of by staff at Stanford’s psychology department. Another model was last seen in storage at the Smithsonian Institution.

As for the third Rhythmicon – a Russian model built out of junk parts by Theremin in the mid-’60s – it’s currently in safe keeping at the Theremin Center of the Moscow Conservatory.
It’s a very nice noise machine.


Andrey Smirnov, an artist, curator and instrument collector, got his hands on this smaller, DIY version of the Rhythmicon and refurbished it in 2004. Speaking by Skype from his home in Moscow, he says the machine is still in working order, though it usually requires a tune-up before you turn it on. But like most Rhythmicon experts, he believes this contraption is more valuable for its novel mechanics than for its potential as an actual musical instrument.

'You can’t start the rhythm from the first measure. It’s always on,” he says, noting that it’d be highly impractical to perform with live. “It’s a very nice noise machine.'

The Rhythmicon is universally regarded as the world’s first drum machine, but technically it’s not a “drum” machine. As opposed to other early devices, like the Chamberlin Rhythmate (introduced in 1957) or the Wurlitzer Sideman (1959), it doesn’t play beats according to typical time signatures. Instead it offers up a series of complex rhythmic pulses, each playing at a different pitch and each corresponding to different ratios from the harmonic series."

1962 Wurlitzer Sideman tube-powered analog drum machine

Published on Oct 18, 2014 Golden Gate Estate Services

"This is a 1962 Wurlitzer Sideman rhythm machine -- the first such device ever (other than the Chamberlain which used tape loops). Entirely tube-powered, it uses a rotating disk and contact brush to trigger the sounds, as well as having a group of buttons with which you can manually play the various voices. The whole thing comes in a furniture-grade cabinet, weighs about 75 pounds and (thankfully) has wheels.

This particular example is in good shape and mostly complete (lacking a couple of knobs). It works although some of the voices are a bit 'iffy' and could use some tweaking to get the best sounds out of them. A little 60-cycle hum could be cured with replacing the electrolytic power capacitors. The cabinet is in nice condition with some tarnishing to the brass 'instrument panel'. Available in San Francisco."

Inside a Wurlitzer Sideman.

Wurlitzer Sideman & Moog MF-104M

via Moog Music Inc. on Facebook

"Wurlitzer Sideman //
1950's tube drum-machine

Moog MF-104M //
NOS bucket-brigade analog delay"

You can find some videos and pics of the Sideman here.

Metasonix D-1000 Portable Vacuum Tube Drum Machine

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

via this auction

"The first drum machine made with vacuum tubes since the Wurlitzer Sideman of 1959.

Unlike the Sideman, the Metasonix D-1000 is a "modern" primitive device--with plenty of inputs, outputs, and flexibility.

Even though it has only four drum sounds -- two tunable drums, a tunable "snare" drum (harder sounding than the others), and a cymbal -- control voltage inputs give great flexibility.

Each of the tunable drums is made from a vacuum tube ringing bandpass filter, and can be tuned to sound from below 20 Hz to over 2 kHz. They are also tunable with external control voltages, allowing complex patterns to be built up with external CV or pulse sources. Resonance of each filter circuit is set by internal trimpots. The cymbal sound is an extremely primitive circuit, with white noise gated by a pentode tube. The cymbal's attack is knob-variable and CV variable, from a sharp click to a soft "whoosh". The four outputs mix to a single tube preamp that allows for overdriving via the mix-level controls.

In keeping with the primitive nature of the soundmaking section, the pattern sequencer is extremely simple. Unlike early drumboxes, we won't subject you to preset nonsense like "waltz", "foxtrot", "swing" or the like. Instead, there is a single 8-pulse sequence with separate enable switches for each drum sound--set a toggle switch up to get the sound at that point, down for silence. Great for house, hardcore or other simple 4/4 patterns. The internal clock is settable from 60 BPM to over 1000 BPM.

There is also a "roll" clock signal built-in, to generate a faster drumroll on any drum sound by pressing a button (speed is preset with an internal trimpot). If you don't like the internal sequencer, there are separate trigger inputs for each of the four sounds (the trigger pulse must be 0 to +5v, and less than 40 mS long). These trigger inputs operate in parallel with the built-in sequencer, so the D-1000's sounds may be triggered by its internal sequence and external pulses at the same time. As a bonus, the three tunable drums can also be used as tunable bandpass filters, by feeding a line audio signal to each trigger input.

Ample inputs and outputs: mix output (with overdriveable tube preamp), separate outputs for each drum sound, external trigger inputs for each drum sound, and a main clock output (0-5v) for slaving external generators to the internal clock.

Features

4 Drum Sounds: 2 Tunable Drums, 1 Tunable Snare, and a Cymbal
Voltage Controlled Parameters
Pattern Sequencer
Clock ranges from 60 BPM to 1000 BPM
Roll clock signal for drum rolls
Portable
Trigger Inputs
Overdriveable Tube Preamp
Mix Output
Individual Drum Outputs
Main Clock Output"

Opal Gibbons plays Wurlitzer SideMan (vintage 1950's drummachine) with MIDI retrofit

YouTube Published on Jul 20, 2012 by taigkyo

"The subsonic kick may be inaudible on portable devices without headphones :-P

The SideMan is a drum machine from 1959 that fires valves/tubes to generate the tones, which are then passed trough a tube amp. The cigar box houses Doepfer MTC components and a direct line out. Interconnect is over DB37, fed into the SideMan from underneath. No drilling or irreversible mods were done to the SideMan, although I did tweak it a bit to get a longer decay from the kick bass.

A lot of thanks to Eric Noel, who gave his time, expertise and some of the Doepfer components to this project; and to Steve Craig (Midwest Music Menders), who patiently repaired the SideMan when I acquired it in "almost working" condition."

Update:

Oliver Gibbons plays Wurlitzer SideMan (vintage 1950's drummachine) with MIDI retrofit

Published on Jul 20, 2012 by taigkyo

"The subsonic kick may be inaudible on portable devices without headphones :-P

The SideMan is a drum machine from 1959 that fires valves/tubes to generate the tones, which are then passed trough a tube amp. The cigar box houses Doepfer MTC components and a direct line out. Interconnect is over DB37, fed into the SideMan from underneath. No drilling or irreversible mods were done to the SideMan, although I did tweak it a bit to get a longer decay from the kick bass.

A lot of thanks to Eric Noel, who gave his time, expertise and some of the Doepfer components to this project; and to Steve Craig (Midwest Music Menders), who patiently repaired the SideMan when I acquired it in "almost working" condition."

Wurlitzer Sideman Demo 1

YouTube Published on Jul 1, 2012 by superfroe

Vintage Wurlitzer Sideman Tube Drum Machine

via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

CLICK FOR MORE »

RIP Mr. Tsutomu Katoh - Founder of KORG

A letter via Seiki Kato, President of KORG Inc.

"Dear Sirs and Madams,

I would like to inform you that our founder and chairman Mr. Tsutomu Katoh passed away early this morning (March 15, 2011) after a long fight with cancer.

Since he founded Korg Inc. in 1963, Mr. Katoh has led our company with great talent, vision and leadership. He was loved and respected by all the employees, all Korg family members and made a huge contribution to the lives of countless musicians around the world.

Plans for a memorial service will follow very soon.

I would appreciate your prayers for him and hope he can rest peacefully now.

Sincerely,

Seiki Kato
President
Korg Inc."

Tsutomu Katoh and the History of Korg

Another hero lost; one of the first to define the world of synthesis as we know it. The gifts he gave us will always be remembered and will inspire new synth enthusiasts and musicians for decades to come. Tsutomu Katoh-san, you will be missed. Thank you for everything you gave us.

Via Wikipedia: "Founded in 1962 in Japan by Tsutomu Kato and Tadashi Osanai, Korg was originally known as Keio Gijutsu Kenkyujo Ltd." and later "Keio Electronic Laboratories (京王技術研究所^?) because its fledgling offices were located near the Keio train line in Tokyo and Keio can be formed by combining the first letters of Kato and Osanai. Before founding the company, Kato ran a nightclub. Osanai, a Tokyo University graduate and noted accordionist, regularly performed at Kato's club accompanied by a Wurlitzer Sideman rhythm machine. Unsatisfied with the rhythm machine, Osanai convinced Kato to finance his efforts to build a better one..." And indeed they did.

This sad news in via Amos of Moog Music and Michelle Moog-Koussa of the Bob Moog Foundation.

Update: some condolences and pics on the KORG Forum here.

Some video of the legacy of instruments he brought us with a rare interview in Part 1 (previously posted):

'The Vintage Synth - Volume 3: Korg' 1-11

YouTube via baward — November 24, 2009 —

"Rare, Japanese-language video from some time in the 1990's, taking the viewer on an odyssey through Korg's many instruments, from Korg's synthesizer museum at its Tokyo headquarters.

Two other videos were produced in this series, 'The Vintage Synth - Volume 1: Moog and 'The Vintage Synth - Volume 2: Roland'"

Part 1: "This clip features an interview with Korg's co-founder Tsutomu Kato and footage of the rare DA-20 Doncamatic drum machine (1963) and an early appearance of Korg's famous 'Traveler' filter control - on an organ! (late 1960's.) More to follow."

Part 2: "This clip features the Korgue organ from 1968, as well as Korg's first synthesizer, the Mini Korg 700 from 1973 (here shown in its expanded 2 oscillator version, 1974's Mini Korg 700S.)"

Part 3: "This clip features the Synthesizer 800DV (1974), Synthesizer 770 (1975), and the PE-1000 (1976)."

Part 4: "This clip features the polyphonic, patchable, part-modular and extremely rare PS-3300 (1978)."

Part 5: "This clip features part one of the MS series (1978-79), focussing on the wall-mounted 'education' MS-20 as well as some other early analogue products."

Part 6: "This clip features the MS-20 and MS-50 synthesizers, VC-10 vocoder and SQ-10 analog sequencer (1978-79) in more detail."

Part 7: "This clip features the Delta strings synthesizer, Trident polyphonic synthesizer, and BX-3 analogue organ (1980-81)."

Part 8: "This clip features the first part of an in-depth look at the Polysix synthesizer from 1981."

Part 9: "This clip features the second part of the Polysix synthesizer feature and the one on the Mono/Poly."

Part 10: "This clip features the Poly-800II and the DW-8000 (1985)"

Part 11: "Computer-control of MS instruments (or is it the 05R module?) with 700S, original Korg Wavedrum, as well series conclusion."

Metasonix D-1000 Vacuum Tube Drum Machine

YouTube via bigcitymusic http://bigcitymusic.com/
"Here is the latest from Metasonix, the all new D-1000 vacuum tube drum machine. It is the first all tube drum machine since the Wurlitzer Sideman was introduced 51 years ago in 1959."

NAMM: Metasonix D-1000 - More Details

via Metasonix

"The first drum machine made with vacuum tubes since the Wurlitzer Sideman of 1959.

Unlike the Sideman, it's a "modern" primitive device--with plenty of inputs, outputs, and flexibility.

Even though it has only four drum sounds -- two tunable drums, a tunable "snare" drum (harder sounding than the others), and a cymbal -- control voltage inputs give great flexibility.

Each of the tunable drums is made from a vacuum tube ringing bandpass filter, and can be tuned to sound from below 20 Hz to over 2 kHz. They are also tunable with external control voltages, allowing complex patterns to be built up with external CV or pulse sources. Resonance of each filter circuit is set by internal trimpots. The cymbal sound is an extremely primitive circuit, with white noise gated by a pentode tube. The cymbal's attack is knob-variable and CV variable, from a sharp click to a soft "whoosh". The four outputs mix to a single tube preamp that allows for overdriving via the mix-level controls.

In keeping with the primitive nature of the soundmaking section, the pattern sequencer is extremely simple. Unlike early drumboxes, we won't subject you to preset nonsense like "waltz", "foxtrot", "swing" or the like. Instead, there is a single 8-pulse sequence with separate enable switches for each drum sound--set a toggle switch up to get the sound at that point, down for silence. Great for house, hardcore or other simple 4/4 patterns. The internal clock is settable from 60 BPM to over 1000 BPM. There is also a "roll" clock signal built-in, to generate a faster drumroll on any drum sound by pressing a button (speed is preset with an internal trimpot). If you don't like the internal sequencer, there are separate trigger inputs for each of the four sounds (the trigger pulse must be 0 to +5v, and less than 40 mS long). These trigger inputs operate in parallel with the built-in sequencer, so the D-1000's sounds may be triggered by its internal sequence and external pulses at the same time. As a bonus, the three tunable drums can also be used as tunable bandpass filters, by feeding a line audio signal to each trigger input.

Ample inputs and outputs: mix output (with overdriveable tube preamp), separate outputs for each drum sound, external trigger inputs for each drum sound, and a main clock output (0-5v) for slaving external generators to the internal clock.

No, it does not sound like a TR-606. It's a beast you have never seen or heard before.

Specifications: Inputs and outputs 1/8" jacks, except main mix output on 1/4" jack. Enclosed in rugged, moisture-resistant ABS utility box with hinged lid, carrying handle and latch. Size with lid closed 12.25"x7.4"x6.5" (314mmx186mmx168mm), weight (minus AC adapter) approx 3 lbs (2.1 kg). Power: 12-16 volts AC, 50/60 Hz, 1.5 amps. Uses Jameco 167151 AC adapter for power in 120v countries. Power inlet: 2.1mm coaxial jack."

via brian c

Wurlitzer Sideman

YouTube via RoilNoise
"A neighbor recently gave me one of these. It's a Wurlitzer Sideman, manufactured from 1959-1965, and the worlds first commercially avalable drum machine. Here is a link to everything you would ever want to know about it and more:

http://totallyambush.co.uk/2008/06/15..."

Carousel Recording Studio, Brooklyn, NY

flickr set by JoeMcGinty
(click for more)

There's quite a bit of interesting vintage gear in the set.

Below:
"Wurlitzer Sideman, Mass-Rowe Vibrachime"

"Some photos from Carousel Recording, a vintage keyboard studio in Brooklyn, NY. For more information, go to www.carouselrecording.com"

Inside the First Drum Machine - The Wurlitzer Sideman

Or rather rhythm machine. Title link takes you to some posts on Deviant Synth.

Be sure to check out the posts here as well for a video of one and some shots pulled from an auction.

Wurlitzer SideMan - 1950s Tube Drum Machine

YouTube via peahix.

"The Wurlitzer SideMan was arguably the world's first drum machine. It depends on whether you count the Chamberlin Rhythmate, which was introduced some years earlier, but featured tape loops instead of electronically generated drum sounds. In any event, the SideMan is definitely the first "beat box." I just picked this one up for $50. It's got all its guts exposed so you can see how it works."

Wurlitzer Sideman

Title link takes you to shots via this auction.

Details:
"Hi. Up for auction is an early example of drum machine technology. The Wurlitzer "Sideman" was manufactured from 1959-1965 Please check out these links for more info:
120 Years
Synthmuseum"