Roland TR 808 calibration and tuning

Published on Oct 23, 2019 BAMTV

"Welcome to this episode of BAMTV! In this video we show you how to adjust some settings of the Roland TR-808:

1. Noise level. This affects the snare, clap and toms and gives a 'reverb-like' tail if set too long.
2. Clap offset. Subject to preference, the clap can have a loud or soft transient.
3. Cowbell tuning to original values.

A furtehr explanation on the scope readings for the cowbell tuning: the scope was set to 0,2V/division. You hear me counting the cycle length and mention the number 9,8. This means at 0,2ms/division that the duty cycle is 9,8*0,2 = 1,96 ms.

Links
You can find the adjustment value sheet and location diagram here:

https://tinyurl.com/tr808adjustment (TR-808 adjustment sheet)
https://tinyurl.com/tr808locations (TR-808 trimpot locations)
https://tinyurl.com/tr808servicenotes (TR-808 service notes)"

ROLAND TR-8S Demos

Published on Mar 17, 2018 Sunshine Jones

Playlist:

1. ROLAND TR-8S BASIC KIT DEMOS

/////////////////////////////////////////////////
First let me say that there is a lot going on under the hood here on the Roland AIRA TR-8S. There are many kits, and many ways to include sounds, add effects, samples and more.

My general approach is to answer my most fundamental questions - how does it sound, how does it work, can I make use of it, and does it delight me? - before I dig down too deep.
This is a set of clips featuring the most basic kits and effects to let you see and hear what the @rolandaira TR-8S sounds like fundamentally.

1. TR-909
2. TR-808
3. TR-707
4. TR-727
5. TR-606

There is also a TR-626 kit which is great 80's fun, and many more sounds.

Next I'm going to explore adding my own samples and try to apply a sample loop as well.

2. Roland TR-8S Sampling Experiments

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Late into the night last night I explored the idea of importing my own collection of samples into the Roland AIRA TR-8S. Much of the exploration was in headphones and I couldn't wait for the sun to come up so I could listen and document the experiments for us to dig together.

1. A loop of my darling Geraldine Hunt with a -12db filter, accompanied by internal 909 sounds.

2. 100% Roger Linn samples taken by me from my old Linn Drum, sequenced and tuned to make your Camero go faster and match your tri-level nylon jacked.

3. The SP-1200 Congas translated from floppy to WAV files, and loaded into the TR-8S with reverb and a kick added.

I still have some functional questions (like how to assign things like kick attack to the CTRL knob, can one step edit the motion recordings, and other basic stuff...) as well as a real desire for some kind of time/pitch compression and expansion.

Perhaps that could be solved with using slices of a loop, or perhaps the inclusion of a particular file format with beat markers - I don't know - but tempo based samples will not automatically sync. They must be either worked out to a tempo ahead of time, or pitched to be in sync on the TR-8S. However you work it out, one is then working at a fixed tempo (provided pitch is essential) and that can be tricky live. In any given performance I may play at 110 if the audience is forward thinking and with me, but in more ordinary and adverse circumstances I will be forced to play the same material at 122-125 depending on how hostile they are. That's a huge leap in tempo, and getting that perfect on the fly can be tough.

But I'm undaunted, deeply inspired, and I'm going to dig in deeper still and answer my questions and come up with workarounds.

It's only been about a day, but I already just LOVE this thing and can barely remember not having it around.

3. ROLAND TR-8S LOOP SYNCOPATION EXAMPLES

ROLAND TR-8S LOOP SYNCOPATION EXAMPLES
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I talked about the fact that the Roland AIRA TR-8S doesn't have any time compression/expansion for loops, and here are three examples of ways to work with time based loops:

1. PITCH
The whole loop is imported into one instrument and pitch is adjusted to accommodate timing between 105 bpm and 125 bpm
This technique works great as the old school use of loops. Sometimes a loop gets really interesting when you slow it way down, or speed it way up. But for pitch crucial loops this isn't practical at all. For example in a live performance if you really must play faster or slower, this means your looped material will end up being pitched higher or lower, and if it's meant to play with other instruments the whole composition will be out of whack and potentially sound a tonal, or just wrong (or wonderful!)

2. FOUR SLICES (the one-and technique)
The same loop is chopped into 4 parts. Every beat is trimmed (import the sample loop 4 times and edit each one) and then placed on 4 instruments and the beats are programmed in sequence across the grid.
This allows for tempo adjustment between 125 bpm and 117 bpm without adjusting the pitch.

NOTE: It sounds better as you go faster, than it does as you go slower, so it would be best to begin with a slower loop than you need, so that as you increase tempo the timing feels better, and it sounds tighter than if you had to slow way down.

3. EIGHT SLICES
The same loop is cut into 8 parts and placed into 8 instruments. The decay of each slice is cut in half, and the tempo may be adjusted between 105 bpm and 140 bpm without adjusting the pitch one bit.
NOTE: There's no reason we have to use a unique kick and snare for this size of slice, so this could be done with fewer slices, and using up fewer instruments.

TIP:
When using a uniform grid solution, you can do some pretty interesting things. For example - chop up 4 different loops at the same grid (8) and then use program changes to switch between kits for crazy, far out glitch beats, or dynamic pattern changes at random. It's pretty sick.

Conclusion:
It seems there are many ways to accomplish timing without feeling that the device truly needs to import ReCycle files, or contain a time compression/expansion feature. But it does take us away from the device, and ask us to think it through before we get to it.

I grabbed this loop for fun and explored it on the device itself, without going back to the computer or another device for additional editing. It all happened right here in the TR-8S with a single loop. Naturally this would have gone faster, and possibly been a better result if I'd done the editing on the computer, but I am really not taking my inspiration from computers anymore, and want to work with the device I'm working with when I'm working with it. So taking the slow road, and doing it "stupid" style is all right with me, and seems to produce worthy results I can get behind.

Hope this helps with your adventures.

Building the Beat: Inside Legendary Roland TR-808 Tracks

RolandChannel

"The legacy of the TR-808’s boom transcends genre—touching on everything from hip-hop and R&B to techno and house. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the legendary drum machine, a group of musical luminaries breaks down their stone-cold 808 classics.

Watch Arthur Baker, A Guy Called Gerald, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, the Avila Brothers, Cozmo D, and Carl Craig discuss mainstream hits and underground classics from their discographies.

These eclectic producers and artists provide exclusive glimpses behind the curtain into what made their gems jam. Each one shares studio secrets that make “Planet Rock,” “Voodoo Ray,” “Tell Me If You Still Care,” “Nice & Slow,” “Moist,” “Jam On It” and “From Beyond” so iconic. Along the way, hear about how the 808 and their work influenced each other and culture at large.

Songs in this video were recreated using the TR-808 plug-in available in Roland Cloud. Try the TR-808 plug-in for free during the month of August with your free Roland Account. In the words of Terry Lewis, 'I always say Roland put the boom in music because they gave us an opportunity to use the boom.'"

Clef Master Rhythm — Programmable Analogue Drum Machine

YouTube via julianjordan | February 26, 2010

"Here's a quick lesson in how to step-program a clef master rhythm"


via this auction

"Main Features
* Completely analogue sound generation
* 7 Instruments + Accent (Bass Drum, Low / High Tom, Snare, Rim Shot, Long / Short Cymbal)
* 3 Variations for Snare sound
* Adjustable parameters for each instrument (via trim-pots on the bottom)
* Analogue Low Pass Filter (Tone knob)
* Fully programmable via internal Step Sequencer
* Moog Style Knobs :)

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-707 ROM Expansion Kit

Harry Axten

"Coming soon for the Roland TR-707 and TR-727..."

via https://hkadesign.org.uk

"You asked for it, now here it is – a ROM expansion kit for the Roland TR-707 and TR-727. It gives the machine 8 banks of sounds you can select, including the stock sounds from both the TR-707 and TR-727, so you can turn one into the other (to an extent – more on this later).

Changing between 8 banks would be a bit cumbersome using toggle switches, and I didn’t want to spoil the machine’s futuristic looks either, so this time the bank switching is done by holding down one of the first 8 step keys while turning the machine on. The setting is remembered and will be recalled the next time it’s turned on. There are no modifications to the outside of the machine, and the installation is easily reversible.

Apart from having different sounds, a modified TR-707 / TR-727 behaves exactly the same as a stock unit, no functions are lost. The machine should also be compatible with any other modifications or circuit bends you may have fitted, such as voice tuning, hi-hat decay mods etc.

I’d like to extend a huge thank you to Sunshine Jones, who donated the TR-727 which I used to develop the modification, and who also provided the excellent TR-808 and TR-909 samples which were used in the expansion banks.

The 8 banks included are :

TR-707
TR-727
TR-808
TR-909
LinnDrum
LM-1
DMX

TR-707 + TR-727 mix (handy for those who don’t own both machines)
The ROM expansion kit will switch out all of the sounds (referred to as a bank) apart from the last two sounds (crash + ride / quijada + chime), which will remain the same across banks, as they are stored on their own ROMs in a different part of the machine. I may produce an optional add-on board that can switch these as well if there’s sufficient interest."

CLICK FOR MORE »

RC-808 in Dommune Setouchi 2019 & a New Update

video upload by vector criterion

Featured above are some sound demos from an interview with the Analog Mafia on the RC-808 in Dommune Setouchi 2019. You can find the full hour and 45 minute interview below. The Analog Mafia are the creators of the original Roland x0x series. RC-808 is a newer project which just got an update you can find at https://rc-808.com/download. You can find additional posts featuring the RC-808 here. The first post with some history is here. They are also a supporting member of the site.

Description for the video above:

"Tadao Kikumoto, together with DJ Hisashi Saito, and galcid Lena, demonstrates how the RC-808 Re-Create the 808 software Drum Synthesizer sounds like.

Tadao is the leader of Analog Mafia who are the original R&D team who developed the MId-O Series like TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, and TB-303. The RC-808 was developed to express full respect and gratitude to all the fans of the Mid-O Series, and also to show how actually the Analog Mafia wanted the 808 to be.

Find out more details such as development episodes, secrets behind the Mid-O Series, and download the RC-808 on Re-Create the 808 website, the only resource from the true originators themselves!! https://vector808.jimdofree.com"

And the full interview:

RC-808 in Dommune Setouchi 2019
video upload by vector criterion

"Tadao Kikumoto gets interviewed from DJ Hisashi Saito, and galcid Lena, about how he and his R&D team tried to develop the legendary TR-808.

Then they delve deep into the RC-808 Re-Create the 808 drum synthesizer to actually see, hear, and experience the real original intention behind developing the TR-808.

This was originally live streamed as a part of Dommune Synthesizer Academy Part 5 on Aug 22, 2019 from below channel.

http://www.dommune.com

Big thanks to Naohiro Ukawa from Dommune for providing us the video, together with DJ Hisashi Saito and glacid Lena for the awesome interview, to let our memeh spread through the wold wide web.

Find out more details such as development episodes, secrets behind the Mid-O Series, and download the RC-808 on Re-Create the 808 website, the only resource from the true originators themselves!! https://vector808.jimdofree.com"

Test Drive The TR-808 For Free!!

Roland Cloud

"Have you ever wanted to try the authentic Roland TR-808? To hear the real original sounds? Do you want to get to know the drum machine that changed music? Now's your chance!

Test drive the Roland TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer and all of our TR-808 patch collections from August 8th to 31st, for free with a Roland Account—no membership required."

Roland TR Drum Machine Videos by snolan1990

First Play With Roland TR-727

YouTube via snolan1990

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland TR-808 8/08 Day 2019 Vintage Drum Machine Jam

Published on Aug 8, 2019 Perfect Circuit

"Even if you aren't an electronic music producer you have probably heard about Roland's TR-808 drum machine. Since today is 8/08 we decided to celebrate with this jam on a vintage 808.

This particular 808 is modified adding a few extra controls and making the clap sound especially massive. Check out our signal article which has more info about the famous TR-808 (https://www.perfectcircuit.com/signal...).

#PerfectCircuit #TR808 #808'

See the 808 Day label below for more.

Roland Introduces New MC-101 & MC-707 Groveboxes

Published on Sep 5, 2019 RolandChannel

Playlist:
Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX for Live Electronic Music Producers and Production
Roland MC-101 GROOVEBOX for Beatmakers and Mobile Producers
Roland MC-101 GROOVEBOX: Overview
Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX: Overview
Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX: Performance
Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX: Production
Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX: Sound

ROLAND MC707 User Videos


Playlist:
ROLAND MC707 IN-DEPTH REVIEW - BoBeats
Roland MC-707: Unboxing & Playing - Doctor Mix
Roland MC707 Groovebox - Hands On - Future Music Magazine
Roland MC707 Groovebox | Roland 1909 Launches - sonicstate
1st test with the Drum Machine part of the Roland MC 707 - Sound Provider


"The Roland MC-707 GROOVEBOX has everything electronic music producers need to create a song or perform a live set without a computer. The MC-707 is armed with an eight-track sequencer optimized for fluid production, our latest deep synthesis engine, a powerful sampler, massive effects palette and 16 ultra-sensitive pads for playing or sequencing drum parts, melodic basslines, or polyphonic chord progressions.

The MC-707’s eight-track sequencer is made for today's electronic-focused music styles and ever-evolving subgenres. The TR-REC step sequencer is just like those found on classic Roland drum machines, perfect for building rhythm parts quickly. There are also 16 ultra-sensitive pads for playing or sequencing drum parts, melodic basslines, or polyphonic chord progressions.

The MC-707 features our latest sound engine, which fuses virtual analog and modern PCM. It’s flexible, powerful, and lets you dig deep into its sonic capabilities. It has the sounds of legendary Roland rhythm machines and synthesizers that are the foundation of electronic music—including the TR-808, TR-909, TB-303, JUNO-106, and SH-101. But the MC-707 also looks forward, with modern digital and hybrid sounds perfect for creating future classics—today.

In addition to its deep synthesis engine, the MC-707 has a powerful sampler with on-the-fly recording that synchronizes to your project's tempo and works as an updateable and expandable platform that never gets stale. Keep things fresh with new loops, one-shots, phrases, and synth sounds—all available online."


"The Roland MC-101 GROOVEBOX combines premium-quality synthesizer and drum sounds, samples, patterns and effects in a compact four-track sequencer that’s go-everywhere portable. Create whenever, and wherever, inspiration strikes with this pocket production studio and add performance-ready tracks to your DAWless or compact synthesizer setup.

The MC-101 has a four-track sequencer optimized for beatmakers, producers and mobile music makers creating today's electronic and dance-oriented music. You can use the 16 ultra-sensitive RGB pads to create drum, bass, and synthesizer patterns and create your own original music. It's your musical playground, where you can freely combine loops and one-shots with melodic phrases including your own imported audio recordings and MIDI sequences. Compose and trigger clips, rearrange, re-sample, record your knob movements, and more.

On top of that, add the Roland sounds that have defined electronic and dance genres for over forty years. Legendary instruments like the TR-808, TR-909, JUNO-106 and SH-101 are all here, ready to replicate classic sounds or be combined, tweaked, and processed into entirely new sounds.

With the MC-101's massive effects palette, your music sounds polished and fully-produced. Each track has independent effects processors with a huge number of variations. The lush chorus brings depth to pads and other synth sounds. Delays and reverbs create evocative spaces and add movement to delicate sequences. Overdrive, distortion, and amp simulation add grit and intensity to synths, guitars, drums and more. You can also run your entire mix through master effects like filters, bit-crushers and a master bus compressor that glues it all together with punch and clarity."

Roland TR-08 Drum Machine demo ft. The Egyptian Lover (King of the TR-808)

PSSL ProSound and Stage Lighting
Published on Aug 8, 2017

"The Egyptian Lover - king of the TR-808, analog loyalist and 80s synth pioneer - gives you a first look at the brand new Roland Boutique TR-08 Drum Machine, an ultra-compact recreation of the famed Roland TR-808."

Roland TR-08 details posted here.

ROLAND SN-R8-10 DANCE & ELECTRONIC Cards - TR-808 & TR-909 & CR78

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

ROLAND SN-R8-10 DANCE card via this auction

ROLAND SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC card via this auction.

DANCE CARD:

No. Instrument Name R8 Display Name Nuance
1 TR-909 Kick 909_K Y
2 CR-78 Kick 78_K Y
3 Boing Kick BOING_K Y
4 Video Kick VIDEO_K Y
5 TR-909 Snare 909_S Y
6 CR-78 Snare 78_S Y
7 Boing Snare BOING_S Y
8 Video Snare VIDEO_S Y
9 Dance Snare DANCE_S Y
10 House Snare HOUSE_S Y
11 Trash Snare TRASH_S Y
12 TR-909 Side Stick 909SIDE
13 TR-909 Tom Tom 909_T Y

CLICK FOR MORE »

Roland Museum Germany Massive Synthesizer Selloff - Most Gear for Sale in a Single Auction

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

This one in via Marko of Retrosound.de.

26.000,00 Euro gets it all.

via this auction

Someone needs to contact the Guiness Book of World Records. Longest list of gear for sale ever:

CLICK FOR MORE »

32 VINTAGE DRUM KITS ON YOUR SOLTON PROGRAMMER 24

Note: Auction links are affiliate links for which the site may be compensated.
video upload by

"We were asked to beta test a new modification for the Solton Programmer 24 - expanding the drum section from a single kit to 32 vintage drum machines.
It adds the classics like the three Linn Drum machines, the Roland TR-808, TR-909, Roland CR78, Korg Mini Pops 7 as well as lesser known machines like the Elka Drummer One, Elka Drum Star 80, EKO Ritmo 20, Siel MDP40, Wersimatic 24, CRB Computer drums and many more 🤩
The additional 31 drum kits will perform just like the original Solton Programmer 24 drum section.

This is a total game changer for more than the obvious reasons - the Solton Programmer 24 has a sequencer, 8 separate drum volume sliders and 8 audio outputs as well as trigger capabilities for the individual drum sounds. It also sends clock and has Midi in/out/thru so it can be easily incorporated to whatever you got cooking with other machines.

It’s a non-invasive modification and fully reversible - no soldering - no drilling holes anywhere - it's installed by simply removing the four original drums eproms inside and hooking up a small additional board in place of two of them.

The modificationis divided in 4 memory banks of 4 drum kits each - you program the banks to your preference - this way you can quickly switch between the drum kits you use the most - or you can of course toggle through all the 32 drum kits sequentially.
Programming the memory banks is easy and sll the instructions you need are provided on Reverb :

https://reverb.com/item/79089448-spec...

The Solton Programmers drum section can accomodate 13 drum sounds per kit.
Some of the drum machines included featured have considerably less sounds and in those cases Andrea, the inventor and seller of the drum chip, has added more drum sounds in the same realm as the drum machine in question.
Due to the architecture of the Solton Programmer 24 the sample rate is 8 bit PCM 22500 Hz which sounds low but is definitely sufficient to maintain character and punchiness - I think it sounds damn good.
This video was made a few months ago and features a trial version that's now been upgraded - clips and smaller issues sometimes heard in the video have been ironed out and fixed on the version that's available for purchase.

Here's the complete list of featured drum machines

CLICK FOR MORE »

Baseck Plays: Roland TR-06 Drum Machine With Eurorack

Perfect Circuit

"​@baseck came to our studio to record some sounds with the new Roland TR-06. This is the newest Roland Boutique and it hast the looks and sounds of a vintage TR-606 drum machine. The TR-06 also has TR-808 and TR-909 sounds built in as well as multiple built in distortions and delays.

There are 5 trigger outputs on the TR-06, making it perfect for triggering eurorack modules or standalone drum synths with trigger inputs. You can also use it to advance a melodic sequencer and have all of your timing controlled by the TR-06. Also the TR-06 feels even more solid in your hands than a 606 which was made of plastic.

Timeline:

00:00 TR-06 with eurorack
01:31 What Baseck likes about the TR-06
02:07 TR-06 by itself

Roland TR-06 available here: https://www.perfectcircuit.com/roland..."

And one from Basek's channel:

BASECK - ROLAND TR6-S BEAT

baseck

"My directorial debut I hope you enjoy"

TR-808 Dark Techno

Roland Cloud

"Crafted by sound designer Mike Frade of Raw Loops, TR-808 Dark Techno features 32 patterns and 32 kits for Roland’s software recreation of the iconic TR-808 drum machine.

TR-808 Dark Techno combines melodic percussion with club-thumping distortion for a taste of the dark side. Inspired by the ever-evolving world of Berlin Techno, Mike Frade has crafted 32 unique rhythms and 32 brain-rattling kits to infuse your backbeats with midnight magic.

Download the TR-808 Software Rhythm Composer TR-808 Dark Techno today—available with Roland Cloud Ultimate and Pro memberships."

Roland TR 808

via this auction

"original Roland TR 808

What has been done ?

★ power supply caps changed
★ all old Alps switches changed
★ cleaned and factory adjusted

Have a look at the pictures below to see what has been done.

If you want to have the 808 with Midi upgrade we can offer a CHD for EUR 149,- incl. work.

All original old caps and switches which were replaced will be included."

inside a Roland TR-808

Delptronics LDB-1 + TR-606 + TR-808

Published on Feb 27, 2013

"This is a side by side comparison of the same patterns playing on a Delptronics LDB-1, a Roland TR-606, and a Roland TR-808. All three use analog circuitry (no samples). The 606 circuitry is a simpler version of the 808, and the LDB-1 is simpler still. They all sound great, just a little different. Of course the prices are different too - a new LDB-1 is $240, a used 606 is $450 or more, and a used 808 is around $3,400 (and rising).

No effects were used. The volumes of each instrument were turned all the way up, except the 808 rim shot which is really loud at full volume. The LDB-1 and TR-606 do not have tuning per instrument. On the 808, the tuning of each instrument was set in the middle, except for the kick, which was set as low as it goes - because that's where everyone sets it. :)

For more info, or to purchase the LDB-1, go to http://delptronics.com/ldb1.php"

Delptronics on eBay

Roland TR-808 High Pitch Snare Drum

YouTube Uploaded by intromix on Sep 23, 2011

"Here is a comparison between two Roland TR-808 Drum machines. The first one is a demonstration of a later production 808 with the "average snare" sound. The second 808 is the one I currently own and is an earlier produced 808 with the High Pitch Snare Drum that alot of 808 pioneers are hunting for. I love all the sounds in this one compared to the first 808 I owned, the ONLY downfall in the 808 with the high pitch snare is the 3 Cymbals, they sound nowhere near as bright and clean as the first 808 I owned with the average pitch snare drum."

Roland TR-808 Versus TR-08 Demo

Published on Sep 9, 2017 Machiwoomiapoo

"Roland TR-808 Versus TR-08
Here's a comparison video between the Roland TR-808 and the TR-08. Please have a good listen and leave your opinions below. Take care, Sam."