Unless I am mistaken, the two that I have seen in person out of this compilation of preowned drum machines are the HR-16 and the RX5. There was an RX5 sans power supply in the apartment where I’ve lived in New York City from December 2010 to the present (August 2024). Right when I was tempted to get power supply for this machine, I ended up getting a different Yamaha unit, a DTX Multi 12, which has most of the same samples in it that were uploaded to the RX5. As for the HR-16, that was the drum machine that my good friend and inspiration Charlie Lang depended on from before we met in January 1997 until roughly 7 years later when it stopped working on him. I had considered getting one for me, especially after a recording session for one of Charlie’s songs where I played his live for a bunch of contrapuntal percussion parts. The idea of playing a drum machine live being something that I picked up on from Roy Wooten, the act of doing it has long been ingrained in me.
The Alesis HR-16 was the first drum machine I learned to program. That was back in 1988 -1989. I found it to be super intuitive and the sounds, while not entirely convincing as real drums, sounded great on cheap 4 track recording. I currently own an Alesis SR-16 that I purchased used back in 1995. That lil thing is a battle tank, it still works after years of storage in extreme temperatures. It requires an AC adapter, and if you try to power it with 9V DC the unit will turn on, the display will light up, but the sounds are HORRIBLY distorted and weak because the amplifiers are not being fully biased. 😏
We wrote some decent songs with the HR-16, Roland SC-88 Sound Canvas (what a great general midi writing tool!) and a Fostex R8 Reel to Reel. Those limitation sure sparked a lot of creativity. Joe
Btw nice intro! Because I spend a lot of time outside on the terrace & occasionally even sleep outside, it's happened several times that I wanted to wipe some tiny insect from my smartphone until I realized it's no insect. It's your cursor! 😂 In 1990 I've had an RX15 borrowed from a friend & was amazed how huge & bulky it is, actually well built. Though I've filled it with cool patterns, with the exception of its exterior, I did not manage to like it At that time I had not yet turned from a DX7 hater into a DX7 fanboy (that started 16 years later), what too had reflected in my opinion 'bout the RX15 that was: "That deadly boring box with it's stuffy sounds fits the DX7 perfectly like a glove!" Knowingly at that time, technological change went at max speed what immediately reflected in sounds. It took just a few years that inexpensive home keyboards like PSS780 and 790 were more fun as rhythm machines than a RX15 because YAMAHA just used low res. sounds from the respective flagship drum machines. In any case, I got that you would rather not recommend RX15. I wouldn't either.
Yes, sorry about the insect. I keep forgetting to increase the cursor size when I'm making these episodes. I'll try to do better in September. Appreciate your comment, sir.
OH cool, one of my favorit topics. Lately i got me a korg ddd-1 (with my CZ-1000, CS-100 AND DX -27 i'm the king of RETRO streetz LOL) and went to waverex to get that sampling transfer cartd via usb, and because i'm a fanatic i got the original sampling card, and batteries, but i still need the new cool oled screen... there are a bunch of hacks for add ons for retro drum machine that are digital. next time i hope i find a cool price for a yam RX5...there's a 606 for 325 euros on ebay today... prices are going down. greeting from france
The Mk 1 R8 suffers from the top finish going tacky. I literally left my fingerprints embedded all over the surface. Great machine, but this is may be an issue for some people.
Unless I am mistaken, the two that I have seen in person out of this compilation of preowned drum machines are the HR-16 and the RX5. There was an RX5 sans power supply in the apartment where I’ve lived in New York City from December 2010 to the present (August 2024). Right when I was tempted to get power supply for this machine, I ended up getting a different Yamaha unit, a DTX Multi 12, which has most of the same samples in it that were uploaded to the RX5. As for the HR-16, that was the drum machine that my good friend and inspiration Charlie Lang depended on from before we met in January 1997 until roughly 7 years later when it stopped working on him. I had considered getting one for me, especially after a recording session for one of Charlie’s songs where I played his live for a bunch of contrapuntal percussion parts. The idea of playing a drum machine live being something that I picked up on from Roy Wooten, the act of doing it has long been ingrained in me.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
And, thank you for the response, Jeffrey.
The Alesis HR-16 was the first drum machine I learned to program. That was back in 1988 -1989. I found it to be super intuitive and the sounds, while not entirely convincing as real drums, sounded great on cheap 4 track recording. I currently own an Alesis SR-16 that I purchased used back in 1995. That lil thing is a battle tank, it still works after years of storage in extreme temperatures. It requires an AC adapter, and if you try to power it with 9V DC the unit will turn on, the display will light up, but the sounds are HORRIBLY distorted and weak because the amplifiers are not being fully biased. 😏
We wrote some decent songs with the HR-16, Roland SC-88 Sound Canvas (what a great general midi writing tool!) and a Fostex R8 Reel to Reel. Those limitation sure sparked a lot of creativity. Joe
That's cool. A friend and I used a Fostex R8 for several years before we purchased ADATs. We are so spoiled today with modern DAWs.
Btw nice intro! Because I spend a lot of time outside on the terrace & occasionally even sleep outside, it's happened several times that I wanted to wipe some tiny insect from my smartphone until I realized it's no insect. It's your cursor! 😂
In 1990 I've had an RX15 borrowed from a friend & was amazed how huge & bulky it is, actually well built. Though I've filled it with cool patterns, with the exception of its exterior, I did not manage to like it
At that time I had not yet turned from a DX7 hater into a DX7 fanboy (that started 16 years later), what too had reflected in my opinion 'bout the RX15 that was: "That deadly boring box with it's stuffy sounds fits the DX7 perfectly like a glove!"
Knowingly at that time, technological change went at max speed what immediately reflected in sounds. It took just a few years that inexpensive home keyboards like PSS780 and 790 were more fun as rhythm machines than a RX15 because YAMAHA just used low res. sounds from the respective flagship drum machines. In any case, I got that you would rather not recommend RX15. I wouldn't either.
Yes, sorry about the insect. I keep forgetting to increase the cursor size when I'm making these episodes. I'll try to do better in September. Appreciate your comment, sir.
@@JeffreyScottPetro Don't try to do better when everything is fine. I'd miss the funny insects.
OH cool, one of my favorit topics. Lately i got me a korg ddd-1 (with my CZ-1000, CS-100 AND DX -27 i'm the king of RETRO streetz LOL) and went to waverex to get that sampling transfer cartd via usb, and because i'm a fanatic i got the original sampling card, and batteries, but i still need the new cool oled screen... there are a bunch of hacks for add ons for retro drum machine that are digital. next time i hope i find a cool price for a yam RX5...there's a 606 for 325 euros on ebay today... prices are going down. greeting from france
Excellent.
That second Alesis HR-16 was missing a volume slider, tho. No way I'm paying over $100.
The Mk 1 R8 suffers from the top finish going tacky. I literally left my fingerprints embedded all over the surface. Great machine, but this is may be an issue for some people.
Nice one can you do the Boss DR880 Roland R 70 TR 727 percussion unit Oberheim DMX Linn Drum and sequential drums machines Thanks
I have a bunch to do, but I will try. Appreciate your suggestion.
Wow those R8’s are expensive. I can buy them for 250 here easy. And 1200 incl cards is still ridiculous money. Better find a R8 mk2 for 600 I guess…
A used HR-16 or a MMT-8 is a bit of a gambling game...those buttons are unreliable.