Synthoid Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I'm working on a "history of keyboards" presentation and have been searching online articles to discover the first keyboard manufacturer (I assume it would be an organ) to incorporate an on-board "rhythm section." So far it looks like Lowrey wins the prize, but I wanted ask the experts here to weigh in as well. What's the verdict? Thanks. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 So far it looks like Lowrey wins the prize What year was that? Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_machine Moe --- "I keep wanting to like it's sound, but every demo seems to demonstrate that it has the earth-shaking punch and peerless sonics of the Roland Gaia. " - Tusker http://www.hotrodmotm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 So far it looks like Lowrey wins the prize What year was that? From what I've read, it was the late 60's. (Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ). When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_machine Thanks... that's a great history of drum machines with a few references to their use with organs. However, if you read my first post, I'm looking for the first keyboard (or organ) manufacturer who actually had the rhythm device(s) on-board. Doesn't have to be a drum machine, just anything that provided a rhythm or arpeggiator. When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnotherScott Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 From what I've read, it was the late 60's. (Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO-1 organ). My old Hammond N-312 had a rhythm unit, it was from 1969, I doubt it was the first... Maybe this is the best place for a shameless plug! Our now not-so-new new video at https://youtu.be/3ZRC3b4p4EI is a 40 minute adaptation of T. S. Eliot's "Prufrock" - check it out! And hopefully I'll have something new here this year. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iLaw Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I'll push the date back quite a bit, to around 1800. Maelzel's panharmonicon. A keyboard instrument, but check out these programmable drums: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_NQ0I6P_7mRw/TET0hH4DNPI/AAAAAAAAAAY/sRfeFFyuDVI/s400/historyjpgs_panharm1.jpg Larry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted March 9, 2012 Author Share Posted March 9, 2012 The Lowrey Berkshire Deluxe TBO organ was manufactured in 1966 (the TBO-1 appeared in 1968). From what I've read... they offered various drum sounds as well as: Staccato, Auto Orchestra, Arpeggio and Marimba Repeat functions. Famous for Baba O'Riley... http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/images/gtrs/71_homestudio-side.jpg When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Klopmeyer Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I think it was the Lowrey, but that's just an educated guess. Marketing Communications for MI/Pro Audio My solo music and stuff They Stole My Crayon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 http://www.rolandclan.com/media/78/Rhythm_Ace.jpg Well, the first transistor rhythm box was the Ace Tone Rhythm Ace which was a big lust-for device for home organ owners in the 60's (yes, I was there). "First" is a big word... many contraptions can claim to be "first" but this is closest thing to modern drum machines that I know of. I still love it's cheezy electronic-samba sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Beaumont Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 I think the Seeburg Select-A-Rhythm might be before that. It came out in 1964 your link to the Roland site says 1970. http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3136/2972083304_1963e79988.jpg This came out in 1959 but it used vacuum tubes: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuXmkLjAw-4/TaSTKuUhRGI/AAAAAAACUKk/gA0SjNqNzPE/s400/wurli.jpg Boards: Kurzweil SP-6, Roland FA-08, VR-09, DeepMind 12 Modules: Korg Radias, Roland D-05, Bk7-m & Sonic Cell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
resigned Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The earliest model Ace Tone R1 Rhythm Ace was debuted at Summer NAMM in 1964. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tompass Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 http://therumpus.net/2011/04/swinging-modern-sounds-29-the-museum-of-broken-things/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iLaw Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 The Wurlizer Sideman! It's got a drawbar! [video:youtube] Larry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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