Open Source: A short history of drum machines

Membership plan: Going Deeper | Topics: Music Production

Course overview

Drum machines have been the beating heart of electronic music for over sixty years. This session discusses the key developments that turned these electronic instruments from limited auto-accompaniment boxes to sophisticated genre-defining groove machines.

We’ll look at how rhythm machines were first aimed at the home organist and came loaded with the ballroom and Latin dance rhythms of their day, and how creative musicians did their best with these first-generation machines to create the first wave of 1970s electronic music. Furthermore, we will see how the technology progressed from unwieldy electro-mechanical, valve-based units to the flexible, software-based machines of today that paved the way for electro, house, techno and so much more.

There is also a live demo in Ableton Live on how early, but iconic and still relevant drum machines such as the Roland TR-808, actually synthesize their sounds; knowledge of which should help any producer of electronic music get under the hood of these sounds and to take the concepts further in their own music.

Who is this session for?

Music Producers and Electronic Musicians: Individuals interested in learning more about the history, evolution, and technical aspects of drum machines to enhance their music production skills.
Electronic Music Enthusiasts: Fans of electronic music who are curious about the technology and history behind the beats and rhythms of their favorite genres.
Music Technology Students and Educators: Those studying or teaching music technology or audio production, looking to deepen their understanding of drum machine synthesis and its impact on the music industry.

Session materials and Zoom link

Watch back the Open Source here

Open Source - A Short history of drum machines

Requirements

An Internet Connection
A Zoom Account

Course schedule

Meet your instructor

Oli Freke is a London-based musician, artist and author who has had a life-long passion for electronic instruments, synthesizers, and electronic music. Currently working for the BBC, he has previously enjoyed success with electro band Cassette Electrik supporting the Human League on tour, written music for television and produced dance music since the 1990s. His Synth Evolution range of posters, celebrating the synthesizer and electronic music culture, launched in 2017 and led to the definitive, hand-illustrated book, Synth Evolution: From Analogue to Digital (and Back), featuring every commercial synth of the 20th century. He also writes for Sound On Sound magazine, including the Ableton 12 Techniques column currently.