The First Modern Drum Machine | Eko Computerhythm

The Eko Computerhythmfrom 1972 was so ahead of its time that it found almost more fame as a prop in Italian Sci-Fi movies than as an instrument. In a time when a drum machine was all corny preset rhythms, the Eko featured 16 step programming, time division, mixing, individual outs and a punch card memory. Only 15 are known to exist today and it is frequently rated as one of the rarest and most expensive drum machine.

In this video you will find information on its history, its makers and hear it in all its glory.

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[mm]

it was for me a pleasure to bring this wonderful machine back to life.

[AndyKing]

Chris Franke: Sound On Sound, December 1994: “The Rhythm Controller was a surprise; it came from Italy, from a company called EKO, who made all these cheap warehouse organs. They had come up with this science-fiction-looking machine, a console with eight rows of 16 big knobs which lit up! It worked like a sequencer, which was great, because there were no drum machines in those days. I could programme a rhythm that the machine could remember. It was completely analogue, you pushed the buttons and they made the contact - and it was polyphonic! The lights blinked, like on an early Moog sequencer. And when the sequence or rhythm was still running I could change it, I could delete, skip, and change the rhythm while it was playing. I always liked this aspect of any sequencer. The internal sounds were pretty lousy, but the control panel looked great, and was nice to operate. Later, I built trigger outputs and triggered other synths with the thing, so it became a controller. Years later, I saw Manuel Göttsching play it live on stage in Paris”.

[the_waxen_pith]

It brings a new meaning to the phrase “waiting for the beat to drop”

[jjjohny_a]

so cool those beats from somthing in 1972 ...i love too see someone to go deep on all the old Italian synths

[VoloviaUk]

I played for hours when it come out. My uncle founded the EKO and my dad helped to run it. They made cool things!

[GillesVandenoostende]

That punchcard reader! Almost seems quicker than the UI of most sequencers

[AlexBallMusic]

1972! That is way head isn't it, I think I'd forgotten how ahead of its time it was, even though I've known of it for years thanks to JJM.

It's also brilliant that they've tracked down the creators, that opportunity won't be available in the coming decades!

Sounds so punchy and alive even now and then the Uranus 2 enters! Delicious. I really have to make it my mission to get over there to see all that beautiful stuff, looks like heaven.

[InVisionsynthmindscape]

In assoluto la mia drum machine preferita di sempre un grazie a tutti quelli che hanno contribuito a realizzarla, grazie per la condivisione di questo bel video.
Absolutely my favorite drum machine ever thanks to everyone who helped make it, thanks for sharing this great video.

[destroyerofcitysduck]

The absolute joy in the words "Can I play it?" made me smile.

[MPHORROCKS]

What a fantastic interface. You can see your drums bouncing around in real time! So clear and satisfying. Warm tones too! Just fabulous! :)

[uly]

Recognized it immediately from Oxygene! Looks amazing too, pure 70s bliss.

[aeonhorizonmusic]

OMG, this must felt like being in paradise! I would love to visit that place too. And wow, this machine was a hugely amount of time ahead in the history of electronic music. Thanks for this video! Thumbs up!

[patkelly]

Recently deceased Reggae and Dub Legend Lee Perry also used one of these in a couple of mid-70s tracks.

[kdpba]

Absolutely love the aesthetic. Very utility

[djjuno]

This is amazing..and we owe the creator a place in history for giving us the blueprint on which all drum machines and drum programming is based on this.
It’s in superb condition too it looks like new.

[modeswitching]

The raised panel and multiple track lanes is so perfect for performance, both from a player and and an audience standpoint.

[youngstellarobjects]

That drone in the end is absolutely magnificent with the reverb.

[reggiep]

You could feel the excitement when you heard 'CAN I PLAY IT!?' (fireworks blasting away!)

[carlosnavarro]

What a beautiful and unique instrument: no doubt from a time of original thinking and real innovation, no recipes, smart people had not fear to take big risk on pursuing their dreams. Many thanks for sharing this wonderfull video document!

[VJFranzK]

It's still a very usable UI, more so than some now. ; - ) menus begone!