Drum Machine Revolution: From Rhythmicon to the TR-808

In this episode of Alephic Research, we trace the drum machine’s journey from Henry Cowell’s avant-garde 1931 Rhythmicon to Roland’s legendary TR-808, exploring how technical hiccups and happy accidents spurred musical revolutions. Tune in to discover how these early electronic beat-makers reshaped pop, hip-hop and electronic music—and laid the groundwork for today’s AI-driven rhythm frontier.