1976 Korg Univox SR-120 Vintage Electronic Drum Machine Mini Pops MP-120P

Up for sale, a 1976 Korg Univox SR-120 vintage drum machine in excellent condition and perfect working order. The Korg SR-120 is an analog drum machine produced in Japan in 1976, and came in two variations, a wood panel version for home/studio use, and a black tolex travel-ready version of which this particular SR-120 is an example. This was the most advanced drum machine from the Korg "Mini Pops" series, which was the name given to a number of early drum machines from Korg during the late 1960s into the 1970s. The machines were based around a number of preset rhythm patterns, such as waltz, samba and rhumba. The onboard sounds are famous for being delightly "lo-fi" and are just as at home in hip-hop as they are in indie/dream pop.
The Rhythms are composed of a maximum of 7 sounds: BD (Bass Drum), SD (Snare Drum), HH/Cy (High-hat/Cymbal), Hi and Low Conga, and Claves. The SR-120 boasts 16 different patterns plus five Breaks by pattern, and a control called Balance that dictates the BassDrum/HiHat level (more BD and less HH when turning the pot in one direction, less HH and more BD when turning in the other direction). There are also Volume and Tempo settings, as well as an Auto/Manual control which controls the drum fills. The Korg/Univox SR-120 is a rare machine, but the big names of its era had one, and the SR-120 has been used by artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Kraftwerk, and Air.

Cosmetically, this drum machine is in great shape but does have an expected amount of play wear, with a handful of minor nicks in the tolex, as well as some faint white and pink spray paint on the bottom of the unit. Otherwise, this SR-120 is in great shape, and would make a great writing and studio tool!