MFB-503 Drum Machine

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:09 am

So i got one of these today. And it sounds awesome! Forget the 606, this is next budget analogue drum machine! The BD can be nice and punchy, and bassy and boomy. The snare is great, the HHs are awesome, and the toms can go from typical analogue toms to bass monsters. You could make them do a bass line with a little patience. The Cymbals are what i believe are 909 samples. The HHs and Cymbals have a mix setting with allow you to mix between the 2 sample sets. The HHs are very 606/808-ish. The Cymbals have a tune function, which also effects the HHs as well. I just recorded this little demo of just the MFB. I'm goofin off and showing some of what this is capable of.

http://acid.experimedia.net/MFB-503%20demo.mp3

JSRockit · Post by **JSRockit** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 2:50 pm

Thanks for the demo. I was going to buy this awhile back but then decided to go all out and get the Jomox 888. I've been thinking of the 606 again recently...I like all of the sounds of the 606 better...but the 503 has the thicker BD with the right weight to it. Must be nice to have both though.

StepLogik · Post by **StepLogik** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 1:56 am

How is the build quality?

justinvm · Post by **justinvm** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:14 am

Poor man's 909

. Kick and snare are no doubt clones of the original roland circuits.

MFB lovin'.

th0mas · Post by **th0mas** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 7:28 pm

I played this drum machine for awhile in Moog Audio in Montreal yesterday and was going to post about it today. It sounds amazing! A bit of a hiss on the audio out but considering the price it's a small annoyance.

(edit:removed question I confirmed answers to via googling

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:06 pm

StepLogik wrote:How is the build quality?

Typical MFB plastic case, but feels pretty solid. Light as h**l, and about the size of the Mopho.

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:12 pm

th0mas wrote:I played this drum machine for awhile in Moog Audio in Montreal yesterday and was going to post about it today. It sounds amazing! A bit of a hiss on the audio out but considering the price it's a small annoyance.

(edit:removed question I confirmed answers to via googling

Yeah, i think some of that hiss might be some interference from that large and bright LCD display. I've also noticed some slight buzzing when certain buttons are pushed and when certain patterns are playing. Couple of things that bother me though...

1. No way to copy patterns. This puzzles me.
2. I can't seem to figure out how to assign kits to patterns.

These 2 things have been frustrating the h**l out of me. It does sound great though. I just wish they'd update the OS to make it easier to use.

pflosi · Post by **pflosi** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:22 pm

great little machine!

only thing i miss is ability to mute kick. every other instrument can be muted... fortunately it has a separate output

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 8:32 pm

Have you figured out the whole "assign kits to patterns" bit? Cause i can't for the life of me.

pflosi · Post by **pflosi** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:08 pm

i dont have it in front of me, but i think u can just choose ur pattern and then press "kit" and some number to assign the kit to the pattern....

ColorForm2113 · Post by **ColorForm2113** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 10:37 pm

I've been contemplating getting the 502 for awhile to use with my electirbe, so I could have some tweekable drums with analog goodness. But there haven't been to many reviews or demos of it. I will have to check out the demo later.

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:51 am

pflosi wrote:i dont have it in front of me, but i think u can just choose ur pattern and then press "kit" and some number to assign the kit to the pattern....

That's what i've been trying, but it just reverts back to the pattern # of the kit i selected. I'm starting to think that it isn't possible at all.

enx · Post by **enx** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:26 am

What's wrong with the 502?

It's cheaper and has 7 analogue drums

Computer Controlled · Post by **Computer Controlled** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 2:56 am

It sounds like a CR-78. Not into the soft sounding Cha Cha analogue machines.

Belaya · Post by **Belaya** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 3:40 am

it sounds great! i really like the kick

MFB-503 Drum Machine

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