New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Dubby_Wubby · Post by **Dubby_Wubby** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:39 pm

Syn303 - How have you found the LED runner and the 8 buttons for note input on the 522? Is it easy to get the hang of? I don't know why they didn't use 16 little buttons like the 503.

Syn303 · Post by **Syn303** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:52 pm

Dubby_Wubby wrote:Syn303 - How have you found the LED runner and the 8 buttons for note input on the 522? Is it easy to get the hang of? I don't know why they didn't use 16 little buttons like the 503.

Yeah it's easy to get the hang of after a little while with it, just that's there is gratuitous use of the SHIFT button for laying down drum sounds on even steps.

Inputting a BD, you press/hold REC and hit 1/BD
Inputting a RIMSHOT, you press/hold REC and SHIFT and 2/SD (shift selects the RIMSHOT)

As i said after a little while, it becomes easy.

You could always stump up 800 euros for the Miami instead though, don't know about the waiting time to get one though, as i heard there was a waiting list for it.

Dubby_Wubby · Post by **Dubby_Wubby** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 12:55 pm

Cheers for the quick reply.

Nah can't afford a Miami. I'll probably order a 522 from Thomann either today or tomorrow.

Syn303 · Post by **Syn303** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:08 pm

Make sure you download the english manual for the 522, as 522's are shipped only with a German manual! And you might want to get a proper 12v/500mA DC adapter (centre positive), as those 2-pin euro adapters supplied are c**p.

http://www.mfberlin.de/Manual/Manual_e/m522_be.pdf

Dubby_Wubby · Post by **Dubby_Wubby** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 4:02 pm

Hi. Yes I've already downloaded the manual mate. About the power supply will an ordinary 12v DC adapter do I think I've got one lying around somewhere. Are the European ones dodgy then? You wouldn't recommend them?

Also, Is it a stereo mini jack output?

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 6:42 pm

Has anyone in US/Can bought one of these yet? I just picked one up at MoogAudio(Montreal) and they told me that the units did not come with any power supply. Is this normal for NA? I don't mind really, as I got a pretty sweet deal on this, so I can pick up a 12V/500mA power supply if I don't already have one of these at home.

I'm wondering: is this status quo for MFB products in NA : no power supply? .... or is MoogAudio out to lunch?

Syn303 · Post by **Syn303** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:07 pm

Hmmm you should have gotten a power supply with the 522, it's supplied as standard, seems MoogAudio are having a laugh at your expense.

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:16 pm

Syn303 wrote:Hmmm you should have gotten a power supply with the 522, it's supplied as standard, seems MoogAudio are having a laugh at your expense.

I'll straighten things out. Those guys are soooo disorganized, it's not funny. They're a great bunch though, and always give me sweet deals, so I keep going back (although, things like this are so common with them). For instance, they mis-priced the 522 on their website, but they still honoured the price for me as they fixed their mistake (got it for CDN$329 - minus a power supply, apparently).

Edit: Hmmm, Syn303 you're in Scotland. How do you know what's in the MFB-522 box for North America? Can anyone confirm this that actually bought a unit here?

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:51 pm

I called them, and they assure me: out of 4 mfb-522 boxes in stock, none have a power supply. It's all cool, if (after all these years of electronic toys) I don't have a 12V/500mA wall wart somewhere in the house, well, call me Bill and hang me by me privates

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 8:16 pm

Yatmandu wrote: I just picked one up at MoogAudio(Montreal) and they told me that the units did not come with any power supply. Is this normal for NA?

Yes...it can be. I've received MFB stuff with power supplies and some without. The cheaper stuff seems to come without it.

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:17 pm

JSRockit wrote:
Yatmandu wrote: I just picked one up at MoogAudio(Montreal) and they told me that the units did not come with any power supply. Is this normal for NA?
Yes...it can be. I've received MFB stuff with power supplies and some without. The cheaper stuff seems to come without it.

Good to know. My local MoogAudio is not that wacky after all!

Post by **TrondC** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:48 am

seems it's just an inconsistency depending on where in the world yo are.. be sure to post some tracks Yatmandu

Yatmandu · Post by **Yatmandu** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:30 pm

I will! I found a 12V DC 500mA supply and started playing with it last night. At first I thought I had a defective unit, as Toms on step 9 sounded really weak compared to step 1 or 3 (for example, I don't remember the details). It turned out to be the accent part which is really strong. Also, it didn't take too long to get used to entering the steps (without SHIFT = odd steps, with SHIFT = even steps). The sound is impressive for such a little box. The BD could have a bit more oomph to it, but that's what compressors are for. I'm very impressed.

By the way, I sent an email to MFB asking about the power supply, and he replied that the unit requires 12V DC unstable? minimum 300mA with +ve tip OR 15V DC stable. I'm not sure what stable or unstable are (regulated or not)?

Overall I would rate the unit very highly. Best bang for the buck in analog drum synthesis (IMO).

Dubby_Wubby · Post by **Dubby_Wubby** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:46 pm

Sounds good Yatmandu. I'm looking forward to receiving mine in the post, but the item went on short order from Thomann as I was about to order

. Hopefully it will only delay delivery by a few days.

Syn303 · Post by **Syn303** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:57 pm

Yatmandu wrote:I will! I found a 12V DC 500mA supply

By the way, I sent an email to MFB asking about the power supply, and he replied that the unit requires 12V DC unstable? minimum 300mA with +ve tip OR 15V DC stable. I'm not sure what stable or unstable are (regulated or not)?

I found 500mA a bit too much for this. Which was the power supply that came with my 522. so i switched to a regulated 12v 300mA (230v 50Hz) power supply instead.

Yeah for a small drum machine like the 522, it sure has a big sound.

New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..