Released by MPC Electronics, started by Mike Cox and Clive Button, the British born company, based in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, was sold off to Akai in 1984. Akai would release the legendary MPC60 several years later in December of 1988, a collaboration with engineer Roger Linn.
Here's a little tidbit on the company.
This machine combined analog and digital technology and could be played in one of three ways: as a stand alone instrument, as a drum machine using the onboard processor, or by linking it to a personal home computer like the Timex Sinclair 1000 or the Sinclair ZX81 for step or real-time programming of rhythm.
Built into a flight case and weighing about 24 lbs, interfacing it with a computer allowed you to expand the memory capability up to 26 bars, letting you write or delete any beat or bar and store or recall any rhythm program. Complete rhythm tracks can be loaded onto cassette for future use. Each came with a pre-recorded cassette of complete rhythm tracks to help familiarize you with the unit.
The drum pads have Piezo crystal contact mics fitted below them. The sounds for the pads are toms 1 to 4, or toms 3 and 4, cymbal and clap for the top; and snare, bass drum, closed and open hi-hats on the bottom.
References: Electronics & Music Maker magazine, December 1983; Muzines.
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