Movement Systems Drum Computer
Encyclopedia
The Movement Drum System I/II (generally referred to as the Movement MCS Percussion Computer) was a very rare British-made drum machine
produced approximately 1981 (MKI) and 1983 (MKII). Both retailed at £1999.00 ex vat at march 1983 from 'Movement Audio Visual', 61 Taunton Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3LP, UK. Both models combined two technologies; analogue synthesized drum sounds similar to Simmons SDS-V and basic digital digitized 8-bit
drum samples. In total 14 independent voice modules could be played (5 of which can be digital). Also notable for its computer-like design and its ability to display drum notes and sequencing graphically on a green black cathode ray tube
display unit perhaps similar to page R on the fairlight CMI
. The Movement Drum Systems are known to have been expensive upon release, and it is estimated that approximately thirty were made.
The original designers was John Dickenson (owned the company Movement) and Dave Goodway. John Dickenson supplied sounds and the idea (the Design, Look, how it should work, layout etc) and Dave Dooway did the electronic side of the drum machine.
Its most famous user was David A. Stewart
of Eurythmics
, who excelled in the use of this Drum Computer on their 1983 worldwide hit, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
." The machine (MKI) makes an appearance in the video, in a scene in which singer Annie Lennox
is seated on top of a table in a meadow, as Dave Stewart types on the Drum Computer's keyboard. Note in this video the version used is a two-piece type base unit and separate monitor (perhaps a prototype or the MKI model). Phil Collins
used an orange smaller 'one piece' MKII. David Stewart also used this machine on the following two albums, Touch and soundtrack album 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)
. The last commercial track release Eurythmics used this machine was on Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
. At this time the Eurythmics chose to use a lot of heavy ambient audio outboard processing to 'beef-up' and update perhaps the rather mild and dated sound of this classic machine.
In 1984, MIDI was added to create an additional 8 track sequencer.
Other hardware modifications, like battery backed memory and disk drives were added, but the operation was small (only a two man team). Eventually, the big companies reigned supreme.
Vince Clarke
currently owns a black version of the MK2 which was originally owned by David A. Stewart
of the Eurythmics
, The trade was only £500 GBP.
used on tracks:
Kim Wilde
(Cambodia) and most of her 1982 album Select
Hot Chocolate (Girl Crazy) and most of their 1982 studio album 'Mystery'
Thompson Twins
"Love On Your Side" and all of their 1983 studio album Quick Step and Side Kick
John Foxx
on his 1981 album The Garden
Also used / owned by:
Phil Collins
,
Kissing the Pink
,
Kajagoogoo
.
Drum machine
A drum machine is an electronic musical instrument designed to imitate the sound of drums or other percussion instruments. They are used in a variety of musical genres, not just purely electronic music...
produced approximately 1981 (MKI) and 1983 (MKII). Both retailed at £1999.00 ex vat at march 1983 from 'Movement Audio Visual', 61 Taunton Road, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 3LP, UK. Both models combined two technologies; analogue synthesized drum sounds similar to Simmons SDS-V and basic digital digitized 8-bit
8-bit
The first widely adopted 8-bit microprocessor was the Intel 8080, being used in many hobbyist computers of the late 1970s and early 1980s, often running the CP/M operating system. The Zilog Z80 and the Motorola 6800 were also used in similar computers...
drum samples. In total 14 independent voice modules could be played (5 of which can be digital). Also notable for its computer-like design and its ability to display drum notes and sequencing graphically on a green black cathode ray tube
Cathode ray tube
The cathode ray tube is a vacuum tube containing an electron gun and a fluorescent screen used to view images. It has a means to accelerate and deflect the electron beam onto the fluorescent screen to create the images. The image may represent electrical waveforms , pictures , radar targets and...
display unit perhaps similar to page R on the fairlight CMI
Fairlight CMI
The Fairlight CMI is a digital sampling synthesizer. It was designed in 1979 by the founders of Fairlight, Peter Vogel and Kim Ryrie, and based on a dual-6800 microprocessor computer designed by Tony Furse in Sydney, Australia...
. The Movement Drum Systems are known to have been expensive upon release, and it is estimated that approximately thirty were made.
The original designers was John Dickenson (owned the company Movement) and Dave Goodway. John Dickenson supplied sounds and the idea (the Design, Look, how it should work, layout etc) and Dave Dooway did the electronic side of the drum machine.
Its most famous user was David A. Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
of Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
, who excelled in the use of this Drum Computer on their 1983 worldwide hit, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (song)
Marilyn Manson released a cover version of "Sweet Dreams " as the first single from the EP, Smells Like Children. This version became an MTV staple and helped to establish the band in the mainstream. It also appears on the band's greatest hits album, Lest We Forget: The Best Of...
." The machine (MKI) makes an appearance in the video, in a scene in which singer Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox, OBE , born Ann Lennox, is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s with The Tourists, with fellow musician David A...
is seated on top of a table in a meadow, as Dave Stewart types on the Drum Computer's keyboard. Note in this video the version used is a two-piece type base unit and separate monitor (perhaps a prototype or the MKI model). Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
used an orange smaller 'one piece' MKII. David Stewart also used this machine on the following two albums, Touch and soundtrack album 1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)
1984 (For the Love of Big Brother)
-Personnel:* Annie Lennox: vocals, keyboards/synthesizers, percussion* David A. Stewart: backing vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards/synthesizers, drum & sequencer programming* Produced by David A Stewart* Mixed by David A Stewart & Eric 'E.T.' Thorngren...
. The last commercial track release Eurythmics used this machine was on Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
Sexcrime (Nineteen Eighty-Four)
"Sexcrime " is a song performed by British pop duo Eurythmics. It was written by group members Annie Lennox and David A. Stewart for their album 1984 , which served as the soundtrack to the film Nineteen Eighty-Four, an adaptation of the political novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell...
. At this time the Eurythmics chose to use a lot of heavy ambient audio outboard processing to 'beef-up' and update perhaps the rather mild and dated sound of this classic machine.
In 1984, MIDI was added to create an additional 8 track sequencer.
Other hardware modifications, like battery backed memory and disk drives were added, but the operation was small (only a two man team). Eventually, the big companies reigned supreme.
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
currently owns a black version of the MK2 which was originally owned by David A. Stewart
David A. Stewart
David Allan Stewart , often known as Dave Stewart, is an English musician, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Eurythmics. He is usually credited as David A. Stewart, to avoid confusion with other musicians named "Dave Stewart".-Early life:Stewart was born in Sunderland,...
of the Eurythmics
Eurythmics
Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A...
, The trade was only £500 GBP.
used on tracks:
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde is an English pop singer, author and television presenter who burst onto the music scene in 1981 with the number 2 UK Singles Chart new wave classic "Kids in America". In 1987 she had a major hit in the United States when her version of The Supremes' classic "You Keep Me Hangin' On"...
(Cambodia) and most of her 1982 album Select
Select (album)
Select is the second studio album by Kim Wilde, released in May 1982.The first single from this album, "Cambodia", was released in November 1981 and signalled a different sound from the Wilde camp, with an electronic and synth sound different from The Enid sound of her last album. The songs were...
Hot Chocolate (Girl Crazy) and most of their 1982 studio album 'Mystery'
Thompson Twins
Thompson Twins
The Thompson Twins were a British pop group that were formed in April 1977 and disbanded in May 1993. They achieved considerable popularity in the mid 1980s, scoring a string of hits in the United Kingdom, the United States and around the globe. The band was named after the two bumbling detectives...
"Love On Your Side" and all of their 1983 studio album Quick Step and Side Kick
Quick Step and Side Kick
Quick Step and Side Kick is the third album by the British synthpop group Thompson Twins. It was released in February 1983, and was their first album to be released as a trio...
John Foxx
John Foxx
John Foxx is an English singer, artist, photographer and teacher. He was the original lead singer of the band Ultravox before being replaced by Midge Ure, when he left to embark on a solo career in 1979...
on his 1981 album The Garden
The Garden (John Foxx album)
The Garden is a 1981 album by John Foxx, the follow-up to his debut solo album Metamatic, released the previous year. However its instrumentation and highly romantic style is more comparable to Systems of Romance, his last album with former band Ultravox, released in 1978.-Production and style:The...
Also used / owned by:
Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
,
Kissing the Pink
Kissing the Pink
Kissing the Pink are a British dance/synth pop group from London, England. Members included Nick Whitecross, John Hall, George Stewart, Josephine Wells, Pete Barnett, Sylvia Griffin, Steve Cusack, and Simon Aldridge.-Career:...
,
Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo
Kajagoogoo are a British pop band, best known for their hit single, "Too Shy", which reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 5 on the U.S...
.