[3] It was notable for its low retail price of £29.95,[4] when standalone alternatives typically cost around £250-£300 for a similar functionality.
[5][6] They sold about 30 000 units the first year making it one of the best selling hardware add-ons for the ZX Spectrum.
The ZX Spectrum ran software that was used to program rhythm patterns, and chain these into songs.
The SpecDrum could also, in principle, be synchronized to other musical equipment, using a sync pulse sent and received from the ZX Spectrum's "ear" and "mic" audio input/output sockets.
[8] Artists who have used it include Nigel Powell who used for a 1987 demo with The Illiterate Hands that also featured Jonny Greenwood (of Radiohead) on keyboards and harmonica and vocals by Andy Yorke (of Unbelievable Truth).