A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument that creates percussion sounds, drum beats, and patterns. Drum machines may imitate drum kits or other percussion instruments, or produce unique sounds, such as synthesized electronic tones. A drum machine often has pre-programmed beats and patterns for popular genres and styles, such as pop music, rock music, and dance music. Most modern drum machines made in the 2010s and 2020s also allow users to program their own rhythms and beats. Drum machines may create sounds using analog synthesis or play prerecorded samples.
A BOSS DR-3 Dr. Rhythm drum machine
Rhythmicon (1932) and Joseph Schillinger, a music educator
Wurlitzer Sideman (1959, inner view)
Seeburg/Gulbransen Rhythm Prince using a mechanical wheel, as seen on bailed out left panel
Electronic musical instrument
An electronic musical instrument or electrophone is a musical instrument that produces sound using electronic circuitry. Such an instrument sounds by outputting an electrical, electronic or digital audio signal that ultimately is plugged into a power amplifier which drives a loudspeaker, creating the sound heard by the performer and listener.
Robert Moog, inventor of the Moog synthesizer
Diagram of the clavecin électrique
Telharmonium console by Thaddeus Cahill 1897
Theremin (1924)