Roland TR-505 vs TR-626

[kjf1138]

What's the difference between the Roland TR-505 and the TR-626?

[meatballfulton]

626 has individual outputs for the drums...that's the biggest difference. Since it came along later it might have better sounds, too

I owned a 505 for 20 years (the only drum machine I have ever owned, in fact) It was a decent drum machine for it's time but it's sounds are fixed...no tuning, alternate samples, etc. By today's standards it doesn't sound very realistic nor does it sound synthetic. I wouldn't pay over $50 for one.

[kjf1138]

Does the 626 allow tuning or alternate samples?

[Z]

On the 626 you can tune the drum sound +/- 7 semitones. The 626 also has more drum sounds: 2 kicks, 3 snares, 2 sets of toms, a bunch of latin percussion and china & bell cymbals.

[space6oy]

crazy i know but you could have read about them here
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/505.php
and here
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/626.php

[kjf1138]

crazy i know but you could have read about them here
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/505.php
and here
http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/626.php

I did but the article didn't really compare the two that well and made both of them sound like garbage devices. I can't afford the TR-707 or 808 and definitely not the 909. I just want a good, cheap, vintage drum machine that I can play around with and make beats that you can find in like a 80's pop song. The TR-626 sounds like a good choice. Are there other suggestions?

[Z]

I just want a good, cheap, vintage drum machine that I can play around with and make beats that you can find in like a 80's pop song. The TR-626 sounds like a good choice. Are there other suggestions?

You might look into the Yamaha RX5 or Kawai R-100.

[kjf1138]

I just want a good, cheap, vintage drum machine that I can play around with and make beats that you can find in like a 80's pop song. The TR-626 sounds like a good choice. Are there other suggestions?

You might look into the Yamaha RX5 or Kawai R-100.

Oh my god, they're all pretty good, which do you think is like the best one?

[2manydrummachines]

That Kawai sounds like old Wax Trax! stuff
That 626 is more like the old Detroit Techno sound i.e. KMS "The Sound", "Big Fun"
The 707 is more Chicago sounding Marshall Jefferson, Armando but also has that Wax Trax! edge
Why not the Casio RZ1, super easy to program and it has lo-fi sampling like a Casio SK1 or SK5

[walkathon]

Are there other suggestions?

Don't forget the DDD-1.
Stock without the sampling board and cards = dirt cheap, though you may luck out and have a sampling board hiding within one you get ...

[nathanscribe]

Yamaha RX11 is also pretty good. Individual outs, MIDI, trigger clock. The Casio RZ-1 is good for its sampler, and some but not all of the onboard sounds, I thought. And you still get individual outs.

The 505 is weak, IMO. I had one, sampled it, and sold it. I bought a LinnDrum instead...

[2manydrummachines]

Oh yeah, that E-Mu Drumulator is a good 1980's one too. What kind of 707 money are you talking about. Maybe I can help. I may know of one going for sale.

[2manydrummachines]

Yamaha RX11 is also pretty good. Individual outs, MIDI, trigger clock. The Casio RZ-1 is good for its sampler, and some but not all of the onboard sounds, I thought. And you still get individual outs.

The 505 is weak, IMO. I had one, sampled it, and sold it. I bought a LinnDrum instead...

TR626 and LinnDrum two different animals entirely. An Oberheim DX can pass for an 808 in some songs, if you have the right EPROMS> I agree no need for the 505. 626 however with some compression it seems to have solid bass.

[pflosi]

I like my 626. The no-go IMO on the 505 is the lack of a trigger out. It's the only one missing in my X0X collection

[FlavioB]

I know it's an old thread, but: is the TR-626 good for live jam? I mean, do you need to stop/start the sequencer to move from edit to play mode?
I love my TR-606 because I never have to stop it while jamming... would love the 626 too if it'd work the same way!

Thanks in advance!
F.