Feature:
This is still a pretty basic unit, unless like I wrote a Novel above explaining, you are studio savvy and run the Boss DR 670 through a quality digital recorder like my Korg. The price IS too high, Alesis's new SR 18 picked up on Boss users' gripes and got the backlit LCD (A MUST!!) and on board effects. Roland, I know you're latest greatest drum machine, the 880? Anyway, perhaps that's the alternative, but you got competition when Alesis starts answering our woe is me's, and for much less!! I've been a faithful Boss Man, now its your turn!
Quality:
The materials used for the casing are just like my Korg, and prone to cracking and sweat oxidizing. My sweat is like the Alien's, either that or this plastic they use just ain't cuttin' it. Maybe a strip of 2 inch quality metal around areas where your hands are busy or you accidentally drop your bowling ball onto the edge of the 670.
Desirability:
Its got no flab but certainly no six pack abs. It should be red, in heavy duty die cast metal casing, with extra large pads for my big fat sausage like fingers.
Sound:
I write original songs in the style of Alice In Chains / Pantera, but its still MY sound; if you heard it on the radio (maybe one day!) you would not accuse me of cloning after Godsmack, Nickleback, STP, etc. it would sound NEW and original. I used the DR 670 in conjunction with a Korg D1600 Digital Home Studio w/40GB hard drive, running stereo out from the Korg into a pair of active Samson 64a Resolv near-field monitors. I first learned all that it wasn't useful for before finding what it WAS applicable to. I "built" a custom kit and stored it under a number, in the User section. I found it easy to then call the kit up. It did take a long time to achieve the closest thing to a real drummer, by using the Korg's EQ, changing the 670's bass drum, snare, hi-hats closed and open, tom toms and cymbals PARAMETERS until I had my "metal / thrash core drum kit". The internal bass: I found the Stick (not the Slap, that's the one I recall was Instant Sienfeld). Again, I had to tweak its parameters, and EQ'd the separate choices of Korg's Input or Output EQ. I left INPUT alone, OUTPUT I applied 2.2Khz shelved mids, 4.5 Fixed Mids to cut through the thunder wall of stereo guitars. You have to go DEEP into the Boss DR 670. Most reviews are guys using it live and most complaints seem to come from those who have little patience for technical stuff, want to turn a unit on and Kaboom, The God Of Drum Machines speaks. Also, I applied Korg's Wet Plate or Room Reverb to the output, not the input, which achieved a Van Halen or John Bonham effect. Most people who have heard my completed songs asked who the drummer was, c'os he was killer. That's the best way I know to determine if you've succeeded with the Boss DR 670. BIGGEST GRIPE: in the studio, its still the 'ol battle with drums too loud, not loud enough, hi-hat disappears on certain songs, or bass drum, whatever. Roland needs to add on board EQ at least.
Ease of Use:
This is an easy unit to make friends with, the manual is as clear as can be. Don't use batteries, EVER, its just stupid to use 'em live all c'os ya can't be bothered to plug in a Boss AC adaptor. However, Boss, inlcude it in the box, don't make us pay and pay or we'll cry and cry! WE ARE BOSS, HEAR US ROAR!
Support:
Never needed them. Yet.
Overall:
It will always have a use in my studio or live. Nothing is truly obsolete except the musician who wants outdated song writing to sound NEW through the magic of a drum machine that has a snare with 100 voicings, one of which is bound to cover up lousy songs. I'm a real nice dude, huh?
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