The Boss DR-202 is the most frantic and instantly gratifying drum machine I've ever used. Pleasing to play with, pleasing to use seriously. Great machine!
This drum machine has been the main workhorse in my live setup for almost 20 years now. amazing machine. The ability to build custom kits (a drum kit made entirely of differently pitched kicks? yes please!), tune down/up individual drum pads, and create subbass that will vibrate pictures right off the wall make this an absolute gem.
Don't give away the secrets man they haven't even scratched the surface on its functional capabilities had 2 since 2000 if I could swap the memory chip outof my first one into another machine
I had one of these a year after they were released, and coupled with a Yamaha SU-10 I was able to make some incredible music considering the low prices for both instruments.
This looks exactly like what I've been looking for in a portable drum machine, seems like a perfect thing to get your jam on with some friends outside. Thanks for the vid.
I run mine through myAlesis midi verb and sample directly into maschine mk3. It definitely has that old school sound (which is great for classic deep house)
@Stephen Anthony you realise it also has a whole bass instrument and not just hip hop drums right,the 808 sound a lot better on this over any other drum machine. But still i don't get the point of "cliche",who uses the sounds of a drum machine unfiltered,i have 2 samplers alone for filtering drums all i need is a great base and dr-202 has it.
@@rashodlewis2918 Nice drum sounds from the DR-880, play through a piano/drum amp to get the best out of it. Also got the DigiTech Trio Band Creator, which is in pedal form and best played through a piano/bass amp as too mushy through a guitar amp. Really good tool for any lonely guitar player.
@@ChayBode I use my DR-880 with my samplers. I was close to buying a DR-202 off eBay a few months ago. I decided I didn’t want something used and canceled the order. I have a SP 202 sampler.
Hello, I'm looking for a drum and bass machine that can do what this Boss dr 202 does in this video at minute 1:10 (the real-time modification with the cut off and resonance knobs), which machine could you recommend? the Boss DR 202 is quite expensive nowadays. Thank you so much
Yeah these things are pretty fun. Picked one up in good condition for 80 bucks a few years back and used it quite a bit. The built in filter and flanger are a nice touch. My only complaint is that screen is hard to read (at certain angles) and probably needs to be replaced or a light added to it perhaps.
@@maruobandai i know there are some out there but this is the only one i own that has it i believe. of course i've also got a couple rack mounted filters (Electrix Filter Factory, Line 6 FM4 also the pedal version) a 1st gen Kaoss Pad and a dj mixer with one built into it (A&H Xone:23) as well. Reverb?
I highly recommend pairing this with a Zoom ST-224 sampler AKA the poor man's SP1200...(same colour scheme too) .... much fun to be had. Sadly the zoom sampler midi is very, very limited. Great little sampler though and fun to experiment with...add the DR202 and you can do quite a lot. Both great for gritty 90's Old School/jazzy Hip Hop tracks.
@@ogplr5914 yup the Zoom st224 is great for sampling drum hits and making some fantastic old skool drum beats with that slightly low fi quality. It has lots of good functions and effects are crazy on it. I've watched it go up in price due to it's popularity amongst beat makers looking for that SP1200 sound. Some great vids out there to checkout. As I said the Dr202 has some fantastic bass sounds as well as a great array of drum hit sounds. Together they are perfect for boom bap hip hop.
@@reggiegimmix9128 thx!! Been watching videos on it and well impressed, still the prices aren't too deep so im really considering it. Thanks for putting me onto this underappreciated sampler :)
@@gearfacts I've been trying to get hold of one for ages, and ended up with an mc-303 instead.. More sounds and sequence options, but less of the anger and simplicity of the sp.
you can save all your settings ... create a custom kit, tweak the sounds using the cutoff/resonance etc... Read the manual it tells you how to save edited and modified kits as they are.. save your kit then next time you switch it on it will have your kit with the tweaks you made... remember though as soon as you twist the knobs it will modify your kit ...so you'll need to turn off then on again.. but you can save your modified kits. As I said download the manual or read it ...it should be listed in the main menu. It's been a while but it is quite easy I just can remember off the top of my head how it's done but definately possible. The bass sounds alone on this thing are amazing...very slept on machine. Hook up a midi pad controller like the Korg Pad Kontrol or another midi device like the MPC live or something and just use the Dr202 as a sound box and control it from your master controller to play your songs and trigger the sounds of the 202.
Hello, I have a good offer for a BOSS DR-880, but I would like to know if with the BOSS DR-880 I can make this same sound that you make in this video at minute 1:10? this modification in real time of CUT OFF and Resonance? Thank you so much
How is the LCD on the one you are demonstrating? I have adjusted my contrast all the way up and I still have to tilt it a certain direction to be able to see the menu screen. It's not a deal breaker with me, just a pain in the butt.
@@gearfacts there is a hack on internet...or somewhere you can get a backlit display added to this. don't know if they still do it but backlit display is/was possible.
Thanks I'm glad you liked the video. As for the 303, I can't hear any difference but more refined ear might detect a slight difference. The audience certainly wouldn't!
@Community Grow when Boss made this drum machine they made the sampler to go with it not that it sinks with it I'm not sure if it does but it might but cosmetically they look the same so that's what I meant when I said they were made to go together but I do recommend that you get one
Personally I just use an average bluetooth speaker and run an AUX cable from the headphone socket to the AUX socket on the speaker. You could also use a guitar amp or similar, just plug the guitar cable into the Left output on the DR-202 :) gf
Hey i think I found fix. Cause you're using split cable rca into one jack right? Try changing the sound parameters in kit option and select Left/Right balance. Works right away.
Guys i need help! Im looking for a machine(instrument) that lets me program drums, bass and synths or pads on same machine. I want something that will allow me to make drum and bass on a single machine
Good question... You know, in the few weeks I had this unit I don't remember seeing that feature at all. You might want to google the manual to check for sure, but yeah now that you mention it ...I don't think it can :/
i asked another guy who owns this machine. : You can pitch each drumsound individualy. Press KIT - Right arrow - select sound - right arrow then you can set volume, pitch, filter, efx etc
If I remember correctly you can change this if you go to 'Kit', select the sound and change how much it is assigned to each effect. You can also change the reverb/dly and flanger types in the Kit too
It's been a long time, but I believe there are a couple of buttons near the center of the front panel that allow you to switch between bass and drums. If not, you can see the manual by googling "Boss DR-202 PDF" :) #gearfacts
This is one of the Boss oldest drum machines and still one of their best it is true the sounds are dated and Boss did come out with way better drum machines but this one is still so much fun to play with I had it a few years ago I didn't use it that much but it was fun
It was a good piece but it's dated in a bad way. The unit was offering outdated sounds when it was released which was what hurt it unfortunately. Had lots of potential but bad planning killed it.
This drum machine has been the main workhorse in my live setup for almost 20 years now. amazing machine.
The ability to build custom kits (a drum kit made entirely of differently pitched kicks? yes please!), tune down/up individual drum pads, and create subbass that will vibrate pictures right off the wall make this an absolute gem.
Totally agree. Funnest drum machine I've ever used.
Don't give away the secrets man they haven't even scratched the surface on its functional capabilities had 2 since 2000 if I could swap the memory chip outof my first one into another machine
I had one of these a year after they were released, and coupled with a Yamaha SU-10 I was able to make some incredible music considering the low prices for both instruments.
My go-to drum machine since forever. Paired with the sp202 and you're ready to make sick tunes.
This looks exactly like what I've been looking for in a portable drum machine, seems like a perfect thing to get your jam on with some friends outside. Thanks for the vid.
Thanks for watching, Pete :) Gearfacts
Good sounding machine. Love it when they let you change the kit on a running pattern in real time.
Me too!
Who doesn’t ❤
Still have mine from the late 90’s, love it! Severely underrated machine.
Totally agree!
I run mine through myAlesis midi verb and sample directly into maschine mk3. It definitely has that old school sound (which is great for classic deep house)
I still have mine from the early 2000s but these days I sync it with the Roland TR-8S and just go crazy!
This thing sounds awesome!!!
Raw as they come :)
Love the sounds
Me too, nice and gritty ;)
I love this sound💥
Pure grit :) #gearfacts
Quite nice and easy to use by the looks of it.
Yeah moderately easy :) #Gearfacts
"Outdated" he says,yet to this day i almost use the drums of this machine alone for anything.😆
Yeah but I also said I love it and it's one of the best drum machines ever :)
@Stephen Anthony you realise it also has a whole bass instrument and not just hip hop drums right,the 808 sound a lot better on this over any other drum machine.
But still i don't get the point of "cliche",who uses the sounds of a drum machine unfiltered,i have 2 samplers alone for filtering drums all i need is a great base and dr-202 has it.
Zaxaroplastis Yep, that's why I gave it a glowing review and said it was a classic machine :)
excelente
I’ve had mine for over 20 years
"We'll have a listen to some resonance and cutoff"
PS1 STARTUP SOUNDS
Ahhh the PS1 :)
I just got the Boss DR-880.....maybe dated but so is my music.....old school still kicking :)
:) #gearfacts
I was using my DR-880 yesterday. Looking at DR-880 videos and this video was suggested.
@@rashodlewis2918 Nice drum sounds from the DR-880, play through a piano/drum amp to get the best out of it.
Also got the DigiTech Trio Band Creator, which is in pedal form and best played through a piano/bass amp as too mushy through a guitar amp.
Really good tool for any lonely guitar player.
@@ChayBode I use my DR-880 with my samplers. I was close to buying a DR-202 off eBay a few months ago. I decided I didn’t want something used and canceled the order. I have a SP 202 sampler.
@@rashodlewis2918 My DR-880 was used and bought off ebay, with the cash I saved on new, I bought an oz of weed, happy days :)
esta caja de ritmos es una maravilla junto con la mc 307 roland
These one and the akai XR20 are really good machines to have fun and create ! Still got and use them (also yamaha SU10 and boss DR5).
Right on!
XR 20 its a crap
@@hapatus4750 thanx for your positive mental attitude, haven't you something more interesting to do with your life ? Typical troll lol !!!
@@stephane406 YES! www.soundclick.com/artist/default.cfm?bandID=1480879&content=songs
Hello, I'm looking for a drum and bass machine that can do what this Boss dr 202 does in this video at minute 1:10 (the real-time modification with the cut off and resonance knobs), which machine could you recommend? the Boss DR 202 is quite expensive nowadays. Thank you so much
Yeah these things are pretty fun. Picked one up in good condition for 80 bucks a few years back and used it quite a bit. The built in filter and flanger are a nice touch. My only complaint is that screen is hard to read (at certain angles) and probably needs to be replaced or a light added to it perhaps.
Wow you got a good deal there for $80 :) GF
Yeah, good deal on that but bad deal on the SP-202 I paid 100 for only to find out in was in crap condition...
Hi do you know a similar drum machine with this “real-time modify” cutoff resonance ?? Or do you know where I can find one Dr202 ? Many thanks !
@@maruobandai i know there are some out there but this is the only one i own that has it i believe. of course i've also got a couple rack mounted filters (Electrix Filter Factory, Line 6 FM4 also the pedal version) a 1st gen Kaoss Pad and a dj mixer with one built into it (A&H Xone:23) as well. Reverb?
I highly recommend pairing this with a Zoom ST-224 sampler AKA the poor man's SP1200...(same colour scheme too) .... much fun to be had. Sadly the zoom sampler midi is very, very limited. Great little sampler though and fun to experiment with...add the DR202 and you can do quite a lot. Both great for gritty 90's Old School/jazzy Hip Hop tracks.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds great
You had me at poor mans sp1200. Im all in
@@ogplr5914 yup the Zoom st224 is great for sampling drum hits and making some fantastic old skool drum beats with that slightly low fi quality. It has lots of good functions and effects are crazy on it. I've watched it go up in price due to it's popularity amongst beat makers looking for that SP1200 sound. Some great vids out there to checkout. As I said the Dr202 has some fantastic bass sounds as well as a great array of drum hit sounds. Together they are perfect for boom bap hip hop.
@@reggiegimmix9128 thx!! Been watching videos on it and well impressed, still the prices aren't too deep so im really considering it. Thanks for putting me onto this underappreciated sampler :)
nice vid Sir.
Thank you sir :) GF
At 2:22 sounds like the intro to Kelis’ Millionaire
I see what you mean :) #Gearfacts
These things are like rocking horse poop now. Such a fun little jamming machine.
Never heard that expression before but yep, sounds accurate :) #gearfacts
@@gearfacts I've been trying to get hold of one for ages, and ended up with an mc-303 instead.. More sounds and sequence options, but less of the anger and simplicity of the sp.
Does anyone know if you can sequence external gear such as drum and bass with pitch bend over MIDI?
JMFH SMITH Yes you sure can
Love this thing! I recently backlit mine. My only complaint about it is the kit bank doesn't have any blank spots to save custom kits.
Yeah it's a nice raw sound, very dark and gritty :)
There is space for user kit
How do use a different bass after recording a different drum kit?
If i change the instrument on a pad within a pattern i created
it doesn't save when i turn the machine off it reverts back to the original instrument
you can save all your settings ... create a custom kit, tweak the sounds using the cutoff/resonance etc... Read the manual it tells you how to save edited and modified kits as they are.. save your kit then next time you switch it on it will have your kit with the tweaks you made... remember though as soon as you twist the knobs it will modify your kit ...so you'll need to turn off then on again.. but you can save your modified kits. As I said download the manual or read it ...it should be listed in the main menu. It's been a while but it is quite easy I just can remember off the top of my head how it's done but definately possible. The bass sounds alone on this thing are amazing...very slept on machine. Hook up a midi pad controller like the Korg Pad Kontrol or another midi device like the MPC live or something and just use the Dr202 as a sound box and control it from your master controller to play your songs and trigger the sounds of the 202.
Has it got ready made patterns as well
Hello, I have a good offer for a BOSS DR-880, but I would like to know if with the BOSS DR-880 I can make this same sound that you make in this video at minute 1:10? this modification in real time of CUT OFF and Resonance? Thank you so much
I don't htink it would sound the same. The DR202 seems to be in a class of its own (though I'm open to be corrected on that)
How is the LCD on the one you are demonstrating? I have adjusted my contrast all the way up and I still have to tilt it a certain direction to be able to see the menu screen. It's not a deal breaker with me, just a pain in the butt.
Sounds like yours might be a bit worn out. Sometimes they fade over time so you might be stuck with it that way. Replaceable though :) #Gearfacts
@@gearfacts there is a hack on internet...or somewhere you can get a backlit display added to this. don't know if they still do it but backlit display is/was possible.
can i add a bass part to a drum track changing the notes along the way in real time ?
It does realtime recording, yep, but I don't know if you can change the chord as it plays.
awesome video; this drum machine sounds so much better than most others.... how good is the 303 emulation?
Thanks I'm glad you liked the video. As for the 303, I can't hear any difference but more refined ear might detect a slight difference. The audience certainly wouldn't!
jliveris711 sounds shit.
I bet this thing pairs perfectly with the SP samplers.
Yep, I think it even measures out so they sit perfectly together on a flat surface :) Gearfacts
SP-202 sampler was made to pair with it
@Community Grow when Boss made this drum machine they made the sampler to go with it not that it sinks with it I'm not sure if it does but it might but cosmetically they look the same so that's what I meant when I said they were made to go together but I do recommend that you get one
I have this and the Dr. Sample 202. They work GREAT together. Fun times.
Wow, I just pulled mine out from the garage. How in the hell do i connect this to a speaker? What kind of speaker? Thanks!
Personally I just use an average bluetooth speaker and run an AUX cable from the headphone socket to the AUX socket on the speaker. You could also use a guitar amp or similar, just plug the guitar cable into the Left output on the DR-202 :) gf
You can run RCA cables from the out of the 202 to input a jacks of boombox or stereo. Real easy.
3:30 on is nasty. I want one now
Yup. If you like the gloves-off, hard-edged percussion then this machine is great.
Well written; hey mine wont play bass without flange applied//?
Bass tones, as in from drums..
Hmm, I can't explain that one at all, DC. If you don't have the manual, it's a free download, you just google "Boss DR-202 PDF"
Hey i think I found fix.
Cause you're using split cable rca into one jack right? Try changing the sound parameters in kit option and select Left/Right balance. Works right away.
Guys i need help!
Im looking for a machine(instrument) that lets me program drums, bass and synths or pads on same machine.
I want something that will allow me to make drum and bass on a single machine
Roland PMA-5 maybe? Or Yamaha QY-100, or KORG electribe maybe
under a hundro it is gold. if i ever stumble across one. but 200 bucks come on
can it be connected to my daw and a midi keyboard?
In theory, yes, but in my experience it's quite difficult to do.
is it possible to pitch the drum sounds ?
Good question... You know, in the few weeks I had this unit I don't remember seeing that feature at all. You might want to google the manual to check for sure, but yeah now that you mention it ...I don't think it can :/
i asked another guy who owns this machine. : You can pitch each drumsound individualy. Press KIT - Right arrow - select sound - right arrow then you can set volume, pitch, filter, efx etc
Ah cool, I'll remember that ...coz as with most good gear I'll probably buy it again one day :) Gearfacts
yes, you can filter it and manipulate a minimum
Only 2 outputs.
J. Dilla brought me here...
The flanger is linked to some sounds, so without flanger on you cant here bass or kicks... :/
If I remember correctly you can change this if you go to 'Kit', select the sound and change how much it is assigned to each effect. You can also change the reverb/dly and flanger types in the Kit too
Also if that doesn't work in the same subject change it to mono output by choosing either left or right.. should be mono for bass anyway.
The umfang against the clock video is the reason this isn't selling well
What's that?
@@gearfacts "against the clock" is a TH-cam video series and umfang is someone masquerading as a musician
@@brownmoney27 Hm, ok... still doesn't really make sense...
@@gearfacts Umfang is a producer that used a dr202 in a big TH-cam serie called Against the clock. Unfortunately the show is not that great
I reckon you should chuck it up on ebay ;)
As of 7:30 tonight, old chap ;)
grab a usb/midi interface and plug it to ableton or logic the fun will expand
Any links?
Theres a bass sound on every button I press
It's been a long time, but I believe there are a couple of buttons near the center of the front panel that allow you to switch between bass and drums. If not, you can see the manual by googling "Boss DR-202 PDF" :) #gearfacts
This is one of the Boss oldest drum machines and still one of their best it is true the sounds are dated and Boss did come out with way better drum machines but this one is still so much fun to play with I had it a few years ago I didn't use it that much but it was fun
It's a total badass IMO :) GF
@@gearfacts it is a badass little drum machine it screams 90s
@@gearfacts they made a sampler to go with it the SP - 202
Dwayne Anthony Gaither oldest??? Boss made drum machines in 1980.
Dwayne Anthony Gaither it’s from 2002.
It was a good piece but it's dated in a bad way.
The unit was offering outdated sounds when it was released which was what hurt it unfortunately.
Had lots of potential but bad planning killed it.
It might become cool again in a decade or two :) #gearfacts
Any way to change the samples?
Eeek. I had one. Snares are terrible.
Yes it's a very rough sound, suitable for some things...not all :) gf
Terrible...I want one
haha ohhh now you have the virus :)