Boss DR-202

Easy to use once you read the manual and be patient with yourself. A lot of trial and error for me but with very few errors. The presets sound fine to me, I may not use them very much except as an idea starter. Editing the sounds is very easy and can't really get any easier and it does make a big difference in the sound. The manual is pretty easy to use also and I hate using manuals but this one is easy to read and understand, you just have to read it.

The polyphony is 24 if I'm not mistaking and I never have had my sounds cut eachother out yet. Effects are good and easy to use, I like the knobs and it suits my sp-202 perfectly. No expansion capabities as far as I know. Midi has pretty common uses but I haven't really played around with that too much yet. The pads are not pressure sensitive and that's okat since you can use the groove functon but I don't like that fact that sometimes they'll double up on your sounds sometimes, not often though. Sequencewr is cool and very easy to use.

I don't use the bass sounds since I use my synth for that as well as all the instruments. I just wanted drum sounds from this machine. But the bass sounds do sound good. This machine would work best hip hop r&b and so on. I'm using it now for contemporary gospel. On board effects are fine, they're exactly what I expected them to be. Nothing really to brag about but if you set them right they'll be very helpfull.

I can depend on for a gig but I would definately have a back-up, just in case. You never know what can happen. It's plastic so don't drop it because it will probably be done for if you do.

Very helpfull when I needed a manual for the machine

I would buy it again if it were lost or stolen. Especially if I can get it around the same price as I got this one. I bought mine off of ebay without any hassle at all. Been playing my own music since elementry school. I also have a Boss Br-532, both Yamaha DJX keyboards and Boss Sp-202 As well as other gear. I like the wieght and size, I don't like that fact that I haven't had as much time to play with it as much as I'd like to. Oh, and about the hissing that many others have complained about, I have none so I can't relate to ya'll there. Thank God for that. I compared it to the Boss Dr-3, but I thought I'd enjoy this much more. I wish it was backlit and had another set of inputs and outputs. I wish the roll could be set to a tempo, too. It is very helpfull, I don't think it'll ever be in the way. I wouldn't choose another drum machine over this as my first drum machine.

The distributor here in the philippines (perfect pitch) is horrible! When I bought this product it didnt have a box and the manual!,They had one manual in their main office but they wouldnt give it to me because they said its a copy for the office,I had to photocopy the damn thing cuz theykeep saying they lost it,well thats not my problem,its suppoed to be a part of the merchandise.They didnt even give me a brand new one(dr-202) instead the one they sold to me happens to be in display,which was already been used often by their employees.It had scratches and dust all over it,and sometimes i encounter some problems during and after recording songs. There are a lot of related cases of product handling and marketing with this distributor(yupangco),i think theyre jus taking advantage of their customers since they are the only roland distributors here,I hope this problem would be resolved.I'm sorry to say this but I am really disappointed.

Ive been using this machine for a month and id say its amazing!,I havnt tried it in live performances,but its really what i expected.I alredy wrote 4-5 songs in it.Id suugest more memory for the user patterns,preset patterns are not important.I wish it had more industrial or textured drum kits or add PCF filters and distortion knobs would do the trick:)

The DR-202 is dead simple to use, but that doesn't mean that it's easy to get a good sound out of it. Pattern and song editing is easy, but limited like all drum machines. Everything can be controlled easily in real time with a simple set of knobs on the front pannel, or preset in the kit. Adjustments are easy, it just takes some time getting them right.

Individual drum and bass sounds have access to standard filter parameters: cutoff, resonance, and decay as well as flanger and reverb/delay sends, which in turn have basic parameters open for editing: delay/reverb time, feedback, flanger depth. The MIDI implementation on this unit is surprisingly good (velovity and parameter changes can be sent), making it quite useable as a drum and bass module. I believe that the polyphony is 24 voices. The pads are slugish and not velocity sensitive, but it's a drum machine so that's expected. Oh yeah, you can run it on batteries. Very convenient.

The assortment of sounds on this unit is excelent, although very few are anywhere near acurate reproductions of any of the accoustic or electronic sounds they pretend to be. That said, most of the sounds are very useable, and you can get some good solid beats out of it. The effect quality is quite good. There is a definite low-fi quality to the sound produced, but if you spend some time setting the levels, pans, and effect settings correctly the sound produced is quite convincing, better than most of the competitors. Outputs are noisey, but unless you're going to use this in a studio with immaculately produced music, don't let this put you off. The sounds and features make this unit suitable for a wide range of musical styles and live performances, although it is clearly geared at the techno/dance music scene.

Bulletproof.

Never had to call.

I've used a number of drum machines, and this is my favourite so far. Initially I was pretty frustrated with it because it lacked the punch of earlier Boss, Zoom and Alesis models, but once I spent some time with it, I found I could get out some really great sounding drums. I use it mosly in a experimental project I do, and it works really well. I wish you could transfer individual pattern data from a PC to it (to get around having to work in the pattern sequencer), having this feature would make this thing unbeatable. I don't think it's worth the full retail price, but I got mine used for really cheap and feel that I got a really good deal. As a drum machine, it's more than competent and I think that it's pretty much at the top of the heap in its price range. Also, if you're on a super tight budget and need to buy one piece of gear that's an all in one, this might be a good choice (there are other's better, but nothing near this cheap). SPEND TIME WITH IT before you buy it. The sound quality will not suit everybody. This thing sits somewhere between an Alesis SR16 and a Roland MC303 as far as drum sounds go (featurewise it's much better than both) so it's a bit of an odd beast. I like it. I'd buy it again.

The is machine is fairly easy to use. One of my friends had one when I was in college and I learned how to use it without a manual. The presets are ok although they're nothing to get excited about. Patch editing isn't that complicated, although it can be a bit of a pain scrolling through the sounds to find the right one using the data wheel. I would say that programming this box is no more complicated than any other average drum machine.

I don't like the way the pads feel on this machine. They are somewhat harder to press compared to my other drum machine (DR660) which has a nice soft touch. The effects are ok. I like the reverb, especially when using it on the TR808 drums. Sadly, there are no expansion capabilities. The MIDI implementation is pretty good. I use it mostly as a sound module. However, there are a few downsides. The drumkits are not GM mapped and only a limited number of drum sounds can be applied per kit. It would be nice if this machine was 16 part multitimbral where I could use multiple kits simultaniously in a MIDI setup. Unfortunately, that's not the case with the DR202.

I bought this machine mainly for the hip-hop sounds, which are pretty good. I agree with some of the other posts that the quality is quite dull and not up to professional standards. And there is NOISY HISS!!!This can truly ruin a mix. However, I have the ultimate remedy:

EVERYONE LISTEN UP!!! If you own a DR202, get a Behringer SNR2000 denoiser and run the DR202's signal through it. It WILL eliminate the hiss if you set the controls it right!!! As a result of this procedure, my DR202 now sounds crystal clear running through my mixing board. No more hiss.

However, you shouldn't have to buy an external device just to improve the quality of this machine. I mean that's just plain ridiculous Because of this, I would say this machine has poor sound quality. My DR660 has WAY better sound quality. However, I'll give the DR202 a 5 rating because the sounds themselves are pretty decent for rap/hip-hop.

I agree with some of the others. It does feel like cheap plastic. For the amount this machine was originally priced, I believe Roland could have done a better job as far as build quality.

Never needed it.

If this machine was lost or stolen, I would not buy another one because of it's poor sound quality. I could since I came up with the SNR2000 denoiser solution, but I would but a better quality drum machine and put the SNR2000 to better use. Hiss noise in a supposely professional product is purely unacceptable. Overall, I'd say this is a good machine since there are ways around the sound quality problems. It can be put to good use in the studio and some very tight beats can be made with it so I'm giving it at least a 6.

I use this Unit with cakewalk, and Logic. the patches are right on point so is the Midi timing, you don't even need the Manual for that Unit. Give this to a 3 year old! I guarantee he'll know what to do with it.

I have no complaint about the pads, for the price of this baby the pads are fine with me althought they're not pressure sensitive, then again most of these people writing bad reviews on this site, aren't pressure sensitive either! when it comes to polyphony it has enough for the Drums and the Bass combine. I never really use the onboard sequencer therefore I will limit my comment at this point, all my sequencing is done via cakewalk or Logic.

This Unit is best suited for Hip-Hop, Pop,R&B and some other alternative music, and you get the most out of it thru a sequencer instead of messing with the onboard button! The Bass sounds are not too hot, but then again I didn't buy it for the Bass, I got it for the Drum sounds! which are excellent as far as flexibility and patch identity, the velocity and aftertouch are easier to control thru a sequencer.

I will without a doubt rely on my DR to get me thru any gig,

I never get to that point of calling Boss/Roland since I bought this unit,it never failed me! it's very reliable.

I've been playing and producing for a long long time, and I own many instrument from different manufacturer. and in my adventure with drum machines I tried several of them before I discovered the DR-202 which is my unit of choice! that Unit is Excellent! I also Own an SPD-11, Korg N364, Korg Triton Rack, Roland MC-303, Roland JV-50, Yamaha SU700
,Roland AX1. Before I bought this Drum module I bought the MC-303 but the sounds are more dance oriented, that's why I chose the DR-202 it's more versatile.
I would run by to the store and get another in a heartbeat! if this piece ever go down or get stolen!

This unit is a piece of piss to use. Plug it in, start fiddling and wahoo, you are off and running. I can only assume some reviewers write their appraisal after listing to the first hip hop presets which are pretty well buggered up with the naff vinyl sound, either that or they have dodgey connections through the RCA jacks. it seems mighty clean to my ears, albeit they are a bit fucked up after 10 years of playing. The sounds can sound a bit sterile but there is plenty to be extracted from this machine with its limited onboard effects as well as some clever use of equalisation through your mixer.

For $220 Aus it has enough in the way of features. bugger all expansion but who gives a shit? This little box has plenty to offer anyone experimenting in dance music (pity about the rock presets). It is so easy to program though, any half arsed buckeroo could put together some wicked beats. I love the flanger!!!

As I said, a lot of the presets are a bit naff, but it doesn't take a degree in astrophysics to tweak something new and funky out of this box. I wouldn't worry about the bitching about noise by some reviewers, I can see a lot of potential for the grooves in creating some fine tunes.

I've had a DR550 for God knows how many years and it still works like a charm. I'm betting this will last just as well.

Never had to call them

I'd be really fried if some bastard stole this as I can see a lot of future use for it. I will primarily be using it with my JX305, Nova Novation, TG33, Yammy RM1x, and s550 sampler. I have a juno106, Poly800 as well as a few guitars. It would be really cool if it had a cheque for $1000000 taped to the bottom, but fuck it, this little box is great value for money. Don't be scared off by the whingers

Really, really easy.

Good choice of styles, patterns, and kits.

VERY VERY NOISY. I CAN'T USE THIS UNIT. AS AN EARLIER POST SAID, "SHAME ON YOU ROLAND."

WHY DO THEY PUT OUT A PRODUCT NO SERIOUS COMPOSER/PRODUCER CAN USE IN THE STUDIO???

who knows? it's only 2-weeks old.

never called them.

i'm returning it. Too bad, it had potential.

Fairly intuitive realtime control, given the minimalist LCD display. It's realtime editing is acceptable. however, its list editing is tedious and unintuitive. I prefer graphical rhythm editing, as found in some other Boss units (670, etc.).

Good value for the money, especially if you get a used one. Lots of tweakable FX. Excellent MIDI implementation.

The sound quality varies. To my ears, the samples don't seem as pristine or high of fidelity as other Boss units. They sound a little flat perhaps. I can't find the sample rate anywhere in the literature, which makes me wonder if its 32Khz? Some nice FX, although a bit hissy.

A bit fragile. I wouldn't jack my car up with it.

I've not had this unit too long. Although I do like it, I would like to have had a bit better sound quality, and graphical rhythm editing. I'll probably add a Korg ER-1 with it in the future.

I got it used and was able to operate it no problems.

Editing User kits is easy.
I wrote a program for patching kit sounds, it helps a lot, It does stuff the manufactor will not let users do from the front panel.

Get it at:
http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/programs/DR-202Hack/

BOSS website claims that the Roll can not be applied to BASS this is not true... Assign a BASS sounds to a Drum location and roll away.

Also Pormento can be applied to drum sounds... by assigning a drum sound to Bass location.

Very Hack friendly :)

Keyboard is alright. It has some nice built in effects. I love the on-board sequencer it came very naturally to me. Also the DR-202 is battery powered ... love it. Only 100 User patterns wish there was a little more. It has external track too which is useful.

It has a lot of Expresiveness (if you patch/hack the kits) slur snares and pitching drum sounds is great.. Onboard effect are good, a few type of Flanger too. Realtime Modifiers are fun to mess with but I would recommend recordering them rather than playing them live because there is a slight reaction delay when you are applying it to many instruments.

Sounds quality is different issue RCA jacks can be hissy. But sounds in general are good.

Very dependable... I dropped it a few times on accident it might look cheap and plastic but it is sturdy.

Never talked with them.

For wait I paid 124 w/shipping it was a steal.

If it was stolen, I would hunt down whoever took it. If it was lost, I would cry and buy another in a heartbeat(if I had the money)... mostly because I have a library of hacked kits stored on my computer also all my a bunch of pattern dumps. I would want my material I wrote back.

I have been playing Bass guitar and junk since about 7th grade... once friends moved around 10th grade, I started to get into heavy electronic/industrial/abstract music (solo bass playing isn't fun after a while). One person band thing is appealing... in college now and I still don't care for band mates so this fits into my plans nicely.

I have a lot of other equipment (all used) EA-1,SP-202,DS-330,MX802A, MIDI controllers, Thru box, ect... I love this machine my first machine to escape computer based music making. (Love my computer but, I need a break from it)

Seriously, email me for any help about kit patching,ect.. or DR-202 questions I will see if I can help

Having used many drum machines and keyboards, i must say that this is probably the easiest i've ever used before. From changing parameters to editing patches, everything is simple and for the most part, just one or two button pushes away.

The sound it self is good, and while keys are not pressure sensitive and it only stores up to 100 user sequences, morphing sounds in realtime or without the knobs is easy and effective. It doesnt really have very many synth/bass/instrument sounds(52, i belive), but you get what you pay for.

Drum sounds - 8
Basses - 7.5
Synths - 5
Any instrument - 5, nothing sounds realistic at all except a couple of the guitars and organs.
*no aftertouch or piano sounds*

It hasn't broken yet after about 3 years.

Overall a good drum machine, and like i said before, you get what you pay for. Not extensively good, but solid in that the drums are excellent and, when used with a different sequencer (i use it with an mpc2000), it proves its worth. Looking back, I probably would've spent more money if faced with buying it again.