A cheap (budget) drum machine. It features 16 drum tones which unfortunately, are only mediocre samples. Its memory contains 48 patterns and 6 songs. Unlike its TR cousins it does not have individual drum tone outputs. There is no drum tone editing capability either. It does however feature extensive MIDI implementation, even the pads will transmit MIDI data. The 505 works well with a computer and sequencer or as a stand alone drum machine. It is extremely basic and unexciting but does make a good starter or play-along drum machine. Vince Clarke and Aphex Twin has used the 505.

32 VISITOR COMMENTS

zimbabwe

November 26, 2011 @ 3:32 pm

I have 2, one circuit bend and one original. since they are dirt cheap, ik actually like syncing them together with a dj mixer overdrive crossfading them.
Also works well for samplers if you're in to that stuff..

Joshua

November 7, 2011 @ 1:01 pm

I have a TR-909, so I'm pretty familiar with Roland drum machines. With that said, the tool is only as good as the craftsman who holds it in his hand. I get killer sounds with it especially when I start running it through overdrives, ehx knockout, delays, etc.

It is what it is....Are you creative enough to make it cool?

Alex

September 25, 2011 @ 7:32 pm

don´t circuit bent machines like that they are to good to be destroyed

Hevquip

August 16, 2011 @ 11:05 pm

Pretty awesome little machine, but mine is circuit bent as well! Runs on batteries, so all I need for a mini-studio on the go is this, my Akai MPC 500, and my Korg Monotron. I would say definitely keep an eye out for a bent one, got some wicked bass tones and a nice little breakin' pattern going in minutes.

jayman

August 15, 2011 @ 4:04 pm

ali,
LOTS of things can happen.all of them good.. if you ran out from the 505 to the MK you could control the speed of both from the drum machine. you could also write a note sequence ( though not super easily) on the drum machine and have it play the microkorg.. if you ran from the mk's out to the 505 in then you could "play" the drum sounds with the microkorg's keyboard.. i think that the mk sends midi clock so you could control the speed of the drum machine with the microkorg..

<7654321>

 

Post Comment!

Your Name: (required)

Email Address: (required)

Image verification: (required)

Message:

 

Posting Rules:
Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

I have read and understand the posting rules.