Beats Behind The Wall: Vermona DRM (1987)

[@Hainbach]

Big Soundpack and the best way to help me make more videos: patreon.com/hainbach

[@RegebroRepairs]

No luck with finding that prototype link. But if you ever see an Alpha 5 somebody has made major surgery on, it's probably that. 😀

[@martinwagner4960]

Can you make it free for former citizens of the GDR? after all these sounds were "Volkseigentum" already. By the way, sure militarization is a heavy burden on economies, but in your "explanation" of the GDR economy you forget to mention all kinds of free social services and a structurally effective health system.

[@gottliebheinrich8413]

Hahaha, Volkseigentum! And why should anything be "kostenlos?" Jeder hat seine Ausgaben, und wer jetzt seine Rechnungen zu bezahlen hat, dem nützt der frühere "Sozialstaat" nix. "Subvention" ist euphemistisch für "Korruption"

[@_c_y_p_3]

Man you been making some goodies lately! Lovely sweater too.

[@jesipohl6717]

Are you based out of Berlin? It would be nice to see some old record players from the 20s that would have been used for illegal swing kid parties to play "black music" the first raves in Berlin, though I understand this was more popular in Hamburg. Always spinning!

[@ilyatsukanov8707]

Every single East German product I have come across in the former USSR (RFT cassette player, Ruhla digital wristwatch, 16-bit Robotron computer) has been of exceptional quality and unique and special design. It's not surprising at all to me that this Vermona drum machine has its fan base, and it's wonderful to know that the company's legacy lives on via HDB electronic. Thank you Hainbach for your work!

[@kaitlyn__L]

Yep. There may not have been a ton of variety (mechanical watches and cameras too), they were almost always very well built and robust. And also often very easily recyclable as well! Which makes sense for a planned economy really - no concern about quarterly turnover, but a lot of concern about total brass spent on watches.

[@baronmeduse]

@@kaitlyn__L I still wear an 'Ostblok' wristwatch as my daily watch. Marketed to the west as 'Saxon'. It's never been serviced and still keeps time. I also have 3-thread overlock sewing machine (like a block of iron)made in East Germany and it is perfect. Clearly the same brilliant people who built machines before the partition still existed in the East.

[@Ss-zg3yj]

Sovkodrocher. I bet he support Putin also.

[@kaitlyn__L]

@@baronmeduse exactly! I’m really glad your mechanical watch still works well :) I’ve got a couple small mechanical clocks from HK from the 70s and 80s but they regularly run into issues needing the gears realigned. It’s a world apart in reliability.

[@in.der.welt.sein.]

I found the same with some of the Lomo mics I have: exceptionally well built! I guess it's not hard to defy expectations given the popular ideology that everyone in "really existing socialism" except for the leaders was starving and wearing burlap sacks.

[@bleigh6562]

Great history lesson and wonderfully shot and produced video. Thanks for making KZbin better by posting this.

[@hreggerino]

I really enjoyed this format, felt like a lovely celebration of a historic brand.

[@SuperLibu]

I really like this style of documentary. I understand it must have cost a lot, so thank you for investing the money and time!

[@adamstan84]

I have this machine (the 1987 DRM). I think it has the absolutely best analog hi-hat I've ever heard.

[@mechasartre3694]

This was so dope! More like this please!

[@bigkingsha]

Videos like this are truly a gem. Hainbach takes time and care to make sure we understand the historical and cultural significance of early electronic music and the tools those musicians used. The way you document this equipment is unlike anything I've seen on KZbin. Every episode is like a mini documentary. Thanks for your hard work and patience!

[@AlexBallMusic]

So cool to hear the history and context of these machines. Great sounds too.

[@mirzosharifjalolov4247]

In my memory, Vermona was well-known in USSR among pop singers (called "estrada" singers). First my encounter with Vermona was in 1994, it was Vermona Piano-Strings. Still remember its soft and warm sound . My friend used to modified it to produce some new sounds. Such a lovely memory. Thank you for the video!

[@bricelory9534]

What a fascinating era and heritage - thank you for sharing this experience and the excellent video! It is beautifully captured!

[@RaquelFoster]

10:54 The Rhythm Ace FR-1 (1965) let you combine the patterns by pressing multiple buttons. I think all the Rhythm Ace models did, including the Multivox FR-3.

[@Hainbach]

Nice! I only played rhythm boxes that had the auto-eject feature

[@legionnairegonk4425]

It's like having early 80's Depeche Mode in a box isn't it! Considering how popular they were in DDR before the wall came down that may well be the sonic signature they tried to capture! The story of their East German popularity is well captured in Dennis Burmeister and Sascha Lange's 'Monument' book.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Ahhh, the ‘80s. The time when it was really cool to put the word “DIGITAL” on an all-analogue drum machine 😂

[@FloydAtema]

Yes, the device is either on or off hence digital.

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@FloydAtema Best comment ever 😂

[@nunofernandes4501]

People used to put "Turbo" stickers on non-turbo cars back then. Fits the zeitgeist like a glove.

[@annother3350]

There's a digital chip in there somewhere though right?

[@vinylarchaeologist]

@@annother3350 Surely something regarding that 32-step sequencer. And isn't an LCD display technically digital?

[@caseyholford]

This is such important work you’re doing, shining a light on all this technology that so many people would never get to experience otherwise. It’s unique! I also really appreciate the artful way you produced and edited the video. Thank you!

[@robingroulx]

I love how you and Jeremy are doing more of these history videos. Love this format.

[@erikribeiro5772]

Thanks for this video. The DRM1 MKII was my first real drum machine, and I've had it for a long time. I finally traded it to a friend last weekend as I've had the MKIII for several years. I love seeing more of the history of Vermona. The OG one looks gorgeous, though I love the ability of the later generations to shape sounds so extensively. I'm hoping to add a PERfourMER to my studio soon. Long live Vermona!

[@pworminkle]

loving this documentary format! Thank you for taking the time and effort to share this with the world :)

[@dangerbird64]

Thanks for making this, Heinbach. I love my Vermona gear and it’s fascinating to learn more about their history.

[@jonprudhomme7694]

Whenever I watch one of your videos, I want to drop what I'm doing and go play with my synths. Always inspiring.

[@StephenMcLeod]

This was awesome. Really enjoyed you heading to the studio and outlining the history.

[@uremawifenowdave]

Ah I have a wealth of Vermona FX, always wanted their drum machine as it has such an amazing distinctive sound. Amazing video as always.

[@mudi2000a]

I remember that in the 80s before the fall of the wall the Vermona amps and mixers were also sold in the West by Conrad Electronic (mail order retailer)

[@danjwalker]

9:35 What should we call our synthesizer? Synthesizer?

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Loved this video....the history, the company, the products, and the family(ies). I have a Vermona Perfourmer MK2 and absolutely love it. Planning to get a DRM1 MKIV as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@CharlesSchaum]

I have a great-great grandfather from the Vogtland, so this was a treat. The Vermona DRM sounds so contemporary, heavy, and cool.

[@lukassbeataddicts]

I wanted synthesiser badly when I was 10, my parents here in Poland ordered one in 1988, we got it in 1989 and it worked for 3 hours. Never came from the repair as they didn't have the parts and later manufacturer got liquidated. It was Unitra Eltra, I don't remember actual model.

[@mrtuttle]

Thank you for another lovely video! So fortunate to have you out in the world making things like this, so I can tuck into a charming walk though history on a Sunday morning over a cup of coffee.

[@andresgrumann4079]

this kind of videos are really the best way to now about the history, present and future of the mashines we love, thank´s Hainbach!!! (please more and more of this kind of content!)

[@InVacuo]

This history of Vermona is really fascinating! I only knew Vermona as high-end Eurorack modules (I love the Melodicer) but even though I live in Germany (albeit only 12 years) I've never heard of them outside of Eurorack. Thanks for the enlightenment, Hainbach/Stefan!

[@erlannderrantem6972]

I have a VEB Klingenthal Trickverzerrer. It’s a gnarly fuzz, but i love it. It’s sometimes labelled as Dr. Böhm, not sure if it ever was produced under the Vermona brand aswell. That’s my only GDR piece of Music Equipment (so far)

[@effectsdatabase-com]

Those are interesting, I gave away a few for "Secret Santa" at my favorite guitar forum but I still have about 5 of those (bought rather cheap around 2000 on eBay and eastern European auction sites)😁

[@NihilQuest]

I live in Poland. When I started to sing in rock bands in the mid 90's, Vermona's amps were still in use. Kids just used any gear that was around.

[@BataraKado]

your soooooo good at messing around with synths @Hainbach.... your amazing to watch... crazy skills my friend...keep doing these great videos please

[@CLUELESS1988]

I have the drm1 mk3 and it's amazing, a very special sounding machine. Best kicks, snares, hats and claps ever

[@emiliusemilius4260]

as usual, your work feels authentic and touching, both artistically and personnally. Thank you !

[@Robert_Babicz]

vermona is super cool, and great that there are still here

[@fredrichl]

My first guitar amp here in sweden was a east german Regent 50w. Simple thing, but used right it could make a quite unique garage rock sound.

[@lewis9898]

Thanks for this video. I must say, Vermona make some of my favourite gear, period. The DRM1 bass drum and claps are legendary in my opinion. Their modular gear is really great sounding, fun and feature packed too.

[@jibberism9910]

The Suiko ST 50 you reviewed and this one would probably have a decent market in this day and age. Love seeing and hearing all these exotic machines, and this video had some really nice background to go with it.

[@TriangleWaveRecords]

Fascinating device, glad you made a soundpack so I don't have to track that down though! 🙂

[@matthewchism3733]

The Adventures of Hainbach- love everything about this video.

[@Ismail-cf6xu]

To have access to all these sounds…unsure if emotionally I would’ve been as calm.

[@pindebraende]

Your videos really helped my 4 year old learn about rare analog drum machines, it's way better than that cocomelon stuff. she always asks for "the glasses man" (: thank you so much

[@Hainbach]

That warms my heart!

[@mcflysfireworks]

gracias por existir hainbach

[@Loscha]

Really great video. I look forward to a video about Viscount and their synths, drum machines and effects units.

[@Hainbach]

I have some of the drums here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX_OeohspaqCZ6M

[@denizbuhran]

this was amazing I was just looking to get more info of vermona since I moved to warszawa and saw all the vermona organs and amps in the marketplace! Hope you can do a video about UNITRA brand someday as well!

[@smatchimo55]

9:11 saving this sample if thats ok been "making" music for like 20 years, still don't understand copyright laws

[@Hainbach]

You can get authorized samples from the videos in High Quality on my Patreon, which comes with the permission to use them freely. Anything else - it is a 50/50 split on any release.

[@smatchimo55]

@HAINBACH nice thank you

[@fakshen1973]

There's a world of electronic instruments out there that we in the "west" have never heard of.

[@soepil]

Highly interesting video, thank you! I would love to know what drum machine was used on "TV-Show" by Die Puhdys, maybe a Vermona? Also, does anyone know why the East German musicians called an electronic rhythm unit a "Herbert" (Herbert-in-the-little-box")?

[@michaelmueller9816]

I own a Vermona Retroverb Spring (not lanced) and I love it ❤ since the first day. I use it on every production in the last 12 years.

[@muddymike10]

Thank you Hainbach; a wonderful adventure. Now, I need to learn more about the "basset" keytar! ☺...

[@Hainbach]

I will make a short on it - it’s like the Claviset Incovered here already, only way more cool

[@muddymike10]

@@Hainbach thank you very much !

[@cobsonics2569]

love the documentary style video! appreciate the effort you put into this

[@franksemi_modular]

Looking forward to see the story about this one 🙂

[@MaggieKeizai]

Eastern bloc instruments are a fascinating subject, and tough to find in the US. I hope to get some old, weird Vermona instruments someday.

[@tekvax01]

WOW!!! What an amazingly full sound! I wasn't expecting it to sound like that!

[@okochi5072]

Hi Hainbach,i`m living in the near of klingenthal and reall love the old Vermona stuff. A friend even got and old Vermona organ from the trash wich works. I`m really interested in the Tiracon 6V, as its the first digital controlled analog polyphonic Synth of the GDR and the last one i guess. You do a great Job ! Keppinig on tweaking ! ✌

[@Hainbach]

I had one here, but it was so rotted inside my tech said it is impossible to fix

[@okochi5072]

@@Hainbach thats really sad, i also got once the opportunity to buy a broken one. But at this time my fixing skill was below zero and my money too. But well...here i am, exploring the world of diy synths nowadays. ^^

[@xxjoshbrownxx]

This is a kick ass documentary. The story is told so well, and the music is outstanding!!! Where can I get a good sample of that snare on the first drum machine?

[@xxjoshbrownxx]

I guess I should have watched until the to find out.

[@rmcq1999]

Made in 1987. Were any units actually delivered before the fall of the Iron Curtain? Maybe there's an archived waiting list around somewhere in Musikwinkel. Some customers should be due for their new units about now, by DDR standards.

[@Frozen_Smoke1972]

An absolutely superb history lesson and some beautiful sounding machines. Thank you!

[@maximiliansofke5414]

find es als Musiker absolut faszinierend, wie jedes stück gear in diesem Video älter ist als ich... starkes Video, liebe

[@Hainbach]

Danke dir!

[@volt1620]

What is that compact reel to reel recorder that you used at 9:33 and 11:37 called / where can I get one

[@Hainbach]

Nagra SN - be prepared to hurt when you look at the prices these go for now

[@volt1620]

@@Hainbach thanks, great videos - why the hell is it $4,170.26 on reverb, know of any other compact reel to reel devices

[@djphil.m.4952]

Vielen Dank für die schönen Erinnerungen!

[@Hainbach]

Gern geschehen!

[@effiksmusic]

I nearly was not going to watch this video because I was not interested in another drum machine. But I’m glad that I watched it, because it’s an interesting story you told here and I learned a lot. Thanks for sharing this story.

[@Hainbach]

Yeah drum machine is not as important as the story

[@dictabeat]

"Hi I'm Hainbach and it's good to have you Hain back." New catch phrase. You're welcome. 😅

[@JureJerebic]

So cool that you go and tell the stories of these companies where most of us have no idea they are based so close to us

[@ericloizeau8834]

Danke nochmals für diese Zeitreise und Erforschungen... Es war also nicht alles schlecht in der kleinen DDR ;-)

[@tomahzo]

Fabulous! I love these documentary videos, like this one and the one you did in Italy :D.

[@8thmyth]

Awesome video Hainbach nice to hear the origin tones of vermona. I had a question whats that small reel to reel you have. looks interesting.

[@Hainbach]

It’s a Nagra SN

[@Raytro82]

Das ist ja ein interessantes Video, dass mir KZbin vorgeschlagen wurde. Ich wusste zwar, dass Markneukirchen eine bekannte Instrumentenstadt ist, aber dass da auch elektronische Instrumente hergestellt wurden, war mir nicht bewusst. Danke für das Video.

[@Hainbach]

Hallo und willkommen! Die elektronischen Musikinstrumente wurden in Schöneck quasi um die Ecke hergestellt, die Verstärker in Klingenthal, ebenfalls um die Ecke. In Markneukirchen ist jetzt das neue Vermona, sowie unglaublich viele Kleinbetriebe.

[@AndersWeijnitz]

Great episode! I feel it could be even better in German, as it is the native language in this case. KZbin handles the translation and captions well enough and many people understand enough German to follow along anyway I believe.

[@aschelocke5287]

Jo ich fands auch ein bisschen dumm, dass deutsche miteinander für KZbin auf Zwang englisch reden :D

[@EnoraRecords]

Lovely Vermona visit ❤ I am curious about you tape field recorder what is that?

[@Hainbach]

Nagra SN

[@EnoraRecords]

@@Hainbach Thanks a lot!

[@DuckTronic]

Very interesting! I once had two Vermona E-Pianos, which were unfortunately very simple. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to test the Vermona synthesizers from GDR times. Thank you for the video! 🙏

[@stefanmertz840]

Ohh Haimbach, Deine Videos sind immer traumhaft 😊! LG von der Lübecker Bucht, Stefan

[@Hainbach]

Herzlichen Dank 😊

[@maka1510]

SUPERinteressant. Was für eine schöne kleine Reportage. Bitte mehr davon!

[@robfriedrich2822]

I had the ER9, a limited ER6 was part of the 2 manual version of the ET3/ Sandy.

[@scottvogel8477]

This was really cool. Hope you do a follow up video in the future.

[@lower-state]

Just here to echo everyone else: loved this style video! I have a newfound appreciation for Vermona now

[@awanderer5446]

Beautiful story, thank you for sharing!

[@dimensionstomorrow]

I’ve enjoyed all of the Vermona videos I’ve seen. I own a Retroverb Lancet and love it. I’d really like to get some more of their stuff.

[@haymobachmaier]

Whats for Taperecorder is that in Min 09:30 ?

[@Hainbach]

Nagra SN

[@WelderRiffer]

Great episode ! Thank you !

[@Pheonix0114]

Love the mixture of documentary and dope tunes.

[@JoyfulWAVE]

Yeah...Great Video. I was a Teenager in the 80s. I loved all the new sounds and music that came up in the 80s because of new Synthesizers. I always had the dream to get one. But no chance at that time. Got my first one end of 90s. Guitar was way cheaper...😜 Today i only work with PC. But i still have my first Synth under my bed. 👍

[@sound.workshop]

Lovely story from history. Thank you for sharing it.

[@psaiclone]

i have one of these in my cellar. Need to reactivate ot some time. There is even a special cable which give single outputs for all the instruments. Very cool video, thank you for that.

[@angaudlinn]

I used to have a MAM DRM-1 which I still consider one of the best "modern" drum synthesizers. And on one of my shelves stands a Vermona synthesizer. :) The eastern block gear is fascinating in their way of often doing this differently and often sounding amazing.

[@lo-firobotboy7112]

Yes, love this type of video. More Please!!

[@harmanburns]

6:06 another instant Hainbach classic right here

[@theunknownuser1661]

I've just discovered your music on Spotify an it altered my view on music. This is the first time I've listened to this genre of electronic music. It has a psychedelic vibe to it. Amazing! What kind of genre is this exactly?

[@Hainbach]

Thank you! Ambient/Experimental is where you usually would find my more floating pieces. The harder tracks are Techno/Experimental.

[@НиколайШеванов]

Хотелось бы увидеть подобный сюжет о легендарных клавишных Vermona. В 80-х играл на них. Много прошло через мои руки… И даже сегодня являюсь обладателем Vermona Formation 2. Спасибо инженерам Vermona! Это инструмент для души!

[@re8et355]

It would be awesome if this company would make Reason Rack Extension and/or VSTs of these iron curley age creations! Red Rock Sound is a russian developer that I guess it would quite love to get involved with the original creators...!

[@eyesintheskies]

Had not heard of this one looks/sounds awesome. Thank you for the history lesson 👍

[@suitandtieguy]

This is a beautiful story. Thank you.

[@walkerphillips1488]

Great documentary! Love my DRM, fascinating to learn the history. What are you using for a tape echo, is that a Nagra? Thanks

[@StopDropandLOL]

8:35 - 8:52 - This speaks to my soul

[@ArminDressler]

Danke für diesen tollen Hintergrundbericht zu Vermona! Der Name war mir geläufig, aber ich hätte es nicht als ehemalige DDR-Firma verortet. Ich würde mir mehr solche Berichte über Firmen und deren Historie wünschen. Mein allererstes, billiges Keyboard in den 80ern, vermutlich eine Orla Sapphire, konnte auch mehrere Rhythmen gleichzeitig wiedergeben. Zwar sprangen die Tasten beim Wechsel raus, aber durch Festhalten konnte man mehrere einrasten.

[@Hainbach]

Danke fürs Feedback!

[@alecyuzhny]

Thank you for making this video! Very interesting story!

[@donit.]

this was a truly fantastic video!

[@pixelfrenzy]

Loved this! More please!

[@birdsiview6845]

That first bit you recorded sounded like the doors. You always find the coolest shit!