Working Roland CMU-800R w/ Apple II Up for Auction

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This is the system featured in this recent video.

"Unbelievable piece of Roland history in museum condition. Here is the Fully Working Roland CMU-800R setup together with Apple II computer. This is not just working CMU-800 in pristine condition. It comes together with Apple II interface card impossible to find and Apple II software. It's fully running and working. CMU-800 is also modified to introduce drum sounds tuning. This is the professional upgrade performed in my workshop. No corners cut. Apple II is retrobrighted, comes with a monitor and keyboard and also includes FLOPPY Emulator. It also comes with the original floppy drive, if you prefer to keep authentic. This is one of set up, that you'll enjoy.
That is CMU-800R? It's essentially computer based synth/interface designed early 80s. It combines 6 synth parts - Melody, Bass, Chord (4 voices) and TR-606 style analog drums. It also has 8 CV/Gate interfaces, Roland composer software to operate it. NO MIDI :)

Check out the video I recorded of this exact system: [posted here]

You'll receive:

1. Roland CMU-800R
2. CMU800 Apple II interface card
3. Apple II computer
4. Floppy emulator with SD Card and all necessary files
5. Floppy Drive
6. Original CMU-800 Manuals
7. Original 5.25" floppy discs
8. Apple Color Monitor
9. Apple Keyboard
10. Power cables."

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Roland CMU-800R real demo with AppleII interface.

DeftAudio

"This is the basic overview of CMU-800R capabilities and Apple II software driving it. Less talking and actual demos."

Roland Compu Music CMU-800R Synthesizer

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Roland CMU-800R - Product Sheet Brochure

This is from the first set of scans in via Corey, mentioned earlier today here. You can find hi-res copies here.

Click here for more.

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Roland CMU 810 SYNTHESIZER & CMU 800R DRUM MACHINE

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"There is a reason you never see the CMU-810 for sale. It might look basic but it really is a tone monster. It sounds huge and greasy! Many people consider it the best Roland mono. These can be played by themselves and can also be integrated with your vintage Macintosh or PC computers."

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Roland CMU-800R Compu Music - Classic 80s Synth Module, Boxed, Mint

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"Early 1980s Roland computer music module including sounds from classic Roland synths (TB303) and drum machines (TR606). It was designed for use with an Apple II or IBM PC but can now interface with MIDI using an add-on from beatnic.jp (not supplied). With this add-on you could use the 8 CV/Gate outputs as an interface to classic pre-MIDI analogue synths and drum machines. Or just admire the classic 1980s styling and sounds."

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Roland CMU-800R w/ Radio Junkbox MIDI-IF Box & CV Out x 8

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Published on Nov 28, 2017 Owen D RhythmDial

"Radio Junkbox midi box makes the CMU easily run by MIDI as shown here run by my Zaquencer. Drums from CMU run thru Vestafire distortions, synth parts just EQd and swept in Allen&Heath mixer, SpartaDelay and ZOOM reverb used in spots too."

The CMU-800R normally requires software and a vintage Apple II to work. The Junkbox MIDI-IF Box replaces that.

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"Nice condition vintage Roland CMU-800R and a MIDI-IF box from Radio Junkbox out of Japan that plugs into the weird super wide SCSI style original CMU cable and gives this unit great functionality by MIDI.

Individual audio outputs and main mix output.
Faders for audio levels work well for main mix adjustments.
Synth parts controls work well (decay, sustain)
8 channels of CV/Gate output based on MIDI channel inputs.
Power is 117v US power.
MIDI-IF box is awesome, includes its own 5V mini wall wart power supply, also sends out DINsync from incoming MIDI clock. Manual included for MIDI-IF box.

Sounds great too! Drums are very TR-606 like in circuitry and sound. The bass part is nice and full, deep and solid. The melody and chord part are similar sounding but chord part can play 4-note polyphony on its own. The synth parts are weak in their adjustment vs synths like the classic juno-106 but I’ve found adding fx like ring mod or resonant filters to them in eurorack or various rack units livens these parts up very well."

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Roland Compu Music CMU-800r Like New w. Original Box & Manual SN 284503

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No mention if it comes with the software.

"Please do your research on this item prior to offering bidding or buying once this is been opened it is not returnable. The listing as a whole is returnable if it is not opened. This is an original sealed Roland brand Compu music synthesizer. Comes as pictured it is brand new in a sealed baggy which is never been opened and I've tried to picture that so that you understand that there are no fingerprints on this it is completely brand new also comes with the original box as pictured and comes with the operation manual which is printed and in a little blue binder as pictured...

The very last picture is the connection required to an old Apple 2 or early Windows computer that is the computer connection that this item has so don't buy this and be disappointed there's other connections on it but that is the computer connection and I don't know how you'll have to connect it unless you have an old vintage computer"

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Roland CMU-800R MIDI Interface Test

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Published on Mar 6, 2016 DeftAudio



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See this post for a fun overview and demo of the CMU-800R, including the software, at the 2006 PNW Synth Meet. You can find additional info on the CMU-800R here and here, and of course in the archives. Note you do not get full access to the internal synth parameters, so think of this as a severely limited preset synth with TR-606 drum sounds, and CV & gate outs. Still a fascinating bit of synth history and this one has MIDI so you do not need the software to make use of it. According to this Sound on Sound article it was "the first sound module to provide multitimbral voicing, independent outputs for each section, control over other synthesizers, and sequencing."

Description from the listing:

"The CMU-800 is one of unique and rare module that was produced by Amdek and then by Roland in the past. It's a medium-sized, off-cream metallic wedge, with a barrage of jacks on the back and a bare minimum of knobs on the front. It also sported this ruddy great ribbon cable hanging out the back!

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Vintage 1983 Roland DG Compu Music CMU-800R Analog Synthesizer for Apple II

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via the seller: "The Roland Compu Music CMU-800R is a four-channel mixer with internal preset voices and sequencer software for an Apple II or PC, built in 1983. There is a ribbon cable out the back. It features analog synthesis with fixed sounds. Four note polyphony in the chord section, monophonic bass and melody synth sections, and an analog drum section.

The Chord/Melody section has only 1 sound. The drum section is similar to the TR-606 Drumatix, and the bass section is similar to the TB-303 Bassline (some limited adjustments in sound were possible via software). It has separate melody, bass, chord, rhythm, mix outputs. There's also 8 cv/gate outs to run external analog equipment by control voltages, and there's a click in/out. On the face it has knobs for portamento, Melody sustain & decay, Bass decay, and Chord decay. It also has volume level sliders for each of the instruments and a master volume slider. The software uses a similar music programming method as the MC-8 or MC-4

I do not own an Apple II, so I can't test. It does power on. The sliders and knobs are all tight and functioning perfect. It is being sold as-is.

It does not come with the interface card or any software."

Anyone know if the software for this is available online?

Update via James in the comments: "It seems to be possible to MIDI-fy this device" & "More modding possibilities"

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ROLAND CMU-800R with Original Box

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"ROLAND CMU-800R MIXER WITH INTERFACE CARD FOR APPLE II COMPUTER"

Note this requires software to work. If anyone knows where to find it, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Roland Compu Music CMU-800R

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I believe this requires software and an older PC or Apple II to work. Do a search on CMU-800R on the right for more posts.

Roland CMU-800R with MIDI Option Installed

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"For the quick info visit:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec04/articles/roland.htm

www.cmu800r.deftaudio.ru

http://sites.google.com/site/analogvocoderinfo/interfaces/roland-cmu-800r

The CMU-800 is one of unique and rare module that was produced by Amdek and then by Roland in th past. It's a medium-sized, off-cream metallic wedge, with a barrage of jacks on the back and a bare minimum of knobs on the front. It also sported this ruddy great ribbon cable hanging out the back!

What is it? Essentially, its a computer-controlled CV/gate output system, designed to work with computers - a Japan-market-only NEC Z80 machine and the humble Apple II range. No MIDI, no inputs as such, just a means to let your "brand spanking new 8-bit computing marvel" be the controlling heart of your System 100M. The box was the same for each model, you just bought the interface and software to suit your particular CPU.

This unit is in amazing condition looks and works like new even it's 25+ years old! It has MIDI option installed. This is custom prepared unit, almost not possible to buy anywhere else:

http://cmu800r.deftaudio.ru/midi.html"

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ROLAND COMPU MUSIC CMU-802 SYNC & CMU-800R

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micronaut - experiment two

YouTube via Cranda11 | January 28, 2011
follow-up to part 1 here
"http://micronaut.bandcamp.com

The second workflow exploration/live improvisation with this set-up. As with the previous video, the Apple //e with Roland CMU-800R is in the driver's seat. It is providing the drums with its internal sounds, and is controlling the modular synth, the Korg MS-20, and the Yamaha CS-5 (out of frame underneath the MS-20) via CV/Gate.

The main melody line that comes in after a bit is coming from a Reflex MeeBlip, which you can just see sitting on the desk. I'm controlling it with a Snyderphonics Manta controller.

Effects used: Roland RE-201 Space Echo, Eventide TimeFactor delay, Realistic Electronic Reverb delay, Audio Damage Eos reverb, Lexicon 300 reverb."

micronaut - experiment one

YouTube via Cranda11 | January 26, 2011

"http://micronaut.bandcamp.com

Having a bit of fun with the new equipment set-up, and trying to get a feel for the workflow. This piece is entirely sequenced from an Apply //e and Roland CMU-800R. I'm recording in to Ableton Live, but there are no samples or pre-recording. This track is 100% live.

The quick arpeggio sound, drums, and 16th note pulse are coming from the CMU-800R. The low bass note is from a Korg MS20 running through a Roland RE-201 Space Echo, and the main melody sound is coming from the Doepfer modular (in this case a TipTop Audio Z3000 oscillator, plus some Doepfer shit) and running through a Realistic Electronic Reverb and an Eventide TimeFactor. I used a couple instances of Audio Damage Eos for the main reverb inside the DAW, but that's the only computer effect."

Roland CMU-800R

flickr By Chris Randall

"Got my CMU-800R, essentially new-in-box. Works like a charm, too."

Roland COMPU MUSIC CMU-800R

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Roland Compumusic CMU-800R With Original Box

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"Up for sale is a Roland CMU-800R which comes with its original box and Apple interface card. Neither the manual or the software are included with this auction, I assume these went away with our old Apple computer at a yard sale many years ago."

The software for these is difficult to find. If anyone knows where to find it online, please comment or shoot me an email.

Roland CMU-800R XMas CAROL

YouTube via digitalbeatsyndrome — March 21, 2010 — "I take no credit for any of the work in this film. The DIY retrofit of the CMU-800R was done by RJB who is author of the Japanese DIY synth blog Radiojunkbox."