Drumcomputers | Oberheim DMX | Ten Classic Patterns (1981)
The DMX is a programmable digital drum machine manufactured by Oberheim Electronics. It was introduced in 1981 and remained in the company's product line until the mid-1980s.
1981-10-26 17:09:30 - Oberheim
The Oberheim DMX was the second digital drum machine ever to be sold as a commercial product, following the Linn LM-1 Drum Computer in 1980. Its popularity among musicians of the era contributed to the sound and evolution of 1980s new wave, synthpop and hip hop music.
The DMX features 24 individual drum sounds derived from 11 original samples and allows for a maximum 8-voice polyphony; one voice per card. It also featured eight separate outputs for individual processing, and allowed up to 100 sequences and 50 songs. One of the distinguishing features of the DMX is that it allowed integration with Oberheim's proprietary interfacing system (the Oberheim Parallel Buss) that pre-dated MIDI and allowed Oberheim equipment to be synchronized with the machine. Later models included factory-fitted MIDI ports and third party companies also manufactured MIDI interfaces for the DMX.
The DMX's punchy and realistic drum sound made it attractive towards many artists and producers involved in the fledging hip-hop scene and it is featured on many of the genre's early landmark recordings. It is in continuous use in dancehall reggae music. Artists that have used the DMX include New Order on their 1983 single "Blue Monday", the Police on "Every Breath You Take" (kick drum only), and Rod Stewart on "Young Turks".