The RX5 drum machine was one of the most popular drum machines from the 80's and it still sounds fantastic. It is also one of the most full featured drum machines Yamaha has ever made. It has great powerful sounds that can be edited in a variety of ways. It has the standard assortment of sounds - kicks, snares, toms, high hats, tambourine, handclap, shaker, etc., all of which sound great, PLUS it has bass samples, orchestra hits, xylophone and many other melodic sounds, allowing you to create an entire accompaniment, not just a drum beat. One great feature is the reverse button (allowing you to reverse individual sample hits) and the sample loop off feature which cuts the sound short. Another great feature of this machine is the separate 1/4" outputs for most sounds along with the individual sliders for controlling the volume of each percussion sound. This allows you to add individual post-effects to different sounds and creates unlimited mixing possibilities.

Technical specifications

Internal Voices and Memory
24 voices, including Bass, Snare, Rimshot, Tom Toms, Electric Toms, Hi Hats, Ride Cymbal, Crash Cymbal, Chinese Cymbal, Claps, Tambourine, Cowbell, Shaker

Voice Output
Voices can be output via 12 individual output channels, allowing use of signal processing on individual drums.

Voice Editing
The RX5 allows the creation of a virtually unlimited number of sounds by modifying the preset voices. New voices can be saved onto cassette to form a voice library.

Voice Functions
The Reverse function is the digital equivalent of playing a tape backwards. Any sound can be reversed and can be used in the same pattern as its "normal setting" The Damp function allows the sustain to be cut on any selected sound. To Accent levels can be set for each voice to give drum patterns a natural dynamic feel.

Waveform Date Cartridge Voices and Memory
28 voices, including Bass, Snare, Conga, Bongo, Timbale, Agogo, Cuica, Castanet, Whistle, Timpani, Glass Crash, Gunshot, FM Percussion, Electric Bass, DX Orchestra, DX Marimba, DX Clavinet, Voices ("Hey" - "Wao" - "Ooo")

Internal RAM
Random Access Memory, allows 12 edited or original voices to be stored at any key pad location.

Key Assign
Key Assign allows the assignment of any of the 64 available voices to any instrument key. The Key Assign "Multi Voice" function enables the assignment of any voice to the upper row of instruments keys, to create a 12-note "keyboard" on which complex percussion parts or melodic sequences can be played. Pitch, Level, Attack, and Decay values can be set individually for each instrument key.

Pattern Recording
Up to 100 rhythm patterns with time signatures ranging from 01/32 to 99/2 can be recorded using either the Real Time Write or Step Write modes. Real Time Write allows the RX5's keys to be played while listening to a click guide, over dubbing drums in any order. Performance can be corrected to the nearest 1/2 to 1/48 note. The Step Write mode produces accurate recording from a score or the creation of patterns that would be difficult to play live, by inputting single notes.

Pattern Editing
After selecting a note, the Edit Pattern function alters a note by changing its Pitch. Level, Reverse, Attack and Decay over an extremely wide range. The Change Voice function allows instant change in any selected voice pattern.

Songs and Chains
To form a song, patterns can be joined together and given initial temp settings. Songs can be combined to form chains, providing the drum programs for an entire performance.

Song Search
The Song Search function locates and marks any part of a song for playback or re-editing and any section of a song can be copied or repeated.

MIDI Technology
The RX5 is a MIDI Instrument, and can control or be controlled by other MIDI equipment such as sequencers, synthesizers, and tone generators. Select a different voice for each of the 16 MIDI channels and the E.G. velocity function enables key velocity to affect not only the level of a voice, but the length of its envelope.

Custom "Drum Set"
Create a Custom "Drum Set" by choosing 24 of the RX5's 64 voices and finely tailoring their sound. Three different "drum sets" can be memorized.