Processing Drum Machines with a 70s Boss KM-60 Mixer

A little spin through a Boss KM-60 from 1979. Like many pieces from this era, people have subsequently found uses for them that weren’t what they were originally intended for.
In the case of the KM-60, it’s since found a second life as a device for processing and mangling drums, which I’m demonstrating here.
I particularly liked what it did to a TR-707 with a TB-303 in tow.
Apologies for the voice sound quality in places, I was experimenting with a lapel mic for the first time and inadvertently had a setting on it that added an extreme (and horrible) digital compressor/limiter. I couldn’t be bothered to re-record the entire thing all over again, so it is what it is. Sorry.
Anyway, hope you enjoy the demo and thanks for watching.
alexballmusic
Facebook.com/alexballmusic

[@AlexBallMusic]

If you want to skip to the results: 6:30 - DX 7:50 - Drumtraks 9:22 - TR-707 + TB-303

[@javiceres]

The nice Drumtraks part brings NIN feelings to me. Which is great.

[@AlexBallMusic]

@tinylilmatt Is PWL Pete Waterman Limited? I might be borrowing a Linn-9000 at some point and that's _the_ SAW machine. If that happens I'll talk about them for sure.

[@AllenSmithe]

@@AlexBallMusic Any idea what a fair price for one of these mixers is? There's one for sale here locally but I can't find any other offers to really compare to.

[@fjfrancois]

Alex how clean is the audio on this mixer

[@RobFlaxMusic]

Drumtraks bit SLAPS.

[@edwallace3704]

I wish I had videos like this when I was 18 . We only had future music and sound on sound magazine

[@Umtree]

No you don’t. It’s because of KZbin ever teenager and his friend wants this old gear. Driving prices up and up. I enjoyed my analog gear in the 90’s when it was still accessible and a good price.

[@edwallace3704]

@@Umtree it's happens to everything old and vintage , it all becomes collectable and expensive.

[@edwallace3704]

@tinylilmatt I kept all mine too bro . It's amazing what you can do with software these days . I used to use an Atari st with cubase . Ah the memories

[@devonhansen7705]

i used to pass entire mixes through this in three busses using the individual in/outs. it's great for harsh distorted stuff but also amazing for subtle amounts of grit that really bring a track to life.

[@imageofsin]

this might actually be THE VIDEO that convinces me to finally get a drumtraks

[@AlexBallMusic]

I did a video on it where I gave away all the samples. You can "try before you buy". kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX_ZgmmhfraKq5o

[@djlukestein]

Cheers for putting this out. great you see the different ranges

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

Geez! I would’ve thought that my Roland DJ2000 mixer was an item that was completely planned starting from a clean slate, but this totally proves to have been a likely inspiration. That band pass filter or ‘Low-cut’ section completely reminds me of this ‘isolator’ section on the DJ2000. I’d say that without a doubt there’s a whole lot more similarity than anyone would really have guessed in the beginning. And what do you figure I’ve used my DJ2000 for? Mixing beats of course, but it really does it’s best duties when you use it to process those drums!! THANKS FOR SHARING! It’s always a relief to know that all this old gear will always be willing to live on and keep working just as hard as before, and never really completely fade away!

[@mrclaytron]

Oh man this sounds awesome! I love seeing new life and purpose breathed into old gear. Nice t-shirt, by the way!

[@user-qf4zs6qj4c]

That Drumtraks groove is phenomenal.

[@mcdosia420]

Love my KM60!! Great video man. That jam with the 707 and 303 was banging!!

[@MaxDeaconVR]

Sound fantastic, Alex. Really punchy and industrial. Last one made me start headbanging. This isn't the first time I see someone recommending an old mixer but this time the effect is really obvious.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Yes, I don't think my 303 as ever sounded as good as it did through the KM-60 with the bass cranked. Ooph.

[@kikkirow]

This is so amazing! Also hearing NIN influences and Aphex Twin acid sounds. What a great job.

[@MrLouloulepoux]

the toms of the DX sounded like an 808 bass drum! Awesome

[@AlexBallMusic]

Becomes like a boomy tone rather than a tom. I liked it.

[@MOON_BOYS]

I have that mixer, and the difference it makes can be the gentlest distortion or huge screams. Looove it!

[@bigkingsha]

Yes SIR - LOVE this. You have taken this old gear and went brainiac on it! Everything sounds tonally great - good retro feel! You should produce a mixtape with these wonderful boxes!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks! Hopefully doing a more elaborate follow up mixer / synth video.

[@bitrexgm]

that's a hot track with the 707 and 303!!!!

[@ComposerChristopherJ]

Awesome! About to run a 626 through an old Allen and Heath 6x2 MiniMix, and you gave me the perfect tutorial. Cheers!

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

Upset I let an old Roland 8 track mixer pass me at the second hand store. Showing your results with the DX makes me want to dust off the old DX in the old studios cupboard and run it through that mixer. Great stuff in this video. Inspirational.

[@weststarr2046]

Maaan...you got a true GEM. Like a lot that warm and distorted sound. BREAK all now my friend...👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾😁!!!

[@PaulVonZeppelin]

A sample pack would be killer! Those hihats are dope and I love the random snare!

[@robgs]

Love the clip at 8:00 - Sounds like a mad Terminator 2 disco beat.

[@tonyjackson5261]

That was nice and refreshing I use to do things like that. Make me look at old gear again, it also makes me think of going old school rerecording too.

[@anthonybrett]

Nice and gritty! Loved it. I need to process my drums more.

[@tafkamp]

I bought my KM-60 cheap as hell, when it heats up it starts smelling like a garbage can lol. But it warms up everything you put into it so nicely!

[@Ohmloud]

Dude realy great acid/indusrial techno/rythmic noise tunes!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, was a fun experiment.

[@Zardoz66]

That 303 and 707 combo was the bomb. love some that kind of 80 acid sound...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, think that combo was probably my favourite.

[@javiceres]

Totally agree

[@DEADLINETV]

Very impressive and really cool! Great video, Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@XavierRadix]

Trent Reznor would be proud...

[@AlexBallMusic]

Was thinking that the Drumtraks went a bit NiN.🤘

[@oiartsun]

@Justin O'Nine Yep. I was gonna chime in with Esplendor Geometrico and SPK

[@95SouthProductions]

So would Prince :)

[@curtis_chip]

Justin O'Nine and? yeah mate we know it

[@bastiaanw3519]

@Justin O'Nine Why can't they ALL be proud? Them AND Trent Reznor.

[@depauleable]

This was delightful

[@LouisSerieusement]

9:20 ... Thank you so much for that moment Alex, I really love when you do acid stuff, especially in an oldschool way like that !! Love your channel :p

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Yeah, Acid sounds just right through that mixer.

[@Axiomstatic]

This is a brilliant mixer Alex

[@jesserickard1041]

oh man that was so nostalgic and I loved your acid house at the end.the drumtraks was really reminiscent of nine inch nails. but man, that roland demo at the end, so good.

[@desmond3905]

Dope stuff! real pleasing saturation indeed!

[@TTSetters]

Fantastic. I have an old Roland M-24E 24 channel analog mixer that was given to me MANY MANY years ago, even has the manual. I just recently started plugging in a few things and figuring out how the effects loops work, bus, etc. There is some crazy crazy stuff that happens when you start turning knobs. I don't even read what the knobs are anymore, I just start twisting stuff and weird sounds come out and it's great haha.

[@sotosonic413]

Awesome, thanks Alex!

[@MoonLanta]

sickk and gritty tones you got mate! Well done. I'd see and dance to a live show of just the Drumtraks through this sucker!!

[@JoeyLevenson]

I found a few of these. Never thought of using them for processing. Sounds good.

[@HAZARDOUS88]

Great video, sounds so good!

[@EspenKraft]

Finally got around to watch this and it's always refreshing to watch your videos Alex, especially when you make up a sound that's dirty and spikey and very different from my own. Love it! Cheers :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Espen. Yes, I have a love for things that are clean and crisp and things that are gnarly and gritty. Nice to slide between them I find. Interestingly I ran a bunch of things through that mixer and polysynths sounded pretty terrible. It's really just a drum masher or monosynth squasher.

[@madagreement]

Like the others, this is so INDUS ! Well done mate. AGAIN !!!

[@MeatyController]

Such a handsome mixer

[@Vintageaudionagoya]

Enjoyed that!

[@robertsyrett1992]

That's exactly the sort of gear Roland should reissue . edit: That last demo with the el cap and 303 was AMAZING. Would love more of that in my music rotation.

[@joshkorody7376]

Check out Enrique on Bank Records.

[@joshkorody7376]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqjYg4yClqaNas0

[@robertsyrett1992]

@@joshkorody7376 ty!

[@ShadowPilot]

7:59 Industrialgasm. So cool!

[@chriskelvin248]

drumtraks sequence gets my vote!!!! (also obsessed with the prophet font "drumtraks"- so tasty!)

[@mudsh4rk]

This makes me wish these things weren't like $500 but also makes me appreciate why they are.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, they do something very desirable and so up the prices go!

[@comesect]

nice, glad this was recommended to me.

[@Wazoox]

The snare sounds crazy good.

[@Frezzzz]

That was awesome

[@DJDigitalJosh]

That is a nice looking mixer!

[@MChristian]

Brilliant!

[@VNDM-MUSIC]

9:19 " so , let's em, have a listen to how that sounds...." . Well, it sounds fucking sweet Alex. God I love the 707 +303 combo.

[@ShaneCrixus]

Awesome! The Roland VX mixing amps are another fun option for doing this kind of thing too (+ they have spring reverb/bbd)

[@TurnFullCircle]

Bloody awesome,,,!

[@ryanmoran2403]

Wow very nice once they're all playing together!!! Like Skinny Puppy!!!

[@iSdtea]

They even used this mixer actually!

[@ThomasHope73]

Nice one! Dig the outro music too!

[@ErichWK]

This is so sick

[@kemek3000]

I have a Yamaha EM-130 that I really need to use more of. Great spring reverb too.

[@paulsadler3771]

Kemek I recently scored the EM300 for $50US. Worth every penny and then some. No plugin can make the same sound as an overdriven EM mixer. Just lovely. The 300 model is HUGE AND HEAVY tho lol

[@kemek3000]

Paul Sadler Nice!

[@greatlakestrader]

This video is pure audio magic gold! Thank you very much for sharing such special combinations. Curious what modern mixers you like for similar synth drum processing. Much respect from the woods of upstate New York, USA.

[@volt7cooltangs701]

I really regret selling my Boss KM-60 mixer around about 1986. So we’ll made and loved the VU meters.

[@bobz1736]

Marvellous !!!

[@TheTrashcutter]

processing like a boss :-)

[@sundaymorningmassradioshow8624]

you canned this on last IAN POOLEY releases !!! great video as always !!

[@BrentLane1]

This is awesome

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks!

[@joel_ricci]

That acid track is dope !

[@Renslink]

soo nice

[@WolfTrap1000]

nice mate, good vid :)

[@synthshoot1026]

Very interesting.

[@Robert_Babicz]

thank you for the inspiration.....

[@christofferainek]

Wicked!! 🤘👌

[@digitaldiezel5870]

ideas!!! Thanks!

[@lupat9955]

surely it should also somate very well, i would so much loved to find something like this as cardsound...

[@MarkusAudio]

When using only one drum machine makes perfect sense 🙂 and yes, I lLove old analogue mixers!

[@robertsmithshair4199]

love it

[@leeanucha]

dope!

[@otherism]

Sick video mate. The Oberheim is 😜

[@tab8k]

Got one and it’s the best distort for tb-303.

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

nice, that low cut on the master section is hella useful..

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, I guess they put it on there to cut the rumble off microphones, but doubles up as a nice function for electronic stuff.

[@eancurtis9333]

Sick

[@MrHarney]

lovely @9:21 get that in warehouse with a nice sound system... free party and where there

[@Sispex]

Wow, I want!!! In fact I think you may have solved an old drum machine mystery that has always baffled me. There is an old skool hip hop record called flash it to the beat features a very grimy late 70s live performance by grandmaster Flash and the furious 5. Flash is playing a drum machine live, I think it is the old Vox drum machine with the tappable buttons, but the sound is soooo gritty and distorted it sounds totally amazing. I figured it was just a case of the recording being many tape generations old BUT listening to what that Boss mixer has done to the Kik I reckon they must have had it running through one of those bad boys.

[@Sispex]

Here is the track... kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3XIfpJvpq-il5I

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hey! Nice spot, I'd bet it's exactly that effect. Gain staging through one of these (then cheaper) mixers and getting an overloaded sound.

[@Sispex]

Alex Ball I think so. Brilliant vid yet again man!

[@dragonmodel9262]

thats a cool setup though.nice use of the old cool mixer..

[@eladreltuc]

Rad sound

[@thelastdruidofscotland]

NICE

[@ChrisAnderson1971]

I have the KM60 also and used to run my Yamaha electric drum kit through it 👌

[@dmomcilovic9185]

Some old soundcraft desks where heavy too if gain turned up

[@samxday]

Good fun

[@retrosound72]

Cool. I have the same Boss. 😁🙌🎶

[@AlexBallMusic]

Excellent!

[@DEEP_PRACTICE]

Super phat, great video! I bought an analogue Yamaha mixer recently (late 70s) and was wondered if you knew if overdriving causes any damage to the mixer in anyway? Thanks! -Linden

[@kcat80]

this is essentially what I use my old mackie vlz for.

[@viDUBla]

kcat80 same here. Old trick

[@Bigsbeee]

Which vlz model will do this please ? What about Strymon Deco ?

[@korbly]

Any chance you'd release the recordings made from each as loops? I'd kill for the Drumtracks/ 707+303 recordings lol

[@individualism20]

this the sound that will define a generation

[@lzbmusic3438]

the DX was pure industrial

[@Crazysk8terboi]

the drumtraks sounds proper through it

[@devondetroit2529]

Can you do another video with a TR909 going into this mixer? It really has a pleasing sound when driven I wanna hear distorted toms !!

[@pavlovidankmemeovi]

Would be really great if we could download/buy these samples. Would come in great for some industrial type stuff :D

[@patkelly3966]

what are these typically going for nowadays?

[@freshmint5130]

This is real beast! Great video, thanks! Maybe someone knows, what is the modern analogue for such hardware unit? This like pitch shifting, eq, pan and transient shaping all in one tool. This unit seems so rare, that even eBay has no offers for that.

[@tinfoilcat]

Excellent as usual Alex! Would love to hear a TR-77 or Ace Tone through it. X)

[@AlexBallMusic]

TR-77 is out having a midi mod installed at the moment. Will try it when it's back. :)

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Alex Ball Who’s doing your TR-77 midi mod? I want to get mine done.

[@Firing_Order]

Oh wow! I've never gotten a good look at your studio, but nice Balalaika

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, that Balalaika had been hanging on the wall in an electrical wholesalers for years. I bought it for about £5 in about 2011 and have used it on a few jobs that needed an Eastern European flavour. Got a lot of acoustic instruments in the studio, that stuff all came before the synths did.

[@Jedson66]

pretty cool video man, always wanted a nice tutorial about this mixer. Now i know how much lo-fi/compressed u can get with this machine.