🎧 About This Episode

In this week's episode of TDL Synth Chat, I talk with Oli Freke, author of the acclaimed Synth Evolutions book, about his new project — a deep dive into the world of vintage drum machines.

From the Korg Mini Pops and Roland TR-606 to the Boss DR-55 and Yamaha RX17, Oli explores how these classic rhythm boxes shaped the sound of pop, synthwave, and electronic music.

We also hear demos, rare stories, and insights into how drum machines evolved from the 1960s through the 2000s — and how their influence can still be heard in today's music production.

If you're a fan of vintage gear, synth history, or just love the warm, gritty sound of classic analog beats, this episode is not to be missed.

🕒 Chapters / Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
00:37 – Oli Freke returns to TDL Synth Chat
01:02 – New drum machine book project
02:05 – Why drum machines define entire eras of sound
03:06 – Researching over 1,000 drum machines
04:23 – Demonstrating five classic drum machines
05:01 – Korg Mini Pops Junior (1971)
10:01 – Famous uses: R.E.M., Echo & The Bunnymen, Jean-Michel Jarre
12:27 – Boss DR-55 demo
20:07 – Roland TR-606: programming the legend
28:02 – Korg DDM-110 sound demo
34:03 – Yamaha RX17 demo and programming
41:04 – How drum machines shaped music history
42:04 – Where to find Oli's books and posters