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Roland TR-808

 

 

 

roland tr808
info Country: Japan
Weight: 5Kg
Dimensions: n/a
audio demo trend price : 2500€
manual demo video comments

Roland TR-808
Rhythm Composer (1980)


Transistor Rhythm 808 maybe the most famous drum machine in the world along with the Roland TR-909.

Created by the Japanese dreamteam: Makoto Murio, Matsuoka and Nakamura.

 

computer controlled drum machine
real time sequencer

info DRUM MACHINE main panel features 2 buttons, 18 tactile buttons, 8 switches, 6 encoders and 27 knobs.


Back panel terminal connectors:
- 1 master out low impedance
- 1 master out high impedance
- 11 individual outputs
- 3 trigger outputs (generates +5V pulses)
- pedalswitch input start/stop
- pedalswitch input for fill in




info VOICE main core based on a 4-bits microcontroller UPD650C-085 special custom Roland (version 0.85) manages 11 analog channels with individual gain mix.
The voice board generates 16 analog percussions which 8 of them are circuit-shared.


cpu



info SOUNDS the percussion sounds can be edited with serveral parameters :

pot 808 Kick
- tone tunes the pitch
- decay set the relative lenght

pot 808 Snare
- tone tunes the pitch
- snappy sets the amount of white noise

pot 808 Low tom / Low conga
- tuning sets the pitch

pot 808 Mid tom / Mid conga
- tuning sets the pitch

pot 808 High tom / High conga
- tuning sets the pitch

pot 808 Claves / Rimshot - no controls

pot 808 Maracas / Claps - no controls

pot 808 Cowbell - no controls

pot 808 Cymbal
- tone
- decay lenght

pot 808 Open hihat
- decay

pot 808 Closed hihat
- no controls

 

 

info SEQUENCER there are 2 ways to enter rhythm patterns:
- real-time: select an instruments, start the machine and hit TAP button.
- step mode: start and push one of the 16 switches steps
Each part is split in A-B segment and the step number adjustable up to 16 x 2 parts then patterns are chained to make a whole SONG.
SYNC internal frequency clock range from 33 to 300 BPM or external sync (5-DINS) at 24 PPQ compliant with other machines like Roland TR-606, MC-202 or TB-303.

 

rec

rec

 

 

info QUICK PROGRAMMING GUIDE

pot 808 Stop the rhythm with the START/STOP button. Set the MODE selector to PATTERN CLEAR.
pot 808 Select either the A or B Mode (VARIATION) and create a pattern with the STEP buttons
pot 808 Press the CLEAR button
pot 808Set the MODE selector to PATTERN WRITE 1st PART.
pot 808 Press the START/STOP button
pot 808 Choose the PRE-SCALE
pot 808 Press the CLEAR button (you have now memorized the scaling)
pot 808 While pressing the CLEAR button, press the key for steps.
pot 808 Choose the instrument with the INSTRUMENT/TRACK selector
pot 808 Press the steps that are to be programmed
pot 808 Program the other instrument sounds and ACCENT by repeating steps (9) and (10)
pot 808 Press the START/STOP button when programming has been completed.




 

info MEMORY
- 64 patterns
- 768 measures
Memory system works with 1.5V batteries in the latch.

inside tr808 repair



 

info MODIFICATION there are many possible modification for this cult machine, some tonals some with enanced features. Here's my personal MOD:
- Midi fitted Midi IN with velocities and Midi OUT for controlling other units
- sync to an external Midi clock.
- rackmounted case -now sold-


midi tr808 tr808 rackmount

gallery:
808 808 808 808 808 808 808 808



info RELATED MODELS:

aira tr8

 

Roland Aira TR-08 digital version of both 808 and 909 with enhanced features and new design.

AUDIO TEST: TR-8 VS TR-808 PAGE

Studio electronics "HARVEY"

Studio electronics "HARVEY" a smart rackmount operation by SE. They did a lot of similar job with other machine like P5 (prophet5) or OBIE rack.

808 yocto

Clones:

- ACIDLAB MIAMI devastating kick VIDEO
- YOCTO 808 a clone in kit VIDEO
- NOVATION DRUM STATION rackmount digital emulation
- MFB 522 handheld


 

effet VST PLUGIN & SAMPLED there are some free and commercial samples set, app and VST:

  name price demo
dr55 free samples

- trash audio
-wave alchemy
-deephouseamsterdam-goldbaby

free samples
N/A
samplephonic samplephonic commercial
VST PLUGIN
video
boom 808 ios boom 808 commercial (APP for IOS) video


 

demo AUDIO DEMO

demo pattern rhythm
demo jam
demo groovy
demo pattern 2
demo cowbell special :)




video VIDEO CLIP SELECTION

A close up look at the Roland TR-808 Roland TR-808 DEMO Roland TR-808/Juno-60
with volca bass sync DEMO with Juno-60 synth

 

tr808 drum machine


hi res picture

 




manual
ROLAND TR808 MANUAL

 


service manual tr808
SERVICE MANUAL SCHEMATICS

 

TR-808 THE MOVIE
808 the movie
video THE TRAILER

 

 


Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing
video Sexual Healing

 


Beastie Boys Brass Monkey
video Beastie Boys Brass Monkey


tr808 technical data
info original brochure

 

tr808 flyer
info original brochure

 

original scan
info original brochure

 

tr808 from ebay
infoinfo

 


shirt from ebay
infoinfo




fun pic
infoinfo


tr808 fashion
infoinfo


picture 808
infoinfo

picture 808
infoinfo

tr808 usb
infoinfo

usb toy
infoinfo

cake
infoinfo

 


Roland TR-808 FOR SALE

Roland TR808 FOR SALE
CHECK OUT EBAY OFFERS

 

 

 

808 sequencer audio demo edit tr808


manual

- sound
- old school myth
-sequencer

manual

- second hand high prices.


comment

Review: " pure history, immortal sound. Today too pricey but it is worth for a piece of legend."

 
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COMMENTS

 

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all snapshots*, sounds, texts copyright Polynominal.com / Eric Pochesci
* yocto mfb pictures from official webistes
*gadget merchandising from ebay auctions
* swimsuit by ETSY

roland tr808 4.5 out of 5 based on 40 ratings. price €2000