Experience with a Boss DR-5 sound module?

sleepy pete — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:29:25 -0800

Does anyone have experience with a Boss DR-5 sound module? Are there other sound modules worth checking out that are in the same price range/usability/portability scale? I've used a DR-5 before and liked it, but it's been years. I want something that we can use live either as a real time instrument or as a backing instrument (pre-recorded parts to play over with live instruments and in conjunction with an older sampler--usually for atmospheric sounds/layers). I want something that I can use as a drum machine and a sound module. I think that covers "wants". As for "don't wants," I don't want to have to deal with a laptop live because of the nature of the music we play, which is why I'm looking at sound modules.

Is the DR-5 easy to use in a live situation? Is it easy to move between sound patches and the songs in memory? Are there any problems with recording onto a computer or tape with a DR-5? How is the sound quality? Are there memory problems with the system?

For what it's worth, I also like the Roland MC-307, but they're a little harder to find at the moment. How are the 303s?

I should also add that I'm not necessarily looking for vintage instruments, but I think it's closer to the price range I'm looking at than newer models.

Thanks for your help.

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Experience with a Boss DR-5 sound module?