Akai XR10 (1990)

A 1990 Japanese drum machine with PCM samples, 8-voice polyphony and a Z80 CPU, built for electro and industrial rhythms.

Overview

The Akai XR10, also known as XR-10, is a digital drum machine made in Japan in 1990. It is a PCM rompler with 64 onboard 16-bit samples stored in internal ROM. The CPU is an 8-bit NEC D78C10G Z80. It has 8-voice polyphony and a 16x2 character display with no backlight. There are 15 non-dynamic pads and a flexible sequencer with 20 songs, 99 user patterns and 50 factory ROM patterns. MIDI sync runs at 96 ppqn, and two pedal switch inputs handle start-stop and fill-in.

Specifications

Production year	1990
Country	Japan
Weight	1.7 kg
Dimensions	350 (w) x 241 (h) x 68 (d) mm
Pads	15 non-dynamic
Display	16 x 2 lines (no backlight)
Synthesis	PCM rompler
N. Samples	64 PCM
Sample Resolution	16 bits
Polyphony	8 voices
Sequencer	20 songs
Rec resolution	96 ppqn
SYNC	MIDI
Envelope	1 EG
LFO	1 modulator
Memory	99 user patterns; 50 ROM factory patterns
CPU	NEC D78C Z80
OS	latest V2.2
PSU	12 VDC
Power supply	external PSU 12V / 200 mA -)+ polarity.
Back panel terminals	main signal out, MIDI interface, headphones, 2 pedal switch inputs for start-stop and FILL IN functions.
Internal tempo range	40-296 BPM
Memory	300 notes per pattern
Memory	50 styles with: 3 variations, 3 fill-ins + break +1 intro + 1 ending.
Memory battery	a standard soldered Cr2032 3V on the mainboard.
Features	flexible sound editing controls; MIDI in

Design

The XR10 runs its OS from EPROM and makes sound from internal PCM samples in a ROM wavetable. The Z80-based CPU handles up to 8 voices. Each sample gets a single envelope with decay and sustain controls. Pitch modulation comes from one LFO with sweep rate, depth and polarity options. Sound editing covers volume, tuning, fine tune, pan, effect send, DCA decay and hold, sweep parameters, reverse playback and velocity feel. The sequencer offers 8 quantization levels from 1/4 to 1/48 and takes real-time or step input. Sequences can be exported as MIDI exclusive dumps. Patterns have sub-levels for fill-ins, intro, ending and breaks. MIDI triggering works, but it is limited to basic velocity control.

Context

The XR10 shares design similarities with the XE-8, a rackmount percussion expander, but it has a different soundset.

Market

The XR10 currently goes for between 70 and 150 (currency unspecified). It is considered a budget digital drum machine with a distinct electro, EBM and industrial sound. The pads often fail over time because the graphite contacts degrade. Alcohol cleaning won't reliably fix that - conductive paint is recommended. The memory protect function resets to ON at power-off, and the non-backlit display is frequently cited as a drawback. The unit is commonly modified by circuit bending for glitch and experimental sounds.

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