One of a Kind Custom Roland TR-808 Drum Machine - Mind the Step

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via this auction - spotted and in by @dyLABs

"One of a kind TR-808! Case was removed to enable all of the mods. This 808 has been unleashed into a whole new realm of mind blowing. It really is something to behold for live sets, both visually, and the sounds that can be achieved are guaranteed to rock any dance floor. The case and lid are effectively integrated to take it on the road with confidence. All the mods are completely stable. The previous owner did the work, and I have used it for the last 6 years without fault. I'm sorry to see this go, but I'm just not writing enough tunes these days to warrant having in my studio. A collector may be horrified by the non-standard look, but performers/producers will really appreciate the versatility and depth added to the 808 sound. And besides, these drum machines should be played, not placed on the shelf!

It also has a KADI port added so you can fully MIDI integrate using a Kenton Pro KADI (not included - see my other auction). Recommend using it with the Pro KADI if you plan to compose using a PC/Mac software package.

Bassdrum

-Pitch control added (lowest point is gut churning low and highest is up with conga pitch)

-Pitch bypass added to quickly revert back to the original Bass Drum pitch

-Decay range expanded to allow zero to self-oscillation

-Decay bypass added to quickly revert back to the original Bass Drum decay

-Tone range expanded to enable sound adjustment from smooth as silk to a snappy crack

Snare

-Decay added to enable nil up to 50% - makes an awesome effect for break downs and build ups

-Noise filter added with sweepable cutoff

Toms (LT/MT/HT)

-Conga switch removed (not needed) with tune range increased to 5 x original amount from Tom to way above conga

-Decay range modded to start from zero (ie. isolate the reverb that can be annoying) to 50% greater than self oscillation

-On/off reverb switch added - isolate the reverb in an instant

-Reverb amp added (lowest point original, highest = 10x original)

-Reverb length added - can shorten to a snap to sound 909-like

-Oscillator on/off switch added to play just the reverb - can achieve some truly tripped out glitch effects when combined with the other controls

Rim Shot

-Rim shot and claves circuits now split into two modular parts. Half of the Claves sound can be sent into the Rim shot circuit to create a high pitched sound and half of the Rim Shot can be sent into the -Claves to produce a cool resonant blip.

-The original sounds for both can be easily recalled with an easy press of the respective sound half circuit patching switches.

-Added a Rim Shot oscillator filter installed (only works with the original circuit path)

Clap

-Clap noise source filter (basically a pitch/tune control)

-Clap reverb level added, adjustable from 0 to 120% of the original level

-Clap width control added, but it looks like this mod has resulted in the clap stuck on a long distant sound. When I originally bought the 808 the guy who did the mod indicated it is a very easy fix for someone handy with a soldering iron. I never got around to doing it and wasn’t too fussed about not having the Clap.

Cymbal

-Cymbal oscillator mixer added so it is possible to individually isolate the three oscillators that make up the cymbal sound.

-Cymbal Osc. 3 modified to enable range control. Osc. 3 is the original source for the adjustable cymbal decay. It can now be dialled down to zero.

-Cymbal Osc. 3 distortion switch added – this sounds really cool.

Note: Cowbell, Maracas and HiHats are original with no mods. The Accent is still original too.

New Modular Output Section:

-12db multimode diode ladder filter installed with patchable input section from all the different percussion instruments.

-Any instrument can be or combination of instruments can be filtered AND switched in and out of the filter. It is such a simple thing, but absolutely awesome when playing a live set.


Non-Sound Mods:

-Original power supply replaced.

-All switches and pots replaced

-The Tempo range was changed (via a quality pot with greater resolution) and fine tempo deleted. Din sync still available, but I always went with the Pro-KADI.

-All wiring was replaced and upgraded.

-Memory backup was installed via a 4.5v battery pack plug. Unfortunately the standard memory only lasts a couple of hours. Although I never really bothered with it that much and just wrote down patterns or used Cubase. I only really used it sometimes before heading out to play a set.

-New sturdy case (everything was transplanted over)

More Info:

The filter is a little noisy and picks up some noise from the 808 trigger lines. This sounds absolutely stunning when the background noise is used to self-oscillate the filter, or the trigger signal of an instrument is used to create a worble like techno baseline .However if you want to play without the disturbance from the filter, its output can be switched off. With the filter off, the filter instrument patch sounds act like mute switches, which is also great for cutting on the fly.

When using with Cubase for composing, you can trigger each instrument individually on the virtual keyboard.

Only issue is the “2nd part” in the sequencer to extend steps from 32 to 64. For some reason it doesn’t work, so basically stuck with only 32 steps. I.e. the “1st part” with Parts A and B work perfectly, as does the Autofill function as well. The illuminated switches look unreal on stage and the large pots have a great feel!.."