J
Jason M Hancock
New member
Does anyone here use the DR-5 Dr. Rhythm? Are you happy with it? Is it versatile? I'm thinking of buying it and can't check it out where I am.
7
72fender
New member
I have one and it's one of the best around, it's really more than just a drum machine. It's very easy to program, if you play guitar, you can use with a PA as a one person band.
R
Rudd
New member
I have one too. It's very versatile and fairly easy to program for guitar players. It also has a variety of sounds you can use besides drums.
If you look at my posts about my BR-8 recording examples you can hear a tast of how it sounds. I used the DR-5 to record both of these mp3's
hell, I'll just post them here....
http://www.guitar.com/mp3/mp3
If you look at my posts about my BR-8 recording examples you can hear a tast of how it sounds. I used the DR-5 to record both of these mp3's
hell, I'll just post them here....
http://www.guitar.com/mp3/mp3
R
Rudd
New member
okay, that first one doesn't work. let's try this one.....
http://www.guitar.com/mp3/mp3view.asp?mp3ID=-390817273
http://www.guitar.com/mp3/mp3view.asp?mp3ID=-390817273
R
Rudd
New member
Yeah, okay that worked. I forgot I moved that file........
J
Jason M Hancock
New member
Thanks!
Thanks, guys. You've sold me on the DR-5!
Thanks, guys. You've sold me on the DR-5!
BBB
Member
I've had my DR-5 since they first came out around 6 years ago. It's pretty fun and has good samples. However, it's not the greatest for programming when compared to a PC with MIDI using Cakewalk, Cubase, or whatever.
Editing and composing MIDI on a PC is almost infinitely easier. Especially with cutting/pasting/dragging/dropping/etc.
The DR-5 is great for a stand alone system and it's especially fun because it's portable. Hence, you can take it on a plane, to the park, or wherever.
Given the choice, I'd rather use a PC sequencer. Yet, the DR-5 is a decent little box.
Matt
Editing and composing MIDI on a PC is almost infinitely easier. Especially with cutting/pasting/dragging/dropping/etc.
The DR-5 is great for a stand alone system and it's especially fun because it's portable. Hence, you can take it on a plane, to the park, or wherever.
Given the choice, I'd rather use a PC sequencer. Yet, the DR-5 is a decent little box.
Matt
R
Rudd
New member
The DR-5 is great for a stand alone system and it's especially fun because it's porta
Good point. I often take my DR-5 to work with me so I can program at lunch time. That is a nice convenience short of loading a PC based program at work! (which I'm sure would really get me in trouble since you can guess what I'd be working on during the day!)
Good point. I often take my DR-5 to work with me so I can program at lunch time. That is a nice convenience short of loading a PC based program at work! (which I'm sure would really get me in trouble since you can guess what I'd be working on during the day!)
7
72fender
New member
It was best for me because I don't do computer base recording. Having the BR-8, I found out that I don't need it and because the band only hears my demo.
J
Jason Hancock
New member
DR-5's outputs
Hi again everyone,
Here's some info I found on zzounds.com about the DR-5's connectors:
Output L(Mon)/ R
Phones (stereo mini)
Guitar In
Footswitch
MIDI in/out
AC adapter
1. Are those outputs quarter inch jacks, RCA, or what?
2. Would I be able to connect the unit to my Tascam Porta02 Ministudio? (My Tascam has line/mic level inputs using quarter inch jacks.)
3. Would I be able to connect it to a Korg digital recorder like the D1600?
Thanks!
Hi again everyone,
Here's some info I found on zzounds.com about the DR-5's connectors:
Output L(Mon)/ R
Phones (stereo mini)
Guitar In
Footswitch
MIDI in/out
AC adapter
1. Are those outputs quarter inch jacks, RCA, or what?
2. Would I be able to connect the unit to my Tascam Porta02 Ministudio? (My Tascam has line/mic level inputs using quarter inch jacks.)
3. Would I be able to connect it to a Korg digital recorder like the D1600?
Thanks!
BBB
Member
Re: DR-5's outputs
Of course. Depending on whether you used it stereo or mono, you would use up 1 or 2 tracks.
Many moons ago, I used it with a Porta07. Because the DR5 can mix the Guitar In with the rhythm and drums, I would record the DR5 and one guitar part onto a stereo pair. I.e., I would play guitar through the DR5 while recording the drums, etc. That way I would have all the drums and rhythm in stereo and also have a guitar recorded onto two tracks. Thus, I would have up to five instruments recorded onto two tracks. I would then use the remaining two tracks for vox/harmonies, vox/2nd guitar, two more guitars (instrumental), or whatever.
Yeah. You could record it in the manner I just mentioned. However, you would preferably sync it with the recorder via MIDI. I haven't done this myself, because I prefer sync'ing my VS880 with Cubase and a JV-1080.
Matt
All are 1/4" except for Phones (1/8"), MIDI (MIDI), and AC adapter.Jason Hancock said:
Of course. Depending on whether you used it stereo or mono, you would use up 1 or 2 tracks.
Many moons ago, I used it with a Porta07. Because the DR5 can mix the Guitar In with the rhythm and drums, I would record the DR5 and one guitar part onto a stereo pair. I.e., I would play guitar through the DR5 while recording the drums, etc. That way I would have all the drums and rhythm in stereo and also have a guitar recorded onto two tracks. Thus, I would have up to five instruments recorded onto two tracks. I would then use the remaining two tracks for vox/harmonies, vox/2nd guitar, two more guitars (instrumental), or whatever.
Yeah. You could record it in the manner I just mentioned. However, you would preferably sync it with the recorder via MIDI. I haven't done this myself, because I prefer sync'ing my VS880 with Cubase and a JV-1080.
Matt
B
Blue Esq
New member
Also - be aware that the DR 5 only syncs to MIDI Clock - it doesn't sync to to MIDI Time Code. Some recorders (the Mackie 24/96, for example) only send MIDI Time Code, so you may have a compatibility issue.
Another drawback to the DR 5 is that it doesn't have enough outputs to isolate snare, kick, and hi-hat. It only has two outs, so if you want to record isolated tracks, you're going to have to do it two parts at a time.
Another drawback to the DR 5 is that it doesn't have enough outputs to isolate snare, kick, and hi-hat. It only has two outs, so if you want to record isolated tracks, you're going to have to do it two parts at a time.
7
7528
New member
I am also in the market for a drum machine.
So if someone can shed some light between the DR-770 and the DR-5, i'd be gratefull. Does the DR-5 have bass line capabilitys or something?
From what I have seen they are the same price.
Thanks
So if someone can shed some light between the DR-770 and the DR-5, i'd be gratefull. Does the DR-5 have bass line capabilitys or something?
From what I have seen they are the same price.
Thanks
B
Blue Esq
New member
The DR 5 is more than a drum machine. It has three additional channels that you can use for bass, keyboards, guitars, horns, etc. It has decent on-board sounds, or can drive sound modules.
It has 200 preset patterns, with an additional 200 user slots available.
The 770 has more features that you'd expect from a dedicated drum machine, but the DR 5 has more sequencing features.
Ask yourself which you need more - a drum machine or sequencer - and make your purchase accordingly.
It has 200 preset patterns, with an additional 200 user slots available.
The 770 has more features that you'd expect from a dedicated drum machine, but the DR 5 has more sequencing features.
Ask yourself which you need more - a drum machine or sequencer - and make your purchase accordingly.
muzeman
New member
Jason,
I had a Dr5 for about a year,very solid and "sophistocated" machine.
I emphasis sophistocated because it is going to take you quite a while to learn how to program it.
Took me a couple of weeks in my spare time,and once I did, to program a whole song,4 tracks with changes,took days.
Don't get me wrong,it's a great machine,just very involved.
I have to agree with BBB,a computer based program is much easier,but like me you said you don't use one.
I traded mine in and got a drum pad from Roland.
The pads are velocity sensitive and give you much more flexibility
and on the spot creativity options,just fits better with the way I write.
Just my 2 cents.
Pete
I had a Dr5 for about a year,very solid and "sophistocated" machine.
I emphasis sophistocated because it is going to take you quite a while to learn how to program it.
Took me a couple of weeks in my spare time,and once I did, to program a whole song,4 tracks with changes,took days.
Don't get me wrong,it's a great machine,just very involved.
I have to agree with BBB,a computer based program is much easier,but like me you said you don't use one.
I traded mine in and got a drum pad from Roland.
The pads are velocity sensitive and give you much more flexibility
and on the spot creativity options,just fits better with the way I write.
Just my 2 cents.
Pete
J
Jason Hancock
New member
Thanks!
Thanks, everyone. My unit just arrived last night and I've already plunged into the manual. Can't wait to be able to spend the whole weekend with it and try out some of the features and your tips.
If only I didn't have that date with that cool Hungarian chick tonight...
Jason
Thanks, everyone. My unit just arrived last night and I've already plunged into the manual. Can't wait to be able to spend the whole weekend with it and try out some of the features and your tips.
If only I didn't have that date with that cool Hungarian chick tonight...
Jason
badgas
New member
I went to get a mixer the other day and knew I'd need some kind of drum making software too. I asked the sales guy what he used when he recorded and the took me over to Dr. Rhythm.
I've downloaded some demo drum progies. I don't know if I got some cheap ones or if the demos were offering the bare minimums, but they sounded to cheezy for what I wanted. This Dr Rhythm is like having a band in a box, it's so easy to use and it's a guitarists friend.
I've had it for three days now, spent the first day reading the book and learning about the machine. Been Jamming with it ever since.
One tip this sales guy gave me was this. The machine is really easy to use, but ya got to remember, a real drummer has only two arms. Don't be doing a fill in, you know. like from the toms and other drums and have the high hat going at the same time, or a cymbel sound. Imagine what your playing and air-drum it so you don't over do it.
I thought that was pretty decent advice and just wanted to pass it on.
Hope ya like yours as well as I like mine.
I've downloaded some demo drum progies. I don't know if I got some cheap ones or if the demos were offering the bare minimums, but they sounded to cheezy for what I wanted. This Dr Rhythm is like having a band in a box, it's so easy to use and it's a guitarists friend.
I've had it for three days now, spent the first day reading the book and learning about the machine. Been Jamming with it ever since.
One tip this sales guy gave me was this. The machine is really easy to use, but ya got to remember, a real drummer has only two arms. Don't be doing a fill in, you know. like from the toms and other drums and have the high hat going at the same time, or a cymbel sound. Imagine what your playing and air-drum it so you don't over do it.
I thought that was pretty decent advice and just wanted to pass it on.
Hope ya like yours as well as I like mine.
J
Jason M Hancock
New member
doh!
Very easy to program? Man, I'm missing the boat somewhere...this thing is so involved! Methinks it's gonna take a while to learn how to use this. Though, I'm having lots of fun with the different kits and just goofing around with playing bass lines and stuff.
72fender said:
Very easy to program? Man, I'm missing the boat somewhere...this thing is so involved! Methinks it's gonna take a while to learn how to use this. Though, I'm having lots of fun with the different kits and just goofing around with playing bass lines and stuff.
7
72fender
New member
Well sorta easy to program, once you do enough times. To tell the truth I really don't use the backing tracks to record on my BR-8.
Scooter B
New member
RE: Programming the DR 5,
There are two distinct ways to program this unit. One for me is very easy the other appears much more complex and time consuming.
1. Real Time; your average guitar/bass player will be more comfortable with this method. Select kit, tempo, select your time signature (hint a four bar verse in4/4 can be also be 16/4 bar for programming) and play to the click. Quanitization is adjustable. There is also a "swing feature" that delays the two and four of a 4/4 measure, the delay is adustable and can lessen the mechanical feel at shorter delay times besides adding that swing feel with more pronounced delay times.
2. Step Time; this invlolves actually selecting note duration 1/4 note vs 1/8 note etc of each part of the kit and seeems more akin to computer programing. I have not used this method but it would appear to be very time consuming and involved.
Two weak links are the lack of nondestructive editing and only two (stereo) outs. You can not run out board effects on individual drums like the snare or hi-hat unless you use some type of MIDI or SMPTE code and track your parts very methodically (at least this sound possible but very comlicated). You can edit the individual sound pads with increased/decreased delay while you program but can not add anything later at the mix down when you really know what you need to adjust to better fit with the rest of the mix unless you want to add it to everything on the kit
I recently discovered a way to make things go a liitle smoother while programming a part I am still creating (that is I am not sure exactly what I want all the drum parts to be yet). After I get a basic bass drum, snare and hi-hat pattern programmed I copy that pattern to another "back up" pattern location. As I add toms, percusion and fills etc if I make a mistake I delete the current pattern and copy my back up pattern and start building again. This is not as easy as the nondestructive editing but it beats starting the pattern over from scratch.
Writing in Real Time mode should be pretty easy but can be frustrating when you almost have it perfect and mis-time or mis-finger the wrong pad. There is no way to edit your mistake with out deleting the pattern and going back to your most recent back up pattern as described above.
Scott
There are two distinct ways to program this unit. One for me is very easy the other appears much more complex and time consuming.
1. Real Time; your average guitar/bass player will be more comfortable with this method. Select kit, tempo, select your time signature (hint a four bar verse in4/4 can be also be 16/4 bar for programming) and play to the click. Quanitization is adjustable. There is also a "swing feature" that delays the two and four of a 4/4 measure, the delay is adustable and can lessen the mechanical feel at shorter delay times besides adding that swing feel with more pronounced delay times.
2. Step Time; this invlolves actually selecting note duration 1/4 note vs 1/8 note etc of each part of the kit and seeems more akin to computer programing. I have not used this method but it would appear to be very time consuming and involved.
Two weak links are the lack of nondestructive editing and only two (stereo) outs. You can not run out board effects on individual drums like the snare or hi-hat unless you use some type of MIDI or SMPTE code and track your parts very methodically (at least this sound possible but very comlicated). You can edit the individual sound pads with increased/decreased delay while you program but can not add anything later at the mix down when you really know what you need to adjust to better fit with the rest of the mix unless you want to add it to everything on the kit
I recently discovered a way to make things go a liitle smoother while programming a part I am still creating (that is I am not sure exactly what I want all the drum parts to be yet). After I get a basic bass drum, snare and hi-hat pattern programmed I copy that pattern to another "back up" pattern location. As I add toms, percusion and fills etc if I make a mistake I delete the current pattern and copy my back up pattern and start building again. This is not as easy as the nondestructive editing but it beats starting the pattern over from scratch.
Writing in Real Time mode should be pretty easy but can be frustrating when you almost have it perfect and mis-time or mis-finger the wrong pad. There is no way to edit your mistake with out deleting the pattern and going back to your most recent back up pattern as described above.
Scott