DR880 Drum Machine

by BOSS

Product Features

• Innovative EZ Compose feature for quick, hassle-free programming
• 40 bass sounds with COSM bass-amp models
• Guitar/bass input
• Multi-effects COSM amp models

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 13 x 16 x 5 inches ; 6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B000EFOUJ8
• Item model number: DR-880
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,096 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #5 in Musical Instruments > Drums & Percussion > Electronic Drums > Drum Machines
  • #9 in Musical Instruments > DJ, Electronic Music & Karaoke > Electronic Music

Product Description

The DR880 is a rhythm-programming powerhouse that's loaded with world-class drum, percussion, and bass sounds from Roland's famous SRX library. It also includes a stunning collection of original waveforms. You can get microscopic with the DR880, but you also have the option of taking the simple route with its three EZ Compose buttons, which allow original patterns to be constructed without note-by-note programming hassles. Patterns can be taken deeper with the Groove Modify feature, where various groove and triplet feels can be applied. Ghost notes and fills can also be added automatically. Guitar and bass players can join the action by plugging directly to the DR880's Guitar/Bass Input jack, and playing through the built-in COSM Drive/Amp models and multi-effects. Innovative EZ Compose feature for quick, hassle-free programming 440 world-class drum and percussion sounds, 40 bass sounds with COSM bass-amp models Guitar/bass input, multi-effects, COSM amp models 3 independent insert effects (EQ and compression), TSC (Total Sound Control) featuring 3-band EQ and high-quality ambience 1,000 patterns (500 preset, 500 user); easily add fills, ghost notes, chord progressions, and more 20 velocity-sensitive pads Four assignable footswitch and expression-pedal inputs Individual outputs, digital out, USB port World-Class SoundsA remarkable new collection of top-quality, custom sounds was created for the DR-880. But we didnt stop there; some of the most famous sounds from our renowned SRX library were added to the DR-880s sound-set, as well as electric and synth bass sounds. From rich, sparkling studio drums and deep-dish electronic kits to standard and exotic percussion instruments, a world of rhythm and groove is at your fingertips.  Direct Guitar/Bass InputGuitar and bass players can join the action by plugging directly into the DR-880s Guitar/Bass Input jack. Guitarists can play through the built-in COSM Drive/Amp models, and multi-effects such as chorus...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great sounds but some limitations, probably too expensive, February 8, 2011

By 

Francis C. Hays "Frank" (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: DR880 Drum Machine

First off, the drum sounds on this things are great. They are of the quality where they will sometimes sound a bit funny when recording demos if you don't spend enough time getting your guitars and such to sound as good as the drums. The touch sensitive pads respond naturally and aren't just simply the same sounds turned down or up. The machine mimics the natural response of drums being hit harder or softer. I also noticed that when you do things like hit an open high-hat sound, it stops ringing if you hit the closed hat immediately after. Things like this are the kind of details that enable you to really mimic having an actually drummer. If you are simply looking for a hardware drum machine w/ punchy sounds and lots of control, I don't think you can do better than this.

The other features are where it comes up a bit short...

The included bass sounds are only decent. One nice feature is you can rout the bass (or anything) to a separate output so you can run the bass sounds to an actual bass amp and the drums to the PA and get a more realistic live sound that way. That being said, if there is one way a recording made w/ this thing is going to be pegged by the listener as being made by a machine, it's the bass-lines.

I also feel like this is a bit lacking in terms of some electronic drum sounds. There are a few kits but they kind of feel like an afterthought to me. If you are looking for natural sounds, they are here, but if you want great samples of 808 kicks or whatever, you will probably do better looking towards something more oriented towards dance music as this seems pretty solidly aimed at the rock musician w/ a home studio. Similarly, I really wish their were some synth sounds build in and more tracks in the sequencer for other parts. You can simulate having multiple instruments w/ the bass lines as it has great polyphony and you can shift the octaves and play chords but it's not the same as being able to add some strings or an emulated analog synth on a separate track. One of the DR-880's predecessors, the DR-5, had this feature and it is one of the things that made that such a great box despite having limited sound quality compared to newer models. I am not sure why Boss did away w/ it. It seems like this is an uncomfortable balance between being an all-in-one groovebox type deal and a simple drum machine. If I am going to have to use external synths to fill out my sound, I might as well use them for bass lines too.

That being said, one thing this excels at is being a jam-along box for guitar practice, which is pretty much what I have ended up using it for. The amp simulators in there are passable at best for recording or live performance but they are plenty good enough to jam along to the drum beats on and the included effects are fun to mess around w/. This is also where the semi-cheesy bass sounds become very useful. You can do any manner of odd time signature or tempo change you want and there is plenty of flexibility in song and pattern structure. I am not terribly keen on the step programming process for the songs but it gets the job done and you only have to do that once.

Overall, as a drum machine, it's great. There's a bit of a steep learning curve for me even though I've been using other drum machines for years but, you gotta figure each box you pick up is a whole new instrument. As a guitarist, you can't expect to really wail on mandolin the first time you pick it up and you should not have the same expectation for a new drum machine. I do feel though, that for the price, it is not unfair to expect a more full featured jambox w/ better sequencing capabilities and sounds to use as a stand alone unit.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME AND THEN SOME, June 15, 2010

By 

A. Miller "Celeb Photographer A.J. Miller" (West New York NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: DR880 Drum Machine

I read one of the negative reviews and at first was not going to buy this machine. Then I thought how much of a geek I can be and said what the heck. Glad I done that because this machine is incredible. It has every feature you can think of and it can do anything. Programming it was very easy if you read the manual and the preset beats are nice too. Funny thing happen when I was purchasing it, the salesmen said not many people buy these machines anymore, they buy the drum software instead. Well I guess I'm sticking to the basics... Great Drum Machine...

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING MACHINE!!, April 11, 2008

By 

S. P. Thorn - See all my reviews
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This review is from: DR880 Drum Machine

The Roland (Boss) DR-880 is an amazing machine!! It's literally a band in a box and your in control of everything! Certain functions on the DR-880 are a no brainer, while others require that you read the owners manual. But if you also buy the DVD owners manual that's avaliable, you will thank yourself over and over again like I do! It's step by step instruction that shows you how to put a round peg in a round hole and if you can't figure this machine out by watching the DVD, then your a complete idiot and have no business owning something this incredible!