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Average Price: $608
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Description
The National Automatic Rhythm, a rare gem from the 1970s, is an analog drum machine that embodies the warmth and character of vintage Japanese craftsmanship. Designed by National/Panasonic, this rhythm box is perfect for musicians seeking a nostalgic touch in their soundscapes. With its touch-strip control and lo-fi percussion sounds, the SY-50 offers an array of woody rhythm patterns that capture the essence of early electronic music.
Perfect for dub, synthwave, lo-fi, or leftfield electronic music, the National Automatic Rhythm is a versatile tool for producers and songwriters alike. Its unique ability to combine multiple rhythms simultaneously allows for creative experimentation, making it a hidden treasure for studio sessions. Although originally designed for the Japanese market, this unit requires a step-down transformer for use in other regions, ensuring its authentic vintage operation.
Each unit is freshly serviced and in excellent working order, ensuring reliability despite its age. While its exterior may show signs of its storied past, the National Automatic Rhythm remains a testament to timeless design and functionality. Whether you're jamming in the studio or sampling for your latest track, this drum machine promises to deliver a rich, warm sound that modern equipment often lacks.
Key Features:
- Vintage 1970s Japanese analog drum machine
- Touch-strip control for start/stop functions
- Classic lo-fi percussion sounds
- Unique capability to layer multiple rhythm patterns
- Requires a step-down transformer for use outside Japan
- Recently serviced and in excellent working condition
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Sold on Reverb.com in 2018 for charity.
This National Automatic Rhythm is part of the private legendary drum machine collection of Moby.
National is a brand name belonging to Matsushita electronics, who are better known outside Japan under another brand name, Panasonic. I’m not aware of other musical instruments sold under the National name, so I was surprised to see this drum machine show up for sale.
Until 2009, Matsushita used the National name almost exclusively for home appliances (washing machines, microwaves etc.), keeping the Panasonic name for audio & video, so a National drum machine was unexpected… This drum machine is pretty standard for the era, similar to a Rhythm Ace. It does have three cancel switches (snare, clave, cymbal), which provides a little extra versatility, and a somewhat different set of preset rhythms (eg. Teen Beat, African Beat and Kwela).
The sounds are standard for the time: tuned bass drum, toms, percussion and snare “bottom”, noise burst for cymbal, maracas and snare. As usual for this kind of device, multiple preset buttons can be pressed at the same time, creating variations I’m sure even the designers didn’t really expect… Following is a scan of the original Japanese spec sheet. The list price was 56,000 yen, which amounts to more than 600 US dollars… Ouch! But that’s OK because it had a fantastic “touch start” feature!
Serial: 721088. Works without issue.
All items in Moby's Drum Machine Collection ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and include a signed and embossed Certificate Of Authenticity from Moby
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The successor version: http://estecho.com/2016/12/national-automatic-rhythm-sy-50/
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