The BME Rattlesnake Parametric-Percussion-System remains one of the most enigmatic and sought-after artifacts of the early 1980s analog synth era. Manufactured around 1982 by Hans Peter Baumann’s company, Baumann Musik Elektronik, this German-engineered drum machine was an ambitious attempt to bridge the gap between static preset rhythm boxes and the professional, tweakable power of systems like the Simmons SDS-V. While it visually resembles a standard home organ accompaniment tool of its time, the "Parametric" designation in its name hints at a much deeper level of sonic architecture. Underneath its unassuming chassis lies a sophisticated array of analog oscillators and noise generators capable of producing a surprisingly aggressive and versatile palette of percussion.
The true heart of the Rattlesnake is its unique control interface, which allows for real-time manipulation of individual instrument parameters. By engaging the parametric function, users can adjust the decay and resonance of the drum voices, transforming a standard thudding bass drum into a long, sub-heavy boom or a tight, "bone-dry" click. One of its most legendary features is the "Scream" sound setting, a specialized circuit that injects raw distortion and harmonic grit into the signal path, effectively turning the machine into an industrial-leaning "electro monster." Furthermore, its dual handclap generator is frequently cited by collectors as one of the most authentic in the analog world, utilizing two separate noise sources with random modulation to mimic the natural timing inconsistencies of a real group of people clapping.
Beyond its internal sounds, the Rattlesnake was designed for modularity and professional integration. It features a proprietary 15-pin universal port on the rear panel, which allowed it to interface with external pads for live drumming or connect to the "Big Brain," a dedicated hardware sequencer that unlocked deeper programming capabilities. This connectivity, combined with a stereo output that provides a fixed but wide spatial image for the various drum voices, made it a powerful tool for experimental studio work. Because BME exited the music industry by 1984, very few units were produced, elevating the Rattlesnake to a "holy grail" status for enthusiasts of rare European synthesis. Today, it is prized not just as a drum machine, but as a unique analog filter bank, as the unit’s circuitry can often be exploited to process external audio through its distinct, vintage percussion voices.
