Computer Music Editor's Choice Award - "10 out of 10!"
MusicTech Excellence Award - "10 out of 10!"
CR-78 -- Cherry Audio's first virtual drum machine -- accurately recreates the punchy analog sounds and 34 onboard preset rhythms of the first true classic drum machine and takes it much further. We've done away with the complex beat programming, replaced it with a familiar X0X-style button-per-step interface, and added an easy-to-use song mode for pattern chaining. Unlike sample-based emulations, Cherry Audio's CR-78 uses modeled synthesis to recreate the classic tones of the original and makes a quantum leap forward by making these sounds fully editable. Four studio-quality effects are provided, with a uniquely fast and fun "send button" for each individual tone in the effects and mixer section, which also includes a complete mixer, compressor, and a six-band graphic EQ.
In 1978, following the success of their AceTone electronic rhythm products, Roland introduced a not-so-little box that made a massive impact. Coming from a legacy of preset-based devices intended to sit atop an organ, the CompuRhythm CR-78 was entirely new: the first programmable, microprocessor-controlled, analog beatbox.
With its colorful buttons for pattern presets, distinctive analog tones, and basic pattern programming, the CR-78 was the first drum machine as we know it. Pro musicians such as Blondie, Ultravox, Phil Collins and Genesis, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Roxy Music, The Cars, Hall and Oates, and many others immediately embraced and immortalized this revolutionary gear.
For years, musicians have requested a virtual drum machine such as this, and in Cherry Audio fashion, we've delivered it with so much more.
Cherry Audio's CR-78 is a visionary virtual drum machine that re-envisions the original by meticulously recreating and extending its distinctive sounds and beats with new programmability features, and adds over 250 additional presets that take it from mild to wild.
Pattern creation has been simplified with X0X-style 16- or 24-step sequencing, copy-and-paste, and real-time entry using trigger, keyboard, or MIDI device. CR-78 also includes an expansive song mode for chaining up to 99 patterns. All of the original variations for fills, accents, voice cancel, and fades are present, along with new swing and velocity options.
Cherry Audio's CR-78 can be played standalone and includes versatile plug-in options loaded with such DAW-friendly features as auto-sync, drag-and-drop MIDI export, individual outs, and complete automation.
Unlike sample-based instruments, Cherry Audio has emulated the original's tones through modeled synthesis, and a Voice Edit panel allows extensive instrument parameter editing, enabling a range of sonic and melodic possibilities far surpassing the original.
The innovative Effects/Mixer panel delivers discrete level, pan, mute/solo; studio-quality effects, including overdrive, flanger, delay, gated reverb with effects send buttons; and a master compressor and a six-band graphic EQ.
In short, Cherry Audio's CR-78 goes deep inside the box to provide the ultimate outside-of-the-box experience.
Cherry Audio and Tim Shoebridge have again teamed up to create an extensive and entertaining video that introduces users to the classic CR-78 sounds and the features of this tremendous virtual drum machine.
CR-78 includes over 250 pulse-pounding sound and pattern presets
Producers will find immediate inspiration in CR-78's extensive preset library, created by veteran sound designer James Terris. And don't miss the Compu-Rhythms Preset Pack (sold separately), featuring 100 more presets by talented sound artists James Dyson, Agent Method, and Huston Singletary that go even further "outside of the box" using CR-78's advanced Voice Edit, Effects, and pattern chaining techniques.
James is Director of Sound Design, responsible for preset programming and curation at Cherry Audio. He is a long-established sound designer and musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has worked with Dave Smith Instruments/Sequential, Pioneer DJ, Apple, and Han Zimmer’s Remote Control.
James is a freelance sound designer and musician based in the UK. He creates third-party preset packs as JD Soundsets. He draws inspiration and influence from Tangerine Dream, 80s film scores, and others and has been a long-time sound designer for Cherry Audio, Modal, and IK Multimedia.
Veteran sound designer, producer, film composer, and podcaster. Huston has contributed sounds to an endless array of popular products by Toontrack, Izotope, Synthogy, Kilohearts, Roland, Alesis, Spectrasonics, and Sequential.
Darrick Atwater (Agent Method) is a sound designer, producer, engineer and a comedic content creator in the Metro Atlanta area. He pulls influence from genres of the early aughts and combines them with dubstep, future bass/trap EDM, and vaporwave. He creates content and sounds for major audio companies and is building his own effects and plugins.
All 34 factory preset rhythms and “variation/fill-in” patterns included
Simple shift-click action to combine two factory presets
Over 250 additional rhythm and sound presets, including special categories that go far beyond the classic CR-78 tones and patterns:
Kits: combinations of instruments matched and tuned to specific genres, with patterns that demonstrate each of the sounds in sequence
Melodic: using pitch tuning and effects to create synth bass or melodic accompaniment along with the beats
All original sounds exactingly modeled — no samples used
Voice Edit panel for mild or extreme sound editing
Familiar X0X-style 16- or 24-step pattern programming
Super flexible pattern and instrument copy and paste capabilities
Swing percentage setting
Real-time step entering via Trigger button
Unlike original, all sounds independently addressable in user pattern mode
Easy to use Song Mode with up to 99 patterns and 99 steps per song
External MIDI sound triggering with velocity sensitivity and user-assignable note mapping
Effects/Mixer panel with studio-quality effects for overdrive, flanger, delay, and gated reverb that can be individually applied to each kit instrument through an innovative “one-button mixer send”
Mixer with independent level, pan, and solo/mute for each instrument
The Effects/Mixer panel also includes a wild and characterful master compressor and six-band graphic EQ
Drag-export function allows simple mouse-drag conversion of patterns to DAW MIDI tracks (plug-in version) or Standard MIDI Files on the desktop (standalone version)
Separate out plug-in version for independent processing of each instrument in a DAW
Super accurate DAW sync
User-adjustable oversampling control
Complete MIDI control and DAW automation for all controls, with easy-to-use MIDI learn and mapping (Preset and Global)
Cherry Audio’s popular Focus zoom-in feature, as well as standard UI zoom and resize via drag
Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format
Also available: The Compu-Rhythms for CR-78 Preset Pack (sold separately) featuring 100 more presets by talented sound artists James Dyson, Agent Method, and Huston Singletary that go even further "outside of the box" using CR-78's advanced voice editing, effects, and pattern chaining techniques.
CR-78 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.
A free 30-day demo is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.
macOS Requirements: macOS 10.13 or above. 64-bit required. Native Apple M1 or greater processor support, including Ultra. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core or M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM recommended.
Windows Requirements: Windows 7 or above (including Windows 11), 64-bit required. 3.4 GHz Quad-Core computer with 8GB of RAM recommended.
Hard disk space: 58 MB
NOTE: Internet connection required for product activation