Evolution of the drum machine charted in new book, Beat Gems
The coffee table book by Oli Freke and Kim Bjørn explores the evolution of vintage synths, from their early designs to the iconic instruments used today
A new coffee table book is being published charting the evolution of the drum machine.
Written by Oli Freke with photography and design by editor Kim Bjørn, Beat Gems explores the technology behind drum machines and their journey from early designs to the sophisticated models of today.
The book features full-colour photography of early influential hardware including the Wurlitzer Side Man, Ace Tone Rhythm, Elka Drummer One and Maestro Rhythm King, alongside landmark machines such as the Eko ComputeRhythm, CR-78, LinnDrum and Drumulator. Beat Gems also modern classics from brands including Roland’s TR line, Akai’s MPCs, Korg, Yamaha, and Erica Synths.
“When you follow the story of drum machines closely, you quickly realise they were never just timekeepers,” reads the book’s synopsis. “Again and again, musicians took these machines somewhere their makers never expected, and in doing so, changed music.”
The 336-page coffee table book will be published by boutique publishing company Bjooks in October after a successful Kickstarter campaign which raised nearly €56,000, more than double its fundraising goal of €27,000.
Bjooks has previously published books about the Minimoog , Roland, vintage synthesisers, and more .
Freke is also the author of 2021’s Synthesizer Evolution , a book exploring the history, design and technology behind some of the most influential synthesizers ever made, published by Velocity Press .
Last week, a new book exploring the history of dub music was published by White Rabbit Books.
