Yep, I remember the way it was set up. Actually, a pretty cool idea.

However, it didn't work as well with the DX-7II's sequencer as did the Yamaha RX, and time was of the essence, so we didn't hold on to it.

One of the trios I played in, bass, keys, guitar, used a CR-series drummer, that was operated by the bass player using footswitches. It was a great rig indeed.

Now the TR-808's drums are available on most any arranger, as well as VST's, although some purists have to use the real deal.

It is a similar sitsu to the Roland TB-303 bass module...in fact, they were often used together.

Both worth more than a few bucks today in good condition.

Ian

My very first arranger (a Roland RA90 module) was initially bought ONLY for the drums section. I was playing with duos and trios with drum machines (mostly Yamaha and Alesis) and feeling very musically constricted by having to program the entire song in advance or else you have one pattern for the whole song (!), and the arranger's two patterns and two fills you could trigger with a simple footswitch was a huge boon.

Fast forward to today, and now I have four patterns, six fills, breaks, intros, count-offs and endings, and synced audio loops, and drums so realistic many ask me what drummer I recorded! I think back to those simpler days... Nah! I think I like it better today!