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Roland CR-78

The Roland CompuRhythm CR-78 is a drum machine manufactured by Roland Corporation that was released in 1978.[1] Although primitive by later standards, the CR-78 represented an important advance in drum machine technology at the time, in particular by allowing users to program and store their own drum patterns.

The wood effect cabinet and preset rhythms of the CR-78 such as Waltz, Bossa Nova and Rhumba suggest that it was seen by its designers as primarily an accompaniment for an electric organ, but the CR-78 became one of the favorite instruments of pop and electronic musicians in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was used by artists including Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Blondie, Ultravox, Genesis, John Foxx, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Roxy Music, and Gary Numan.

Sounds and rhythms[edit]

The CR-78's built-in rhythm sounds were a further development of those available on the earlier Roland Rhythm 33, 55 and 77 machines.


The analog percussion voices consist of bass drum, snare drum, rim shot, hi-hat, cymbal, maracas, claves, cowbell, high bongo, low bongo, low conga, tambourine, guiro, and "metallic beat" (an accent that could be overlaid on the hi-hat voice). The CR-78 also has an accent control that increases the loudness of certain steps in a pattern.


There are four patterns named "Rock" and two named "Disco". Other patterns are named "Waltz", "Shuffle", "Slow Rock", "Swing", "Foxtrot", "Tango", "Boogie", "Enka", "Bossa Nova", "Samba", "Mambo", "Chacha", "Beguine" and "Rhumba". Each pattern is available in two variations, labeled "A" and "B". It is possible to select more than one rhythm at a time, and also mute drum sounds from a pattern using the balance knob and dedicated cancel buttons.


The CR-78 has been used in songs including "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins,[7] "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates,[8] "Mad World" by Tears For Fears,[9] and in live performances by Radiohead.[10]

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Roland CompuRhythm CR-78 Demo (YouTube video)

Classic Roland CR-78 eighties tracks part 1: Hall&Oates, Gary Numan, OMD, Soft Cell, Phil Collins (by Harlem Nights Music)

Classic Roland CR-78 eighties tracks part 2: Blondie, Visage, Roxy Music, John Foxx, Buggles (by Harlem Nights Music)

Polynominal.com CR78 resources: manual, schematics and audio demo