The instrument
The FR-1 was the first commercial product by Ace Tone after the prototype rhythm Ace R-1 made by Ikutaro Kakehashi, presented at the 1964 NAMM show. Full analog drum machine fully transistorized leaving the mechanical disc system and tube technology. The first drum machine produced by a circuit called a diode matrix. Hammond sold the FR-1 presets in their organ models of the era.
Details
16 preset patterns: Waltz, Dixieland, Western, Rock'n Roll, Slow Rock, Bosa Nova, Fox Trot, Swing, Tango, Beguine, Rhumba, Samba, Mambo, Cha-Cha, Sniffle, March. Four buttons to manually play each instrument voice, which included cymbal, claves, cowbell and bass drum. Controllers: Tempo, Volume. It is also possible to make combinations out of the rhythms.