Comments on: Programming a Roland CR-78 using a Korg Electribe’s sequencer

By: rhubarb jackson

rhubarb jackson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:46:49 +0000

Can the CR-78 tempo be controlled by external source without using MIDI? I’m thinking about getting a CR-8000 because it has a digital tempo display, and sync it to the CR-78 to control tempo. Any idea if this would work? It would be nice to know exactly what BPM the CR-78 is playing at, but I can’t tell that from the tempo knob alone.

By: fx23

fx23 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:30:57 +0000

hi! ive just noticed my cr78 has two extra jack sockets at the bottom at the back, they are unmarked but look like the ones at the top? any idea what they might be? i thought they would be for the programmer until i saw your pic

By: Thierry

Thierry — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:58:35 +0000

Thanks a lot!

By: art

art — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 05:16:25 +0000

Steven, not sure about using the CR-78 as the master. It has a trigger out, but I’m not sure what it’s sending there since each instrument would need to have an individual trigger for it to work as you are suggesting. Probably just clock out…

T, there’s nothing special about the Electribe other than being inexpensive and having a visual x0x style sequencer, any other MIDI sequencer that sends clock and notes should work also.

By: T. Spampinato

T. Spampinato — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:58:15 +0000

Hi
Can one use any midi sequencer as trigger? I have a Yamaha QY10.
A comment would be appreciated.

Best Regards
Thierry

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:21:06 +0000

Is it possible to let the CR-78 be master and, say, sync it with a Micro Korg? Would be sweet to sync the preprogrammed patterns on the CR-78 with the arpeggiator on the Micro Korg.

By: Philip

Philip — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:06:26 +0000

Nicely written article I have been doing the same for years..one thing it has to be gate signal to program the CR-78 not a trigger..I’ve seen this written on the net..not true it wont work. I use an Roland R-70 and a kenton pro 2 to do the same thing…Anyway this system could be made better by the addition of a stop start signal so you wouldnt have to keep manualy pressing both machines buttons to get them in sync..the kentons have dyn sync yeh? Well..get a din lead plug it in the kenton, chop up the other end and solder the stop/start gate signal lead to a jack, plug the jack in the stop/start Jack on the CR-78…much better!

By: art

art — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 23:42:59 +0000

Hi Brian,

You can get them repaired, I would try to find someone locally. Here’s a message board thread with some good references to analog synth techs:

http://www.vintagesynth.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4290

You could also try posting on the Analog Heaven mailing list, or look through their archives:

http://machines.hyperreal.org/Analogue-Heaven/

I know the most common problem with CR-78s is a leaky battery, and apparently it is a mess to fix. Hope you’re able to get yours working!

Thanks for the positive feedback, Anonymous. They are very cool drum machines, they are maybe overpriced at the moment, but maybe not… I have not regretted buying one, which I can’t say for a lot of other older stuff I’ve bought over the years. Just be wary of the leaky battery issue I mentioned above.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 02:42:32 +0000

This is really clever. I’m mildy curious about picking up a CR-78 but the WS-1 price is a little offputting. Making a note of your post if I ever pick one up. Great work.

By: Brian Powers

Brian Powers — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 11:38:44 +0000

Gents,
I bought a CR-78 on ebay a few years ago “as is” and as is was NO SOUNDS.. it powers up, lights come on, but not audio output. I would really like to get it fixed, do you know anyone who repairs them, i assume at a system board level??
**Planning to recreate the backing rythm patterns Phil Collins programmed for the Gensis record DUKE, it’s great stuff.
Thanks in advance for any advice..