Analog Drum Sounds

[Markyboard]

Disclaimer: I never got into the the whole TR-808/909, Akai MPC, EMU SP-1200 drum machine thing (hated it then, not too excited about it now). Truth be told I was into more realistic drum sounds and still am. I did have a Yamaha RX11 followed by the Roland R-8 back in the digital revolution, so go figure.

 

But anyway, when did analog become a must have for drum sounds, even for new designs? We're not exactly talking evolving textures or too precise static oscillators here, or are we? Is this just one last grab for the analog craze?

[Tusker]

IMHO, analog has always had an edge on low frequency kicks. The rest of the sounds ... well some are fans and others are not ... for the reasons you cited.

 

One nice thing about analog drums, when you modulate the parameters, (decay rate on a bass drum, or if you are using frequency modulation to get your snare sound and you change one of the frequencies) you get some "non-acoustic" responses which can also be attractive.

[Markyboard]

Thanks for the insight. Reminds me of someone describing a real vs virtual Mini-moog. Makes sense that it would have similar characteristics.

[J. Dan]

If you have access, watch the documentary called Modulations.

 

Early on, analog modules where the closest they could get to real drums - that sound was their best effort. Later, samples came out, starting with the Linn drum. Analog drum modules went by the wayside for quite a while. In the days of 90s hip hop, they were dirt cheap and for that reason made their way into hip hop. That along with the electronic/analog resurgence is why they got popular again.