Trend price : 50€
A kind of preset version of the more famous TR505 with same samples soundset lacking the sequencer. Part of the famous CR - computer rhythm - series started with the famous analog CR78.
Overview
Main panel features a simple segment display, a rotary selector, 9 knobs and 23 push buttons. Rear panel terminal connectors:
-
main mono signal out
- Midi input
- Midi Thru (no out)
- pedalswitch input start / stop
- pedalswitch input fill-in
- pedalswitch input restart
Voice
up to 8 voices polyphony. The drum machine synthesis in based on sample playback, PCM are read from a single 128 kb ROM that contains 16 non-editable percussive sounds at 8 bits / 25 kHz : kick, snare, rimshot, clap, tom (x3), timbale, hh (open/close), crash, cymbal, tambourine, claves and conga (x2).
Rhythm
the internal ROM memory contains 24 preset (e.g disco, rock, swing, merengue, reggae, tango...) that cannot be altered but some variation that can be manually set:
- fill-in
- shuffle groove amount
- accent button
-
intro/ending
- rhythm variation.
- accent level
- clap variation.
MIDI
the CR percussions can be triggered using MIDI but it only responds to note ON/OFF no other controls or CC.
Sync
internal tempo range from 40 to 240 BPM or tempo-slaved to external Midi clock.
Memory
- 24 ROM presets.
Battery replacement: 3V Cr2032 soldered to mainboard. There's is not much data to save since it is a preset machine, maybe Midi channel setting? Probably you won't notice the battery is dead.
Review
OK: cheap
NOT : - no sequencer- outdated sound
" it's a TR505 without sequencer which was the best part. Sounds are quite old."
Text , review, special demos copyright polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
