Boss DR-770 Dr. Rhythm

Bought on eBay for $280; I needed a way to record drum tracks without going into a studio.

The sounds you get are very, very realistic; I've done a lot of recordings with this drum machine already and people are always hard-pressed to tell it's a drum machine and not live. Its snare and bass drum sounds are especially impressive; the "natural" kit's snare sound is exactly that. The DR-770 sounds especially organic if you play it as a drum kit rather than using programmed patterns, for a more human touch. Multitracking different parts also allow much more intricate parts to be played.

One thing that you can't get with this drum machine is cymbal sounds. It just doesn't have the complex character of stick hitting metal, and the sustain is poor on all the crash settings. It's also not possible to play a convincing ride part on here.

Good. The pads are velocity sensitive, which means they can lose sensitivity over time, but that's part of the deal.

This is an indispensable tool for the one-man, home-recording musician who doesn't own a drum kit (or can't play one). Granted, the dynamics are probably better on an actual electronic drum kit with pads, but since those run at least $1,000, compared with $200-400 for drum machines, they are out of reach for most casual musicians. The Dr. Rhythm is invaluable in this respect.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

I purchased the Dr 770 late last year thru Musicians friend, actuall was pretty happy with the price, as a demo it was barely 3 hundred bucks.

Having had a few drum machines, the first thing to strike me about this unit was the sound. Having been a few years since I last checked into the drum machine technologys i was really surprised at how far they've come. The menu is easy, with two separate pad banks, each with 16 sounds, and when layered, produces 32 sounds and a full layered percussion/drum sound a'la santana springs forth. Realistic sounding drums with around 400 preprogrammed patterns. With 255 available sounds, and 64 user drum kits a user can create up to 3520 original sounds ! midi in and out, a phono output, and 3 main outputs, two stereo, and one individual. (all assignable). A very easy to use flam/roll utility, and onboard effects (although they aren't the best sounding effects). Plug it in and select a drum kit, decide on layering, and either real time, or in step mode, record your patterns. It is that easy. Or use one of the 400 very useable built in rhythms. the pattern selections are song oriented, each pattern name has a verse part, verse fill pattern, chorus, and a chorus/fill pattern. Making real time recrding with the unit slaved, extremely easy.

The only complaint I really have is the unavoidable 5lb transformer in the power plug. But remember folks, if it wasn't a wal-wart, it would be in the unit itself, making noise, and heat. This is how companies make these units today affordable.

The casing is a very rigid plastic with a somewhat readable display led, I imagine it could be very hard to read on a dark stage. The pads and menu buttons are all made of a durable yet easy on the fingers rubber material.

I like it, nothing else to say. Go get one, this unit is by far the best machine in the Boss line so far. Enjoy.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

A midi input
midi output
an input pedal
headphone output
stereo output
an individual output

UTILIZATION

I Use to supplement my existing rhythm on my Korg Pa1X Pro, I must say that it is easy to use, ergonomic, easy to program, easy to carry.

SOUNDS

for what sounds good at the time I mean it almost 10 years ago, or maybe they are quite convincing especially for snare drum sounds and percussion, but what makes this rhythm, it is especially dynamics or the dynamics in general, so impressive.

OVERALL OPINION

I love this drum is the function that allows the DPP to change pace by pressing the 16 pads dynamics, and functions that enables FWD RWD by pushing trigger fill the need, Exactly Same an arranger, that is to say when you fill triggers a password on the next paternal, I regret that this feature has not been followed on the newest models of Boss and Roland, as dr 880 I've had, I Resold because of the lack of this feature, because it allows to structure a song or ox, unlike drum that is now on the market that are linear and without no charm. It's almost 10 that I still I keep.

Bote super strong pace in the least amount of space. The 800 rhythms (including 400 ditables) can be truly complete. Quick Search function to quickly find a rhythm and style and are fast to search
The possibilities are truly edition trs strong. With 255 sounds of all styles, filters, a qualiseur and the choice of shades on a same sounds, the DR 770 permits crativit total.
With 128 drum kits (64 presets), there was plenty to do.
For Fast Fashion in squenceur is the same.
In short, it's really a box complte rate and ultra compact (about 15 * 20 * 7 cm).

UTILIZATION

Use of this bote rhythm is very simple logic and especially trs. Same when you have not used a rather complex function for a while, found the procedure easy because all custom settings are classs. The edition is trs complte sounds, you get lost a little beginners because a bote rate often does not give us many opportunities. With the manual, you come very easy to do what you want.
Playing on a keyboard, using two assignable pedals can introduce variations or fill-in during the song.
A major default on the use: the LCD screen is not clear (a lack frankly in some lighting conditions)!
A little lacking: for users who are Fully ear or do not sufficiently matrisent solfge, we very much regret the display grid of beasts like the rhythm of the TR 707 o Fast Fashion new rhythms silent child's play.

SOUNDS

The sounds are good trs overall, but like many bote rhythms, you need a good amp or a good sound system to realize the quality of sound.
The choice of sounds and all rglages associated with them can cover all styles of music: Techno Jazz, there for every taste.

OVERALL OPINION

It is a terrible machine. I use it for 2 years, you can do virtually anything you want. The price of the DR 700 is really justified for the performance it offers!
The only missing: that of not being able CRER pattern for the intro and the end pieces
(4 patterns are associated: Rhythm Original, Fill-in to Change, Rhythm Variation, Fill-in to Original).
In short, if you hsitez again, I assure you, the DR 770 is a good choice trs!