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.

Hue Awkwardstares

May 3, 2013 @ 7:23 am

the audio example provided sounds peculiar, as if it were samples of a KPR's sounds & metronome w/ a bit of swing. I could be wrong.
All I know is that my KPR doesn't really sound the sane. Maybe I could mute the closed hihats...
http://soundcloud.com/the-quiet-overhead/gnowlihn-shorter-version
http:/ /soundcloud.com/the-quiet-overhead/all-that-jelly-much-to-much

Yanman

February 9, 2013 @ 1:28 pm

I hear talk that's either flat out good or bad about this machine. I've worked with one for a while and it sounded great. All of the sample kits I've heard sound [beep] though. This leads me to believe that it is, just like many analog boxes of the era, not consistent from machine to machine. I've noticed this with the 606 and the 303. The 303s even used a different transistor in later models. Maybe that's what's happening here and some runs of the KPR-77 are substantially better/different sounding than others.

sneakyjoemalibu

December 4, 2012 @ 6:37 am

kpr77 is used on jamie principle tracks ron hardy versions : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP1OZFyj_CY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_luWagHaPw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYe-bJB w9Vo
kp77 works well for strafe set it off kinda thing..sounds like the CYM sound is from this machine on that # plus quick hats for high tempo electronewwave.. this thing is instantly funky if you allow it to speak.. analog rz-1 ghetto funky.. din sync- it's easy to program the thing unless you have no rhythm.. oddly loud CYm as already stated by other person

Hue Awkwardstares

July 27, 2012 @ 10:31 am

15 years ago I decided I wanted a KPR77. After a year of listening to detroit techno I decided the sound of the 606 (and 303) was "played out"(admittedly naive of me). Finally got one in 2010. Multiple outs are a plus. Toms, snare, hihat sound good- accented cymbals are super loud & clap (sounds like a "clop") is rather "pointy". Must sub out cymbals for claps is a minus. Not the best machine for 4/4 techno.
Audio example does not sound like KPR77's stereo toms (which can flam).

I think the toms are inverted.
Hooking the trigger outs to my VCF resulted in the opposite effect I intended.

smoinync

April 30, 2012 @ 4:52 pm

It's hard to dislike this thing. I quite like the sound of kpr as much as tr606, both ain't thin at all. However, u might need to read & analyze the manual, just in order to program it. The manual isn't too hard to be understood but to me it isn't clear enough to be understood. I thought it was broken but finally I could get it working by accident, it costed me around $280 which reasonable enough to spend on a brand new dead stock.

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