Synth historian Oli Freke will spend big on a good bicycle

Oli Freke is a known authority on synthesizer history, and he is shifting his attention to the evolution of the rhythm section. His upcoming coffee-table book titled Beat Gems captures the visual history and technical legacy of drum machines.

Published by Bjooks, the book documents legendary hardware like the Roland TR-808 alongside modern pieces of gear. The project is an extension of Freke’s career as a music journalist and writer, where he investigates how technology shapes sound through precise analysis and deep historical study.

Beyond his work on the book, Freke maintains a disciplined approach to his creative and professional life. He prioritizes reliable tools in his workspace, including Ableton Live, and maintains a skeptical view toward algorithmic social media platforms. His interests outside of music tech remain specific and grounded.

Beat Gems serves as a record for anyone interested in the technical progression of electronic music production. Freke’s work provides a clear perspective on how machines changed the nature of composition from the analog era through to current digital production methods.