Vintage Synth Explorer

Korg • KPR-77 Programmable Rhythm

The KPR-77 was Korg's answer to the TR-606 drum machine. Like the 606, the KPR-77 is basically an analog machine. Its sounds consist of bass, snare, two toms, open and closed hi-hats, accent and (switchable) cymbal/clap. Each drum sound's level can be individual mixed via the sliders. Unfortunately the KPR does not sound nearly as nice as the 606 can. But it has a simple LCD programming display sort of like what the TR-505 sports.

It holds up to 48 patterns (3 groups of 16) and two songs. A pattern can hold up to 32 steps. Like the TR-606, the KPR can be battery operated and REQUIRES batteries for retention of your programmed drum patterns and songs when it is turned off! Fortunately a casette out lets you store its memory to tape for offline storage. The KPR-77 has DIN SYNC IN/OUT as well as Tom trigger outs (like the 606) for external control and triggering. However, Korg's DIN Sync is not the same as Roland's DIN Sync. When syncing Roland and Korg gear via DIN sync, they will work however the Korg machine will run at 1/2 the tempo/speed of the Roland unit. This is because Korg uses a 48 ppqn (parts per quarter note) DIN standard whereas Roland's is 24 ppqn. This can be corrected with several devices which will translate 24-48 sync, such as the Korg KMS-30.

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matt the modulator

Posted 29 days ago

its a quirky beast to master this slighty harder to program than the 606 but i think the snare and kick are slightly better sounding but i hate the sound of the hihats on the KPR-77 .The hand clap is amaising simply amaising !!!
great little machine worth a few quid ive just paid £55 (october 2009) and iam happing with it but iam not sure ide pay £250 like i did for my 606 for the KPR-77.

bubba

Posted 54 days ago

The unit does NOT need to have batteries or be plugged in to retain programmed patterns.

hector

Posted 173 days ago

I bought one of these the other week, nice condition too. I admit it is difficult (near impossible) to use without instructions, but after a few run throughs with a cheat sheet, it's really not as difficult as it's made out to be. Two trigger outs for the toms so now you can trigger your korgs seperately, the kick needs tweaking, but the claps are nice and dirty! Much 'fuller' sounding than the 606, which sounds thin to my ears.

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