KORG: MINI POPS 3 / UNIVOX: SUPER RHYTHMER SR-55 INFO PAGE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date = 1969 + 1971

Country = Japan

Type = Analogue

Drum Voices = 15

Rhythms = 20 + 12 Patterns (Preset)

Rhythm Combining = Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Korg Mini Pops 3 was introduced in 1969 but Korgs model numbering of this period seems to defy any logical explanation. For example; the Mini Pops 7 was released 1967 and the Mini Pops 5 in 1968... confused?

For the American market, Korg (or Keio as they were then known) were importing their equipment under the "Univox" brand name. Univox began to market the MP-3 in 1971, calling it the SR-55 "Super Rhythmer". The name "drum machine" had yet to be thought up so all the early Univox machines were known as "rhythmers".

The Mini Pops 3 was a budget version of the classic "Jean-Michel Jarre" Mini Pops 7. It was built like a tank and came in a solid plywood box with big clunky switches and over-sized solid aluminium knobs. Even the power lamp is over-sized and wouldn't look out of place sitting on top of a Dalek! They definitely don't make 'em like this any more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

So how does it sound? Well, depending on how you like your analogue, the MP-3 is rougher than the MP-7. It shares many similar percussion sounds but what comes out is just a bit more dirty, (that's dirty as in good). It sounds slightly fuzzy and when cranked up it pumps with a heavy overdriven analogue compression effect. We spotted one of these Univoxes in an old black & white photo of Lee Perry's Black Ark studio in the mid seventies. I guess that answers that burning question then, (pun intended). There are also stories that Kraftwerk used an MP-3 as well. If they did, I think they probably robbed the circuitry to make Wolfgang & Karl's "Knitting Needle & Tea Tray" electronic drum pads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The rhythm patterns are standard for the era but it does have a unique section for combining 6 types of kick & snare and 6 hi-hat patterns for the Fox Trot and Swing Rhythms, (making 72 possible combinations) and like most other machines of this type, the patterns can be combined by selecting multiple rhythms. In the interest of "having a life" you'll forgive us if we provide the basic rhythms here though - 72 combinations of foxtrot and swing are enough to drive anyone insane! Quick rant: It really does make us laugh when we read in respected magazines about how Jean-Michel Jarre's Mini Pops had a "fault" that enabled him to combine patterns! Obviously these journo's have no experience of vintage drum machines! "Guys, they ALL do it... they were SUPPOSED to!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

The "balance" control on this unit is a simple tone control and lacks the flexibility of similar Roland machines of this era, (where the actual level of hat to kick & snare is changed). In other words, it's just a tone control and not a lot of use for isolating the kick or hats... but if there were just two words to say about this machine, they would be "the kick" (enough said). This machine has a lot of character, looks fantastic (it's bigger than you think) and bridges the gap nicely between the Mini Pops 7 and the monster SR-120.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Pack Info:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycle RX2 Loops:

Single drum hits (WAV):

This sample set contains 18 four bar loops. There are two additional very basic rhythms on this machine but (as it says above) these have been omitted as they would have generated a further 72 variations of what are fairly boring foxtrot type rhythms and made this pack too expensive. We offer up the best instead.

This set contains a whopping 174 individual drum hits:

32 Kicks, 32 Snares, 64 Hi-Hat/Cymbals and 48 percussion sounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's so special about these sample packs? Quite simply, there isn't anywhere on the internet or in any commercial sample library where you can get this stuff. We made these samples because nobody else has.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Dubsounds sample packs are sampled directly from our own drum machines. They are definitely NOT ripped from sample CD's, unlike many you see on Ebay at the moment, (which is a bit sad). All the rhythms are recorded directly into Pro-Tools from the machine's audio output and are not equalised, compressed or effected in any way. We want you to have the closest thing to the real machine as possible but with the added benefits of seamless integration into your VST host. The only thing we have done is to CAREFULLY remove any unwanted electrical noise and hum present in the signal, (if required) and taking extreme care to avoid damaging the delicate percussive transients. These samples were made for our own use first and foremost!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mini Pops MP-3 - 18 loops - 174 hits - (15Mb download)

£ 12.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note:

Before buying; please make sure that you have read the information on the drum sounds intro page