Rides In The Storm teases the Rhythm Rides, a new 8-track analog drum machine that is currently in development.
Many still know Uwe from Rides In The Storm as Uwe from MFB. That’s how I met him, too. After Manfred Fricke’s death (RIP) in 2021 and the subsequent closure of MFB, Uwe continued as a developer at his own company, Rides In The Storm.
So far, he has focused on quality yet affordable Eurorack modules developed in Germany. Exclusive news! Uwe is currently working on something that will please fans of MFB drum machines. Yes, there will be a Rides In The Storm drum machine called Rhythm Rides.
Rides In The Storm Rhythm Rides
Uwe teased me just before Superbooth 2026 that he’s currently working on the first Rides standalone product, and it’s a drum machine. In mid-June, then, he first previewed the Rhythm Rides at the Sofia Synth Symposium in Bulgaria.
A complete picture of the new drum machine isn’t available yet. From the available footage, it appears to be a very compact drum machine.
The interface color is green (subject to change) with a layout and concept reminiscent of old MFB drum machines. One could say it’s their spiritual successor, especially since it was developed by the same person.
According to information, Rhythm Rides is an 8-track analog drum machine with dedicated drum/percussive synth engines for the kick, snare, synbell, toms, claps, rides, dig 1, and dig 2.
For example, the synbell section offers square/saw, 2/3 sub and 3/4 sub out, rectifier mix out, pitch envelope, low-pass filter envelope, and VCA envelope.
The claps and rides engines are based on comparator transistor synthesis (CTS). They have a blend knob that lets you blend between the CTS and noise. The last two could be digital engines or hybrids. Perhaps digital synthesis or samples.
The engines are very easy to operate because the interface uses a knob-by-function concept. Plus, it also comes with a classic mixer with a slider for each drum sound. There is a display, but I think that’s more for different changes.
Uwe writes in an Instagram post that the drum machine will feature eight voltage-controlled filters (VCFs) and 10 VCAs. So, a lot of analog technology.
Modulation, Sequencing & More
Yes, you can also work with modulation and motion in the drum sounds. Rides In The Storm says that Rhythm Rides offers intercircuit modulation (ICM). Perhaps you can do FM here, just like with a classic synth.
Alongside this, it includes a modulation center (NEXUS) that houses eight assignable multi-wave LFOs. So, a good amount of modulation is provided.
Of course, a drum machine needs a sequencer that makes everything groove. There is one, and you can operate it using 16 white buttons located in the last third of the drum machine.
Uwe teases that it will feature an enhanced sequencer. So I expect it will have all the modern tricks like probability, parameter locking (confirmed on Instagram), or automation, and more. There are also drum and magic modes that could be randomizers or so.
On the connectivity, the new Rides In The Storm Rhythm Rides will have individual outputs and a master output with a master VCF. MIDI is available via 3.5mm TRS sockets.
Exciting are two USB-C ports on the top. One offers USB MIDI host capabilities. The other is called VST. No, you can’t load VST plugins into it, but it provides audio (4×2 channels) and remote MIDI over USB-C.
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First Impression
The MFB drum machines were popular among electronic musicians. Therefore, this potential spiritual successor could interest many people.
What we’ve seen so far looks very exciting and extensive (tons of synthesis, good connectivity…). I’m looking forward to the final product and the first RITS standalone instrument.
Rides In The Storm Rhythm Rides is currently in development. Availability and price are TBA.
Regarding Eurorack, people always say that the modules are so expensive because they’re made by very small companies, and that there’s simply no other way. But Rides in the Storm proves that it can be done differently—their modules are consistently much cheaper than comparable ones from other manufacturers. Why is that?
Got some of their modules and they are really great.
I thought Rides in the Storm modules were manufactured in China??
PCBs for sure. I thought the rest was in Germany, as was the development. I’ve changed it to “developed” as I can’t say it 100%
rides in the storm is manufactured in china and germany. vst feature is similar to elektrons overbridge, for this a highquality 8ch AD converter is inbuild. the mixing sections is also voltage controlled. more info soon, best,uwe george