*_jߍyrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

Music worker @ Echo Coordinate, Berlin (composer, audio engineer, in performance arts/dance, conceptual+free music, instrument & radio maker, label maker). I don't just so follow back.

Homepage:: https://jayrope.com

2026-07-12 01:34:16

*_jߍyrope

jrp@hub.kliklak.net

What's your favourite drum machine from times before samples were used (around 1970)?
I'm talking analog sound generation.
Many were also built into organs... and i especially love to hear the latin rhythms on tracks like this, fabulous! :
#^

In Time
by Sly & The Family Stone - Topic on YouTube
Curious to hear your tips.

@Professional, inspiring audio

#AnalogueDrumMachines #cr78 #Kawai #Roland #EKO #Roland #Yamaha #Vintage #DrumMachine

Kawai R-3A drum machine, looking like an old portable cassette recorder. Plywood case, metal front plate, funky buttons with a noticable CLACK, when pressed.

2026-07-12 02:16:05

inpc

inpc@go.mxtthxw.art

@jrp the built in on on the Baldwin Fun Machine is great. Plus the unit itself is looks soooooo cool.

https://reverb.com/item/94094893-vintage-baldwin-fun-machine-electric-organ-classic-1970s-retro-keyboard-1970

2026-07-12 06:16:57

Herr Irrtum! 🔊 🏳️‍🌈

herr_irrtum@s.basspistol.org

@jrp@hub.kliklak.net

No favorite drum machine but also fascinated by early (half mechanical) ones like the Wurlitzer Sideman with a similar percussive sound.

My least favorite drum machine was the one built in the Yamaha Portasound 470 (and similar FM "entertainment"/toy synths). I could program my own patterns, ok, but the thin snare was super annoying. It's all (2 operator?) FM Synthesis, no samples, that's why.
Used it from 1988 til 1991 and found every trick there is to make the PSR470 sound cool ;) . As an east block kid this was all I could get, and I was very lucky to have it, but boy this snare!
Can be heard in AG Geige "Nasenwalzer" (Track 19 of Yachtclub & Buchteln, 1987, one of the weaker pieces on this album, still fun Text wise when understanding German). https://tapeattack.blogspot.com/2019/09/ag-geige-yachtclub-buchteln.html?m=1 (I couldn't find it anywhere else on the net right now, sry for the complicated link).
In this case it's one of the standard preset patterns, pretty sure.

But I came here to say: What a killer track you selected here!
Probably the first time I've come across this as the early 70s are still mostly a mysterium to me... this one is just sooo amazing!!
I'm a Sly Stone fan now, I guess ;) . Better late than never...

2026-07-12 11:43:36

slowtiger

slowtiger@berlin.social

@jrp
All drum machines are beautiful! That is: before Linn drum and the realistic, sampled stuff.

The only one I own is the (still working) Casio VLtone VL-1 with its distinct "rhythm" section, but I use a lot of samples from all kinds of old drum machines in my music. There was a time around 1980 when many bands incorporated some drum machine part in their songs, either as an intro (many!), or continuously (many as well!) - I always liked that.