Categories
Auto-Wah Pedal Effect Guitar Effect Pedal

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah

Auto-Wah / Filter effect pedal

Excellent sounding auto-wah / filter / vocalizer effect pedal from BOSS.

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah audio demos (guitar: Epiphone SG)

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah photos

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah manual

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah specs

Year of release2000
Controlsknobs
UsageGuitar and/or Bass
ModesFive modes—UP, DOWN, SHARP, HUMANIZER, and TEMPO
Battery lifeCarbon: 2 hours
Alkaline: 10 hours
Power supplyDC 9 V; Dry battery 6F22 (9 V) type
(carbon)/Dry battery 6LR61 (9 V) type
(alkaline) AC Adaptor (PSA-series:
optional)
AccessoriesOwner’s Manual, Leaflet (“USING THE
UNIT SAFELY,” “IMPORTANT NOTES,”
and “Information”), Dry battery/9 V
type (6F22)
OptionsAC Adaptor (PSA-series)
Expression pedal: Roland EV-5, BOSS
FV-500H, FV-500L, BOSS EV-30
Footswitch (momentary-type): BOSS
FS-5U, FS-7
Dimensions73 (W) x 129 (D) x 59 (H) mm
2-7/8 (W) x 5-1/8 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches
Weight420 g /15 oz (including Battery)

BOSS AW-3 Dynamic Wah links

https://www.boss.info

Categories
Analog Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-110 Dr. Rhythm

Analog Drum Machine

The successor to the classic Dr. Rhythm DR-55, with more sounds and an improved interface thanks to the grid-mode

BOSS DR-110 audio demos

BOSS DR-110 manual

BOSS DR-110 specs

Year of release 1983
Sound generation methodanalog
Preset memories 32 (8 x 4banks)
Song128 measures x 2 (I, II)
MIDI no
Sound expansion capabilitiesno
Sequencer graphic grid
PowerBatteries UM-3 (BR-3) x4
DC 9V BOSS PSA-120, 220, or 240
Effectsno
Dimensions190mm (W) x 110mm (D) x 30mm (H)
7-1/2″ (W) x 4-5/16″ (D) x 1-3/16″ (H)
Weight450 / 1 lb (including batteries)

BOSS DR-110 photos

BOSS DR-110 links

www.boss.info

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-3

Digital Drum Machine

The DR-3 Dr. Rhtyhm is one the latest drum machines from Boss/Roland.  It follows in the footsteps of the glorious “Dr. Rhythm” line.

The Sounds on this drum machine are incredibly detailed and powerful… and expressive.  A notable improvement over the older models.

Plenty of editing capabilities, and enormous Performance Control, thanks to the many Pattern and Kit variations, mute, key shift, and SOUND SHAPE and AMBIENCE.  Lots of bass sounds as well.  A really good tool to have in the studio or live.  Check out the numerous audio demos below.

BOSS DR-3 audio demos

Let’s listen to the Demo Song:

The patterns used in the factory demo are the following:

  • P057 FUNK 1
  • P031 KNCKL HEAD
  • P069 FUSION 1
  • P025 ROCK 5
  • P006 MIAMI
  • P004 ROCK HOP
  • P005 STREET HOP
  • P014 HVY ROCK 1
  • P088 HOUSE 1
  • P052 BLUES 1
  • P054 CHICAGO
  • P075 GOSPEL 1
  • P078 SWING 1
  • P091 BOSSA NOVA
  • P093 SAMBA 2
  • P096 SALSA 2
  • P001 ROCK JAM 1
  • P018 FAST ROCK2
  • P015 HVY ROCK 2

And here below I recorded audio examples from some of the other on-board Patterns, utilizing the various Pattern and Kit Variations, fills etc.:

BOSS DR-3 photos

BOSS DR-3 manual

BOSS DR-3 specs

  • Great sound
  • extremely light and portable;
  • works also with batteries
  • easy to program;
  • very high quality sounds, including percussion, bass.
Year of release:2003
Polyphony:12-voices
Display:yes, backlit orange
Preset Patterns:100 User, 100 Preset
Pads:13
Pads respond to velocity:Yes
Pads respond to aftertouch 
Sound generation method:PCM
MIDI:MIDI In
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Outputs:Stereo
Effects:Yes
Controls:Buttons, pads, jog-wheel
Pedal controls:yes
Tape Sync:no
OptionsAC Adaptor: PSA Series
Foot Switch: FS-5U
Foot Switch Cable: PCS-31 (Roland)
(1/4inch Phone Plug (stereo)–1/4inch Phone
Plug (mono) x 2)
Dimensions: 213 (W) x 185 (D) x 53 (H) mm
8-7/16 (W) x 7-5/16 (D) x 2-1/8 (H) inches
Weight: 710 g / 1 lb 10 oz (excluding dry batteries)

BOSS DR-3 links

www.boss.info

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-550 MkII Dr. Rhythm

Digital Drum Machine

The DR-550 MkII is the upgraded version of the venerable, original DR-550.  A big difference from the original model is the fact that the base ROM has been almost doubled and now features 91 drum sounds.  The machine works at 16-bit and is fairly clean and punchy.  Many of its sounds remind of its bigger sister, the Roland R-8.

Useful features include “tone color”, that allows you to modify the basic filter frequencies of each sample, and “decay”, that obviously lengthens or shortens the sample.

There are 64 preset patterns on board, and 64 more slots for your own creations.  Also, as in other drum machines in the DR-series, you can chain patterns to forms songs – In the DR-550 MkII, up to 8 songs consisting of up to 160 measures each.

A big improvement from the previous 220-series is the inclusion of a basic MIDI IN port, which allows the unit to be synchronized to a sequencer, or another drum machine.  There’s no MIDI OUT though, so in order to save your created patterns, you have to resort to the old-fashioned way of storing to cassette tape, using the tape interface.

BOSS DR-550 MkII audio demos

There are seven factory demo songs programmed in ROM, that show off the capabilities of this machine:

Boss DR-550 MkII Drum Samples (44.1MHz, stereo .wav)

BOSS DR-550 Mk II photos

BOSS DR-550 Mk II manual

Reset the Boss DR-550 Mk II

Power on while keeping pressed the “-1/<” and “>/+1” buttons; then press “Start”.

BOSS DR-550 Mk II specs

  • extremely light and portable;
  • easy to program;
  • high quality sounds.
Year of release1992
Polyphony 12-note
Number of drum sounds91
Display Yes
Preset Patterns 64 preset and 64 user
Songs8 (max of 160 measures)
Pads Twelve pads
Pads respond to velocity
Pads respond to aftertouch 
Sound generation methodPCM
MIDIIn
Sound expansion capabilitiesNo
OutputsStereo outs; headphone out
EffectsNo
Controlsbuttons
Pedal controlsYes
Tape Sync No
PowerAC adapter; batteries
Dimensions 188mm (W) x 157mm (D) x 41mm (H)
7-7/16″ (W) x 6-3/16″ (D) x 1-5/8″ (H)
Weight 510 g. / 1 lb 2 0x (including batteries)

BOSS DR-550 Mk II links

www.boss.info

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-770

Digital Drum Machine

image source: bosscorp.co.jp

The DR-770 is a direct descendant of the longstanding and popular Boss’ DR “Dr. Rhythm” line of drum machines that dates back to the minuscule DR-55.

The successor to the DR-660, the 770 improves on several aspects, including number and quality of samples, memory, and most of all, it features DPP, useful and lots of fun, especially in a live, jam or rehearsal situation.

The sample ROM is very generous, with many sounds to choose from, including vintage, jazz, hard, electronic, and ethnic samples – most people are not going to miss the expansion capability of other drum machines, such as – say – Roland (of which Boss is part of) ‘s classic R-8.

The 770 is an extremely compact instrument, with the buttons spaced pretty tight next to each other.  Two alpha dials serve duty for volume and value changes.  The inclusion of ambience and modulation effects is a big plus, especially for genres like reggae (the kits have great echo/delay effects on the right instruments) and electronica that can always benefit from them – as opposed to more classic styles like rock, that pretty much are okay with just a pinch of reverb.

In all, this blue wonder is a great tool for composing, and certainly great-sounding, and thanks to its large sample ROM, can be used in any recording or live situation that requires being able to provide percussion in several different styles.


 Boss DR-770 audio demos

Here is the DR-770 on-board factory song:

and following are examples of the preset patterns:

 Boss DR-770 manual

Boss DR-770 specs

  • light and portable;
  • deep editing and programming;
  • high quality sounds;
  • Direct Pattern Play is an awesome feature;
  • On-board FX.
Year of release1999
Polyphony14-voice
Instruments255
Songs100
Displayyes, LCD non backlit
Preset Patterns400 Preset + 400 User
Padssixteen
Pads respond to velocity:yes
Pads respond to aftertouch 
Sound generation method:PCM
MIDI:in, out
Sound expansion capabilities:no
Outputs:One pair stereo out, one individual, phones
Effects:yes
Controls:2 jog-wheels; buttons; drum pads
Pedal controls:Pedal switch
Tape Sync:n/a
OptionsFoot Switch: FS-5U
Pedal Switch: DP-2
Foot Switch Cable: PCS-31
Dimensions:215 (W) x 165 (D) x 59 (H) mm
8-1/2 (W) x 6-1/2 (D) x 2-3/8 (H) inches
Weight:715 g / 1 lbs 10 oz

BOSS DR-770 photos

BOSS DR-770 links

www.boss.info

Categories
Digital Drum Machine Drum Machine

BOSS DR-220A

Digital Drum Machine

This was my very first drum machine.  It is a cute little noisemaker.  Its sounds are somewhat reminiscent of the Roland TR-707, and are the typical “produced” 80s kinds of sounds.

The “A” is for “acoustic” – there’s also a DR-220E, “Electric”, with electronic, Simmons-like sounds.

Boss DR-220A audio demos

Let’s listen to the on-board demonstration song:

This demonstration song is a cleverly put together series of factory patterns.  In fact, like in many other drum machines, songs are composed of series of patterns linked to each other.

And here below you can listen to the factory patterns – I recorded four measures for each pattern.  I cut the .mp3 samples accurately in Sound Forge so they loop perfectly, in case you want to use them with your sequencer 🙂

The manual offers 32 more variations of these patterns, and it’s very easy to program them (and new ones) using Roland’s trademark “x0x-grid” layout.  Some of these patterns are very good, and with a little compression, eq and effects will be perfect for those ’80s-inspired songs.

The “Electric Pop” is a great example of early eighties beat.  The “Cuban” is downright ingenious in its programming.  “Fill-in 8 Beat (2)” recalls “Rockit” by Herbie Hancock 🙂 and is a typical ’80s break.

And now for your sampling pleasures, here are the original drum samples sampled at 44.1kHz, normalized and trimmed in Sound Forge, in glorious mono directly from the drum machine.  Assign them to your favorite hardware or software sampler, and you’ll have a virtual DR-220A at your disposal.

Bass Drum
Snare Drum
Closed Hi-hat
Open Hi-hat
Rim Shot
Hand Clap
Hi Tom
Mid Tom
Low Tom
Ride Cymbal
Crash Cymbal

BOSS DR-220A manual

BOSS DR-220A specs

Year of release1986
Rhythm memory capacity32 preset, 32 user
Steps per measure16 steps / 12 steps
SongsMax 128 bars x 8 (song chain: 256 bars)
Tempo40 bpm to 250 bpm
Displayyes
MIDIno
Power6V (UM-3 x 4) / AC adapter PSA-120, 220 or 240 (9V)
OptionsAC adapter BOSS PSA-120, 220 or 240
Connection cord PJ-1
Dimensions239mm (W) x 75mm (D) x 31mm (H)
9-7/16″ x 2-15/16″ x 1-1/4″
Weight350g / 12 oz (with batteries)

BOSS DR-220A links

www.boss.info