From geoff@apanix.apana.org.auThu May 11 10:50:18 1995 Date: Thu, 11 May 1995 14:52:52 +0930 (CST) From: geoff@apanix.apana.org.au To: analogue@hyperreal.com Subject: Drumfire by ... > Does anyone know who manufactured the DRUMFIRE df-500 drum machine? If that's the thinnish grey box that used unusually-coloured "sensors" a couple inches across as triggers, then its made by Vestax. Originally designed to be a 5-channel electronic enhancement for standard drums - you tape the brightly-colour-coded sensor heads to the skins or shell of the drum (or practice pad). The synthesis box was a relatively crude (by the day's standards - you could get a sampled-drum machine for the same price) set of analogue "drum noise" simulators. Modified T-ring oscillators with enhancements, and mostly discrete, too. Sound maker only, no programmability or sequencability. You plugged it in, you twiddled knobs - lots of itty bitty ones not much bigger than a pot shaft - and you hit the sensors, or whatever they're attatched to. Think *really* cheap Simmons 1st-generation sound, with a dash of Synare thrown in for good measure. They didn't sell well, but some people found the sensors were usable enough on their own, just taping them to a surface so they don't slide anywhere and then "playing" them with your fingers was heaps of fun. A good example of a performance with this "instrument" (which can't be seen) can be found on a videocassette of the British comedy, "The Young Ones", episode "Summer Holiday" (Rick, Vyv, Neil and Mike get their grades, guest appearances by Lenny Henry and Dawn French). In one scene, the four lads are srenaded by a performance duo in raggybaggy togs, one playing the guitar (badly), and the other sang and played himself. Also badly. But he had five of these sensors scattered throughout his clothing, and go make drummy noises he slaps himself on his thighs, both buttocks and his chest. Most wierd, and highly amusing. Geoffrey -- Really? Geoffrey Peters, Macintosh Support Wizard, geoff@tara.apana.org.au ----------------------------------- It is not permitted for this message, in whole or in part, | Disclaimer: to appear on The Microsoft Network or affiliated networks. | It's my mind.