Moby Geeks Out Over Drum Machines in Documentary

Believe it or not,

Moby has a geeky side. In an episode of 'Motherboard,' VICE and Dell's series of science and technology docu-shorts, Moby's obsession with gadgets -- namely analog and antique drum machine kits -- is explored. Toeing the line between a hoarder and self-proclaimed nerd collector, the electronic artist has been accumulating the instruments for quite some time. Whether they're adding an analog detail to his tracks or just sitting on the shelf looking pretty, you can check out the gadgets that make Moby happy, courtesy of our friends at SnagFilms.

In the docu-short, Moby lovingly traces the history of drum machines, showing that before they were cool, the gadgets accompanied church organs. At some point, they were re-popularized by Blondie, Suicide, Sly Stone and Kraftwerk. Why? Moby says that drum machine kits are more reliable than band members, for one thing, but they're still the nerdiest instruments ever. And that's all good: Being a gadget geek comes in handy when you're a successful electronica musician.

And so, home-made synths from Cleveland circa 1976 find a new home on Moby's shelf, turning his room into the Noah's Ark of drum machine kits. The collection saw a sharp increase once the musician discovered eBay. Feeding his addiction to collecting the vintage instruments, Moby has bought up incorrectly labeled and badly photographed doubles, in search of a rare machine. He treasures the residual history of the physical instruments and the capability of a unique sound of the analog machine, but he doesn't use them all. The most treasured recent item -- some sort of harpsichord hybrid-looking one-of-a-kind -- has yet to be played. Still, Moby plays a proud guardian to his own private drum machine museum. To take a peak, watch the short below: