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Sequential Circuits TOM

Sequential Circuits TOM

^# 75

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$750.00 Price Tier: High-end

4.5 (4)

3 Critic Reviews

1 Review

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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1 wishlisted

10 saved

Page last updated May 31, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated May 31, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (4)

$750.00 5 available Used

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Average Price: $750

High-end/Boutique

$150

$601+

Price Tier

In the Drum Machines category, Sequential Circuits TOM is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing the Sequential Circuits TOM, a versatile drum machine that brings your beats to life. With an array of 8 distinct sounds including kick, snare, toms, hi-hats, clap, and crash, each sound is given the individual attention it deserves with personal tuning, panning, and volume controls. Embedded with 8 trigger pads, this machine lets you command the rhythm at your fingertips. Equipped with MIDI and a built-in sequencer, the TOM ensures seamless integration and endless possibilities in your musical journey.

Key Features:

8 separate sounds: kick, snare, toms, hi-hats, clap, & crash
Individual tuning, panning & volume controls for each sound
8 trigger pads for hands-on control
MIDI equipped for seamless integration with your existing setup
Built-in sequencer for creating complex rhythms

Product specs

Brand	Sequential
Model	TOM 4-Voice Drum Machine
Finish	Black
Year	1985
Made In	United States
Categories	Drum Machines
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output
Polyphony	4 Voices

FAQs

What type of sounds does the Sequential Circuits TOM drum machine produce?: The Sequential Circuits TOM is known for its classic 1980s digital drum sounds, offering a range of electronic percussion tones ideal for vintage synth-pop and electronic music production.
How does the polyphony of the Sequential Circuits TOM affect its performance?: The TOM features 4-voice polyphony, allowing up to four drum sounds to be played simultaneously, which is suitable for creating layered rhythmic patterns typical of electronic and dance music styles.
Can the Sequential Circuits TOM be integrated with modern MIDI setups?: Yes, the TOM includes both MIDI Input and Output, facilitating integration with modern MIDI setups for synchronized performance and sequencing with other gear.
Is the Sequential Circuits TOM user-friendly for live performances?: The TOM's straightforward interface and MIDI capabilities make it user-friendly for live performances, allowing for quick access to its sounds and easy integration with other MIDI devices.
Does the Sequential Circuits TOM offer any sound customization options?: While primarily a digital drum machine with preset sounds, the TOM allows for some sound manipulation through its onboard controls, providing users with basic customization capabilities.

Videos

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AnalogAudio1

SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS TOM Vintage Drum Machine 1985 | HQ DEMO

AnalogAudio1

SEQUENTIAL CIRCUITS TOM Vintage Drum Machine 1985 | HD DEMO

AnalogAudio1

Classic Drum Machine sounds for the Sequential TOM | UPDATE

Espen Kraft

Sequential Circuits TOM custom cartridges

Harry Axten

Reviews

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PROS

Extensive MIDI implementation allows control over every parameter
Upgradable with TOM-16 board for expanded sound library
Signature 80s clap sound, with options for reversing and panning
Capable of producing crunchy, raw tones with a lot of grit
Offers more programmability and flexibility than similar models
Can be future-proofed for decades of trouble-free beat making

CONS

Original internal power supplies prone to catastrophic failure
Tactile and trigger switches become unreliable over time
Limited to 8 stock internal sounds without modifications
Power supply design is unconventional, replacements hard to find
Some models may have flimsy build quality and iffy triggering

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sequential Circuits TOM.

Features and functionality

0 0

The TOM includes Latin, Contemporary, and Special Effects cartridges, expanding its sound palette beyond typical drum machines.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The TOM is compared to the Linndrum LM2, indicating it competes with high-end vintage drum machines.
Source

User experience

0 0

Owners appreciate the TOM for its unique sound cartridges, which offer a distinct advantage in diverse musical projects.
Source

Critic Reviews

Sequential Circuits TOM | Vintage Synth Explorer

vintagesynth.com

While the Sequential Circuits TOM was a trailblazer in 1985 with its advanced programmability and MIDI capabilities, its electronic sound palette is limited to just eight basic drum sounds. The TOM shines with its extensive sequencing options and modulation flexibility, offering unique features like sound layering and the ability to play sounds in reverse. However, its sound quality lacks the warmth and nostalgia of contemporaries like Roland's TR-X0X series or Linn Drums, making it less appealing to those seeking classic vintage tones. Overall, a quirky piece for the experimental enthusiast.

neutral

Full Review

Sequential Circuits Tom Drum Machine – Synthtopia

synthtopia.com

The Sequential Circuits TOM drum machine is a quirky, vintage gem with unique features like dynamic voice allocation and MIDI control. While its harsh, upfront sound might not blend well with every genre, it’s a perfect fit for those seeking a gritty, industrial vibe. The ability to play sounds in reverse and expand with cartridges offers versatility, but it may not be easy to 'gel' creatively with this machine. Overall, it’s a niche product that some may love for its distinct character, while others might find it challenging to incorporate into their music.

neutral

Full Review

Tasty Tom (ES Sep 85)

muzines.co.uk

Sequential Circuits' TOM drum machine is a versatile and programmable successor to the DrumTraks, offering eight basic sounds and the ability to add new ones via a cartridge slot. While it lacks individual outputs, its MIDI compatibility and programmability, including tuning and volume control, make it a standout. The TOM's sound quality is generally good, with exceptional Latin percussion options. However, its controls feel somewhat cheap, and users are dependent on Sequential for new sound cartridges. Despite these minor drawbacks, TOM is a feature-rich drum machine at a competitive price point, deserving of its positive reception.

positive

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star

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m4ntr0n1c

417

about 6 years ago

Wonderful OldSkool sounds

Some people get easily fooled thinking a Drumtraks is better or more advanced than the Tom; FALSE ! The Tom is the better unit. The only thing a Tom does not have is Individual Outs. Otherwise it has more programmability, flexibility, and it has a cartridge slot so you can load other sounds. It has one of the most legendary 80s clap ever :D Oh and the reverse, and panning options are absolutely worth the purchase of this unit. Of course, the dry sounds will be dry, but they are compressed and gated. Once you pass this unit through a reverb / phaser, delay etc, it becomes alive.

Roles:

Keyboardist Composer Music Producer

Genres:

Electronic Electronica Experimental