Roland TR-505 Rhythm Composer Demo

The TR-505 is a fully programmable drum machine with 48 rhythm patterns pre-programmed. It has a grand total of 16 drum sounds, Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Low Tom, High Tom, Mid Tom, Rim Shot, Closed Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat, Low Conga, Hi Conga, Timbale, Low Cowbell (Ago-Go), Hi Cowbell (Ago-Go), HandClap, Crash Cymbal, and Ride Cymbal, resulting in an impressive library of basic drum and percussion sounds. It's a Digital Sample-Based Machine. The TR-505 allows the user to program 6 "Rhythm Tracks" or tunes, altogether resulting in 423 bars from the 48 user-programmed RAM and 48 ROM presets. You can input notes one of two ways: Step Writing (Like a classic TR-808, TR-707, TR-727, or TR909), or Tap Writing, which is when the user "Taps In" the sounds to the click of the metronome. The large LCD Window makes it VERY easy to program rhythms, however, there is no backlight. The TR-505 also boasts the ability to save patterns, songs, and other User-Programmed Data via a Cassette Interface Jack. You can hook this thing up to a tape recorder, and record your TR-505's RAM onto a Cassette Tape! I've used this a few times to save those interesting rhythms I make, that is if I'm not near my studio. The TR-505 also has MIDI Implimentation, with MIDI IN and OUT jacks. So it can integrate seamlessly into your MIDI Studio.

The TR-505 is a VERY easy drum machine to figure out. You just need to step back a little and not over think things. It's pretty easy to figure out, but you'll need the manual to figure out detailed functions. Sounds like a TR-707/TR-727 (and sorta has that Linn flavor as well) Combination but in a smaller, more affordable package. You can find these on eBay nowadays from $50-$200. You'll rarely find one over $100. Good piece of kit for the price!

This Drum Machine was manufactured by Roland in 1986.

Video Demonstration By: VacTrooper. All rhythms in this video by VacTrooper (Alex Durr).

(c) 2010 Another One Of Durr's Productions