Groove Gadgets

Groove Gadget is a catch-phrase for any electronic device that can be used in the process of composing music, either as an aid, a source of inspiration, or both.

Following the lead of electronic music instruments came the first GG's. There was the sequencer, which allowed musicians to input musical (or non-musical) data and have the device output it in sync with the music, thus allowing the musician to play along with him/herself, but also to create complicated passages that would be difficult or impossible for a human to play. The drum machine was a logical extension of the sequencer, with built-in (and later: sampled) drum sounds that could be used as an alternative to a real drummer.

Roland managed to introduce some interesting concepts way ahead of time, one being the ingenious 16-step drum programming array, where a row of 16 LEDs (later: LEDs!) would represent the 1/16 notes of a measure for each available instrument. Roland also introduced a small bass-machine that was supposed to be used as a supplement for musicians in need of a bass player. It failed however, only to be re-discovered by young musicians years later, and much owing to the quirky interface (allowing semi-random sequences to be made), unique sound and programmable slide, it helped define a new musical trend!

Today, music makers crave for control over the equipment. Pre-fabricated drums and pure playback of sampled waveforms are a thing of the past, together with pesky "+1/-1" buttons instead of knobs. We don't need that stuff anymore. We need real instruments, the merging of hands-on control with powerful software to create totally new soundscapes and grooves. Finally, the music industry has caught on, and most manufacturers now have instruments in their line with lots of possibilities for expression and continous modulators (advanced effect boxes, filters etc.). Still, it's somewhat ironic that some manufacturers cram in pre-fabricated loops into their Groove Gadgets. Will they ever learn?

Here follows a list of groovy equipment and comments. Some can be brought with you on the road, some will occupy half your rig. But they all have a common denominator, to be an aid or inspiration to the music process! The list is far from complete, and as long as it's evolving, I'm happy. That means that there are still new Groove Gadgets to find Out There :-)

List o' devices