The instrument
1986 Yamaha joins the electronic drum market with their PMC-1. This module was a MIDI converter that allowed some fairly complex MIDI functions such as assigning up to 5 separate sounds to one pad. The PMC1 was an interface between Yamaha's percussion pads and any kind of synthesizer equipped with MIDI. The XLR connections adopted by Yamaha to connect the pads weren't common but they could work with Simmons pads from the early 80s as well. Settings could be stored internally or copied to a Mk1 RAM cartridge. Each setup included a full control of how the input from the pads was treated and sent via MIDI. Velocity information for example could trigger a different note. The package included a voice floppy disk for the TX816, suggesting the PMC1 as an addition to an already existing studio.
Details
The PMC1 converts the control voltages output by the pads into MIDI signals, which in turn are forwarded to the sound generators in the drum machine or synthesizer. It is fully programmable and has 32 memories to store patch information. The parameters are changed with 16 push buttons, including an internal key that gives access to each of the memories. The Note button determines which note or pitch is played by each pad. In MIDI A output, each pad can be programmed to produce up to five simultaneous notes with one strike. MIDI B determines the instrument voice. The Gate Time button determines the duration of the individual notes for each pad, Sustain the same via a foot pedal. The MIDI input allows you to play with a sequenced set of drum or keyboard patterns. The PMC1 can communicate with various Yamaha devices: from drum machines and computers to digital sequencers and DX7 synthesizers. (Source: muzines)