Tanzmaus

Born from the evolution of MFB's classic MFB-503, this compact drum machine draws inspiration from the punchy vibe of a Roland TR-909, blending tough analog kicks with versatile sample playback for beats that hit hard and evolve endlessly.

Its hybrid heart pumps out five fully analog voices—kick, snare, rimshot, clap, and tom—paired with two sample sections accessing 16 exchangeable 12-bit samples, each tweakable via tune, attack, and decay. Five independent LFOs modulate pitch on the bass drum, claps, tom, and samples, with four waveforms and per-step programming for wild rhythmic motion. The chase sequencer holds 64 patterns across four banks of 16, chainable up to 16 steps, with A/B switching, parameter locks in step or real-time modes, four accent levels per instrument, 16 flam algorithms, and per-instrument step lengths plus global shuffle. Hands-on control comes via 21 rotary knobs, click buttons, and 16 step pads on a sturdy off-white metal chassis measuring 200 x 140 x 40 mm, with 5 individual outs, stereo main, full MIDI In/Out/Thru, and USB.

Over the years, producers have praised its raw, enhanced analog tones and live-friendly workflow, especially for techno and electronic grooves, though some note the shuffle control could feel more nuanced. Pre-loaded patterns from Berlin techno artist Yapacc give it an instant edge, and extra samples are available from MFB.