Synsonics Drums from Mattel Electronics - Features & Demo

[Satyagrahaha]

@kptn6 Yes. This was before the Midi insurrection against human musicianship. Had this drum machine. It is really just a toy.... but a GREAT toy and was great for making song demos because it was so easy to use, one didn't get bogged down in the tech side. Limitations... all beats only in 4/4 or divisions of 4. High hat sound became extremely annoying very quickly... and especially annoying was the "spin the tom tuning wheel" while playing syndrome.Yes, new price circa 1982 was about $100 USD.

[RayRayBeats]

i just bought one at a yard sale for 5 dollars! yay! can't wait to use it!

[sebrian]

I had these back in the early 80's. I had hours of fun with then!

[akiratrooper]

Let's play a rock and roll rhythm.

[MorfGworfmim]

thanks for filming/ uploading this : )

[JoyInAFunkyPLace]

cool



[Aliendear]

I got this for $50 at a discount store back then when they were becoming unpopular. It was an amazing instrument, although unsophisticated. It showed 80's technology which was on the rise. 80's technology was fun!!!

[saulocisneros]

@Aliendear : I really like 80's technology. Today I just bought an old drum machine (Suzuki RPM-40 for the US or Siel MDP-40 for Europe) and a Tama Techstar TS-204 which is a drum synth / clap generator ... paid 40dlls for both! :)

[SplitHoof]

Nice Demo

[Jing0j0nes]

Brilliant. These things are sheer greatness in a plastic case. Buy one, everyone buy one. The world can sort out it's differences with a bossanova.

Great stuff.

[comontoe]

Great machine. I´m always amazed by all the features they put into a toy those days. It also has this DIN input, where You can put a HH and Kick pedal. I´ve never seen the original pedals, but it´s easy to build, the cool part is, it kind of syncs to the kick. tap tempo style

[VJFranzK]

@comontoe It's too bad this ISN'T a new toy but an old one. The kids electronic drum sets they make now are so bad!

Great review / demo, Saulo! I'll be looking for one of these at the second hand store now...

btw - I don't recognize your accent - where are you from, if I may ask?

[saulocisneros]

@VJFranzK : I live in Tijuana. That's the North Mexico/USA border. So I grew up speaking spanish and watching TV from USA. I don't speak spanglish though.. it sucks!

[RetroToledo]

@saulocisneros It's OK. Nice though for those like you who lived close to the border to watch such fine American stations as ours.

[echoes92]

Gene ween used these on "Synthetic Sox"

[schwixol]

yes batteries, no internal speaker.

[Lachlant1984]

I take it you're using the unit with external speakers, does it have its own internal speaker? Can you power the unit on batteries?

[Rhythmicons]

@Lachlant1984 It has RCA outs and a phones out, both of which are pretty noisey.

[djfoil]

I wanted those drums my entire childhood. I could not afford them, think they were 100.00. I even bought drum sticks to use when some day I would have enough money.

[Aliendear]

@djfoil $300 i believe

[RoyVanNistelrooij]

I got that weird retro thing at the swap meet for 3 bucks... at least i know how to use it now xD

cool

[cograilfan]

I just bought ure drums, COOL BEANS

[saulocisneros]

@cograilfan

I'm looking at some eBay auctions because I want 'em back LOL!