All Types ‘O Drum Machines

Seems like this week everyone’s been into the drum machines. I’ve been just losing it over Rick’s (Smith, Cantos electronics apprentice) 808, which he rightly warned me is highly addictive. Also, a pair of LinnDrums (LM 2s) were in the shop recently. One has MIDI which comes in handy syncing it up to the DMX.

Speaking of Oberheim drum machines, JL recently put in a Stretch on one of our DXs and fired up the Prommer, sampling the 808’s lo-tom, snare, clap and hats. The low tom seemed to work better as a kick drum when it was sampled, which makes sense, because the Prommer’s sampling time is pretty short and it’s that beautiful sustain that makes the 808 kick what it is . The DX does impart a nice grit to the sounds, but to compare it to a real 808 would be like comparing a hamburger to steak. The steak is obviously better, but sometimes you just feel like a greasy burger. Ummm right, anyway, apparently there’s another DX around here and another Stretch, which means there might be more ROM sampling afoot. Maybe a 909 or a 606? I bet the Wurlitzer Sideman might make for some interesting samples. Or the ARP 2600 for weird noise drums. Lots of possibilities there, but the only thing I know for sure is that I NEED an 808. Yeah I know, take a number right?

Here’s the DX with Stretch

Inside the DMX Note the individual voice cards