The history of modern drum machines is a fascinating one. By definition, drum machines are electronic musical instruments that create percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. On the one hand, they may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments. On the other, they may produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. Modern drum machines usually have pre-programmed beats and patterns for popular genres and styles, such as pop, rock, and dance. Most of them, made in the 2010s and 2020s, also allow users to program their own rhythms and beats. And, finally, modern drum machines may create sounds using analog synthesis or play prerecorded samples.
The purpose of this entry is to highlight some of the most relevant points in the history go modern drum machines. Here we go.
The Beginning of Modern Drum Machines
The name of the first programmable drum machine was ComputeRythm. It contained a six-row push-button matrix. The operator pushed punch cards that contained a reader slot with pre-programmed rhythms. Later, Roland CR-78, the first microprocessor-based programable rhythm machine, had four memory storage spaces so that the user could build personalized patterns.
After a few months, the Boss DR-55 came into the picture. This was a much simpler version and it had only four sounds. Subsequently, Eko released the ComputeRythm drum machine. Following this, the PAiA Programmable Drum Set appeared. For this device in particular, the user would buy and build the machine, so the package included the appropriate equipment and a set of instructions. Finally in this journey, the same year that the PAiA Programmable Drum set was out to the public, Ace Tone released the Rhythm Producer FR-15, which contained pre-programmed rhythm patterns.
Digital Sampling
Some (modern) drum machines use digital sampling. The first one to do so was the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer. This drum computer revolutionized the music industry and incorporated new concepts, such as swing factors, shuffle, accent, and real-time programming. Pop music’s magic mostly relies on the unique sound that digital sampling provides.
The drum sounds produced by the LM-1 had memory limitations. Despite that, it had two chips activated at the same exact time. Because of this, the user could tune each voice with individual outputs. The LinnDrum was a less expensive version that also contained feature swappable sound chips. Then came the DMX, introduced to the world by Oberheim. The DMX also had digitally sampled sounds, as well as a swing feature. This machine was key for the future development of hip-hop, for example. With success on the horizon, other manufacturers began to produce all sorts of machines.
Rhythm is Key
One of the first programmable drum machines was the TR-808 Rhythm Composer, launched by the Roland Corporation. This machine was analog and suitable for those who were looking to create their own personalized rhythms. The TR-808 produced sounds using ringing filters and filtered noises. The TR-808 was innovative as it produced unrealistic drum sounds. Unfortunately, it ended up failing. Or so it seemed.
Eventually, hip-hop and dance track producers rediscovered the TR-808. It became a success once the machine wasn’t in production anymore. This machine was the basis of diverse genres, including electronic, dance, and hip-hop. A couple of years after, the TR-909 was born. This drum machine used MIDI, which synchronizes different devices created by different manufacturers. This machine had a shuffle control that offered a swing in music patterns and was the basis of diverse music genres such as techno, house, and acid.
A Homaging Conclusion: Modern Drum Machines
Despite the fact that traditional standalone drum machines became obsolete, some companies are still making them. When they first became old-fashioned, they were replaced by general-purpose hardware samplers controlled by sequencers, software-based sequencing, and sampling. Drum modules, for instance, have a percussion-specific sound that can be activated by pickups and trigger pads of MIDI. These are not drum machines per se after all.
