Manufactured by
Alesis, American, founded 1984
Used by
Prince Paul, American, born 1967
Subject of
Big Daddy Kane, American, born 1968
De La Soul, American, founded 1988
Stetsasonic, American, 1981 - 1991
Date
1988
Medium
plastic with metal, wire, and rubber
Caption
“I purchased this in ’88 and the sounds from this machine have been used on almost every record I worked on after 3 Feet High and Rising – Big Daddy Kane, 3rd Bass, Prince Among Thieves, and Stetsasonic. One record it can be clearly heard on is "It’s a Big Daddy thing " by Big Daddy Kane. On other albums I have used random percussion sounds from it, like low drums and hi hats." (Prince Paul)
Description
An Alesis HR-16 16 bit midi digital drum machine (.1a) with power cord (.1b) and owner's manual (.2) used by the producer Prince Paul.
The machine has a grey plastic shell covering and consists of a flat top panel and a slightly tilted main panel. Across the top of the flat panel is light grey text reading [AR-16 HIGH SAMPLE RATE / 16 BIT DRUM MACHINE] and, to the bottom left, a black plaque with silver lettering reading [ALESIS]. The top panel lifts up to reveal a set of printed instructions. Attached to the instructions is a yellow post-it note with handwritten inscriptions in black and blue ink including [II BASS BU 35] and [2 SNARE E140] among other notations.
At top center of the tilted main panel is a small rectangular display screen above a set of buttons numbered 1 - 9. Beneath this is a white label with black text reading [PRINCE PAUL]. To the left is another set of grey buttons, with three larger buttons underneath for [PLAY] (green), [STOP / CONTINUE] (grey), and [RECORD] (red). On the right is a vertical row of five grey buttons with a slider selection control. There are two rows of large, square off-white button pads along the bottom edge of the face.
The bottom is a shiny black plastic and has a black and white label from Alesis with the serial number [DI 449890] along with a black and white quality control sticker completed by hand with the date [12-4-88]. In each corner is a round rubber foot, except for the bottom left where the foot has been replaced with a yellow material. There is tape holding on the top right foot.
Place used
United States, North and Central America
Classification
Tools and Equipment
Musical Instruments
Type
audio equipment
Topic
Hip-hop (Music)
Musicians
Rappers (Musicians)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.38.4.1ab-.2
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd52b023c1a-21a2-4f71-9aa8-bf85548b8f34

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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