With the RD-78, Behringer presents an extensively modernized reinterpretation of the famous Roland CR-78drum computer from 1978. The original in the timelessly beautiful wooden housing was indeed programmable, but earned its spurs with the factory patterns that were used in numerous world hits. The Phil Collins classic "In The Air Tonight" from 1981 clearly demonstrates the musical benefits of this now historic instrument. The dry and at the same time versatile analog basic sound did the rest. While the CR-78 had to make do with a minimum of control options, the RD-78 scores with volume controls for almost every drum sound. The most outstanding upgrade is the sequencer, which, like most drum computers on the market, is now programmable with TR running lights and has the sophisticated variation feature of the original.
Modernized sequencer
The sequencer of the over 45 year old original was quite cumbersome to program blind, which is why the CR-78 was often used as a preset drum machine. In the reissue, Behringer combines the operating concept of the Roland TR-606 respectively its clone, the RD-6, with the variation function of the original. The beats are programmed in running light in the usual TR manner. The variation offers a total of 11 patterns, which are divided into 7 fill-ins, break, rhythm and 2 rolling. The variation is activated with Measure; this can be done manually at any time or automatically after 2, 4, 8, 12 or 16 bars. The fade function acts as an aid from past times and makes it easier to realize intros and endings: with Short (8 steps/half bar) and Long (48 steps/three bars) you can choose how quickly the selected pattern reaches the full (set) level. Of course, fading can be bypassed in the Off position. The RD-78 comes from the factory with the 34 iconic patterns of the original and offers space for 32 User patterns. The improved sequencer also includes a song mode that manages 12 songs in the device. The pattern randomizer dices up completely new rhythms as required. It is also possible to concatenate adjacent patterns (pattern chain). There is also a mute function that allows you to conveniently mute the individual instruments without having to constantly adjust the volumes.
Connections
The connections of the RD-78 meet modern standards. In addition to the mix output, there are 10 individual outputs with a small mono jack, which is perfect for processing with external equipment such as a Delay or Reverb effect. MIDI inputs and outputs are available for integration into a DAW-less setup. The RD-78 can be conveniently connected to a computer via USB for software updates, for example. Analogue clock inputs and outputs for synchronization and two footswitch connections for starting and stopping the drum computer and triggering the pattern variation round off the features.
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