Alesis HR 16 K

Here is a video of my latest modified drum machine. This classic drum machine released in 1987 has undergone a transformation allowing the user to coax forth a whole host of eccentric and fantastic new sounds and beats.

From clicking minimal beats, synth and bass tones, bit crushed delays and detuned soundscapes to heavy industrial beats and hard hitting percussion.

I wanted to create an interface that allowed access to the most bend combinations possible but also to be a simple and classic looking interface to use.

I have used an array of rotary switches with position indicator leds, each of which can be patched to any other rotary via the corresponding socket on the patchbay. Furthermore each patchbay socket can be patched into multiple times using stackable banana plug leads allowing several switches to be routed into one etc... The combinations possible are mind boggling.

In addition to the bends is a drum pitch control. This consists of a rotary potentiometer and a toggle switch with an on off indicator led. When in the on position the original system clock is replaced with an oscillator with a range that allows drastic changes in the drum sample pitch with particularly fantastic gritty lows. This mod only affects the sample pitch and in no way affects the sequence speed.

The brushed aluminum panel design was punched out using a milling machine allowing a high level of accuracy for the layout of the mounting holes. Big thanks to Alex for use of the mill and Justin for helpful technical suggestions....

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Alesis HR 16
• Circuit bent
• HR 16 -K

[kymatica82]

Hey there, thanks for the appreciation. The aesthetic of the design is right up there for me when it comes to modification. There are a lot of hacked together bent things being made and sold. I really like the interface to work visually and function well. I'm glad this comes across. I can make up machines to order if anyone is at all interested in having one. Ahem...Also i list on ebay. There is on on there right now .. :)

[Sandhi5000]

I like it, cool sounds! It looks and sounds like there are many possibilities, and I think that the original interface design offers these possibilities in a way that is immediately apparent to the user. cool.

[kymatica82]

@Sandhi5000 Wow thanks for the kind words! yea i really wanted to make it elegant and simple ... i have played around with different control surfaces over the years and previously used patchbays..while cool as they are they are not very playable .. and a bit clunky to use. Im really glad that the interface comes across as intuitive..

thanks :)

[derWarst]

Your gear looks sweet. Well thought through interface. I am so bored with those "creative" random non-interfaces people build on their machines. Or even worse, those really lame patchbays all over the place. How long do they take for you to build?

[marcoleone73]

Circuit bending!  great!

[manufacturedZ3R0]

Hats off to you on the pride you've taken in this. It pisses me off when i see a machine on ebay with two pots and a few switches stuck on listed for £70. 30 versions of distorted bossa nova make for a machine that'll be resigned to the never to be seen again cupboard quickly and it's a waste. Both of a machine and of money.

[manufacturedZ3R0]

Nice layout there. I worked nights in an engineering firm when i started out doing this and used to do engraved and drilled panels for the dd8's and stuff i did. Not much else used to get done but being the night shift inspector and supervisor i always had an excuse ;)

If i'd say one thing here that you should look into is that rom swapping on a machine that can be rom swapped would be a good direction to go. I'm currently deciphering a 505 with this intention.

[rhoggard76]

this has been easily the best looking bent HR16 i have seen to date