The instrument
The CompuRhythm CR-78 created a new standard in drum machine technology, especially as users could programme their own drum patterns. It is four-voice polyphonic and offers 11 analogue sounds. It was designed more as an accompaniment instrument for an organ, but became a favourite among pop musicians in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The sound influenced hits such as Metamatic John Foxx, Heart of Glass by Blondie and In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. Roland also produced a simpler drum machine, the CompuRhythm CR-68, which was essentially the same as the CR-78 but had no programmable patterns. It was later replaced by the TR-808 and the TR-909.
The first programmable drum machine ever was the Paia Programmable Drum Set Model 3750.
Details
The CR-78 offers 34 preset rhythms and four programmable memory locations. These can be created by step programming with the WS-1 box. The analogue drum voices consist of bass drum, snare drum, rim shot, hi-hat, cymbals, maracas, claves, cowbell, high bongo, low bongo, low conga, tambourine, guiro and metallic beat. Also available are four patterns labelled Rock and two labelled Disco as well as Waltz, Shuffle, Slow Rock, Swing, Foxtrot, Tango, Boogie, Enka, Bossa Nova, Samba, Mambo, Chacha, Beguine and Rhumba. Each pattern is available in two versions. The CR-78 has an NEC microprocessor for digital control of its functions.