Boss DR-3 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine

Velocity-sensitive pads. 100 preset styles. 100 user styles.

Item: BOSDR3

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Boss DR-3 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine reviews

Rate and Review This Product:

142 People rated this product : * * * * * * * * * * 7 out of 10

 

13 People wrote reviews

Read all Boss DR-3 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine reviews...
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10

"A Guitar Players Drum Machine"

Feature:
If you are a guitar player and you want a great drum machine - this should do it for you if drumming is not your specialty. Some great preset styles (100) that each have 5 patterns (intro, A,B,C Verses and an ending). You can control the key (numerous bass voicings)of each of these patterns and set up nice runs in the user styles section (100) and then shift verses with pedals. Or you can record your patterns in the exact manner you want them played in the song section (100) and have the song play any verse in any order you like. Each pattern also has a variation on pattern, drum kit, or muting. All features can be recorded as you like and also switched with pedals. To set up and play almost any song - pick a style and go through the verses. If you want the bass included, manipulate the key so that the key pattern in A,B, and C is in the same key as your verses of your song - (say A nad B fro the melody and verse C for the chorus). Once you have your three patterns in the correct keys save this style to one in the user section and call it you own. You can also manipulate any sound function from time, beats, drum kits, patterns etc, etc, etc. If the song is long with many differing keys say like HOTEL CALIFORNIA you can record your own bass and string it together in about 12 verses and then string them together as you want in the song section and have it play back in any manner you choose. It also loops. The record function has all types of edit, copy, paste and delete functions as well as very easy step-recording which is great for a non-drummer for me. There is a good variation of preset styles and with changes of drum kits or sound control the variations are probably in the millions. The kit does not come with an AC adaptor or pedals. The chord required for the kit if you want TWO PEDALS to control numerous functions that are user selectable has to be ordered or you can use any "Y" CABLE BUT IT MUST BE "TRS" (TIP-RING-SLEEVE) just not your normal stereo splitter cable (This will not work). Another great feature is keys that light up. you can see what drums, percussion, or bass notes are being played if you can't figure it out. It did not come with a mounting bracket for a stand so there is no means of attaching this neatly to a secure stand. If this unit were to be dropped - oouch

Quality:
I have not had this unit long but it appears to be well made. It did come with batteries but no AC adaptor, no pedal(s) or chords. It does not have attachment mounts for a stand or rack. The buttons and lights appear rugged and stable.

Value:
This is one of the lower priced units and I am amazed at the value I am getting. I'll probably never use all the settings and variations and I was not ready to pay a lot more money to only get slightly more. GREAT FOR GUITAR PLAYERS.

Desirability:
This unit has a ton of functions that are not featured or well described in the brochures. There is nothing that you can not do with this unit. Sure it doesn't have as many buttons as other machines but a lot of the buttons have multiply functions AND they do light up!! I cannot believe I didn't get this gear earlier. I didn't know what I was missing. It adds so much to a solo act. Boss has created a very user friendly drum machine for guitar players.

Sound:
The sound from this machine is very, very good. It is adjustable through a TSC Total Sound control module that lets you control, with a few clicks of a button, 8 preset sound shapes and 8 tones that can be controlled separately. There are also 8 user settings that you can program. You also can get deeper into the software and control a three band equalizer, compression, attack and some filtering plus other features. Overall the sound is very good at this price - not quite like the more expensive boss products but I run this through a Fender Acoustasonic Pro Amp and it sounds pretty real.

Support:
N/A

Overall:
Well recommended. I would suggest to anyone if you are considering this unit - it is a great deal and a great drum machine

Submitted: 4/3/2004

Style of Music: Rock, Blues

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* * * * * * * * * * 8 out of 10

"Very useful tool for a musician"

Feature:
No accessories. Should have come with a mains adaptor as battery life is not good. This is no doubt due to to all the lights the unit has (very useful). I suspect the low battery warning indication comes up rather early though as am still running it an hour later. Will cost a mint in ordinary batteries - rechargeable and mains adaptor is the way forward. A carry case would have been useful. programming your own STYLE AND SONGS to meet MY needs is trhe main selling point for me.

Quality:
Nothing gone wrong since I bought it - one day ago. Seemed flimsy at first but with batteries in I am satisfied the fan in my amp will not blow it away.

Value:
I suppose so - with the mainds adaptor would be more reasonable

Desirability:
Looks good - demonstrated it looks even better - flashing lights, I love them. It is a handy addition to practice and as a bassist will give a better appreciation of pulse and working more closely with a drummer.

Sound:
Sound is OK but obviously electronic but thats OK. I have never owned a D/Mc before so can't compare it with anything else. I have come across some pretty bad sounding real drums/drummers in my time. This is better - I am in control (or will be when I have got to grips with all the features). The sizzle cymble sound is not too good but that may be down to some tweeking within the controls yet to be discovered.

Ease of Use:
Quick start is easy - plug in (earphones/amp) and go. The manual is OK but the manual needs a manual to undersatnd how it operates. Many of the editing steps it shows are not necessary when you understand what the manual is trying to tell you. I have owned the product for just a few hours (already I am looking on the internet to get advice from others).Many reviews mention the complxity of the m/c - this may be true but the manual does not help. I play bass guitar- I do not need the bass backing provided and just want to turn it off - nothing in the manual states ' how to turn bass track off' . However it can be done (and it is easy) but you have to dig deep. There is a steep learning curve which the manual could ease if it were better prepared.

Support:
Dropped the product as I took it out of packaging (on carpet)- does not seem to have come to any harm. I assume therfore it is reasonably well put together and robust.

Overall:
So far I am happy with the product though a little frustrated by its (seeming) complexity. I think the ability to programme 'styles' and songs and save them attracted me the most. I practice with two jazz guitarists without a drummer so providing I can come to terms with this product it should be very useful to us. It can offer a fair bit of flexibilty for instant change or tweak (in a practice situation) if something needs to be changed for the given moment

Submitted: 1/20/2008

Style of Music: Jazz - Bass

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Read all Boss DR-3 Dr. Rhythm Drum Machine reviews...

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About This Product!
Description
Docs, Multimedia
With the DR-3 Dr. Rhythm, guitarists and songwriters can add incredible-sounding drums to their music. This ultra-affordable drum machine includes some of Boss best acoustic and electronic drum kits and a selection of bass sounds. Great for jamming, the DR-3's Rhythm Progressions and multiple variations make it easy to create a realistic-sounding drum track for any style of music. And with Total Sound Control, you can tweak your kits to perfection.

Features:
Boss most affordable drum machine for jamming or practice

Realistic drum, percussion and bass sounds with velocity-sensitive pads

New Rhythm Progressions with 3 variations each for Intro, Verse, Fill and Ending

New TSC with Sound Shape function and ambiance for professional drum sounds

100 preset styles and 100 user styles programmable via realtime or step recording

Footswitch input for easy live control; runs on AC or battery power

New Rhythm Progressions for All-Out Jams

If you want to spend less time programming and more time jamming, you'll love the DR-3's Rhythm Progressions. Simply choose from 100

Preset styles and use the eight panel buttons to switch between different sections of your song. Up to three variations can be selected for each

Intro, Verse, Fill and Ending, so your drum tracks won't get monotonous.

Easy Sound Shaping and Footswitch Control

Boss new TSC (Total Sound Control) lets you change the overall sound of a drum kit with specialized effects. Use the Sound Shape function to adjust the 3-band compression and parametric EQ, or add some spaciousness with the ambiance effect. An optional footswitch can be used to control anything from Intro/Start and Ending/Stop to Verse change, Variation On/Off, Loop On/Off and more. Battery power lets you take the DR-3 just about anywhere.

Technical Info

Runs on batteries or optional PSA-120T power adapter.

multimedia

  • Boss DR3 Interactive Demo

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