Tama Techstar 206

o.k., got this on the fleamarket recently and i have to tell you out there about a cheap and easy method to add real analog drumsounds to a midi line-up:
this is an old 2u rackmount unit that consists of two basic synth modules that can (and must) be triggered externally.
i've hooked it up to two indiviual outs of a mpc2000, using a rimshot sample as a trigger impulse.
the rest is pure fun: just twiddling knobs.

two independent modules with individual outs mean you can either create a kickdrum and a snare or two different kick sounds or.... ...whatever.
two modules, right.
each module has a knob for sensitivity (oh, i haven't mentioned this: you can play this thing at different velocity levels which is one thing that is really cool here -cause it sounds very good and convincing-something that a 808 for instance does not feature),
a knob for attack (which doesn't mean attack time as with synths , it in fact is a short click that mixed subtly gives a bit more punch and is essential for good snare emulations-just like in a 909), a decay, a lowpass for the white noise, a bend (sweeps the osc up or down), a knob for the pitch and a mixer that defies the amount of noise vs. oscillator signal, finally there's a knob labeled `emphasis' and i'm not too shure about what it does.
it seems to rise the osc pitch as well as level, makes the patch sound more punchy...
yeah, and then there's a vol pot for each module.
and a switch that says `memory' , flip it and you hear what this unit was once made for: those funny old-fashioned disco electro toms.
with these few knobs you got all you need for those classic analogue drum sounds. cymbals however ar not very cool, cause all you could do to get something remotely resembling a hihat is using the white noise and filter it (sounds like the decay has also some yet subtle effect on the filter).

as mentioned above this thing is best at classic analogue drum sounds, hence interesting for technobillies, hip-hopsters and other fans of this kind of noizes.
it's fat and velocity sensitiv when triggered via the pad inputs.
there however is also a trigger input (feed in the trigger outs of a 606 thereby expanding this lovely little rocker).

i trust in it even though i haven't got it long enough to be experienced in that.
even though it must have been at a barn or something for a while it worked right away when first plugged in and swithed on.

okay, my point here is:
there's these old analogue drum modules out there that nobody really gives a flame about.
they're analogue, sound fat, cost little, can easily be connected to your midi equippment,
you twiddle the knobs and it just rocks (sorry... feeling kinda silly today it seems).
i guess there's similar boxes out there, so if you think this sounds interesting, check it out.