Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $238
Standard/Professional
$150
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Transform your beats with the Roland R-5, a versatile and dynamic drum machine designed for both beginner DJs and seasoned music producers alike. Known for its advanced rhythm programming capabilities, the R-5 offers a wide range of sounds and features to elevate your music production. Whether you're crafting complex drum patterns or enhancing live performances, this drum machine provides the flexibility and power you need.
The Roland R-5 is equipped with a sophisticated sound engine that delivers clear and punchy drum sounds, allowing you to experiment with various genres. It features a user-friendly interface, making it easy to sequence and tweak your tracks on the go. With its intuitive LCD display, navigating through its extensive sound library and programming options is a breeze.
Perfect for musicians who demand precision and creativity, the R-5 includes MIDI connectivity, giving you the ability to integrate it seamlessly into your existing setup. Its compact design ensures portability, making it an ideal choice for gigs and studio sessions.
Whether you're laying down the foundation of a track or adding intricate details to your beat, the Roland R-5 stands out as a reliable tool in your creative arsenal.
Key Features:
- Advanced rhythm programming capabilities
- High-quality sound engine for clear and punchy sounds
- Intuitive LCD display for easy navigation
- Extensive sound library with diverse drum options
- MIDI connectivity for seamless integration
- User-friendly interface ideal for live and studio use
- Compact design for portability
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | R-5 Human Rhythm Composer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1990s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Drum Machines |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 32 Voices |
FAQs
-
What are the key features of the Roland R-5 drum machine?
-
The Roland R-5, known as the Human Rhythm Composer, offers digital sound with 32-voice polyphony and MIDI capabilities, including MIDI Input, Output, and Through. It's designed for expressive rhythmic performances with velocity-sensitive pads.
-
Does the Roland R-5 support MIDI integration?
-
Yes, the Roland R-5 supports MIDI integration with MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to connect seamlessly with other MIDI-compatible gear for expanded performance and recording options.
-
How many voices of polyphony does the Roland R-5 have?
-
The Roland R-5 provides 32 voices of polyphony, enabling complex and layered rhythmic compositions without note dropouts.
-
Is the Roland R-5 drum machine suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the Roland R-5 is suitable for live performances, thanks to its velocity-sensitive pads and MIDI capabilities, which allow for dynamic and expressive control over your drum patterns.
-
What type of sounds can I expect from the Roland R-5?
-
The Roland R-5 offers a range of digital drum and percussion sounds, designed to replicate human-like rhythm patterns, making it versatile for various music genres and styles.
Videos
Cokabit
Roland R-5 Human Rhythm Composer DEMO
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland R-5.
Features and functionality
-
Lacks expansion card options, limiting sound versatility compared to models like the R8 with expansion capabilities.
Source -
The R8's ability to record pitch slider activity during play adds creative flexibility.
Source -
Real-time recording can be maintained by toggling the edit page, allowing seamless transitions without stopping.
Source -
The R8's "Feel" feature adjusts microtiming and velocity, giving a more humanized performance.
Source
User experience
Use cases and applications
-
Noted as foundational in some Chicago footwork studios, indicating specific genre use.
Source
Comparisons
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
133
One of my favorite ever drum-machines
The pads on this machine is a disaster, but the sounds & programming makes up for it! The programming is a bit tricky, but fun will definitely be had when it's figured out! It sounds both funky & rocky
Artist usage
Add artist
Eric Persing has had a unique and influential relationship with Roland Corp for two decades. He started as a product demonstrator in 1984, showing some of Roland's first MIDI instruments. He quickly became involved in the R&D side with Roland Japan, earning the title "Chief Sound Designer", and began contributing his design ideas, real-world studio experience and sound design expertise. Persing's skills have left their mark on countless classic Roland instruments.
He is the originator of many legendary Roland sounds that have become part of the vocabulary and lexicon of musical sound. These include the Factory D-50 sounds such as Fantasia, Soundtrack and Digital Native Dance, a majority of the JV/XP/XV series Classics, all the Factory JD-800 sounds, the original Juno "Hoover" sound and thousands of others.
Here is a partial list of the Roland instruments that Eric has contributed his sound design, sampling and design consulting skills:
Juno-106 Alpha Juno 1&2 JX-3P JX-8P JX-10 Jupiter 6 Super Jupiter D-50 D-550 D-110 D-10 D-20 D-70 MT-32 U-110 U-20 U-220 Sound Canvas JD-800 JD-990 JV-80 JV-90 JV-1000 JV-1080 JV-2080 XP-10 XP-50 XP-60 XP-80 XV-3080 XV-5050 XV-5080 Fantom JP-8000 JP-8080 S-10 S-220 S-50 S-550 S-770 S-760 S-750 MC-303 MC-500 MC-505 VP-9000 MSQ-700 MSQ-100 MKS-20 MKS-30 MKS-50 MKS-70 MKS-80 R-8 R-5 DR-660 DR-770 R-70 V-Drums V-Drums expansion board SRV-2000 DEP-5 RSP-550 R-880 SRV-330 SE-50 SE-70 VS-880 VS-1680 SR-JV series expansion boards SRX series expansion boards Sound Canvas Project series CD-ROM libraries Archives series CD-ROM libraries Composers series CD-ROM libraries
He says, ". I came back from Detroit, sold my record collection, got a few grand together and bought an Akai S950 sampler, a Roland D-5 as a master keyboard, a DAT machine, a Roland R-5, which was their latest drum machine at the time, and an Atari 1040 with Opcode Vision. So I had pretty good gear to start with and I locked myself away for six months to read manuals and teach myself."
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland R-5, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursMore Roland Drum Machines
Accessories & Related Items
Similar
Gear Guides
Most Popular Drum Machines
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
djsteanGear IQ 70
-