New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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- Dubby_Wubby
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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.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.
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.
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- Dubby_Wubby
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
Cheers for the quick reply.
Nah can't afford a Miami. I'll probably order a 522 from Thomann either today or tomorrow.
Nah can't afford a Miami. I'll probably order a 522 from Thomann either today or tomorrow.
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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
http://www.mfberlin.de/Manual/Manual_e/m522_be.pdf
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- Dubby_Wubby
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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?
Also, Is it a stereo mini jack output?
Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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?
I'm wondering: is this status quo for MFB products in NA : no power supply? .... or is MoogAudio out to lunch?
- Syn303
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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.
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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).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.
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?
Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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 

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
Yes...it can be. I've received MFB stuff with power supplies and some without. The cheaper stuff seems to come without it.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?
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
Good to know. My local MoogAudio is not that wacky after all!JSRockit wrote:Yes...it can be. I've received MFB stuff with power supplies and some without. The cheaper stuff seems to come without it.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?
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
seems it's just an inconsistency depending on where in the world yo are.. be sure to post some tracks Yatmandu 

Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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).
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
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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
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Re: New MFB-522 drum machine, now with more cowbell..
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.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)?
Yeah for a small drum machine like the 522, it sure has a big sound.
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