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So I'm a total noob when it comes to drum machines. I'm getting a roland tr-505 next week and I've been trying to plan out a simple board for it. I'd like to use one of those korg kaoss pads and perhaps bitcrushers/sample reducers, reverb, delay, trem, modulation etc with it. I recall reading about problems with signal level from the kaoss pads.

Do I treat the drum machine as having a similar signal level as a guitar and how would I make sure/determine the proper levels are given to my amp? Worst comes to worst and they don't work out is there a chance it could mess up my amp?

Also I'd like to split the signal into multiple chains that come back together and put different parts of the signal through different effects before mixing them together again at the end of the chain. Is there a simple (read: cheap and effective) way to do this?
Thanks

Drum machines are line-level, which is louder than a guitar. Kaoss pad is meant to take line-level signals, so you shouldn't have problems there. Two things could potentially mess up your amp: volume and frequency. As for volume, just keep it down before you hit play, then increase it until it's at the same level as your guitar. As for frequency, guitar amps aren't meant to handle loud kick drums, so those coul blow your speaker a little easier than a guitar signal would, so don't crank it. If you hear the bass start to crackle and distort, back off the volume. A bass amp, keyboard amp or PA would handle it much better.

If you want to split the signal and retain stereo, you need stereo mixers and effects, or two of everything. (note that the stereo outs are for panning, and I don't think the actual drum hits are stereo samples). If you're ok with mono, a couple DOD 240 mixers (one in reverse) will give you 4 separate chains for about $30 x 2. It's also possible to mod a TR-505 with separate outputs for each drum if you're looking to process them separately,

I'd be looking to do this in mono and it would be all played at low levels. So I'd be fine with the DOD 240 mixers and my amp as long as I kept the volume low? Will the line level signal be fine for pedals?

Yeah, you should be fine. I've heard that sometimes cheap pedals like Behringers can be damaged by excessive volume, but I've done the same and have never had any problems. Some pedals do react differently to changes in volume though, including the level of the noise floor. You can experiment with the volume controls on the drum machine, mixers, and amp to get them to sound how you like. Just watch that you reduce the signal volume somewhere in the chain before it hits the amp. Doesn't really matter where.

Alright thanks! I could simply split the signal by drum with filters/ eqs?

I don't see why not. Just realize that you'll get some bleed between them.

I'd seriously consider the individual-outs mod either now or down the road. It probably sounds better to process the drums individually or in groups according to frequency range rather than eqing or filtering the unwanted ones out. There are tutorials on the net if you can solder, or know someone else who can. If not, http://www.Burnkit2600.com or http://www.circuitbenders.co.uk will do it for a price. You could get some glitchy bends done at the same time if you went that way too.

Thanks for the info I'll have to look into that more. I'd been considering that route and I'll probably go that way once I have some more experience since its my first drum machine and I don't quite know what I want yet

Some pedals don't like high volume signals, but I quickly throw those to the curb.

Shouldn't be a problem, just test stuff with the drum machine first.

(Says the dude who has to keep the Space Echo's input knob at about 5% to make it manageable)

boy, do i hear that. i've taken to using the little round plastic/rubber feet that come with some pedals as knob stops to keep some of the more aggressive volume levels in check. the TBD and Tone Reaper are particularly sensitive to tiny adjustments and will BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF.

I am more interested in what the op thinks of the TR-505 when he gets it... Might be less than blow away with the sounds and operation then he thinks and the signal chanizzz will be a necessary evil just to get a good sound out of it...

Skinny Puppy and Aphex Twin used them to great effect. Any cheap piece of gear can sound great in the right hands.

505 is really punchy sounding.
way punchier than my 626. and they share alot of the same sounds!

I know guyzzz, I said op...

Ha, sorry to butt in. Just didn't want him thinking he bought a dud.

kaeth wrote:Ha, sorry to butt in. Just didn't want him thinking he bought a dud.

same