Crank the beat. Place the beat. Glitch the beat.

May 7, 2008 6:14 AM

You say you don't like drum machines? Well, here's one even the staunchest Luddite has gotta love. Or you might like some of the recent experiments in making the interfaces more physical. And surely you'll admit this one's really very charming. Wanna go non-Western? Get yer talas out with this tabla machine. It'll be only a matter of time, then, till you get into the whole classical Hindustani gitchtronica thing, which is what the cool kids are into. [NOTE: see hoverovers for link descriptions]
posted by flapjax at midnite (22 comments total)

these guys want a drum machine. i once tried to play music along with a tabla drum machine, it was hard for me.
posted by snofoam at 6:17 AM on May 7, 2008

Some of y'all might enjoy this FPP on vintage drum machines posted by yours truly back in 2006.

Or this FPP from loquacious circa 2005.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:19 AM on May 7, 2008

also...
posted by krautland at 6:22 AM on May 7, 2008

The bottlecap guy not only has some good beats, but whoever taped and edited that for him has is a good amateur filmmaker.
posted by DU at 6:25 AM on May 7, 2008

Also similar is the Scrapple at Ars Electronica in Linz, Austria.
Video here and here.
posted by chillmost at 6:32 AM on May 7, 2008

James Taylor and "Big Foot".
posted by tomcooke at 6:34 AM on May 7, 2008

I am really fond of this guy's approach.
posted by fake at 6:36 AM on May 7, 2008

Oh yeah, the solenoid guy rules. I've been kind of wanting to do the same thing ever since I first saw that.
posted by DU at 6:48 AM on May 7, 2008

Well, here's one even the staunchest Luddite has gotta love.

Uh, no. It sounds terrible.
posted by Jaltcoh at 7:19 AM on May 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

Needs more Koi Beat
posted by adamrice at 7:19 AM on May 7, 2008

Yay! I was expecting a Meiwa Denki link to appear, somewhere.
As long as we're waxing nostalgic, I might as well add the girls.
posted by squasha at 7:28 AM on May 7, 2008

I do apologize for wandering off the rails, flapjax. I simply can't read the words "drum" and "machine" without thinking of Tokyo Plastic.
posted by squasha at 7:30 AM on May 7, 2008

Needs more Koi Beat.

Well, I might've included that if not for this previously.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:30 AM on May 7, 2008

Funny, I was just watching some YouTube of people demoing their Elektron Machine Drums and wondering, 'Could I justify spending a grand on one of those?'

Sadly, I couldn't. But I might be able to afford the bottle cap thing.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 7:42 AM on May 7, 2008

Since I made that vintage rhythm box post in 2006 there's been a lot of interesting clips posted at youtube. Here's a few:

Chamberlin Rhythmate Tape Loop Drum Machine

Korg MiniPops 35 Vintage Drum Machine

Wurlitzer SideMan - 1950s Tube Drum Machine

Keio Korg Doncamatic DE20 1966 Analog Drumcomputer Rhythm

CONRAD Electronic CRM-260 Analog Rhythmbox Drumcomputer 70's
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:01 AM on May 7, 2008

Holy crap, PMcD, that guy is awesome. i really liked what he got into around 6:30 onwards.. just needs a huge 4-4 drum behind it..yeah... onst onst oonst oonst
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 8:08 AM on May 7, 2008

There aren't enough favorites in the world for this post and the responses.

This is pure awesome.
posted by lekvar at 10:14 AM on May 7, 2008

I hate to say it, but those tabla machines are better than at least half the hippies who show up for drum circles around here.
posted by adamrice at 11:23 AM on May 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

These are all cool. None of these are as cool as Mr. Quintron's Drum Buddy.
posted by 2or3whiskeysodas at 1:37 PM on May 7, 2008 [1 favorite]

That is some groovy shit, brother.
posted by chuckdarwin at 4:08 AM on May 8, 2008

Aargh! How'd I miss this one when I made this post? Fantastic!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:33 PM on May 25, 2008

But it's true, the DRUM BUDDY is a fabulous thing. 2or3whiskysodas FTW.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:38 PM on May 25, 2008