Groovebox

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With the MC-303, Roland established the Groovebox instrument genre in 1996 .

definition

The term Groovebox was coined by Roland with the MC-303 (1996). It is usually used to describe a combination of sampler or ROM sampler / synthesizer , sequencer and drum computer .

The concept has been continuously developed; today, groove boxes are often full-fledged production centers. These devices are particularly popular for the production of electro , techno , house and hip-hop . But indietronica groups such as Duo505 also use groove boxes. Many people appreciate the intuitive operation of Grooveboxes, the independence from the PC or recording studio and the ability to intervene directly in the playback process. While with the MC-303 and other early devices of this type, great importance was attached to the supplied patterns and aesthetics, sounds and user guidance were designed for a more playful approach, today the focus is on serious production - especially through a large, diverse display Sound generation options (including sampling) and an extensive sequencer. Grooveboxes are particularly reliable in live use.

As with earlier hardware sequencers and other similar devices, a Groovebox is pattern-based; H. the entered MIDI data is stored in repeating blocks of 1 to 32 beats in length. Variations can be introduced by muting individual MIDI tracks, using a low frequency oscillator , manual filter gradients or selecting a new pattern. Sometimes groove boxes have an extensive selection of effects such as chorus , flanger , reverb and echo and other playing aids such as B. an arpeggiator, with which arpeggios arise from a single note or a chord . Drum patterns can be created with the so-called chase programming .

Also worth mentioning are the devices of the MPC series from Akai , which themselves cannot be assigned to the Groovebox genus, but serve a similar market. They are equipped with extensive sampling functions and are particularly popular in hip-hop.

Well-known beat and groove boxes

  • Roland D-2, MC-303 , MC-09, MC-307, MC-505 , MC-808, MC-909
  • KORG Electribe A (EA-1), Electribe R (ER-1), Electribe S (ES-1), Electribe M (EM-1), Electribe SX (ESX), Electribe MX (EMX), Electribe 2, Electribe 2 sampler
  • Yamaha RM1x, SU 200, SU 700, RS7000, AN200, DX200, QY70 , QY100, DJX-IIb (Beatbox)
  • Radikal Technologies Spectralis
  • Electron Machinedrum, Monomachine

Groove synths and keyboards

literature