Since the mid-nineties, the DRM1 has been synonymous with electronic drum and percussion sounds based on analog circuitry coupled with an uncompromising control surface. The DRM1 MKIV continues this tradition.

The DRM1 MKIV’s structure

The DRM1 MKIV has eight channels that, like the components of a real drum kit, are specialized to produce specific percussive instruments:

• KICK: Covers a huge spectrum of bass drum sounds from soft to hard and from short to loooooong.
• DRUM 1 and DRUM 2: Toms, tom toms, metallic percussion sounds, wood blocks, bongos, kick drums and more.
• MULTI: Cowbells, Zaps, Laser sounds and Bongos.
• SNARE: All kinds of Snares including Rimshots.
• HIHAT 1 and HIHAT 2: Hihats, Cymbals and Triangles, each in open and closed versions.
• CLAP: Handclaps of all kinds.

Seven handy soft-grip knobs for controlling sound-related parameters, completed with a panorama and a volume control build the heart of each instrument channel. All in all, 73 control elements make the DRM1 MKIV a creative playground for your electronic beats’ phonetic realization.

Connectivity

The instrument channels can be triggered by MIDI via USB or DIN jacks. Optionally, the DRM1 MKIV is available with analog trigger inputs. This allows controlling it by classic analog sequencers with gate signals or realizing its integration in modular systems. In addition, the DRM1 MKIV’s trigger option can convert the analog trigger impulses into MIDI messages. Both, MIDI and trigger inputs support dynamics (velocity).

A classic’s makeover

The MKIV-update starts with lovingly detailed improvements and optimizations to the instrument channels and ends with a complete overhaul of the power supply including the control center and the trigger option. Nevertheless, it remains a DRM1 and thus its original. A list with all changes to the DRM1 MKIV can be found here.