Bjooks Previews BEAT GEMS: Drum Machines in Modern Music
New book by Oli Freke chronicles decades of rhythm-machine innovation, from the Roland TR-808 and beyond
Copenhagen, June 4, 2026–– Bjooks has announced BEAT GEMS: Drum Machines in Modern Music, an ambitious new book by author, and electronic instrument historian Oli Freke that explores the sounds, technology, design, and cultural impact of the drum machines that transformed popular music. Currently funding on Kickstarter, the book offers a richly illustrated journey through both iconic and obscure rhythm machines spanning six decades of innovation.
From the pioneering Wurlitzer Side Man 5000 to genre-defining classics such as the Roland TR-808, TR-909, and TR-707, BEAT GEMS traces how rhythm machines evolved from accompaniment devices into creative instruments that fundamentally changed how music is written, produced, and performed. Along the way, readers will discover influential machines including the Linn LM-1, Oberheim DMX, Akai MPC60, Alesis HR-16, and dozens of lesser-known instruments whose innovations helped shape electronic music, hip-hop, house, techno, synth-pop, industrial, and countless other genres.
"Drum machines are far more than collections of sounds and circuits," said author Oli Freke. "Each one tells a story about the technology of its era, the musicians who embraced it, and the genres it helped create. With BEAT GEMS, we wanted to document not only the legendary machines everyone knows, but also the forgotten and unconventional instruments that played important roles in music history."
The book combines museum-quality photography with detailed historical research, technical insights, and stories from the broader culture of electronic music. Each featured machine is presented within its historical context, examining its design philosophy, sonic character, technical innovations, and lasting influence on musicians and producers. Readers will encounter everything from wooden rhythm boxes and early home-organ accompaniment units to the programmable drum machines that became foundational tools for modern music production.
Bjooks founder Kim Bjørn, says the project grew from a desire to tell a broader story about humanity's relationship with rhythm through the machines that helped define it. Rather than serving as a simple catalog of gear, BEAT GEMS explores how advances in technology repeatedly expanded creative possibilities, enabling entirely new approaches to composition, performance, and sound design.
Among the featured instruments are iconic models such as the Roland TR-707, whose crisp digital samples helped define countless records of the 1980s; the Wurlitzer Side Man 5000, an early rhythm machine that predates the electronic music revolution by decades; and obscure European designs such as the Rattlesnake, whose unconventional sound helped influence the emerging krautrock movement. These machines are presented alongside detailed photography that highlights both their industrial design and their place in the evolution of electronic instruments.
Key Features
- Coverage of more than 60 vintage drum machines spanning the 1950s through the digital era
- Extensive historical research connecting drum-machine development to the evolution of modern music
- High-resolution photography showcasing each instrument's design and interface
- Stories behind iconic machines including the Roland TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, Linn LM-1, Oberheim DMX, Akai MPC60, and many more
- Profiles of rare and overlooked rhythm machines that expanded the possibilities of electronic music
- Accessible writing for musicians, producers, collectors, historians, and music-technology enthusiasts alike
Following acclaimed Bjooks titles such as Synth Gems, The Minimoog Book, PUSH TURN MOVE, and Inspire the Music, BEAT GEMS continues the publisher's tradition of creating visually rich books that document the history, culture, and design of music technology.
To give readers and music technology enthusiasts an early look inside the making of BEAT GEMS, author Oli Freke and Bjooks founder Kim Bjørn recently joined Pro Synth Network LIVE! for an in-depth discussion about the book, the history of drum machines, and some of the rare and influential instruments featured in its pages. During the conversation, the pair shared behind-the-scenes stories from the research and photography process that brought BEAT GEMS to life. Watch the full interview below for additional insight into the project and the enduring legacy of rhythm machines in modern music.
Availability
BEAT GEMS: Drum Machines in Modern Music is in it's final days of the Kickstarter campaign, featuring early-bird pricing, exclusive rewards, and special editions for supporters. The book is scheduled to ship in October 2026.
ABOUT BJOOKS:
Bjooks is a boutique Danish publishing company dedicated to creating high-quality books about music technology, instruments, and creativity, started by author, designer, and musician Kim Bjørn. Known for titles such as PATCH & TWEAK, PUSH TURN MOVE, and SYNTH GEMS 1, Bjooks has become a beloved resource for musicians, producers, and gear enthusiasts worldwide.
Ashley Kinchen
