MATRIXSYNTH: Cheetah MD16RP Drum Machine


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Cheetah MD16RP Drum Machine


via this auction

Pics of the inside below.

"Finally! After 5 years in the dark dungeon that has been the BugBrand Workshop I am just about to move to a better place! Over that time I have picked up quite a stack of bits'n'pieces and it is really time to have a serious clear-out -> to clear space, to pass on unused items and to generate some funds for setting up the new workshop. So! Over the next few weeks I will be running several Ebay auctions - do have a check of my other auctions!

Cheetah MD16RP Drum Machine System - needs some TLC - sold for spares/repairs
I was very excited to get this (off ebay) maybe 8 years ago, but it has unfortunately always had some issues -- due, I'm sure, to a leaky memory backup battery sometime in the past. I replaced the original battery and it certainly works to some extent, but has been sat for a few years now feeling unloved and I really must pass it on because I know very well I will never give it enough time..!

For info on the unit have a read of the Sound-on-Sound article: (the best drum machine ever?!) - note that this is the less common md16RP which has trigger inputs. It certainly is (or should be) a very powerful system - with the editting menus you get a load of control over sound and control parameters. Plus there are lots of outputs and MIDI. You'd be lost without the manual -- so its just as well I have the original! (which is included in the sale, naturally). This is a 2U 19" rack mount and quite deep.

I've given it a basic test recently but couldn't do a full one - I'll try to be as clear as possible in descriptions of problems:
- the PSU is quite a strange one -> 3pin DIN into a 5pin DIN socket. It works but the connector isn't all that strong. It is a UK version. The back of the unit states it is simply 9v DC so I don't know why you need such an irregular plug type!
- the LCD screen is working fine, but never had a cover - it is hard to read unless you're looking straight at it and I think the cover may have improved that.
- on recent testing it came up with the message 'cold start' and initially would only make a few distant digital sounds. But then I read the manual a bit more, did the 'cold start' procedure and began to hear the sounds again.
- some of the buttons aren't very responsive at all (need cleaning!) - this makes some of the editting very difficult at the moment.
- I haven't recently tested either the MIDI or trigger inputs.
- the PCB around the memory battery doesn't look great and could do with more cleaning but I don't think anything is actually bad. But -- the silk-screen legending on the PCB has seemingly come off / come loose (you can see stray bits on the bottom picture)

So, as I say --- sold-as-seen -- but ask questions and I'll try to answer.
Shipping Weight: 6.00kg"








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