Rides In The Storm, known for its commitment to high-quality electronic music instruments, has recently announced a new development: the Rhythm Rides. This upcoming release is an 8-track analog drum machine, currently in its development phase. Many enthusiasts may recognize Uwe George, the driving force behind Rides In The Storm, from his previous work with MFB, a name synonymous with innovative analog gear in the electronic music scene. Therefore, anticipation is building for what this new instrument will bring to the table.

The company’s philosophy underpins the design and expected performance of the Rhythm Rides. Rides In The Storm emphasizes the use of Single Ended Discrete circuits combined with high-quality components. This approach is intended to deliver a unique sound philosophy, distinguishing their products in a crowded market. Moreover, their Berlin and Sofia-based team focuses on developing original ideas and circuits, ensuring that each module and instrument, including the forthcoming drum machine, offers a distinct sonic character.

The Discrete Analog Advantage

Rides In The Storm’s design methodology heavily favors discrete components in the signal path. This means utilizing individual semiconductors, resistors, and capacitors instead of integrated circuits (ICs) for core functions. As a result, this allows for greater control over sound parameters and qualities, enabling the engineers to tailor the circuitry to achieve specific sonic outcomes. For instance, they can customize schematics to avoid limitations often found in off-the-shelf ICs. Furthermore, discrete designs offer enhanced schematic flexibility and better heat dissipation characteristics, which are crucial for optimal performance in analog circuits.

The company’s commitment to this approach impacts various aspects of the instrument’s sound. They meticulously design gain stages and buffers, employing single-ended or differential push-pull configurations, and biasing them in Class A. This careful engineering allows for precise control over harmonic distortion, contributing to a rich and musical timbre. Additionally, efforts are made to minimize noise throughout the signal path, except where a noise generator is intentionally included. Therefore, users can expect a clean and defined sound across the entire frequency spectrum, a quality often sought after in studio environments.

Crafting Sonic Purity with Premium Components

Component selection is another cornerstone of Rides In The Storm’s design ethos, significantly influencing the final sound of their instruments. They predominantly use SMD (Surface-Mount Device) components, citing their advantages in minimizing parasitic inductances and capacitances, which can otherwise introduce unwanted effects. While the debate between SMD and through-hole components is ongoing, the company asserts that modern SMD parts, when chosen correctly, offer superior performance. They also select high-quality capacitors based on dielectric material and production technology, often designing circuits to minimize the total number of capacitors in the signal path. Similarly, resistors are chosen for their thin metal film, low thermal drift, and 1% accuracy, ensuring stability and precision.

Furthermore, internal voltage regulators and references are employed to ensure stable operation and prevent detuning or inconsistent performance across different environments. This attention to detail extends to discrete semiconductors, where high bandwidth, high gain, and low noise types are used. Matched pairs and super-matched transistor arrays are also integrated into differential circuitry, contributing to the instrument’s overall accuracy and sonic integrity. Consequently, the Rhythm Rides drum machine is expected to inherit these qualities, providing producers with a reliable and sonically rich tool.

Features (Expected based on Company Philosophy)

• Pure, majestic analog sound with high resolution.
• Utilizes discrete circuitry in the signal path for nuanced sound shaping.
• High-quality, meticulously selected components (SMD, premium caps/resistors).
• Advanced PCB design (multilayer) for reduced crosstalk and noise.
• Custom-designed schematics ensuring a unique sonic signature.
• Stable internal voltage references for consistent performance.

The Rhythm Rides is currently in development, and specific pricing and release dates are yet to be announced. However, given Rides In The Storm’s track record and design principles, this analog drum machine promises to be a valuable addition to any electronic music setup.

More info: Rides In The Storm | Rhythm Rides