DrumTraks History — Sequential Circuits

DrumTraks

TheDrumtraks, also referred to as theDrumtraks Model 400, is adrum machinereleased by the American companySequentialin 1984. It was one of first drum machines on the market to featureMIDIcontrol, after theRoland TR-909. The Drumtraks was Sequential's first drum machine and its firstsample-based product. It was designed at Sequential in San Jose byDave Smith, Steve Salani, Donna Murray, and Chris Meyer, who wrote the MIDI software. The units were built in Japan which allowed Sequential to keep the price down.

OverviewThe Sequential Circuits DrumTraks, released in 1984, was a digital drum machine offering 12-bit samples and comprehensive sequencing. This innovative instrument featured 13 drum sounds, individual level controls, and 100 memory locations for patterns and songs.
The DrumTraks was notable for being one of the first drum machines with MIDI implementation, allowing synchronization with other MIDI equipment. The individual outputs allowed processing each drum sound separately.
The DrumTraks competed with the LinnDrum and Oberheim DMX in the mid-1980s drum machine market. It remains collectible for its distinctive sound and historical significance in MIDI development.