The Worst Drum Machine Korg Ever Made! (Feat. Bad Gear)

After having the privilege of demonstrating so much wonderful gear on my channel, Florian came to me during an out-of-body experience to show me the path to true enlightenment - Bad Gear!
…and boy was it bad!
Huge thanks to Florian and be sure to check out the sister “Bad Gear” episode where I appear as a genie in a groovebox (really): • Bad Gear - Korg DDM-11...
Social:
/ alexballmusic
/ alexballmusic

[@Doctormix]

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!! I WASN'T READY FOR THE MUSIC VIDEO!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! You're a genius

[@AudioPilz]

Feel free to join our "band";)

[@bsgconsulting]

@@AudioPilz I have the DDM-220, the percussion unit version of this, if you want to combine them. I'm in Germany and am dumping old gear to shrinkify my studio.

[@beauwhitlock5034]

Is that you as God Dr. Mix? Haha! I don't recognize you without your regular head attire

[@iancallender2432]

Seeing your replies on other synth-wizard youtube videos always brightens my day

[@beauwhitlock5034]

@@iancallender2432 He's like the patron Saint of Synths and Smiles.😁

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

EFFING EPIC YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!

[@apislapis]

Run that snare through a NightSky Stephen.

[@martiniusvlogs]

Nice to see you active again

[@bukkaratsuppa6414]

There's this Russian joke: a Russian arrives at JFK and goes through customs. Officer: Occupation? Russian: No, just visiting. 1:07

[@ChrisSmout]

"Are you god?" "No just Moby Schwarzenegger" Both of your videos are a right laugh, thanks for organising the crossover!

[@Doctormix]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!!!!!!! Roud of applause!!!!!!

[@marklholloway]

“I’m gonna flick through the sounds and review them with my face” 😀😕😣😫😯🤮

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's science.

[@luckyllou7325]

Yeah and says so much more than 1000 words.

[@neur303]

Very multidimensional and nuanced! I rate it 3 thumbs-ups 👍👍👍

[@andreaswehrmann365]

I expected Alex would hit the buttons with his nose. 😅

[@andrewblackburn1426]

From now on that’s how I’m going to review everything!

[@8MoonsOfJupiter]

As well as being an outrageously talented multi-instrumentalist, synth-nerd extraordinaire, videographer and songwriter, you also have a very fine eye for comedy! No one likes a show-off, Alex! :-)

[@AlexBallMusic]

Well, more like a jack of all trades, but thank you. 😉

[@DestroyER82]

Finally... after all those years of pain and searching, sound designing, trying and repeating... Finally.. .... The perfect CLAP sound.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cka-cka-cka-cka-cka

[@MichaelPareda]

Hahaha

[@corezone4250]

Actually sounds nice in this fast paced firing.

[@alexovercast3359]

Just needs some EQ and a lot of reverb. Maybe layering re-sampled versions of it hard panned against each other with the timing off-set.

[@andreasvarousiadis9464]

god that clap is hell

[@AlexBallMusic]

Like a spit of static.

[@grogboggoth]

@@AlexBallMusic Not a million miles away from the Sequential Drumtrax clap, though ...

[@AlexBallMusic]

@@grogboggoth I have the Drumtraks and that is a million miles away from it!

[@grogboggoth]

@@AlexBallMusic Maybe 1000. The attack is quite similar, which is why I thought to compare the two. Oddly, the Drumtraks clap is duller but more complex. There's something I like in the DDM-110's sound, though. If you sample it and apply a decay to the envelope, it definitely gets better.

[@cortical1]

I bought this drum machine in 1986 when I was 17 years old shortly after they first came out. Paid $20 for it from a cook at the restaurant where I worked. I still have it. Perfect condition. Say what you will. We used what we had in the 80s. If you wait long enough, what sucks eventually becomes vintage and "full of character." Looking forward to watching prices skyrocket on Reverb. I'm still going to keep mine. LOL.

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's very cool. Kudos for keeping it in peachy condition. Yeah, there's some jokers asking for hundreds for these but a good condition one could probably find a home with a retro enthusiast.

[@superchroma]

~$52 in today's money still feels a little steep

[@AndrewLeSynt]

my words!

[@6581punk]

Sounds perfect for synthwave/Out Run music.

[@djangofett4879]

nah, it sounds too crappy for synthwave. its approaching children's toy quality on some of those sounds.

[@Jamesjimjimmy]

@@djangofett4879 id have to disagree

[@superchroma]

But those I/O options are seriously dire.

[@PlugInGuruVideo]

This was awesome - having worked as a sound designer with Korg since 1988 and selling this drum machine in a music store, you do realize that the early 80's were a mess with how to sync things up. Also in the past, Korg R&D schedule was 1.5+ years so when this was in development MIDI was the new kid on the block... keep it up dude, you do good things with bad gear. LOL

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ah, thanks that's very interesting. Helps give some context.

[@leslawrenson]

Am I the only one who thought that drum machine sounded quite good?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yep, you're the only one. 😉

[@bassrawkers]

I love the sounds. Especially the toms - but I just sampled mine for easier layouts and to circumvent the midi issues. Bet it'd make a crazy ass circuit bent machine!

[@RikMaxSpeed]

Yep.

[@herrjingjing]

No, that snare is fat!

[@lambertlambert7076]

The snare and the quick are quite good.

[@davidpinto1195]

"TRUE ENLIGHTENMENT COMES WITH BAD GEAR" LOL hilarious @audiopilz is the bad gear guru

[@AlexBallMusic]

He's not wrong. 😉

[@davidpinto1195]

@@AlexBallMusic No doubt he's not, By the way alex the rising sound documentary is a work of art, I got to learn so much, thank you so much for it and all your videos, keep adding that fun touch man, best regards

[@WayneInBlood]

That was ridiculous, please do more episodes together! Amazing work!

[@Doctormix]

HAHAHAHA

[@rars0n]

Bad Gear is one of my favorite things on KZbin. I love his humor and his desire to give some love to the often-hated gear that is out there. I haven't watched much of your channel but I obviously need to watch more! I love your jam, although it helps that you almost drowned it out with some great analogue synth sounds!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yeah, Florian is smashing it with the Bad Gear angle. It's a genius concept, but his humour and delivery bring it to life. Thanks for stopping by on my channel too.

[@peter-utrblk]

The snare sounds like a pair of underpants that is about to tear.

[@AlexBallMusic]

😂

[@theycallmefilip]

chef muah kiss

[@Ndlanding]

Very observant, and accurate.

[@mojoxide]

Lol the clap sample sounds like the first few milliseconds of what COULD be a clap sample. But we will never know.

[@Lalaland.001]

The crossover I didn't know I needed. Love it. Thank you...Both my fav creators in the same video...

[@leoherrera9008]

The best crossover / collab ever

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Now here's something I didn't know I wanted to have more of: _FACE REVIEWING_ !!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'm game.

[@wjec1970]

You and Bad Gear cheered me up today, Alex! Fantastic video and bloody funny too! I have got to say - I LOVE that song at the end!

[@senhorlampada]

I love how you (and Florian) just take stuff that sucks and make them sound good! This was awesome! 💖

[@nativeVS]

What did I just watch?

[@AlexBallMusic]

😂

[@Nightmoore]

Genius. You just experienced genius.

[@a_nick_t]

There’s no such thing as a bad drum machine! I love them all! 😎👍🏼 Another great video!

[@neonblack211]

that first pose of bad gear guy was amazing lol

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Brilliant. Best unexpected laugh over Christmas. Well done you two. Fantastic colaberation. So well done. More please. Amazing content. Hats off 👏🏻

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. Enjoy the new year.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

First rule of heaven: you lose your jumper. Dress code is t-shirts only.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Apparently so. 😉

[@londonroulette]

Dark Side of Synth and some weight

[@Joe11Blue]

Take that dirty gayman outfit off. This isn't the track.

[@spaceman103]

LR MUSIC Forgive him. Floating in weightlessness makes the muscles deteriorate....

[@DarkSideofSynth]

@@londonroulette LOL

[@Soundtrackspecialist]

Thanks so much. Amazing stuff! And you pushed quite a bit on the production values. I love that ‘Heaven Can Wait’ vibe as well plus that song at the end, 1985 all over again. Note: love Korg and I’m glad you’re covering one of their lesser know models (or is it?). I’ll fire up my X5DR / NS5R combo now. You put me in a Korg mood Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Had to look those two models up. Never heard of those! That's the joy of companies with such epic histories as Korg, Yamaha, Roland etc. There's always more things you can discover that they made.

[@oblitafier]

How did I miss this bloody awesome collaboration?!

[@eikarumba429]

Haha! Awesome Alex! Loved it - thanks for taking the time to make it informative yet super fun too! 👍🏻 bravo 👏🏼

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for tuning in. 🙂

[@sonjaadamson1714]

2:04 PLEASE let this become a trending meme.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'm pushing for standard face reviews.

[@FrankNFurter1000]

That clap resonated in my teeth. Yikes.

[@santoshaji6770]

😂

[@Ndlanding]

Same(-ish) here, but the truth is I hate all clapperizers and have done ever since the ClapTrap came out in what must've been the 19th century or thereabouts.

[@FrankNFurter1000]

@@Ndlanding 19th century!? 20th definitely :P I don't think the Victorians had Simmons drum tech! ;) The only claps I can really enjoy are Linn ones.

[@Ndlanding]

@@FrankNFurter1000 Just as long as you don't get a dose of the clap, you're laughing.

[@EvilDragon666]

That intro was hilarious :) Please don't ever stop, Alex. Pure genius.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Mario 🙂

[@jay_you]

Great video! Thank you both! I remember this little "Klopfgeist" when one day he was in the music store of my choice. And although at the time (when I was 15) I didn't have a plan for anything, I found the device very bad ... but not quite as bad as its brother, the Korg DDM-220 SuperPercussion.

[@johndjameson]

That logo is badass though :O

[@Chekmate99]

The prices of this drum machine just spiked on eBay.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Worth at least £15 after this.

[@apislapis]

@@AlexBallMusic Who knows if a Volca replica is now in the pipeline based on your demo?

[@Ndlanding]

I just got one on EvilBay. They sent me the machine and $150.

[@tomfenn7149]

How the sweet hell did I miss this???!!!?? Two years late to the party, but….Brilliant! 😂😂😂😂

[@LousyFacelift]

What a great colaboration, much enjoyed watching this! 😊👍

[@AnUnseenRuler]

I had one of these and loved it. It’s lack of MIDI when it was released was puzzling

[@AlexBallMusic]

I assume it was a cost thing to make it dirt cheap?

[@AnUnseenRuler]

Alex Ball Yeah, tho the Poly800 was MIDI with a sequencer (and cheapish) and you’d think they’d want them to sync together and potentially sell as a pair.

[@proudsnowtiger]

@@AnUnseenRuler MIDI was dirt cheap, though. My DIY ZX Spectrum MIDI interface was three off the shelf chips, a couple of opto isolators and a 2MHz crystal. The spec was designed to work with standard UARTs, which even then were jellybean parts - I think I used a 6850. So it was probably a marketing decision. Marketing decisions can be very silly.

[@sharkinahat]

I got nothing to say, just feeding the You-Know-Whalgorithm.

[@SunLogic1973]

I love it! I'm glad you guys teamed up!

[@gonetospace5544]

This was the prefect video today😂I’m glad to see the both of you in one video🙌🏼🤘🏼💯🎸🎸🎸

[@Flat8G]

Insane!! You are the musical Midas, like everything you touch turns into sonic gold even the crappiest of crap gear! >(

[@marcoabyss]

this is the best thing to happen in 2020! PS did Florian ask you to teach him the ways of the DX7?

[@AlexBallMusic]

I've had a DX7 for a few years. :)

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

That jam was a friggin heater! Also my new favorite internet collab

[@zackperkins6107]

Now this is what I needed on my lunch break. Thank you Alex

[@AlexBallMusic]

Hope we didn't put you off your sandwich.

[@georgegeorgio1751]

Not a bad song more late 80’s pop, and you guys don’t realise how exciting it was for a teenager to have this machine it was the 1st sampled drum machine I bought had Dr Rhythm 55 previously.

[@elekktrikk_home_video]

You both are so great!! Review by face! 👍👍👍🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳😎

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@ejwatts25]

Favourite KZbin collaboration... of the day certainly. Great video and loved the song and video at the end; Antoine de Caunes would approve.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers for stopping by.

[@Cadesworth]

Fantastic video! Let's give em a round of applause!

[@pancakeforge]

Yesn’t

[@lundsweden]

I really like the Korg DDM-110, especially the kick/snare. The other sounds are pretty generic 80s sounding. The clap, which admittedly sounds naff on its own, sounds really good in the mix (combined with snare too I guess). I think this is Korg's genius, not much need to EQ or add effects to the sounds, they are pretty much good to go!

[@urluberlu2757]

Your videos are very musically very instructive and always put me in a great mood :-D Thanks a lot!

[@MrCaliforniaD]

You're a legend man... The part where you review with your face and the song at the end! Wow!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers. Thought it was more interesting than a standard tech breakdown. 😉

[@RayyMusik]

Another fantastic video of yours, and I love your 80s-style songs! But c‘mon, the DDM-110 wasn’t that bad for an average musician like me back then. 99% of us couldn‘t afford a Linn! In the context of your song it sounds pretty decent IMO. And there was no need to sync it it to anything. A human drummer doesn’t send MIDI clock either, right? I used to record my little friend directly to a 4-track TASCAM Portastudio along with a Polysix, CX-3, and a Rhodes. Those were the days ...

[@AlexBallMusic]

I'm sure it was great to be able to afford a digital drum machine in 1984 / 85. Sounds like it served a lot of young musicians.

[@karltraunmuller7048]

Clap clap clap 👏🏻

[@AlexBallMusic]

Please never mention that clap ever again. We'll pretend it doesn't exist. 😉

[@thewesterj]

"No I'm her assistant" Brilliant!!! You intros are becoming classic must watches !

[@AlexBallMusic]

That was Florian's gag admittedly. Made me chuckle.

[@fincorrigan7139]

Your content raises the bar so high....simply outstanding!!!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@DaraM73]

Haha more “worst of’s” need to be outed

[@AlexBallMusic]

That's what Florian's channel is for. :)

[@DerekPower]

You clever bastards ;)

[@ASH-ou4cg]

Was not expecting this, but LOVED it! Awesome cameo too!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Andrew

[@SrNutritivo]

Best Synth video a have seen in ages. Subscribed.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks.

[@markusfuller]

Not the greatest drum machine ever but I would still buy one just for its retro look.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Looks cool. Sounds terrible. Think the TR-505 is the opposite in that regard.

[@retrosound72]

My god....😁😄

[@AlexBallMusic]

😀

[@mike969696]

Your collaboration at the end is fantastic :) Loved it!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@tommymandel]

I just sold Korg's companion Percussion box. It had really cool sounds for the time. Loved the faces, and your 80's masterpiece at the end!

[@oldschoolebm666]

Instant classic video! 😂 The ARP AVATAR bass line is sooo nice and Chunky.

[@steve--smith]

Superb. Nice work, gentlemen.

[@SirNotAppearing]

a mash-up made in Gear Heaven. Like, totally.

[@briancassidy6678]

Brilliant as always! Thanks.

[@martinnonstatic7435]

this is so pure entertainment! cool guys , keep up doing collabs like this

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers

[@oryjen]

I LOVE your demos, buddy!

[@GaitaPonto]

Heaven Can Wait with two of the coolest YT synth guys. Sweet!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cheers Gaita. 🙂

[@miscible21]

Micheal Biltong 😆😆😆 much appreciated from South Africa ❤️

[@simonfenn3791]

Fantastic piece of work guy's.

[@towerofspunk]

LMAO! This is by far the best synthesizer oriented KZbin channel. You're a great player, with gerat musical ideas, and this sh!t is funny.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks very much. 🙂

[@georgegeez8708]

Hey this was my first drum machine back in 1989. I used it alongside a Casio SK-5 and a Yamaha PSS-270 keyboard and recorded into a 4track Tascam tape recorder. I made little hip hop and house tracks in my bedroom alongside my DJ setup. Some of the tracks I created with these pieces were impressive. Hey we all have to start somewhere. Lol. I plan to buy one of these again just for my own nostalgia. This was a great video. I thank you guys for it. Cheers from across the pond in the States.

[@VintageMusicGearTV]

Brilliant video super drums sounds great in the mix with the other Synths!

[@bloodyhell6378]

A round of applause "Claclaclaclaclaclaclaclaclaclaclaclacla...."

[@trumjohannsmancave]

That studio is amazing!!! Love your channel😀❤🎹🤘

[@anthonybrett]

Lol this was brilliant... "True enlightenment...comes from using bad gear..." God bless you brother!

[@AlexBallMusic]

A mantra to live by.

[@cillobillo1059]

Oh, this is brilliant. Great work lads. 👍

[@alexovercast3359]

the jam that comes in at 4:40 is fire

[@AfterNothingsEnd]

Thanks for the laugh! I needed it! This video made my day!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

[@mrz80]

You've got an OG Juno... AND an ARP Avatar? DANG. I want your studio! :D

[@Plastic_Ivory]

That clap sounds like a slap to the face!

[@TheDanceluver37]

The video at the end just sold me on this!

[@craigmitchell8892]

Incredible as always

[@cptnqusr]

my lord that was the most perfect 80's pastiche i've ever heard

[@RaquelFoster]

Somebody pitched that intro as "Wes Craven's Shocker, but it's an Austrian nerd."

[@element433]

Thanks again Alex for showing us some more of your vintage wardrobe and warning us of yet another Dalek's alarm clock. Seeing that we are close to "Buy it Now" day I was poised to get one but after watching this, I'll stick to playing the spoons.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Spoons sound better.

[@michaelproctor8777]

That machine has the worse case of the clap ever

[@nightchairrecords8655]

That song is so good I can’t stress it enough it’s been stuck in my head all day! 10/10 Music Video

[@els1f]

The crossover I didn't know I needed🙌😌

[@snowleopard9749]

This is the best KZbin crossover I've ever seen!

[@AlexBallMusic]

😂 You have low standards.

[@petuniasandthewhale]

nah u made it sound so fire this only made me want it even more

[@zerstaerker]

I love those Audiopilz cameos in your videos.