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.

x0x505

January 29, 2013 @ 11:18 pm

Something I like doing with the 505 is taking the MIDI into my DAW of choice and then layering other sounds on top of the 505. The level on the 505 does not affect the level that is sent out via MIDI, so say you don't like the open hi-hat sound, you can replace just that sound and keep it out of the mix while still using the other 505 sounds.

You could use that idea with any sound, whether it be drum replacement, vocal samples, etc.

The 505 rocks and does not deserve a 2.

Carn Marth

January 21, 2013 @ 8:09 am

My old band used to use this onstage, and I could switch between patterns with one hand while playing keyboard (a Yamaha PSS-270 home kbd) with the other. I love the 505, and the snare sounds fantastic in a live venue.

If anyone knows specific tracks that use this machine, please post. Thanks. Which Aphex Twin and Vince Clarke tracks is it on?

Andrew Flinders

January 16, 2013 @ 5:02 pm

I REALLY am DISGUSTED with this WEBSITE. This is one of the Greatest drum machines ever made. ROLAND TR-505. It CHANGED Music. Everyone USES and LOVES TR-505.

Paul

December 22, 2012 @ 8:00 am

Ah, the 505. I was so excited about having a gadget with REAL drum sounds (oh yes, they were real. REAL!) that I used to take it to work and play with it during lunch break. When the warranty ran out I did the individual output mod (from a magazine article) and had loads of fun running the sounds through an Alesis Microverb. Watch out, Phil Collins: I too have a gated snare, MUH ha ha ha haaa! Egads, was that really 25 years ago?

dr_hobot

October 21, 2012 @ 12:28 pm

I use this mashine with kaosspad on insert. Like

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