Cherry Audio CR-78 Drum Machine

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.

Synthesized drums with complete control

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.

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.

Classic X0X-style Step Sequencer

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.

James Terris

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 Dyson

James is a freelance sound designer and musician based in the UK, and creates third-party preset packs as JD Soundsets. He draws inspiration and influence from Tangerine Dream and 80s film scores, and has designed sounds for Modal and IK Multimedia.

Huston Singletary

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

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.

CR-78 Features

● All 34 factory preset rhythms and "variation/fill-in" patterns included
● 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
● Flexible pattern and instrument copy-and-paste capabilities
● Swing percentage setting
● Real-time step entering via trigger button
● Unlike the original, all sounds are 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 Cherry Audio CR-78 Drum Machine (product listing).docx
● The Effects/Mixer panel also includes a master compressor and six-band graphic EQ
● Drag-to-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
● Accurate DAW sync
● 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
● 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 resizevia drag
● Complete documentation available directly online from the instrument or in downloadable PDF format

System Requirements

Mercury-6 is available in AU, VST, VST3, AAX, and standalone formats.

A free 30-day demo of Mercury-6 is available. This demo will play white noise periodically, but is otherwise unlimited.

macOS Requirements: macOS 10.13 or above. macOS 13 Ventura supported. 64-bit required. Native Apple M1 or greater processor support, including Apple M1 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.

NOTE: Internet connection required for product activation.