Boss DR-880

When developing a groove, you can combine ready-made drum and bass phrases rather than entering every note individually: that’s what the drum machine with EZ Compose is designed for. The BOSS DR-880 combines rhythm programming with drum and bass sounds, as well as effects for electric guitar, acoustic guitar and bass. It is suitable for practising, composing and rehearsing, and can also be integrated into a recording or amplifier setup.

The EZ Compose functions build patterns from pre-programmed kick/snare, hi-hat, ghost note and bass phrases. In Pattern mode, you can combine these to create your own arrangements. Chord progression templates provide a harmonic foundation for the bass patterns; matching fills from the Phrase Library add transitions and breaks. If you prefer to work in more detail, you can create rhythms yourself.

To add more movement to a pattern, you can adjust its feel with Groove Modify: templates introduce different groove and triplet feels, and preset ghost note phrases can be added automatically. With TSC (Total Sound Control), you can process drum kits globally using a 3-band EQ and ambience. Effects such as compressor and EQ are also available for individual sounds such as kick and snare.

You can connect a guitar or bass directly to the instrument input. COSM Drive and amp models, as well as chorus, flanger, phaser, delay and reverb, are available for electric guitar. Acoustic guitars can be processed with the Acoustic Processor, chorus and reverb. For bass, there are COSM bass amp models, compressor/limiter, and modulation and delay effects.

For routing, the unit offers stereo master outputs via jack and RCA connections, as well as two individual outputs. This lets you, for example, output kick and snare separately or route guitar and backing signals independently. A headphone connection, coaxial digital output and Output Select mode complete the connections for amplifiers and recording equipment.

USB serves as a MIDI interface and for importing MIDI files in SMF format; it is not an audio interface. MIDI In and Out are also provided. Two stereo inputs for footswitches or controllers can accommodate up to four footswitches via suitable stereo cables; one input alternatively supports an expression pedal, for example to control volume or a wah effect. Four Favorite buttons provide direct access to important songs, patterns or effects.

With 500 preset and 500 user patterns, 100 preset and 100 user drum kits, and 100 user songs, the DR-880 provides storage for your own arrangements and recurring setups. The 20 velocity-sensitive pads support direct input, while the backlit LCD displays operating information. This drum machine is particularly suited to musicians who want to programme backing rhythms and bass parts while using the instrument input, effects and separate outputs in a single unit.