Roland TR-505
TR-505 | |
---|---|
![]() The Roland TR-505 | |
Manufacturer | Roland Corporation |
Dates | 1986–1991 |
Price | $318 US (1986) |
Technical specifications | |
Polyphony | 8 voices |
Oscillator | N/A |
Synthesis type | Digital sample-based |
Velocity expression | No |
Storage memory | Patterns: 48 user, 48 preset. 6 Songs. |
Effects | No |
Hardware | Main panel features a simple LCD display, 15 buttons, 2 knobs, 16 trigger pads, 2 outputs for left and right/mono, headphone jack, and tape input/output. |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 16 pattern keys |
External control | MIDI in/out, start/stop foot pedal jack. |
Audio sample | 8-bit unsigned PCM data, with a 25.00 kHz sampling rate |
The Roland TR-505 rhythm composer is a drum machine and MIDI sequencer released by Roland Corporation in 1986.[1][2] It hails from the same family of drum machines as the Roland TR-909, TR-808, TR-707, TR-626 and TR-606. The drum kit includes basic rock drum sounds similar to those of the TR-707, plus a complement of Latin-style drum sounds similar to the TR-727.[3][4]
Voice synthesis
Samples in the TR-505 are stored as 8-bit unsigned PCM waveforms at a sample rate of 25 kHz. The TR-505 offers some major improvements over the TR-707, including 16 digitally recorded PCM drum sounds (four more than the TR-707) and five Latin percussion voices from the TR-727, reducing the need to buy a separate unit or PCM card.[5][3]
Summary of drum voices:[6]: 9
Low conga | Hi conga | Timbale | Low cowbell | Hi cowbell | Clap | Crash | Ride |
Kick | Snare | Low tom | Mid tom | Hi tom | Rimshot / sidestick | Closed hi-hat | Open hi-hat |
Although there are 16 drum samples, the TR-505 only has an 8-voice polyphony, restricting some sounds from playing simultaneously: low conga or hi conga; timbale, low tom, mid tom, or hi tom; low cowbell or hi cowbell; hand clap or rim shot; crash cymbal or ride cymbal; closed hi-hat or open hi-hat.[6]: 9
The TR-505 offers very limited voice editing in the form of volume, velocity, MIDI channel, and MIDI note of each voice as a global parameter.[6]: 14,40,42
Sequencer
The TR-505 contains 48 factory sequencer patterns, organized into 3 pattern groups (A, B, and C). The drum machine can also store 48 user created sequencer patterns, organized into 3 pattern groups (D, E, and F).[3]
The TR-505 features five basic modes, including the following:[6]: 8
- Track play - plays whole tracks (arrangements of patterns to form songs).
- Track write - sequence patterns into tracks.
- Step write - sequence patterns by stepping through each position in the pattern.
- Tap write - sequence patterns by tapping drums sounds in real time.
- Real time - play patterns in real time by tapping the pads.
An accent can be applied to any position in a pattern and will affect all instruments triggered at that position by increasing output volume.[6]: 15
Users can copy, insert, or delete one or more steps in any given pattern, and copy, insert, or delete patterns anywhere in a track (song).[1]
Each individual pattern is a single measure long, The default time signature is 4/4 consisting of 16 steps and quarter note scale, resulting in each step representing a sixteenth note. Other time signatures can be programmed by changing the Last Step (length of patterns) and the scale, allowing for shuffle and swing rhythms.[6]: 24
Two or more patterns can be combined, using pattern chaining, to play as a single pattern. Each pattern in the chain occupies a pad, but it will only trigger the chain as a whole, not the individual pattern.[6]: 27
Up to six tracks (songs) can be programmed using combinations of patterns.[6]: 16 Each song can consist of up to 423 bars (patterns).[7][6]: 18
Keyboard and external control
The TR-505 consists of 16 individual instrument/ pattern pads.[7] The pads are not velocity sensitive, but can be modified by the accent parameter.[6]: 51
The TR-505 can transmit and receive on MIDI channels 1 through 16 and Notes numbers 25 to 99. It also contains a MIDI Omni mode allowing it to receive all MIDI data. The TR-505 responds to the following MIDI messages:[3]
- Key message - trigger signal for the individual voice.
- Velocity message - Note-on velocity is both transmitted and received allowing more expressive.[6]: 51
- Track number message - track/song select
- Bar Number message - Song position
- Clock message - tempo synchronization, start, stop, etc..
Storage
The TR-505 can store 48 ROM patterns, 48 RAM patterns, 6 tracks, and a maximum of 423 measures.[8]: 1
The Tape interface (in/out) allow the Tracks and Patterns in internal memory to be stored on external tape.[5] Data can be Saved, Verified, and Loaded from the tape.[6]: 35,36,37
Modifications
There are companies, websites, and magazine articles documenting a DIY process for circuit bending and modifying the factory setting of the Roland TR-505. An example of a few modifications include changing audio samples,[9] voice circuit bending,[10] adding individual audio outputs,[11] adding CV outputs,[12] adding pitch change to each voice,[10] and adding circuits to randomize sequences.[10]
References
- ^ a b Gilchrist, Trevor (May 1986). "Drumatix Goes Digital". Electronics & Music Maker. 6 (3): 38.
- ^ Lockwood, Hannah. "ROLAND DRUM MACHINE HISTORY: 1964 – 2016". Roland Australia Blog. Roland Corporation. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Reed, Tony. "Roland TR 505 Rhythm Composer". RhythmCheck. International Musician. 12 (6): 102–103.
- ^ "TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer". Roland. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Gilby, Ian (April 1986). "Beat Box". Sound on Sound. 1 (6): 24.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Roland TR-505 Owner Manual, Osaka Japan: Roland Corporation.
- ^ a b "Roland TR505". Making Music. 1 (1): 27–28. Apr 1986.
- ^ TR-505 Service Notes. (Jun 1986). Osaka, Japan: Roland Corporation.
- ^ "Roland TR-505 ROM Expansion". HKA Design. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c "TR-505". Burnkit 2600. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- ^ "Project: Separate out for the Roland 505". International Musician. 13 (4). Mar 1987.
- ^ "Roland TR505". Polynominal. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
- Gilby, Ian. "Beat Box". Sound On Sound. April 1986. p. 24. ISSN 0951-6816. OCLC 925234032.
- Gilchrist, Trevor. "Drumatix Goes Digital". Electronics & Music Maker. May 1986. p. 38-39.
- Reed, Tony. "Roland TR 505 Rhythm Composer". International Musician. May 1986. p. 102-103
- "Roland TR505". Making Music. April 1986. p. 27-28
Further reading
- Roland TR-505 Owners Manual, Osaka, Japan: Roland Corporation
- Roland TR-505 Service Manual, Osaka, Japan: Roland Corporation
- Alex Grahm. Rhythm Machines 2. self-published. 2018. ISBN 978-1983552588.
External links
- Roland TR-505 Rhythm Composer | Encyclotronic - Review, Tech Specs, Images, Media, and Purchase Links
- Roland TR-505 ROM Expansion | HKA Design - Sample modification kit for TR-505
- Roland TR-505 | Burnkit2600 - Circuit bending and modding the TR-505
- Roland TR-505 | Polynominal - Review, mp3 demos, and manual
- Roland TR-505 | Vintage Synth Explorer - Review and media
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