A Punk’s Guide to Rejectedsynths’ Rhythm 80 Adventure

Rejectedsynths brings us back to his lair of unloved relics with the second instalment of his makeover of the Hohner Rhythm 80. For those who missed the initial episode, this series is about transforming the humble old drum machine into a beast that can speak midi. The modding journey takes us through three key changes—adding MIDI-IN, bringing hidden trim pots out into the open, and throwing in extra controls for good measure. It’s like watching a vintage rally car being turned into a street racer.

The charm of old gear, like the Hohner Rhythm 80, is that it’s essentially a blank canvas for crafty modders like Rejectedsynths. He ingeniously replaces an off-the-shelf MIDI kit by concocting his own with an Arduino board. It’s not just about saving pennies, though that’s always a bonus, it’s about the deeper connection with the relics of analogue days gone by. By fusing these old soul machines with the modern magic of MIDI, he’s painting with pulses rather than brushes, each sounds like a symphony of electrical signals. Some might call it madness, but I call it genius. Rejectedsynths even jokes about how a little AI help from ChetGPT spun out the perfect script for him, blurring the lines between creativity and technology. Watch out for electrifying moments when the Arduino turns into a neural node, coaxing the Hohner to dance to a modern beat.

Rejectedsynths isn’t just faffing around with MIDI; he’s also externalising trim pots, making these elusive controls finally accessible. It’s like finding the remote control to the light dimmer you never knew existed but always wanted. To nail the bass drum pitch control, he bridges resistors for extended range. The challenge is keeping everything sounding credible and not like a dodgy kebab that was off yeast. But, as Rejectedsynths tinkers with trim pots of different values, he notes a triumph as well as a bit of old-school frustration—some sounds just won’t pitch like you’d expect. Nevertheless, there’s an undeniable thrill as he continues to tinker, reinforcing that the journey is as rewarding as the result.

If there’s anything that embodies Rejectedsynths’ approach, it’s the chaos and artistry of squeezing a tangle of wires back into rhythm. Imagining it as a pub brawl within a synth, every wire finds a grudging place of compromise. That they all find a home under that battered casing is a miracle in itself. His jam session is a refined cacophony that spurs a guttural response, defying logic and resonating deep within the audiophile’s rebel spirit. It’s a testimony to DIY culture, where the end may not be perfect, but it’s definitively yours. Borrowing the words of Rejectedsynths, it’s been as exhilarating as brewing a pint of your own ale. Hats off to Rejectedsynths for turning a pedantic project into a poetic punk symphony.