Kawai R-50e with 16 ROM Banks – Every Bank Demoed

video upload by Patrik Adolfsson

00:00 Intro
00:02 Kawai R-50e
00:09 Roland TR-808
00:15 Roland TR-909
00:17 Kawai R-50
00:18 Sequential TOM
00:20 E-mu Drumulator
00:22 Akai XR10
00:25 Böhm
00:27 Oberheim DMX
00:29 Simmons SDS-V
00:31 Yamaha RY30
00:33 Cheetah MD16
00:35 Kawai R-100
00:37 Janela
00:39 E-mu SP-12
00:40 LinnDrum
00:42 Kawai R-50e

"Testing all 16 ROM banks on my modified Kawai R-50e drum machine.

I’m running the same simple drum pattern through each bank so you can clearly hear the differences between the sounds and kits.

The R-50e has been upgraded with a 16-bank ROM switch, giving access to a much wider range of classic drum machine sounds.

The mod was purchased from eBay seller taunus_osi:
https://www.ebay.com/usr/taunus_osi

No fancy demo — just the Kawai R-50e and all 16 banks, one after another.

Now my R-50e gives me access to:

CLICK FOR MORE »

Rolanda's utility belt..#808 #production #beatmaking #trending

video upload by Keyboard Kingpin

The Roland PJ-890. This appears to be the first post to feature one.

The 1st beat I made with a Real Tr-808..Showing in Honor of 808 Day

video upload by Keyboard Kingpin

"This is the first beat I made with a real Tr-808.. Rolanda also helped of course. Happy Holidays !!"

Editor (Moog Minitaur // DFAM // Waldorf Protein // Roland JU06A // TR6S // Squarp Hapax)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"This time, I'm keeping the same setup as my previous jam... [below] with one new member joining the party: the Moog Minitaur. 🎸

But the real star of this experiment is probably the Squarp Hapax.

I've been pushing its sequencing capabilities a little further this time, using a combination of its MIDI effects, automation and LFO modulation to make the different parts evolve throughout the performance.

I'm using several of the Hapax MIDI effects, including Euclid, Harmony, Random and Swing, as well as LFOs to continuously modulate MIDI parameters (using CC).

And I also wanted to explore the FILL feature a bit further.

For example, I use a Fill to create a drum break, while simultaneously triggering an LFO that sends CC messages to the TR-6S, increasing the level of its internal reverb during the break.

So the Hapax isn't simply telling the synths which notes to play anymore... it's also changing their behaviour while the music is happening. Quite a lot is happening behind the scenes, even if hopefully it doesn't sound like a Hapax having a nervous breakdown. 😄

The performance was recorded in a single take. I mixed and mastered the individual tracks afterwards in Ableton Live, but the actual performance wasn't edited or fixed."

176▶️ 808 (Waldorf Protein // Roland JU06A // TR 6S // Moog DFAM // Squarp Hapax)
video upload by 2-Minute Warning

Roland Jupiter-4 | The Vintage Analog Synth That Started It All

video upload by RetroSound

"Roland Jupiter-4 Sound Demo
vintage analog synth sounds, arpeggios made by RetroSound with the classic Roland character.

In this video, we take a deep dive into the sound of the legendary Roland JUPITER-4 Compuphonic, one of the most iconic vintage analog polyphonic synthesizers of the late 1970s.

The New Wave synth.

Released in 1978, the Jupiter-4 was the first Roland synthesizer to carry the JUPITER name and helped establish Roland's reputation for powerful analog polyphonic synthesizers. It features four-voice polyphony, analog oscillators, a resonant low-pass filter, an arpeggiator and Roland's early Compuphonic digital control system. Roland also gave the Jupiter-4 the ability to store user presets — an important feature for its time.

Video:
0:06 The Cave
0:33 Filter FM
0:50 Romantic
1:30 Soft Square
1:51 Dark Bass
2:07 The Arrival
2:22 Sunlight
2:38 Favorite Sound
2:54 Sweeping
3:30 Save Your Ears!
4:30 Little Love Song (with TR-808)

In this Jupiter-4 sound demo by RetroSound, you'll hear the character that makes this synthesizer so special: punchy basses, warm pads, aggressive filter sweeps, analog leads, brass-like sounds, arpeggios and fat unison tones.

The Jupiter-4 may have fewer voices and controls than later Roland classics such as the Jupiter-6 and Jupiter-8, but its distinctive combination of fast envelopes, powerful filter, analog warmth and lush ensemble character gives it a sound all of its own.

🔥 Roland Jupiter-4 Facts

• Introduced in 1978
• Four-voice analog polyphonic synthesizer
• First Roland synthesizer in the JUPITER series
• Analog VCO-based synthesis
• Resonant analog VCF
• Built-in arpeggiator
• Eight user preset memories
• Famous for its warm, fat and expressive sound

If you love vintage analog synthesizers, Roland synths, classic synth sounds, synth pop, new wave, electronic music and hardware sound demos, this one is for you"

Website ► https://retrosound72.wixsite.com/home

Happy TR-808 day - SuperOS-808 Introduction [New Firmware for the Roland Tr-808]

video upload by superOS-303

"Hello! Today on August 8th, 2026, we are introducing our new firmware for the Roland TR-808. We go over a few of the additions that we have made.

This firmware works on the Michigan Synth Works Vox DEI which is coming soon with an updated version to support the TR-808.

You can check out our firmware here:
https://github.com/bjornlustic/SuperO...

You can check out the docs here:
https://superos303.com/doc/808

Our web editor is available here:
https://superos303.com/editor/808"

808/26 Happy 808 Day! Blue Lantern triggers DSP 808 & Birdkids Unicorn Boom + Gieskes No Drum + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"808/26 Happy 808 Day! Blue Lantern Modular MR fill gates & Gate Sequencer + DSP 808 + Birdkids Unicorn Boom + Gieskes No Drum & Starving Binary + Befaco Mutes + ALM Pamela’s New Workout + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

It’s 808 Day again and we still don’t have a Roland TR-808, but this beat uses two 808 clone modules—the DSP Synthesizers 808 Vintage and the Birdkids Unicorn Boom. The DSP 808 module has only one output, but has several different samples to trigger individually. We just got the Blue Lantern MR fill gates module and it is triggering quarter notes on the DSP 808 bass drum. One of the three Blue Lantern Gate Sequencers is triggering half notes on the Birdkids Unicorn Boom. Another Gate Sequencer is triggering an open hi hat on the DSP 808, through a Befaco Mutes so I can turn it on and off. And the last Gate Sequencer is triggering the closed hi hat, but the triggers run first through the Olivia Artz Modular Uncertainty module, for some minor random dropouts. The second output on that closed hi hat Gate Sequencer runs to the Gieskes Starving Binary clock divider, with two divisions modulating the Gieskes No Drums and another division triggering the Birdkids Unicorn Boom accent input. The No. drums is also triggered by the open hi hat Gate Sequencer. The reverb is Alesis MIDIVERB II and the delay is CXM 1978."

The LOST Bad Gear Episode

video upload by AudioPilz

"Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world’s most-hated audio tools. In a time like ours when material needs no longer exist in music production the accumulation of things seems to have become more important than ever.

Today we are going to talk about Novation Drumstation. While today’s synth clones are mostly used for home studio decoration this 1996 drum machine and shameless Roland TR-808 and 909 ripoff was more or less the only affordable way to actually tweak the iconic drum sounds. Simpler times."

Chapters:
00:00 I found the Lost Episode on an old Hard Disk
00:13 Intro tune
01:06 Overview Novation Drum Station V1
01:47 Limitations
02:02 Midi Control
02:24 Analog or Digital???
03:05 Workflow
03:32 Features
04:00 NoIsE iSsUeS
04:29 Audition/Auto-trigger
04:40 What else??? (More Features, Pricing, V2, D-Station ,...)
05:06 H*te Screen
05:35 Jam 1 ( Old School Techhouse )
06:25 Jam 2 ( Old School Trance )
07:28 Finale ( Old School Footwork/Juke )
08:02 VERDICT

Poly Rave 👾 (Waldorf PROTEIN // Roland TR-6S // JU-06A // Moog DFAM // Squarp HAPAX)

video upload by 2-Minute Warning

"This time, I'm introducing a new instrument to the setup: the Waldorf Protein, used here for the CHORDS 🎹

The rest of the setup is made of a Roland JU-06A for the BASS, a Roland TR-6S for the DRUMS (no samples used, only ACB analog behavior engine with mainly the TR-808 model) and, for some additional percussion, the only analog instrument in the setup: the good Moog DFAM 🤩

Everything is sequenced by the Squarp Hapax, with quite a few things happening behind the scenes as usual.
MIDI LFOs are used to modulate some parameters of the TR-6S, while automation takes care of changing parameters on the JU-06A during the performance.

This time I also decided to use the Hapax's physical MIDI ports rather than relying on USB MIDI:
MIDI A : Roland TR-6S
MIDI B : Roland JU-06A
MIDI D (TRS) : Waldorf PROTEIN

And then there's the DFAM... which, as usual, refuses to speak MIDI. 😄
Since the DFAM doesn't have a MIDI input, I sent very short Gate pulses from the Hapax (Track 11) to simulate an audio clock, allowing its internal sequencer to advance in sync with the rest of the setup.

So, quite a lot going on behind what hopefully sounds like a relatively simple piece of music!

Another little experiment in making several machines behave together without making the whole thing look like a NASA control room 😄

As always, the performance itself was recorded in a single take. I do the mixing and mastering afterwards in Ableton Live."

How Honeysmack jams live techno — 303, 808, modular & more

video upload by Noisegate and Honeysmack

"David Haberfeld — better known as Honeysmack — is a live techno improviser. That means the tracks in his sets are built and arranged in real time in front of an audience rather than pre-sequenced in a DAW. In this studio tour he walks through the hardware he performs with and puts a track together from scratch on the spot.

The rig spans vintage and modern boxes: the Roland TB-303 (the synth-with-a-sequencer that anchors a lot of his sound), Roland's TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines, a Mackie 16-channel mixer, a DJ mixer he's come to use as a performance instrument, Behringer's RD-8 MKII and RD-9 (clones of the 808 and 909, both of which he beta tested), the Behringer Syncussion SY1, a Pro-1 synth and a modular system. Along the way he gets into why the 808 and 909 ended up defining whole genres — and argues it had less to do with how they sounded and more to do with what was simply available at the time.

Honeysmack has a new Live Techno Masterclass coming up on Sunday 26 July at Collingwood Yards, Melbourne:

https://events.humanitix.com/honeysma...
/ dz1kazpuoma

CHAPTERS
0:00 live techno improvisation
0:36 studio reveal
0:59 Roland TB-303
1:42 building a track from scratch
3:47 808/909
5:43 Performance
7:08 Synths, modular & sequencers
8:45 jam

GEAR FEATURED
Roland TB-303 · Roland TR-808 · Roland TR-909 · Behringer RD-8 MKII · Behringer RD-9 · Behringer Syncussion SY1 · Pro-1 · Mackie 16-channel mixer · DJ mixer · modular synthesizer

https://noisegate.com.au/

Noisegate is an Australian based collective of working musicians, producers, DJs, and live audio professionals dedicated to bringing you the latest music gear news, tutorials, interviews and more. We cover a range of categories including guitars, bass, synths, keyboards, pro-audio, DJ gear, live audio, industry news and all the ways we make and interact with music and sound."

6/6-12/26 (130bpm) Roland TR-606 + Narco Biofeedback System + 1613 + 2a76 + HD 1000 + 1564-A + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"6/6-12/26 (130bpm) Roland TR-606 + Narco Biofeedback System + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + Ibanez HD 1000 + Peavey 1300 & DDL-3 + Dukane 2a76 + General Radio 1654-A + DSP 808 + Simmons SDS-1 + Roland System 100m + Zerosum Inertia 5654 + MFB dual ADSR + Alesis MIDIVERB II + Waveform LPG + CXM 1978

I tend to leave ALM Pamela’s New Workout (the clock) at the same bpm for long periods of time. And since the videos all have the same tempo, I’ll sometimes drop them on top of each other to hear if they work together. Depending on the top layer video, this can result in ugly videos, but iMovie only allows two videos with audio and three audio-only files in the timeline. This video is a composite of several recent unrelated videos, plus a bass drum synthesized for this video to tie it all together. The Roland TR-606 toms are distorted by the Dukane 2a76, and bandpass filtered by the Brüel & Kjaer 1613. The quarter note hat and shaker sound are from the DSP 808 through the Peavey 1300 delay. The snare is distorted by the General Radio 1564-A, and the additional snare sound is the Simmons SDS-1. The hats are from the TR-606. The bass drum is the Roland System 100m 121 VCF, with the resonance maxed, modulated by an envelope from the 140 module, externally triggered by ALM Pamela’s New Workout, then it runs through the Zerosum Inertia 5654 left channel into the right channel, modulated by the MFB dual ADSR, and a reversed reverb from the Alesis MIDIVERB II. The melodic gated element is the Narco Biofeedback System through the Ibanez HD 1000 through the Waveform LPG, gated by the MFB dual ADSR, and then delayed by the Peavey DDL-3. The drone towards the end is also the Narco Biofeedback System through the Ibanez HD 1000, through the DDL-3, and with significant amount of reverb blended on the CXM 1978. Two Alesis MIDIVERB II units are used for the reverbs."

606/26 Happy 606 Day! Roland TR-606 & RE-301 & System 100m + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

"606/26 Roland TR-606 & RE-301 + Brüel & Kjaer 1613 + Simmons SDS1 & Clap Trap + MFB OSC-2 + Waveform LPG + Soundforce S-LD + General Radio 1564-A + DSP 808 + Metasonix R-55 + Alesis MIDIVERB II + CXM 1978

For 606 day in 2026, the TR-606 is being used as a drum machine and to trigger several other things. This particular 606 was modified with individual outputs. The toms are running through the Peavey 1300 in flanger mode, the Ace Tone MP-4 mixer with feedback and spring reverb, the Metasonix R-55, and through the Brüel & Kjaer 1613 Bandpass filter. The snare is processed by the Roland RE-301. The bass drum is running through the General Radio 1564-A waveform analyzer. The tom pattern trigger output is triggering the DSP 808. It’s also triggering the Soundforce S-LD tambourine, and the Ladik S-143 sequencer, which is modulating the pitch on the MFB OSC-2 (ring mod output), which runs through the Waveform LPG, gated by ALM Pamela’s New Workout. The clap is the Simmons Clap Trap and there is an additional snare sound from the Simmons SDS1, triggered by the 606 high tom. There are reverbs from the Alesis MIDIVERB II and the CXM 1978."

Thomas Dolby Demonstrates synthesizers (1982)

video upload by electrozaps

"Thomas Dolby Demonstrates synthesizers (1982) clip from BBC Riverside."

Roland System 100m, Roland TR-808, PPG Wave, Casio VL-1, Moog Micromoog, ARP Solina, Roland Junpiter-4, and Roland VP-330 Vocoder Plus.

Bargain Basement 808 Drum Machines

video upload by Woody Piano Shack

"Demo of the most popular Roland TR-808 sample libraries and emulations.

ABLETON LIVE 808 CORE KIT
FREE 808 FROM MARS CLEANCUT
FREE 808 FROM MARS HEAVY SATURATION
MARS AMPEG 808 KIT
ROLAND CLOUD TR-808

Lesson packs available for one-time purchase on Patreon.

MORE WOODY PIANO SHACK: https://woodypianoshack.com

BEAT GEMS - the new book on drum machines...

video upload by Bjooks

"Soon to launch on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

BEAT GEMS is a premium hardcover book from Bjooks that explores this remarkable history through rare and iconic machines, vivid photography, artist stories, technical insight, and the people who turned boxes of circuits into culture. The book explores more than six decades of electronic music history through the drum machines that changed the way music is made, recorded, and performed.

An inspiring and visually rich book for anyone interested in music technology, design, rhythm, and recording culture, this comprehensive work follows the evolution of drum machines from early experiments and preset rhythm companions to programmable icons, studio powerhouses, genre-defining classics, and the hardware revival of recent decades. The project structure already maps that story across eight major stages – from invention and standardization to creative misuse, programmability, studio control, genre definition, and rebirth.

The book presents comprehensive research, writing, editing, photography, and visual development by author Oli Freke and editor Kim Bjørn.

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator | Version 1.20 Update

video upload by RolandChannel

"The TR-1000 continues to evolve with Version 1.20, expanding its sound design and performance capabilities.

New MFX include SP-303 and SP-404 Vinyl Sims, Cassette Sim, and DJFX Delay, adding new ways to shape and texture your patterns. LFO functionality has also been enhanced, with new modes for more controlled, rhythmic modulation.

Version 1.20 introduces new ACB sound generators for powerful 808 and 909 bass tones, alongside workflow improvements like independent layer panning, updated gain staging, and expanded MIDI control.

In this video, we break down the key updates and show you how to get the most out of Version 1.20.

Chapter breakdown:
00:00 Intro
00:21 New MFX
03:10 Locked-In LFOs
05:55 Kit LFO
07:25 LFO Sample and Hold
08:42 808 and 909 Bass Lines
09:56 Independent Panning and IFX Switch
11:19 Gain Staging and MIDI
12:06 Final Thoughts"

Roland TR 606 / TR 608 / TR 808 Mod

Note: links to listings are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.

via this eBay listing

This one was spotted and sent in via
M Me.

One was previously listed on Vemia.

"Modified Roland TR-606 / by Filippo Samore / TR-608 > as used by Hainbach on YT [posted here].
The TR-606 in 808 territory and beyond, with tuning, decay and tone mods.

' This Drummachine is on a another level and is a lot of fun (you become very creative) '

' The mod is high-quality and truly enhances the sound engine of the 606
without compromising its handy form factor. It is almost like a TR-808 now,
except maybe a little more interesting, because it is still a charmingly shuffling 606 at its core.'

Examples:
Visit the phunkydesk dot com Domain / > the files after the slash (/) are as follows:
608_BD.wav, Loop1.wav, Loop2.wav
(there is no distortion/overdrive or clipping converters!)

The main modification in this revisited classic is the complete redesign of the kick drum circuit
with a lot of borrowed technology from the 808!

+ Kick: Tune, env Control, tone and decay.
You can also send the kick through the second output separately!
+ The Kick can also have "almost infinite" decay

+ Snare: same borrowed technology from the 808 but with an improved decay length.
It gives access to tune, snappy and decay.

+ L.H Toms: Tune independent from each other and cuts out the annoying noise present in their circuit.

+ Hi-Hats: Tune and decay, separate for both open and closed hats


++ Original Roland TR 606 carrying case
++ Device is serviced (while Mod)

++ Device checked in endurance test
(Batteries or the 9V TR-606 power supply)"

CLICK FOR MORE »

The early 90s Genesis Sound with Roland JD-800 & Korg Wavestation Synthesizers

video upload by RetroSound

"Experience the early 90s sound by Genesis’ “Hold On My Heart,” from the album We Can’t Dance (1992) recreated using two of the most powerful synths of the era:

The Roland JD-800 and Korg Wavestation.
Drums: Roland TR-808

This video dives into lush digital textures, warm pads, and expressive atmospheric layers that defined a generation of pop and progressive rock. From shimmering soundscapes to evolving cinematic tones, you’ll hear the unique character of these classic synths—known for their rich sound design capabilities and emotional depth.

Whether you're a fan of vintage gear, a producer chasing that authentic retro sound, or a Genesis enthusiast, this performance captures the essence of timeless synth artistry."

4/23-26/26 Metasonix S-1000 + Ladik S-143 + DSP 808 + Roland TR-606 + Simmons SDS1 + (…)

video upload by Cfpp0

Dub Techno sketch 36 (MPC Sample & Roland TR-1000)

video upload by Olu Ondas Studio

"BPM 115; MPC master midi synced to Roland.
MPC Sample: Sequencing Dub Chords, vox sample, atmos
Roland TR-1000: Drums
909 Kick
808 CHH1
606 CHH2
707 Rim-cow
Perc 2
Perc1"

PROKRASTINATION (Elektron Monomachine SFX-6, Machinedrum, Analog4)

video upload by Acid Gray

"Trippy melodic IDM ride on the classic Elektrons.

Live recorded in a single take on 1010 BlueBox.
Delay and reverb added here."

MOVEMENTS (Roland TR-808, Roland RE-201 Space Echo, Elektron Analog4)

video upload by Acid Gray

"Dreamy Dub.Techno take on the Roland TR-808 (my favorite Kick of all times), the Roland RE-201 Space Echo and the Analog 4.

Additional field recordings done on Zoom H1e (also sounds much better than expected).

Live recorded in one take on 1010 BlueBox.
Sorry - got lost in dubchord filtering / space-echoing - so the track got much longer than I initially intended."