Roland TR - 505 - How to program beats on the weird drum machine ||| MADE ON TAPE

yo, pretty self explanatory.
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[@chrisjames5577]

505 was my first drum machine, bought it at the local pawn shop. It didn't come with the manual and at that time the Internet was not online. I learned how to program it myself with little frustration. I thought of it like a puzzle and I solved this one. This machine is fantastic!

[@salty-pete]

Thanks, I'm 74 and used to use this machine on stage when I was younger. I just got it out to record some background sounds for KZbin and I couldn't remember how to program it. Very helpful thanks again.

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m excited for you to get it out again! 🤘

[@atom_jack]

You are the freaking bro. I’ve owned a Tascam Porta One, Two and TR505 for years and it’s like this channel was made for me 🙌

[@MadeOnTape]

happy to be at your bro service 🙏🏻🤘🏻

[@randymemphis]

I have 3 of these! One for Rehearsal! One I use Live and One in Case the other one Breaks! For 30 years I have used this with my Strat and now a Harmony box! Still making Mucho Bucks and I only use Pattern Play! Thank you 505!

[@MrBensMusic]

Had one of these for YEARS and the manual was always too daunting.... played around with it but *never* figured out how to use it properly, and then in 20 mins you taught me! Used it on a sold-out gig this past weekend - thanks!

[@MadeOnTape]

that’s awesome to hear! one thing i’ve learned since then is that you can chain more than two beats together!

[@LittleRichard1988]

Thank you for this video, until now I hadn't explored the pattern program mode but as it's May 5th I thought today would be a good time to learn how to create your own patterns on the Roland TR-505. It's also good to know that you cannot accidentally overwrite the preset patterns in A B or C. As you may know I bought a TR-505 in November 2023.

[@christaylor839]

GREAT video! Really glad I found this-this was the very first drum machine I ever owned, bought in 87 and still own it. Admittedly, I never RTFM (all the way thru, that is). The scale info certainly opens up some new ideas. Really great info-thanks!

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for watching! This drum machine is very divisive online, so I'm glad to see it getting some love.

[@michaelybecker]

you're a gentlemen and a scholar, sir. Thanks for the best tutorial to the most useful parts of this lovely little gem. Your passion for it shines through.

[@MadeOnTape]

ahhhh i hope it was helpful! always learning new things, too. I've got MIDI synch happening so look out 👀

[@DeepSpelle]

Love your Channel man, just awesome !

[@MadeOnTape]

i appreciate that very much 🙏

[@Fly-In-Music]

It must be said that at the time it was a revolution to FINALLY have a `drum` available to record his little compositions, without breaking the ears of his sound neighbors ^^ Thanks to your nostalgic video, this good old TR505 retains everything its meaning and its his SOUND 👉CooôÔL👍 👍

[@gordrum]

BEST 505 tutorial on KZbin! Time to bust mine out - thank YOU!

[@MadeOnTape]

have fun and make some noise! 🤘thanks for watching

[@Soulpuddinghtx]

I attained hella value out of this ! Thank you

[@MadeOnTape]

hell yeah! happy playing with the 505! 🤘

[@PaulaBean]

I own one too, and I very much enjoyed it. I used it with practicing (I play bass guitar) and we used the 505 a lot too with the band, when the drummer wasn't able to play. Thanks for the nice video! I liked.

[@MadeOnTape]

i'm a bass player too! I feel like all bassists should have a drum machine!

[@PaulaBean]

@@MadeOnTape yes, you are right. Because bass has to be practiced with drums

[@WarmyMusic]

Cool! many thanks for sharing this video!

[@ricardorohle7606]

Thanks for the video. It was easy to understand

[@MadeOnTape]

Glad it helped! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@fender1000100]

Love your channel. And the way you are showing great music can be made with a simple set up.

[@MadeOnTape]

again thanks! I'm glad you "get it". rock on!

[@fender1000100]

@@MadeOnTape Yes Im gonna go back to 4 track cassette myself soon. Been using digital recoders for 15 years. But the one I have drives me mad. The floppy disc holds barely 3 minutes of recording across 4 tracks. With cassette you dont have this crap. Im going back to when it was really fun. Youve inspired that for me.

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m happy to hear that! have fun!

[@cln5510]

I just got a 505 for my birthday, I'm very excited.

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m excited for you!

[@richlegate3044]

thanks for a wonderful video

[@dmhrpr756]

I've had the 505 for about two years now, at first controlled it over midi with Reaper (iirc the only way to get it to respond properly was to make sure midi is on and that the midi receive channel was set to the same as on Reaper, then go into pattern play and choose an empty pattern). The level function responds to midi velocity, so you can get more dynamic hi hats etc.. If only the 505 had dynamic level and swing controls built in... Anyway you've shown me how easy it is to use standalone, and inspired me to start using it again as part of a live performance/band setup. With some effects i'm hoping it'll sound great for post-punk, indie and dream pop stuff. Many thanks for making this dope video!

[@MadeOnTape]

i’d love to see a video on controlling it with MIDI! i’m an absolute NOVICE in MIDI. thanks for watching 🙏

[@KBizzy]

I’m curious, were you able to feed it midi that you’ve drawn/created from the daw like modern machines? Because I’ve been looking into grabbing a used one near me, and that’s how I’d really be utilizing it.

[@domeniquexander_]

Ahhh..got mine today. For some people maybe funny but it this little Maschine was always a dream for me. Now I have it and I’m so happy. Love it. Cheers from (near) Berlin to Detroit! Thank you for your cool video! 🥁🤙🏼🔥 Domenique Xander

[@MadeOnTape]

I really find this machine very charming, and the kick and snare sound GREAT! Enjoy :-)

[@domeniquexander_]

@@MadeOnTape same here! ;-) Yes the kick, snare, long hat and clap 👏 for me 🥁🔥

[@iixorb]

I have to admit, I have a love / hate relationship with my 505. I love it because I’ve had it from new since 1987. I hate it because I turned down a slightly grubby TR-909 for the same price in the same store, in favour of walking out with a brand new TR-505! Doh 😖!!

[@MadeOnTape]

ahhhhhh you just never can predict these things but yes i see your perspective 😂

[@iixorb]

@@MadeOnTape I was a silly 15 year old with a serious lack of foresight, who wanted something brand new that day 🤷‍♂️. Plus my reasoning at the time was, if I’m going home on the bus / London Underground, then the 909 would have been too big to carry 😂

[@joaocouto800]

really helpful . thanks !

[@MadeOnTape]

Glad to hear that!

[@simonmoans4658]

Cheers my man. 👍🏻

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for checking it out!

[@benmoreau6899]

I inherited my dads' 626 (505 with latin sounds) Thanks pops!!!

[@MadeOnTape]

it’s a fun little machine 🤘🙌

[@IRONSILVER22]

I don't have one of there drum machines, but it is very interesting to see how these interface conventions carried on to later generations of hardware.

[@MadeOnTape]

totally! It's kinda like the Fender bass... Leo got it right the first time and all basses that followed were tweaking around the edges

[@roysason1]

AWESOME ! thank you

[@MadeOnTape]

thanks for watching!

[@DeepSpelle]

Awesome machine

[@MadeOnTape]

yes! love the sounds!

[@jmanxoom]

I was gifted one. No owners manual, thank you for the video

[@MadeOnTape]

Great to hear! enjoy it!

[@rathnapish]

thanks for this. I was struggling!

[@MadeOnTape]

thank you for watching! This video was a no-brainer to me because when I wanted to learn how to program the machine, i couldn't find any sufficient content, either!

[@rathnapish]

@@MadeOnTape I'd pattern or step mode programed on an 808 and guessed it would be similar. Just couldn't get the mode to mirror.

[@defjeff2907]

I got value! Thanks! Tip: in Manual Play, if you hold accent while playing you get accented (louder) sound.

[@MadeOnTape]

ooohhh that’s a good tip! thanks for checking it out 🙏

[@kentewing2]

Great thanks!! Awesome shades

[@MadeOnTape]

glad to help! i like the sounds on this machine

[@kentewing2]

I have used this on a bunch of songs. Sounds great with delay

[@MadeOnTape]

absolutely!

[@keeponpainting]

I've bought one and waiting for it to arrive so this is just what I needed thanks.

[@MadeOnTape]

glad it's helpful!

[@mrflynn01]

I cut my teeth on this drum machine!!!

[@rossbecker840]

Great vid - I love my 505. Just a heads up - you actually can chain more than 2 patterns together - just hold the first and last pad and press enter!

[@MadeOnTape]

you just blew my mind and opened the world! thank you!

[@rossbecker840]

@@MadeOnTape I'm so pleased! You taught me a bunch about changing scales and last steps!

[@brucehathcockmusic]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@MadeOnTape]

of course! i'm glad it's been helpful, and let me know if you have any questions!

[@zooblestyx]

I've used the BOSS DR-110, DR-220 and DR-550 quite a bit, and it's interesting to see another step in the development of the BOSS/Roland programming interface. To me, the big thing the 505 has, that the ones I've used have lacked, is the ability to chain together two patterns into a single 32 step pattern. Also: I get the sense that the 505 uses some of the same samples as the DR-220. Or, more likely, the other way around. Also also: You can use the accents the other way around, leaving it out on steps where you want more of a ghost note.

[@MadeOnTape]

ohhh accenting in reverse is a great idea

[@kensmechanicalaffair]

You can chain patterns together in block mode.

[@sebastianotrovesi2650]

🙏❤

[@min-yishen9324]

Picked up a 505 from my neighbor. I narrowly avoided RTFM because of this video... thanks.

[@MadeOnTape]

i had to RTFM like 8 times to process it...happy to help and enjoy!

[@Jesseweijer]

Many thanks!!!

[@Jesseweijer]

Hey, First of all thanks again this machine breathing dust now it's shining again! But I've got a problem with the tr-505. Every time I hook it up on one of my Korg Volca Fm or Korg Volca Bass. When the Tr-505 is the midi-out it seems like there is a note triggered on one of the Volca's usually with the hihat I can't seem to work out this problem. I tried going in to midi settings with Shift - Tempo/meas but non of the parameters seem to have a effect on the outcome. Are you formulary with this problem? Later~!

[@topfloorstudio2684]

Man I just found you and subbed! Loving the content. Out of curiosity you don't remember how much your Dad said that PortaTwo was new back in the 80s do you? I can't find online anywhere the original prices on them. I just bought a mint one completely gone thru & serviced by a tech guru guy and they ain't cheap these days lemme tell you! Good stuff man, thanks

[@MadeOnTape]

yo, my dad saved the receipt in 1987 that thing cost him like $700. Adjusted for inflation that’s a shit load and i’m very lucky. I’ve noticed some in the portastudio community are nostalgic for the early 2000s when people were practically giving them away. thanks for the kind words!

[@topfloorstudio2684]

@Made on Tape My Dad passed on some music stuff to me as well and he saved reciepts too, that's awesome! I just love the history of this old stuff and I appreciate you sharing that info. I actually wouldn't have guessed they were that much back then and now I don't feel so guilty paying a little bit more than the 1987 brand new price for a mint condition PortaTwo that supposedly sat on a shelf as a spare in a Hollywood Studio for decades. I can't wait for it to arrive! Thanks again man!

[@TonyNatale]

Nice video, you sound like Paul Shafer. ✌️🥁

[@MadeOnTape]

ah yeah, man!

[@smguy7]

Wow! It's got some pretty good sounds! They are expensive 2nd hand (I checked).

[@MadeOnTape]

i bet if you keep an eye out someone will sell a cheap one 🤞

[@schipbreukeling3]

I once had the same, lost it somewhere somehow. But yeah it was the 80's you know.

[@MadeOnTape]

i heard it was common to lose things in the 80s 😂

[@schipbreukeling3]

@@MadeOnTape yeah virginity was one of them 😅

[@antoniojimenez4407]

YEA THANK YOU

[@MadeOnTape]

🤘

[@MadeOnTape]

thank YOU for the comment that inspired this video!

[@joshuathomsen2411]

You’re a lifesaver. The manual sucks. You had me up and running in minutes!

[@MadeOnTape]

i made this video for you!!! thanks for watching 🙏

[@WestMersea1]

Thank you

[@MadeOnTape]

you’re welcome and thank you for watching 🙌🏻

[@thomasmai232]

Thx bro

[@MadeOnTape]

🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@gorgs1]

thanks!

[@MadeOnTape]

you’re welcome 😎📼🎼🤘

[@daanboon4118]

How would you use post processing effects with this? Just curious thanks for the great video ! :)

[@MadeOnTape]

hello! My advice is to experiment and find sounds that you love!

[@Barry101er]

Thank, that was great, I just bought one on Reverb. I had all the same gear as your Dad, back in the 80s- still have my Tascam 4 track cassette; I had the Alesis HR 16b for drums-that was a great machine. My old band used the HR 16b for our 1st single back in the day: search THE GOLDENRODS - BARBWIRE CHAIR in YT if you want a listen ;)

[@MadeOnTape]

ooohhh i'm listening to this track now: sounds great! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmHPdnymqbSEZrs

[@philjohnson8622]

Hi there. I've been inspired by your videos and have just bought a TR 505. I love it! I'm recording into a Tascam DP 008EX. Do you record your 505 in mono or stereo?

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there thank you so much! I know the 505 has two outputs, but I never concluded if you can actually pan instruments. Either way, I prefer to record mono drums in general, even with an acoustic kit (with exceptions, of course). Thanks for watching!

[@philjohnson8622]

@@MadeOnTape Thanks very much for the reply and advice. I was using this video as a tutorial tonight whilst learning to use my 505. It's been really helpful.

[@michaelybecker]

@@MadeOnTape sharing because I'm rabbitholing on this wonderful machine - apparently you get preset panning, so Kick+Snare are in the middle, but hat, toms, congas etc. are gently panned to R or L! Haven't had a chance to confirm by sending stereo outs, the whole thing is pretty silly anyway. Mono (+pan control in my DAW) seems to do the trick just fine:)

[@djhonz45]

Just purchased one of these on ebay (my wife's going to kill me). Just two questions, what would I need to connect it to my and DAW (ableton), imac and focusrite? Actually, just the one question haha. Great vid by the way. This will be my reference.

[@jacksonueland]

Id be so fucked without this video lol thank u so much

[@MadeOnTape]

that's the nicest comment i've received: you're very welcome! Enjoy the controversial 505...

[@JuanMotta]

Hi, i'm just hearing You talking about this composing method and Now curious if this setup is usfull for playing live, if is possible to use midi in a drum machine. Another thing, i can't find your song thump in Bandcamp, is only the artword, thanks for your time!!!

[@MadeOnTape]

hey thank you! i posted the song now. MIDI is not my forté, but my studio partner successfully controlled the 505 with his Arturia beatstep. i’m sure you can use it live, it’s just more primitive than modern machines

[@SanplerVarondaro]

muy buen video

[@MadeOnTape]

thank you for watching!

[@keymbord]

Thanks for the video, my 505 came in today and I was having trouble until I found this video. My only question is how can I unchain two patterns? The only way that I've been able to do it is deleting one of the patterns

[@MadeOnTape]

after reading the manual I'm pretty sure that's the only way. Hold "clear" and press one of the patterns in the chain. is that what you tried? I'm not near my 505 right now. cheers!

[@keymbord]

@@MadeOnTape yep, exactly what I did

[@michaelybecker]

@@keymbord no need to delete! if you "chain" any one of the patterns by itself (so, hold just one pattern and hit "enter") it will unchain them! 80s machine programming logic:)

[@MisterGadd]

@@michaelybecker Thanks! Excellent tip.

[@jash7401]

Are you able to speak to the "modulated tone which carries the data" on the "tape interface" feature? Suffice to say if the pattern has been lost, the only recovery would be through this modulated tone and not the actual tonal quality of the pattern itself?

[@MadeOnTape]

It sounds like you're referring to page 35 (tape interface) in the manual? I personally have never had a reason to back up patterns as I have never planned on reproducing this music live. When I'm done recording, I'm happy to erase over a pattern I've made. But, if you're looking to use the 505 in live settings, I would imagine having this tape recall is almost 100% necessary, unless you only need a few patterns permanently saved for live work. Thank you for watching, and I'm sorry I couldn't speak specifically to this feature!

[@ralphups7782]

i had a roland tr- 606. that was even weirder that a tr 606 i reckon. it was so much pants i should of set it alight with fire.

[@MadeOnTape]

if you set it alight with fire, you should film yourself doing it!

[@hip-hoprapstorage4440]

It's looks like a Lynndrum. Does Sangria - Thug Rap is made by 505 too?

[@MadeOnTape]

oohhhh i don’t know the answer?!?!? any experts out here?

[@bakilortkipanidze819]

Hey, if anyone could help me here I would be very grateful. The red dot is always on, on my TR 505. It's not blinking. So I can't play anything. I can play manually but I'cant record steps. Also the screen says MIDI SYNC and maybe it's because of that. I've tried everything but couldn't turn the MIDI SYNC off. Could you please tell me what to do?

[@chinmeysway]

Nice. Do you know if the TR626 operates mostly the same way? Thank

[@MadeOnTape]

I would love to get my hands on one, but I'd be lying to you if I pretended to know the answer! Can't be that different, right? Let me know if you do!

[@chinmeysway]

I hope to get that far! Still. (YeaR later)

[@chinmeysway]

bangus

[@giovanniramos2331]

Is there a way to last step the tracks? Like if I have 4 tracks instead of all 16 and let the 4 tracks play on repeat, I want to make a longer beat without have to manually press.

[@MadeOnTape]

i think you may be able to do this in “track mode” AKA song mode. essentially you can program longer phrases and let it run

[@ralphups7782]

You said , that your dad had this unit.?? that makes me feel even older. as I would say that this drum machine was my big brother's era but not so. :-(

[@MadeOnTape]

for context, my dad was born in 1950 and i was born in 1987. time is a funny thing… 🙏

[@C0GNIT0]

I noticed when your programing thar you can't hear the sample of the sound you want. Is this done by memory of the sound?

[@MadeOnTape]

hey there! I'm not sure what you're referring to? There are different ways to program the 505 (and most Roland drum machines), including "step write". You should be hearing the sounds as they go by.

[@C0GNIT0]

@MadeOnTape what I'm referring to is when you want to make a sample by tapping certain keys. How do you remember what keys make what sounds?

[@MadeOnTape]

they are labeled 1-16 and each number has a corresponding sound. funny you should ask because I'm going to give these sounds away for free very soon (sampled through my tape machine of course)@@C0GNIT0

[@majormoody]

Thanks! The different "play" and "write" modes aren't super intuitive - especially that you have to press play first to start entering the sequence! For the accent - I think you can change its volume, just like other instruments. Then you can get a more subtle accent. That's how it works on other TR machines anyway.

[@MadeOnTape]

i’ll have to check on the accent, but i think you only get one option on the 505. thanks for watching!

[@michaelybecker]

@@MadeOnTape @Major Moody is correct! Go to level mode, then hit "accent". Seems to treat it just like every other instrument. Setting it to 2 gives a much more pleasant result than the arbitrary and far less human "5". Notably, as far as I can tell levels 0 and 1 are identical to the rest, no accent at all!

[@uakadyknow9712]

Runs this copy-paste procedure also by older models?

[@MadeOnTape]

hi there! I'm not sure I understand the question. I've also never used other drum machine models besides the modern TR-8.

[@dazedoffpepe]

How would you remove a group chain, the only way I figured it out is to clear one of the beats. Is this the only way?

[@MadeOnTape]

yes unfortunately that IS the only way

[@dazedoffpepe]

@@MadeOnTape damm :( , thanks for teaching me how to use it though :)

[@michaelybecker]

(copying my reply above) no need to delete! if you "chain" any one of the patterns by itself (so, hold just one pattern and hit "enter") it will unchain them! 80s machine programming logic:)

[@nsns6290]

I want TR505 but I live in Thailand. what do i have to do

[@MadeOnTape]

hello! thank you for asking. I am ignorant as to what's available for you in that part of the world, but I have to assume some 505s are in Japan, Australia and Indonesia. Is there a used, online market you can peruse? Wish I could help more!

[@Mark761966]

Did I ask what the T in TR stands for? I assume R is for Rhythm.

[@MadeOnTape]

i had to look it up! “TR” stands for “transistor rhythm”!

[@nsns6290]

How much is the total price of the product if sent to Thailand?

[@MadeOnTape]

they don't make these anymore, unfortunately! you'll have to find one on the used market, and hopefully there are some floating around in Thailand! thanks for watching

[@UnfortuneTeller]

Is there a way to add a “note repeate” to a sound on the 505?

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m not sure what you mean, but all the sounds are strictly in a 16-step grid (you can go less than 16 but no more)

[@UnfortuneTeller]

@@MadeOnTape i guess id have to add/save a 2nd pattern with the extra notes… and then have the 2 patterns play one after another in a loop for it to work. Im new to this so its hard to explain but ill add a 10 Sec vid of my phones “drum machine app”to my page showing a 16 step Grid beat with what im trying to recreate. Thanks for your reply and help

[@UnfortuneTeller]

I also tried the flam at 4 but that doesnt seem to do it. New behringer 808 clone does the note repeat too

[@MadeOnTape]

@@UnfortuneTeller I just watched your video. You can totally do that beat with the 505! I hear it as two bars with 16th notes, so you can chain two patterns together to make this two bar phrase. Does that make sense? would be easier to explain in person, unfortunately ahahaha

[@FeRmBot0118]

How did you learn to use it?

[@MadeOnTape]

i’m lucky and have the manual

[@NTRSN-Archive]

Weird drummachine ? Try to program the Korg S3 ;)

[@MadeOnTape]

you had me go down a rabbit hole! YIKES! thanks for the history! www.soundonsound.com/reviews/korg-s3

[@m3e642]

My grandpa has one

[@MadeOnTape]

your youtube handle is epic 😯

[@motoimusic]

Thank you

[@MadeOnTape]

you're welcome! thank YOU for watching!