I just bought a used 505 and it looks like it's in good condition. Figured out how to sample..now trying to make patterns and songs but am having issues.
I've done this procedure to create a pattern...over and over again
1. Press [PTN].
2. Press [F2] (USER).
The user pattern list will be displayed.
3. Use the VALUE dial to select the pattern that you want
to record, and press [ENTER] to confirm your selection.
To cancel, press [EXIT].
4. Press [REC].
The recording standby screen will appear.
The metronome will sound at the specified BPM.

BUT...my issue is I'm not hearing no metronome and not getting the recording stand by screen. Am I doing something wrong or is this thing a lemon?

You've done right, U have just to select the user pattern, press rec to enter the rec menu, then press play and the pattern will start recording.
if you don't hear the metronome maybe the volume is set to zero.
my advice is to reset the machine to factory and then try again.
if the rec button does not light at tempo press harder, maybe you've just to clean the contact of the button or press harder..

Hey Elvis,

Glad to see you got up on the forums. Youre in good hands. I sold him the 505 and can verify that the unit worked fine for me.

thanks guys...
well unfortunately i tried resetting the machine to factory settings while on the phone with a Roland tech person and still got same results. The record light is not coming on no matter how hard i pressed. So he suggested taking it to a service center which i just did. Payed 250 for it used off craigslist (guy swears it was working before he sold it to me), 35 to get it looked at by a tech...almost at 300 bucks into it now...hope they get it to work i was looking forward to making some trippy music.
can say buyers from craigslist beware, or at least test it out before you pay for it, unfortunately i didn't have that option at the time.

I think it's a strange fault...
if the other functions are ok, it seems strange that the record only is faulty.
I cannot say what's wrong but it seems a faulty button or a problem with the OS.
I'm sorry for your problem...