Cheetah MD16
A British-made 16-part multitimbral drum machine with 8-voice polyphony and interchangeable sound cartridges
Overview
The Cheetah MD16 is a drum machine from the British maker Cheetah. It has 16 multitimbral parts and 8-voice polyphony, so layered or complex rhythms are possible. Sound generation is 16-bit. Extra sounds come on ROM cartridges, and the "Electronic ROM" cartridge is the one that is documented. A rackmount version, the Cheetah MD16R, was also released. The interface was described as "very different" from contemporaries like the Roland TR-707. Enthusiasts count it as a rare and distinctive unit.
Specifications
| Polyphony | 8 voices |
| Multitimbral | 16 parts |
| Sound generation | 16bit drum |
Product Family
The rackmount Cheetah MD16R came out alongside the standard model. The machine takes interchangeable sound cartridges, and the "Electronic ROM" cartridge is the one specifically documented. These cartridges are rarely seen on the market now.
Market
The Cheetah MD16 originally retailed for £299. The rackmount MD16R was priced at £349 at launch. Forum users say both the machines and their sound cartridges are uncommon today. Variants exist in standard grey and in black. A service manual is available as a PDF, and there is historical evidence of photocopies being sold through enthusiast communities.
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