Gearank Recommendation
The DR-880 appeared on our now defunct recommended list for Drum Machines in September 2016.
Overview
While they are more popularly known for their guitar effects pedals, Boss also has a number of drum machines in their production line. One of the highest rated ones that they offer is the DR-880 DR. Rhythm, which combines traditional drum machine features with modern sequencing.
What’s interesting about this drum machine is its easy to use interface, the velocity sensitive pads are prominently placed and well spaced for convenient manual drumming, or you can simply trigger any of the 1000 patterns that are pre-loaded into the unit.
With over 440 drums and percussion sounds, and 40 bass sounds with modeled bass amps, the DR-880 gives you a lot pieces to use for building your rhythm.
The layout of the pads for using bass are setup to mimic the fretboard of a bass guitar, which makes playing bass through the DR-880 very guitarist-friendly.
If you are a guitarist, and you are looking for a drum machine for recording and practice, the Boss DR-880 is highly recommended.
Specifications
- 440 drums and percussion sounds
- 40 bass sounds with COSM amp models
- Guitar/bass input, COSM multi-effects and amp models
- EZ compose feature
- 3 Insert Effects
- 1000 patterns, 500 user and 500 preset
- 20 velocity sensitive pads
- 4 assignable expression and footswitch pedal inputs.
- USB port
- Digital out and Independent output ports.