Uploaded February 2021 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
Skip to 1:38 for sound test.
The perfect drum machine for Chillout Lounge music. MFB-501 Pro is a modern analog drum machine sporting a vintage/retro look and has very distinct analog sounds, most notably its' characteristic "Bongo" sound which is also present on the MFB-501 Pro's little brother, the MFB-301 Pro. Besides the analog side of things, the MFB-501 Pro unlike the 301 Pro has a Sample capability thus also making it a hybrid drum machine (Analog and Digital, like the TR-909). The sample engine of the MFB-501 Pro is very lofi and crunchy which adds to the uniqueness of this drum machine besides its' deep and rounded analog sounds. Sampling on this unit however is unlike Akai MPCs (directly record/input the audio), the MFB-501 Pro uses USB connection to computer for sample transporting.
Overall a great purchase on Thomann, this thing came all the way from Germany (although Thomann is located in Germany, MFB is also a German Company, and the MFB-501 Pro is a Made in Germany gear, adding variety to my drum machine collection which mostly consists of Made in Japan ones [Roland, Yamaha])
The thing about MFB's synthesizers and drum machines is that they're all very limited production. The precursor to this unit, the MFB-301 Pro is in production for a very short time from 2019 and already discontinued last year just when 501 Pro has been released mid year so all things MFB will eventually become rare and collectable, like the Tanzbar and 522 drum machine etc.
Skip to 1:38 for sound test.
The perfect drum machine for Chillout Lounge music. MFB-501 Pro is a modern analog drum machine sporting a vintage/retro look and has very distinct analog sounds, most notably its' characteristic "Bongo" sound which is also present on the MFB-501 Pro's little brother, the MFB-301 Pro. Besides the analog side of things, the MFB-501 Pro unlike the 301 Pro has a Sample capability thus also making it a hybrid drum machine (Analog and Digital, like the TR-909). The sample engine of the MFB-501 Pro is very lofi and crunchy which adds to the uniqueness of this drum machine besides its' deep and rounded analog sounds. Sampling on this unit however is unlike Akai MPCs (directly record/input the audio), the MFB-501 Pro uses USB connection to computer for sample transporting.
Overall a great purchase on Thomann, this thing came all the way from Germany (although Thomann is located in Germany, MFB is also a German Company, and the MFB-501 Pro is a Made in Germany gear, adding variety to my drum machine collection which mostly consists of Made in Japan ones [Roland, Yamaha])
The thing about MFB's synthesizers and drum machines is that they're all very limited production. The precursor to this unit, the MFB-301 Pro is in production for a very short time from 2019 and already discontinued last year just when 501 Pro has been released mid year so all things MFB will eventually become rare and collectable, like the Tanzbar and 522 drum machine etc.
