SAME!...Lol I've always had a soft spot for mid-range and low-end drum machines. Yamaha DD-10, Synsonics Drums, DR-110 and DR-55 are among my favorites. The DR-202 has been in my buy-it-if-its-cheap folder for a while now.
I agree, I always look forward to seeing and hearing how you use the machines, it's never predictable! I don't imagine he'd be getting much done on ket somehow... but your mileage may vary I guess?
I'm 33 and used this drum machine for over a decade as my first drum machine/midi sequencer. Toured extensively in my synth pop project. The smash kick as snare is something I just can't replicate on other machines. You can perform some degree of sound shaping on each individual drum sound when organizing them in to kits too. Also a very easy midi sequencer as the pads operate as a simple one octave keyboard. I bought mine for 50 bucks in 2009 and have since owned 6 of them. sold most of them off now and made double at least on each of them. Wild how much they go for these days
These things are a quarter century old, but still priced almost as much as my Model:Samples. And gives the M:S a run for its money. Already picked on the Digitakt, but editing on the M:S is nigh impossible.
can you make a youtube tutorial with some basic sequencing editing? or a more detailed one after you have a sequence to modifiy the sound and save it? can't find it anywhere. it would be awesome! cheers
I used this for 3 years…. And got hired at a studio because of my hip hop beats. Turns out my jungle beats were best as i sold quite a few. I brought this thing EVERYWHERE because it ran on batteries 👍🏾
One awesome feature of this machine not mentioned is the ability to program a “ghost midi track” in addition to the drum and bass tracks that will trigger an external synth or sampler!
The Kawai R-50 from 1987 has a similar MIDI note number trigger feature as well. Instead of drum samples you could assign a "TRG" signal to each pad...making it possible to play an external synth via the pads (for example chromatically...if "tuned" right).
That was for the original SP-202 sampler. They were marketed as a package deal originally. Super useful feature with anything else though. I used to use it with an og Novation Bass Station for acid. :)
This drum machine is the first unit in the whole midi chain of my set up. The PLAY button makes it all go BOOM. The feeling of the buttons.... are ingrained in to my soul.
I always love it when I see gear I own on Bad Gear! The bass sounds are garbage but the drums are really fun. I found a pretty cool trick in the DR-202 where the delay effect feeds back on itself if you crank it all the way up. I used it to record massive drones for ambient and industrial pads.
As a connoisseur of filthy 90s drum 'n' bass, I love the tickytacky drums on this box. It's all over a heap of diy jungle and DnB tracks from the era, many of which are snuggled up in my nasteh DnB record boxes. The only downside is that tragic suet pudding bass synth, which needs exiling to a cold dark place in a distant galaxy for eternity.
@@electrosonicnebula I used this machine on 3 full length albums and lots of single tracks and I can honestly tell you I only used the synth on two tracks, one which never saw the light of day. It needs its own output because the bass is completely useless without a ton of EQing and compression. Talk about bleeding over in to the kick drum!
Not only one of the greatest YT channels,but the biggest "influencer" impacting electronic music industry.Each time you post a vid Reverb,Guitar Center,AND Sweetwater have increased availability in 24 hours of the piece of kit you did a vid on. Why aren't THEY paying you?! Love your channel! Keep fighting the good fight,and making me thankful I never threw cash away on bad gear I wanted.
@@AudioPilz The multi bar patterns and song mode are the killer features I felt were missing from the MC-303. (Yes, I'm one of those freaks that actually uses song mode on drum machines and groove boxes!)
Interestingly, the Wikipedia page for the MC-303 suggests it does have multi bar patterns and a song mode. I do remember the user manual being terrible, so perhaps I just couldn't find them...
@@chriswareham Those features are indeed awesome. The 8 measure pattern length means you can create subtle variations to ensure the beat doesn't sound too repetitive. A single well-placed reverse crash let's the whole thing breathe. It also allows for quite a long bassline phrase. Song mode is a Godsend, and takes seconds to program if you know exactly how you want to structure your song. Originally I would just start a pattern and mute/unmute on the fly (difficult) then press stop when the time seemed right. Now I structure the whole song (admittedly requiring more patterns and memory) and have hands free to mess with realtime modify, play keys, etc. I'm still a novice, but using the song mode has noticeably improved my abilities. Pleased to find a like-minded freak such as yourself sir!
I had this machine, and when you used the Roll Function and turned it up to the highest setting, and tapped the drum pads ever so slightly, you would get a really deep, clear and thumpy sound like I haven't heard since on any other machine. The Roll Function is where it is at...SBN RESONATE
There was a program that allowed you to swap the drum samples and bass samples internally. It allowed you to use the bass parameters on drums and vice versa.
There is Art in how you use the Mute function, esp in a live mix. As a drummer, it's a stellar practice tool, because of the Mute function and the Tap Tempo. It's loaded with banks of rhythms in a range of styles including Jazz, Latin, and Hip Hop. Best metronome I've ever used.
This was my first drum machine and first piece of electronic music gear in general. I got it for Christmas when I was 16. I have fond memories of it but I never really used it to it's full potential. From time to time I look them up to see if I can find a good deal.
Haha same here, I traded a drum kit for mine tho, and then many years later sold it to help fund getting into synths. I figured out how to program it and it just was not my work flow lol
@@K_man217 haha I sold mine along with an acoustic bass that I had so I could fund a new bass amp which I desperately needed for my band at the time since my amp died. I was really bummed but it had to be done!
Much like the Roland MC-303, “some” of its built-in sounds are still pretty good and useful. While most are pretty terrible. But thankfully, you can arrange your own drumkits and save them to internal memory. And also like the 303, I would say that the 808 and 909 sounds on here are punchy and pretty spot on. It’s especially nice with this unit that each part is tunable. But then again... the output noise on this unit with the RCA outs takes it down a couples notches on its ability to deliver good clean sound, if that is what you are going for. But if lo-fi is your thing... then I can’t recommend this drum machine enough. I’ve had mine over 20 years and it still inspires me every time I turn it on. It also has kept all my User creations after all this time, so no battery failures here :)
@@lukeimontv7086 the memory that stores your custom kits and patterns. it eventually fills up and errors, to the point where you can still play anything you've already programmed in, but if you delete any custom info you aren't able to clear out space, it just bricks it up.
My first proper drum machine bought in 1999 along with the SP-202. Had many hours tooling around on it with headphones. I sold it and bought it again. Something about the dirty gritty sound this beast is capable of.
Have to admit when this came out all I could do was throw shade at it, however it seems that editing is well thought out, much better than I would have ever expected.
I have it and I love it! Always thought it was weird that they considered Jungle and Drum&Bass to be so vastly different that they needed their own separate banks though. Actually, also Techno and House!
1998. Right after I got my first ever piece of midi gear, the boss Dr. 660 drum machine! Those effects could turn drum loops into complete tracks of stuff that is arguably even music. You really killed it with that TB03 combo! And then you killed me while you made VOLDO dance with himself! TOO MUCH!!
After I got this drum machine I didn't feel the need to ever buy another one again. The dirty samples are SO useful for adding character to tracks. I downloaded a sample pack so I could use them without programming the machine but it's still super useful for making quick hardware-based jams sound punchy
It also has pitch (up to reverse on "drum"parts) and other parameters on each part within the menu. You can save all of those seperate settings in user kits with bass-selection plus effect-types with each and the others parametervalues included. The effects menu is a little weird to reach, but the way there is to tweak the effect-knob corresponding to the one you want to alter and then pressning "right" on the direction-buttons (works as long as the effect-value is showed on the screen). There you have the settings for reverb- or delay/echo-type with basic parameters per page - adjusted with the main jogwheel. Same goes for the flanger. To get out just go in to any other mode or menu you like. Happy scrolling!
I had one of these, it was BRILLIANT. As part of a small studio with an RM1-x , SU-10 , U-110 , etc. The DR-202 was a great sounding, and very easy to use, drum & bass synth.
I owned one in the mid-2000s and was able to get some pretty good digital hardcore grooves and beats out of it. It also sounds good when running it through guitar pedals - I had an M-Audio Blackbox multi-fx unit that I used with it.
Seeing Akira on the biggest and best screen of the Boston area when it was released is among the peak cinematic and musical experiences of my life. Saw Akira and Evil Dead 2 there multiple times.
Found one a couple weeks ago in pretty much mint condition for 160 quid, sounds immensely phat! Would probably have never known it existed if it wasn't for this video
This and it's Dr. sample partner were my first foray into electronica. I bought these when they first came out. I also added the first generation Korg EA1 as I was hoping to make Crystal Method style tracks. Fun fact: the Grove has a third sequence track for use with the Dr. Sample.
Have to say, after a long phase of hate/hate-relationship with this unit (bought cheap for 50 euros a decade back), I have come to value it as a slave, MIDI triggered by my 808-that-shall-not-be-named-clone. Either as in letting the programmed patterns run along the source beat or just using the voices. Especially the cutoff filter comes in handy in that scenario. Programming workflow is not my cup of tea here, but I think the sounds it offers have their own charm. You'd be delighted to hear that I used this in tandem with the Rhythm Wolf (still the best 'percussion'/sidestick) before I got the 808, but the Wolf doesn't like to follow and forward MIDI the way I like it to. Thanks for once again confirming that most of my gear is 'bad gear'! Wouldn't want it any other way :-)
This thing is the backbone of my live jungle sets. The pre-made patterns are really good. You can swap kits around to get all kinds of new stuff. The bass tones are good. The screen is too small and dark so it’s best for environments with decent light. Battery powered makes it a keeper. Yes I agree it is not the best sound quality but it pairs well with the hyper crisp drums of the novation circuit. Has good house kits in it too.
Every time you upload, i'm amazed by your creativity. The tracks are awesome and the videos of the finale is something, i wouldn't have thought of in a million years! In case you don't upload on the holiday weekend next week: Schöne Feiertage und frohes Fest! Cheers!
This was my first piece of gear in 2002. Still remember that August Saturday as a teen buying this, 3 VHS Kung-fu movies for $20 & a bag of silver Haze with the cash from my first job...Good Times!
You know, I'm willing to bet someone literally could build a successful youtube channel that was exclusively about Roland, and how from almost day 1 they just couldn't quite anticipate their customers needs, and frequently missed the mark, but somehow they miraculously survived for over 50 years now, and their biggest successes were initially complete flops, and due to some ridiculously dumb sense of honor insist on continuing to try and climb that mountain but continually seem to take 2 steps back for every step forward, even though a helicopter offered to take them to the peak, but instead of taking the helicopter they decided to sell merch that they branded showing them at the top of the mountain, instead of offering helicopter rides to show everyone where the pic was taken, which would make them so dam rich, but instead they still haven't actually reached the peak, it's all a lie.
Florian, how the f*ck do you pull it off every single week? Unique tracks, unique memes, unique pseudo genres backed by trippy videos. Just mad. Respec.
I’ve owned one for too many years and ended up selling it a few months ago simply because it just never got used. That’s no fault of the unit, I just had other gear to turn to that was easier to program. But paired with a BassBot or similar 303 clone and this was a lot of fun. I think I would’ve used it a lot more in the 90’s if I owned one then. I parted with my mint unit for a lot less than what you advertised so for those looking for one, you can find them cheaper if you put in some effort. As always, thanks for the show! My regular Friday 5pm watch 😊
This was a banger back in the days!Using this with batteries plugged into the Dr Sampler and using those tapes to plug discmans to the car radio,I was able to play live pretty much anywhere.
@@AudioPilz I had the Dr Rythm and Dr Sampler!They were my starting point producing electhronic music!The Sampler was really amazing!Unfortunatelly my studio got robbed few months after I bought them and right when I was starting to have the hang of it!Untill this day is a a Bit and Sour memory.
I loved mine. I was torn about selling it. It does a great job at a lot of things great. The filter was kinda weak as were most of the things you could performance tweak. It was a pain to navigate at first though but you figure it out. The bass channel was actually pretty dope.
Oh man, just hearing this thing is giving me 'Nam flashbacks. I spent countless hours staring at that dark-gray-on-light-gray LCD screen in the late 90s, and those sounds were seared into my brain. Lo-fi is fine as an aesthetic choice -- as long as it is a CHOICE. The Dr-202 was my first (and for a long time, only) drum machine, and I felt very limited by its sound quality, which I would describe as more "dull" and "lifeless" than dirty or crunchy. In rare instances when I heard it used on records, it was instantly recognizable and stuck out of the mix like a sore thumb. I did manage to make some OK music with it, MIDI sequencing my 106 with the bassline track and triggering samples from its companion unit, Dr Sample... but those sounds... if you're really in love with the sound of this thing I would simply sample it. Or just get the original samples and crunch/dirty them up however you want -- they're the most common drum sounds in existence and there's plenty of ways to mangle them besides being stuck inside a rompler.
I had this drum machine and I must say it is one of the best drum machines ever made.. I didn't have it for very long I ended up selling it back in 2015... but I did love it and I do want to own another one
now I have to figure out how to work the word "persiflage" into casual conversations. thanks. this is still my favorite bad (not bad meaning bad but bad meaning good) gear channel.
This is the one of the best bad gears. I have made so much good music from this. It taught me everything I need to know about midi too! The day I found out about that ext channel my mind melted. Thank you.
i had one of these about a decade ago.....always regretted selling it.....it had a workflow that was odd for its time, but made sense. Would love to hear this rammed through some pedals and an analog board.
Will you ever review SP-202 My friend had this sampler forever, then ended up selling it for close to $400. We've recorded so many jams with weird voice samples using it, and it's still popular in some circles. For its time though it was quite a gadget.
Another fun look at some "bad" gear. You really bring out the best in gear, and I like the way you contextualize stuff to its era when due in your videos! The SP-202 is the real deal though; it has its charm but it definitely sucks. Like a half-formed version of its successors but has a nice Ring Mod and mic.
omg I had an SP-202, sadly I sold it on because I couldn't find a way to integrate it with my other gear. I loved it though, it was so much fun to mess with! I imagine it would be a great companion to the DR-202. I was thinking that all through this video, seems like they were designed to be used together maybe? I would freaking LOVE to see the SP-202 featured on Bad Gear! My imagination is frothing with the possibilities of what you could do with it!
LOL! This was the first drum machine I ever owned. Sure it's a bit crappy, but it was a great way to get started. Versatile, portable and fun to use. I ended up passing it on to friend who was getting started to get them going. I loved that little thing.
Maybe it just wasn't the right time, but I had one for two days and from the moment I powered it just sucked all motivation out of me. I just couldn't work anything without the manual. I always RTFM, but having some starting point without the manual is crucial. The workflow, the display, blegh. So much nice ingredients and potential though.
After my MC 303 this was my first drum machine. Having it midi'd to my MPC 2000xl and Microkorg felt like all I needed back then. Even as a stand alone unit its a great. I found it very easy to use( anything is easier than the MC303) and its very powerful once you figure out the menu diving. I love the 808 kicks samples too. Great machine.
True about the MC-303. I wanted to love it but it wasn't intuitive and knobs had a tendency to break. I think the Roland marketing department and/or lead designers must be into day-drinking.
@@lo-firobotboy7112 one advantage of learning on the 303 is that if you can make a dope beat on it, every other piece of equipment is pretty simple by comparison. Still love my 303 tho. Great Tr step sequencer.
@@AudioPilz have you ever tried the Boss Dr Rhythm 880? Its a beautiful machine. The opposite of lofi. This thing is crisp. Truly realistic drum kits and some of the best effects I've used. Its got great amp/pedal simulation for the bass/guitar input but rhodes or organ thru it can get really gritty. Check it out .
Superbad !!amazing drum machine, yes I used it to record a album and everybody was amazed by the sound, I didn't want to tell them what I use for the drums, so I got more jobs, because I didn't tell him my secret !!
Really good review, loved the tracks you created also the videos . Interesting combination with the Tb-3. Love the rawness of the drums in the jam 2, reminded me of playing the forbidden version of Mortal Kombat (the dutch version in germany) on the N64 in a messy attic in the 90s.
Fond memories. For a quick fix, select a jungle preset, swap out the kit for the 909/808, assign FXs, drop the BPM and make like Special Request! 🥰 It was a happy few months until the RCA connectors literally fell out.
The screen is annoyingly not backlit. That was my biggest gripe and the reason I sold mine - no good for gigging. The groove templates are really cool though and make it a machine worth owning at least once in your life. Also, you didn't mention the dedicated MIDI sequencer track, so you can control an external synth to make up for the dodgy internal bass sounds.
Hi yes I like too this bass sounds with the real-time modified , do you know any other drum machine that have this? Dr 202 is not easy to find now, any info thanks
@@maruobandai yea pretty pricey and up there in age ... i dont really know of any other machines that sounds like this one in particular to be honest .. haven't tried a lot of other machines tho im sure there is tons of gems out there just gotta find something u like .... good luck!
OMG! We used to make covers of Asian Dub Foundation with a band and I was playing the drums on top of the jungle presets of this machine. This episode brought back some great late 90s memories to me
Warning: Dr.Groove is not a licensed physician, do not operate heavy machinery while on Dr.Groove, if you experience rump shaking or block rocking beats contact your local German gear reviewer immediately.
Why is this considered "bad gear?" Apart from the absence of velocity-sensitive pads, this looks pretty sweet. What's the note resolution for sequencing and quantize?
It's a great box for playing parties or small setup events like bars etc. Good to go when paired with an SP404 🍻🎶 ALSO That's nearly all my gear covered by Bad Gear now (Electribe 2, Circuit, Volca Keys, Volca Sample (on Better Gear I know!), and the DR202). Just cover the SP404sx and Monotron Delay and that's all 😅
