BOSS DR-55 | Synth Quest Episode 1

The legendary Boss DR-55! Join me on Patreon: bit.ly/2UjtP21
Synth Quest gives you an in-depth look and a sonic tour of the various synths and drum machines here in my studio. Support the channel by subscribing and becoming a Patron:
/ madfame
0:00 Synth Quest Intro
0:28 DR-55 intro
2:47 Preset programming demo - ROCK 1
3:31 ROCK 1
3:48 ROCK 2
3:56 ROCK 3
4:05 ROCK 4
4:12 ROCK 5
4:21 ROCK 6
4:35 ROCK 7 (12-STEP)
4:50 ROCK 8 (12 STEP)
5:09 Custom pattern programming
5:40 Custom Pattern playback
6:43 Final thoughts / Outro
7:19 Credits

[@nicedevices]

The DBS sends a pulse on every step and the CSQ sends a pulse on every step that has accent

[@AlexBallMusic]

Superbly done (as is all of your content). Synth Quest looks like being a great series! Funny how the DR-55 has some things in common with the later CR-8000, TR-808 and even the TB-303 in terms of its programming and inputting. Makes sense obviously, but it's just interesting to see the origins of certain solutions.

[@madFame]

Hi Alex, thanks for the kind words! I love the early years of synths where the engineers were still trying to figure things out. The older synth have some strange ways of doing things and in return add so much character.

[@fr_reynolds5002]

When you were pushing the buttons and they were slightly delayed it hit me immediately nightclubbing by iggy pop 100 percent positive.

[@madFame]

Good spotting! Yes, I believe that is a Boss DR-55 or something similar on that track

[@DeiNostri]

I hear about this drum machine from Sisters of Mercy fans every now and then (they played their first gig 1981 with this one). They often had a ton of reverb on the drum sounds and I can see why now. They still have the guitarrs, bass and a drum machine as a setup. Alot of bands who try to get an old school goth sound uses this one or a sometimes drum machine with possibility to program bass lines (which became cool in the goth and indie scene in 1987), a guitarr player and a vocalist. Seems like a fun piece of gear.

[@Sound8VisionVibe]

Great job! Looking forward to the rest of the series!

[@melvinhawkins4567]

Awesome video, this series seems like it’s going to be really cool. I liked the little tips at the end, and seeing it opened up! 😎

[@jacobesmagobes8664]

Your dx-7 patches are what attracted me to your channel but your high quality content convinced me to subscribe. Keep up the awesome work!

[@notsofunnynowisit]

Top-notch content for music nerds? Ahhhright, I'm in: subbed.

[@madFame]

Thanks Lance, great to have you in the crew!

[@rjbush7955]

Love old drum machines. Rock-3 sounds like the opening pattern to Fade to grey by Visage.

[@Chrispy01a]

My first DMX circa 1986. Truly wonderful sound - knew at the time it was a bit special sounding but could not justify keeping it - if my memory serves me, like any financially challenged musician at the time had to part with it to partially fund the purchase of my next drum machine which I think was Yamaha's RX21. Like most at the time I'd had my head (ears?) turned by the new 'digital sampled' sounds beginning to come out of music tech. Newer is definitely not always better. Great series of vids btw 😃

[@homeone4054]

Great Synth Quest vid. Thanks for your channel.

[@madFame]

@Home One Thanks, I'm glad you like it!

[@zx81]

Great video! Glad that I stumbled upon your channel. You really deserve way more subscribers.

[@madFame]

@Herman Dackenberg Thanks for that, feel free to repost and spread the channel around the net, get those subs up :)

[@uzivert3210]

Just found one of these in the tool room at work today, box and everything with it. Unfortunately it needs some work, super excited about it

[@madFame]

Whoa nice score!

[@rodmorrison47]

My first drum machine, and I'm proud to say I still have it. It's become a bit "road worn" over the years, but barring the recently broken battery connector, it's in proper working order. Still one of my favourites, I have it on an Ableton drumrack now and I still use it a lot.

[@madFame]

Hey Rod, it's always great to hear that people still own their first drum machines! Thanks for checking out my video :)

[@0richbike]

Nice. I've got a dr110 which not only works but still remembers the crap I programmed 20 years ago!

[@TheArpomni2]

New Order used this heavily on Truth

[@hughchapman5319]

a powerful quest

[@rars0n]

I just found your channel since Jexus decided to crawl out from under his rock yesterday. Great video. Subscribed!

[@madFame]

@Adam Baldwin Yeah it's great to see he's back (maybe). Thanks for joining my synth cult. :P

[@rars0n]

@@madFame I just wish I had found your channel sooner! Loving the content! Thanks a lot!

[@hughchapman5319]

It's the rimshot I particularly love

[@187onasimp]

6:38 reminds me of TMNT game on Nintendo. When you're traveling around the map.

[@Clint_tha_great]

So many memories!! Lol it really does sound like the same sounds used lol

[@benjaminbarton4573]

Great vid! I’ve found one for purchase just trying to decide whether to pull the trigger. Can it clock other non-roland gear not from that era? Thanks

[@obsessive_discipline]

where did you get the info that 'DBS sends +5V pulse every 8 ms, CSQ sends +4V pulse every 10 ms'? Other sources say one sends out periodic pulses based on tempo, the other sends out pulses at every accent note.

[@madFame]

From the User manual of course. The reference is regarding battery strength since as the batteries get weaker the output pulses lower. At full battery strength, the DBS and CSQ values listed in the manual, will be observed on an oscilloscope (time and voltage). The pulses are then sync'd with tempo and accent as you explained.

[@haydenwittig8877]

Sisters Of Mercy First And Last As Always 1985.

[@MRswisharillo]

Did you know this is the first drum machine that Mannie Fresh started out with???

[@madFame]

That's a hot fact, Mannie Fresh has made some dope beats. Great to know he started with a classic!

[@eancurtis9333]

My Dr 55 is busted ugh

[@MRswisharillo]

Did my sub make you go to 10,000 subs?

[@madFame]

It probably was, thank you! I'm back down to 9,992 at the moment though, so I've lost 8 subs since then lol.