XOX: Chatting Vintage Synths + Classic Drum Machines

Readipop founder, Gavin Lombos introduces XOX Project - a new Readipop project supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund in conversation with Richard Bentley, Matt Foster and Readipop's Abbie Hill. XOX Project:The sound of modern music can be defined by a few numbers: 303, 808 and 909. The numbers refer to the instruments that created the signature sounds of hip hop, house, techno, garage, acid and dance music culture. Once they were only known by creators but now they are celebrated in culture eg 'Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreaks'. Whilst the sounds and influence are ubiquitous within modern music, the actual instruments are rare, collectible and increasingly inaccessible to young and emerging musicians and the public. XOX project will explore, archive, share and celebrate the instruments that spawned many of the musical subcultures from the last 40+ years of electronic music and DJ/club culture. Readipop is creating a publicly accessible music heritage space where people can access, use and learn about a selection of influential, rare, vintage, heritage drum machines and synths and explore how these instruments contributed to the birth of many underground musical sub-genres that have subsequently become the sound of mainstream dance/pop music. Readipop host, Yusef Sacoor leads us through a discussion at the start of this exciting project...00.00 - intro03.20 - intro to the idea06.30 - rarity from unpopularity09.00 - iconic nature and tactility10.20 - synth memories and inspiration 13.50 - frame of reference14.50 - access to the means of production15.30 - intended usage of the 303 & 60617.30 - real instruments v emulation19.10 - limitations and creativity21.30 - 303s, retro23.00 - the Roland TB-30325.00 - happy accidents and determinism27.00 - favourite synths32.00 - what is a synth or a drum machine?36.25 - sonic signatures of genres40.00 - historical significance and ubiquity41.00 -  value to education45.00 - emotional connection and imperfection47.10 - what are we doing?51.30 - beyond XOX boxes 54.00 - favourite tracks, sounds, bands57.00 - playing out on the 303…