street priceThe budget digital drum machine Roland TR-505 was released in 1986. It is a simplified version of the classic TR-626. The interface has a monochrome display, 15 buttons for pattern settings, 2 knobs for volume and tempo change, and 16 pads with different PCM drum samples.
The core of the instrument is built on an 8-bit Roland R15179247 CPU based on HD6301 which includes an 8-voice polyphony. The library offers standard drums with an additional set of "ethnic spirit": kick, snare, open/closed hi-hat, tom, cowbell, conga, cymbal, etc.
The functions of each voice are tied to PCM samples which are limited to audio parameters and some very basic polyphony settings. For example, a rhythm machine allows you to play 1 tom per measure, 1 conga at a time, a choice between a rimshoth or a clap, a crash or a ride. Unfortunately, the device does not have any settings for changing the tone of the samples, but it does well in timbrality.
The rhythm machine sequencer is equipped with 2 recording modes: Step Mode and Real Time Note Insert (adds notes in real time), allowing editing up to 48 patterns. Among the settings options, you can change the number of steps. Internal synchronization varies from 40 to 240 BPM. TR-505 was used by the outstanding IDM producer Aphex Twin and influential pop artist Vince Clarke.
Country of origin / production: Japan
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| Usage area | |
|---|---|
| Bass Synthesizer | |
| Percussion Synthesizer | |
| Usage Design/ Form Factor | |
| Without Keys, Desktop | |
| Archetype | |
| Digital (D) | |
| Polyphony | |
| Voices | 8 |
| Tone Generator / Sound Synthesis | |
| Technology of Sound Generation | PCM |
| Programs/ Voices/ Timbres | |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Kick Drum |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Snare Drum |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Hi-Hat Open |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Hi-Hat Close |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Percussion |
| Percussion/ Drum Capabilities | Tom |
| Sequencer | |
| Max number of songs | 6 |
| Preset patterns | 48 |
| MIDI in/ out | |
| IN | |
| OUT | |
| Pads Matrix | |
| Pads Count | 16 |
| Display | |
| Color resolution | Monochrome |
| Audio out | |
| Analogue: 1/4" (6.35mm) | 1 |
| Power | |
| Power Supply | External |
| Amperage | 30 A |
| Dimensions | |
| Height | 75 mm |
| Width | 305 mm |
| Depth | 175 mm |
| Weight | 0.820 kg |
| Color | |
| White | |
| Production start | 1986 |
| Production end | 1988 |
| Production ended | |
Roland TR-626 became one of the very first full-digital drum machines which are based on compressed PCM samples – it also the latest unit of the famous TR series. It is an updated digital version of the classic TR-606 and TR-505. The design is very...