The first drum machine: the Wurlitzer Sideman.[1]<p>Another example of things built the hard way before the technology to build them was available.<p>[1] <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNgJcX2ckZQ" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNgJcX2ckZQ</a>
The 'pop' example given at the beginning of the article when switching on an 80s machine with built-in audio is typically caused by a DC blocking capacitor in line with the speaker. Because those machines typically only had a +ve supply rail, the output amplifier swings the output between gnd and +5v (or +12v, whatever the supply is), so there's a 1/2 rail voltage DC offset on the speaker output, and the blocking cap absorbs this during that 'pop'.<p>So the sound is quite analog, it's an exponentially decaying voltage as the capacitor charges :)
Some searching online in Japanese shows a production date for the RD-9844 as Showa 49 (1974).<p>It's interesting that they released this as Panasonic and not Technics which was already an established Panasonic brand for audio equipment since 1965.
Great explanations of drastically minimalist design.<p>Looks safe to bend... it's interesting to bend drum machines bc the sound and sequencer circuits are quite different. I did that on a tr-626 and it was wild :)
Disclaimer: I have a 505.<p>808 has a modern clone, the TR-08.<p>Also the MC-505 is the predecessor of the 808, can do most of what it does, and was used in a bunch of electronic and alt rock music.<p>Here's an homage album to the 505 on the Beastie Boys' label:<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP4Yga72IIqPRaDpnKiwP9TNZlBqEAssH" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLP4Yga72IIqPRaDpnKiwP...</a><p>If you want a full MIDI piano keyboard + a 505, the JX-305 is a better option.
Cute. I love music made with machines like this: Suicide, Tuxedomoon, Young Marble Giants, etc.<p>The preset reminds me of a somewhat obscure single by an act called Perfect Jewish Couple, which features similarly hissy percussion. I lit up when I first heard it, because I thought they might be the same, but listening again it's clearly a different device.<p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1T-1jPCFtg" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=t1T-1jPCFtg</a>