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I have an original TR808 and have once owned a Roland TR-8 so it was fairly easy for me to pick out the original 808 in the blind test. One thing that clearly gave it away was the sound of the hihats. I like the hihats on the TR808 better.
808 hihats can cut glass. That aside what I love about the 808 is the ability to open the hood and play with the tweak pots inside. Then it really can get interesting ...
I would grab a TR-8S, but I just love my Digitakt too much :’) I can feel the analog character on the 808 only some times, but it’s so slight. Getting the 808 today should be more for its collectors value than its functionality since it’s clear what it does is done good enough by other machines. :)
Great video. Had an original 808 back in the 80’s & early 90’s but sold it. Replaced it with rebirth 338 software vst back in 1996. Wouldn’t pay ridiculous hyped up money for it today as you can easily get a good 808 sound from the much cheaper TR8s & Roland’s I cloud versions.
Nice video. Here's a couple of additions and corrections. 1. Although the TR-808 was pre-midi, it used Roland's Sync-24 protocol that also had the same 5-pin DIN plug. Plenty of later devices had BOTH din sync-24 and midi to bridge between the two types of sync like the TR-909, 707, 727, Roland's SBX sync boxes and even some MPCs. I have fond memories of jamming with friends using an TR-808, with a 909, 707, or 727 providing the master clock, and MIDI syncing a newer Yamaha or Korg machine. Everyone on separate drum machines like an electronic drum circle. 2. The TR-808 can shift the scale to triplet shuffle, which gives you an ultra-swinging beat. Think swing stuck cranked all the way up. 3. If you want the retro experience, Roland still makes a Boutique version of the 808, the TR-08, which has the ACB tech, but works nearly exactly like an original TR-808. It's larger the 6S, but still 1/3 the size of the original TR-808.
When I listened to the blind test, I thought the first machine was the real tr-808. I was very surprised when I saw that the first machine was tr-6s, according to my ears, the digital version sounds better than the original. I will definitely use my Tr-8s more frequently after this test and sell my Behringer Rd-8 :-)
Really interesting comparison. I picked the 808 out as sounding /better/ each time, but I think I was just picking the brighter sounding one, so I was actually surprised that it was the 808
The 808 easily puts out frequencies up to 96,000 Hertz. I recorded mine with 192kHz sampling rate and that was not even enough to completely cover its frequency spectrum.
On my studio monitors I preferred the sound of the TR-6S. But on my home stereo system, the TR-808 was more pleasing. My preference is certainly the TR-6S, but I think that I'm more accustomed to music produced today and the TR-6S fits that sound better.
i love my808..I use Logic Pro X to control it and I use Izotpe plug-ins to clean my baby up, If you really love the OG 808 sound then go for it, it was always my dream to own this drum machine, you could midi control it to keep it on time and the sound will always be original to you,
Even if the 808 sounds “better” (I certainly couldn’t really tell on my phone), except for the very first sample which sounded a hair snappier, you have to consider that the 6S/8S is cheaper, much easier to obtain, and when you buy one, has the equivalent of EVERY influential drum machine Roland has ever released. I recently got a 6S, and while it has its advantages, I already want an 8S! Anyway, I also like that you have CHOICES for you experience. For example, if only the 808 interests you, you can get the TR-08 from the Boutique line, which offers the sound and an updated but vintage feeling interface - but at $399, why wouldn’t you want access to all the kits? Wanna save on desk space or integrate with a DAW? Roland Cloud has ALL those machines modeled really well as VST instruments, and all those devices utilize the ACB technology. As a hobbyist, I personally think that there’s never been a better time to enjoy musical instruments like these. The way I see it, the original instruments seem more like vanity items the way they are priced. Not gonna lie - I’ve been a Roland fanboy ever since I purchased my first Synth (Roland Alpha Juno-1) and drum kit (TR-707). Love the way they continue to embrace their legacy with all these modern options!
2:58 1,200 U$D from 1980 would be around 4,000 U$D now. Which is not THAT far off what these units actually cost. I do agree that the actual prices are quite high. 3:58 That is just Roland's stance. I mean their claim back then was "we design the future." It's just not their thing to re-do stuff. And imho, this way of thinking brought us all these iconic instruments. The Mid-0-series, the Jupiters and the Junos. Yes, tons of features on any of these new machines. Like times 100. But... Lots of songs we really like were made with very limited equipment. And... if you really want an 808, you buy one. An 808. That's what I just did some months ago. I looked into all available alternatives. And none of them would have gotten me an 808. Except an 808 =) I do not measure the joy of making music by the price of the tools needed. I really do like being in front of actual machines. I do not enjoy endless menus or even endless feature sets and possibilites, because in this case, I just wanted what the 808 delivers 100% instantly. It is just so present (direct) and round (kinda soft) sounding in the very same moment. 8:08 Yes, no MIDI, but DIN Sync IN and OUT. Which is super stable and does the job perfectly. You may want to look into a master clock anyway if you use multiple machines. So I got the E-RM #multiclock which has four channels, each switchable between MIDI or DIN Sync clock. On top of that it gives you the possibility of shifting these four channels in time against each other AND apply shuffle to the clocks. Which lets the 808 shuffle, also the 303 for instance. Or the 909, 707 and 727 in finer amounts that their internal shuffle. So. (:28 can easily be solved with a Multiclock or an ACME-4 by SND. 9:20 "it's a lot of work" Yes, why not put in some solid work? Great analogue mixing consoles are very cheap these days. So are decent outboard effect units. 13:58 I got all comparisons right. Without thinking about it too much. No "internal overanalyzing" 😅 I just picked what I LIKED better. And it turned out to be the 808. Again, I don't judge my joy in money. What I like to do is to compare it to other fields. Look at oldtimer cars. Older Porsches, Mercedes-Benz'es and so on. There are cheaper modern cars out there with tons of features which will do the job of transporting people and goods from A to B just fine or even better as in faster and safer. Are they fun? Will you be satisfied with a modern Hyundai if you really wanted that vintage Porsche 911? Not sure. That being said, let's just not get too crazy about this topic. It's just music. In my part, pure hobby on an amateur level. Which I enjoy very much in my spare time. 🕊️ 🟥🟥🟥🟥🟧🟧🟧🟧🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
I like the TR-8S more for everything except for the cymbals the TR-808 hats is ice cold! But on the TR8S i love layering different sounds to make 1 unique kick, snare....plus the FX's are great quality for a drum machine🥁
Interesting. I did pick the 808 every time and I do think it’s better, but not for the price. However, it does reinforce my impression that true analog does offer something special that digital recreations don’t exactly replicate.
@@LiamKillen It is super interesting. I suspect there is some kind of difference between analog and digital that is perceived but is very hard to describe. Some people may prefer one or other. Were people in general consistent within their own choices, or were a lot of choices seemingly just random guesses? More data might be needed. For the price, with fx, etc, the 6s is pretty awesome though! :)
analogue individual outs and the ability to mod it are additional points - helps to have sep. fx for drum sounds when mixing, put it thru different compression types and post leveling etc. personally would go for the analogue clones out there, the re808 is looking like the best contender 4 it's price
I'd rather have the Behringer RD-8. $459.00 CAD. (I'm a broke joke) Side note: I was about to sign up for Distrokid, glad I stumbled on the discount. Thanks man! I really enjoy your tutorials and product reviews. keep it up👍👍
I failed the first one but I learned from the mistake... the 6s sounds more dynamic and sharp, the 808 sounds more compressed and warm, with a more cohesive mix Once I learned from the first error the rest was obvious, but the fact that I initially associated the sharp attacks (which I like) with an analog device makes me think about what I really want. By now the 6s is a great option, especially for a live set
You can tell with the snare, but it's not better just different. I have the 6s I think it's awesome, and if I had the money to choose, I'd still get the 6s.
you know what I've realised.. my 808 kit from my EMU E4xt sampler sounds even better than my tr6s. it actually sounds sizzly and crisper than the tr6s(which also sounds really good)
Just get yourself a din sync replica, somewhere midway between the two. I got the original for a good price and enjoy sampling it into different sampler, it’s a classic, just grooves nicely, always a blast, and the accent track is pretty underrated, same with 3 trigger outs for synths. 6s, good for travelling but honestly, I would just use software.
I've been trying to decide between the tr-08/rd-8, tr-09/rd-09 and the 8s for awhile and I feel like this might have finally convinced me to go with the 6s
Got the first one wrong, but when I knew what each machine sounded like I got them right in the other tests. To be honest I prefer the sound of the TR-6S.
got all 3 right in the blind test, but the difference is so subtle its negligible, especially with other instruments in a track. and the digital roland acb sounds a lot better than behringer's analog 808 clone in my opinion. i'm not a behringer hater by any means btw, i just think the acb 808s sound better lol.
Thank you for this. I'm coming in late, just considering the 6s for the first time. I did guess correctly which was which in each instance. Not sure if the differences are obvious or significant in a scenario where there is no A/B comparison-like in real music, so i can't say the old 808 is "worth" $8,000 more than the new box. I wonder if importing samples into the 6s gets it closer, or if the 'magic' in the old box is somehow not duplicable just by sampling.
I was 2 out of 3. Listened on studio monitors via motu 8A. I thought the analog was better. I have a feeling the difference is more striking when there is no TH-cam compression. It might not be 6K difference and maybe you could EQ them to be even more identical.
Yes, It is actually hard to record! And prosumer gear is quickly overstrained with the amount of energy an 808 puts out. High quality gear can handel it though. But then again, when being recorded, some of that sound goes away. For real, these machines just feel very "right" in reality. Same with a 909 or 303. I recorded my 808 in 192kHz, to see what is going on in the frequency spectrum and was amazed to see that it easily puts out frequencies up to 96,000 Hertz.
I picked 808 both times based on “best sounding” And last one i did pick each correctly. I’m new and do not have a tuned ear so i’m surpriced! But it’s not worth it for anything less than perhaps a record producer imho
I was actually surprised how easy it was to tell the real 808... And yes it does sound better. But $5000 better? Nope! What would be really interesting is to put ACB to the test vs simple 808 samples, or maybe a VST 808 emulation. The 6S is cute but the only real advantage I see over a sampler (hardware or virtual) is the control offered by the faders
Looking forward to checking this out when I have my headphones. Consensus seems to be that there's a noticable difference but not life-altering. Be interesting to see what it would take to get the 6S closer. A hint of overdrive?
for 808 sounds obviously nothing beats a real 808, but i like the 6s anyway though as just something different, it's just a cool little machine and pretty cheap
pretty easy to tell the difference surprisingly but I still not close to being worth $6000. The thing is though the tr6s has a very different workflow and hardware compared to the 808... Especially as it doesnt have multiple outputs or any trigger outs like the 808 does so depending on your studio and how your signal flow works it might not even really be an equivalent. ie if you have a lot of outboard analog gear, mixers effects, analog synths etc. In that case something like an rd-6 would be more fun and make more sense than the tr-6s. But either way I couldnt imagine buying an original 808 unless you just have a ton of disposable income..
@@LiamKillen interesting I guess if you had a multichannel soundcard you could then route multiple stuff to your hardware rig (seems a bit redundant with the sorts of plugins daws have on offer I guess) but thats cool either way even better argument then
Also a cool option and uses that same ACB tech. Thing is that’s all it does! Tr-6S has all of the classic Roland drum sounds and is generally much more capable for I think a similar price.
@@LiamKillen i get that, but uou were only comparing it to the 808 and how the ACB was compared to anologue, so just seems the tr-08 would have been the best comarison. I love your vids, i just didnt understand why the tr6s? 😁
You are a Sonic Relativist if you think the TR-6S sounds the same as a real analog 808. You also claim that the 707 and other sounds are also in the TR-6S--they are NOT the same. Also, acting bewildered at why the 808s are "so expensive" is incredibly disingenuous. You known darn well why they cost so much. I've owned a TR-8S and for all it claims to do, the voices sound less like an analog machine and more like an old lady queefing. Tell the truth, Liam!
@@LiamKillen was it a clean recording? It sounds that you highlighted the tr6s. I heard a comparison between tr909 vs. Tr8s and tr8s sounded flat in comparison, so i was wondering why the tr6s sounded so crisp
Damn I got the first test right and missed the last two tests! Why pay thousands of dollars when you can get virtually the same sound for way less? Not to mention the extra features the new ones have.
Another ridiculous thing is that in the old Roland manuals the exact circuit schematics are presented for all the sounds. You could just get the components, get a breadboard and make the same analog 808 kick sound yourself with a little help of soldering iron. Your time would cost more than the components needed. People are crazy with money these days.
@@wackerburg That really isn't an issue. No two 808 sound exactly the same. Nobody hears the difference inside a mix. I have made people think they are hearing 808 while the instrument was actually a Drumbrute. Golden ears are rare. Surely there are snobs who cannot be satisfied... even with pair of 808s. And nowadays, people just buy a Behringer and start crushing those outputs, which is perfectly fine. The RD-8 is unbeatable in value at the moment.
@@beaticulous Yes, once you're sensing these differences, which are really bold regarding an 808 and the mentioned RD-8, you simply cannot stand one of these machines. I also do not like line arrays, compression drivers for midrange or mp3s. I simply cannot enjoy it and... since great alternatives are easily accessible, I use those. Some people care, most don't. Many DO have the choice. Also true for food. And that's more important, actually. Cheers! 🙂
@@wackerburg I see your point and have similar issues with some very different things. Those issues are killing enjoyment from my professional life. I want to avoid purism/perfectionism like plague in hobbies. I don't want to die twice in the same trap. Happiness lurks in the shadows of ignorance.
I would at it the complete reverse way around. Forget the gear. Now every hobby with a large cross section will have some minority of people to whom money is not an issue. People want to waste money on their hobby because the logic is the more invested (in this case financially) you are the more you must get out of it. Some people choose large collections, far more than they will ever have any practical application for. Some are completists. And some it’s all about rarity. I see this behaviour all the time in loads of different hobbies.
The price of an 808 has nothing to do with sound or it’s usability as an instrument, and has everything to with the psychology of the people who buy them
@@LiamKillen I always think “I don’t care what you own, I care about how good you are”. I’ve seen guitar players with £30k rigs and everything they play sounds like a trapped bumble bee
@Liam Killen I'm not the only one th-cam.com/video/fPDe0S1z8bI/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/l7gWfumNUXo/w-d-xo.html th-cam.com/video/9bw2ndVQNp0/w-d-xo.html
Duuuiide! Back in the day the XoX series was dirt f’n cheap. My first 808 I bought for 20usd. The start/stop button never worked and it was hell to sync with anything. Second one was given to me. It’s ALLLLL about the hype. People made music with those *because* it was cheap. And people are willing to pay the price only because of that hype. The OG units are clunky and only usable for sampling
The original units only became inexpensive when digital drummachines took over. They may be somewhat clunky but very usable, I prefer using them directly instead of sampling their sounds. Current prices are beyond ridiculous though, all hyped until no one is able to buy them anymore.
The inflated price has more to do with the economy of 2020 than the 808 itself. Supply of goods across the whole market dropped because of covid, driving used gear demand, driving the comparative vintage demand. It could be an artificial effect of covid that will settle back to pre-pandemic levels. Not sure, but I wouldn't buy an 808 as an "investment," and with samples and ACB machines so good...it's not worth it anyway.
The sound of the TR6S is very impressive, i have the real TR808 and if i close my eyes...i can ’t tell the difference with my TR6S, except for the HiHats, i prefer the true 808 HiHats sounds, the TR6S can’t beat it. But i sold my TR6S with no regrets, but not because of the sound quality : - The general size is way too small - Plastic, Plastic everywhere... - Way too much menu diving - The "screen" is a total JOKE - No physical separeted output (i work with a DAWless configuration, i never use and don’t want to use a computer) - No 9V or 12V adaptator in the box, just batteries (seriously Roland???) - I can’t stand the ergonomy with the extensive use of the SHIFT button... - Quality of the faders I play Techno live very often, and it’s not very simple in a Live situation, the machine is too small, sometimes you want to change a parameter, but you’re changing the wrong parameter...not very cool, the number of knobs are so limited unfortunately. The previous TR8 Aira was better in term of size, and ergonomy, if you compare with the TR6S, i’m talking about the ergonomy, not the sounds. Yes, the TR8S is avalaible, but it’s not my thing, it’s too complicated, too much menu diving, with a ridiculous 90's style "screen" (for more than 600 $, really Roland?) and too much things inside, it’s subjective for sure. The TR6S is not a bad machine, the sounds are good, but the ergonomy, the size, and the workflow are horrible, i had no pleasure to play with when i had it, everytime i was so pissed, disappointed by this complicated, stupid ergonomy. If you want the 808 sounds with the simplicity and the ergonomy of the TR808 buy a real TR808, or the RD8 from Behringer for example. But if you want all the TR’s from Roland and more, if you want a handy, compact, drum machine and if the size and the workflow of the TR6S are okay for you....go with the TR6S, but this TR6S doesn’t have the feeling of the real TR808, not especially for the sounds, but the feeling of the buttons, knobs, a feeling of a good old TR808. It’s up to everyone, but for me, the hardware feeling, workflow is very important, i don’t care if the drum machine has 500000 sounds if the workflow is horrible ;)
Tr 808 sounds wild and untamed like you can feel the circuits buzzing inside and thats the magic .. i think the other drum machine sounds too compressed and radio ready aka boring
Just my two cents: This is all driven by hype. I have never understood why people are so insistent on matching the exact sound (sic) of some retro instrument. The artists who used this in the late '80s were looking for something new and different and would love some of the new gear available today. Why are we all trying to be sheep, stuck in some idea that 'they' had all the good gear and we have to sound just like them? Move on, innovate, and create new sounds let the past stay where it belongs.
I respect your opinion but also think that 808 sounds are still very relevant you hear them on modern records all the time- so having something that replicates them authentically is a good tool to have. Owning it is just unaffordable.
The comments section of this video reflect how pretty much no one is able to tell the difference between a 400 $ unit vs a multi thousand $ unit- and in many cases people liked the 6s better. Kind of speaks for itself
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which part of the video has a blind fold test?
Liam synthpalace is in Montreal!!!!
In all those blind tests I always like the TR-6s better 😀 So now I got one one!
oh you bought it!?
@@LiamKillen Yeah it was the missing piece for beats in my setup that that the OP-Z couldn’t quite deliver
ahhh yeah i get it
I have an original TR808 and have once owned a Roland TR-8 so it was fairly easy for me to pick out the original 808 in the blind test. One thing that clearly gave it away was the sound of the hihats. I like the hihats on the TR808 better.
Username checks out 😆🍺
I’m absolutely with you there
that’s the one thing i always liked more about the 808
for real though
808 hihats can cut glass. That aside what I love about the 808 is the ability to open the hood and play with the tweak pots inside. Then it really can get interesting ...
This was a great video. I guess I had always wondered what a "REAL" 808 sounds like but never thought the comparison would be possible
Yeah cuz of the price right? lol- the price is NOT right
I would grab a TR-8S, but I just love my Digitakt too much :’)
I can feel the analog character on the 808 only some times, but it’s so slight. Getting the 808 today should be more for its collectors value than its functionality since it’s clear what it does is done good enough by other machines. :)
Oh yeah at this point…it’s a collectors item
Great video. Had an original 808 back in the 80’s & early 90’s but sold it. Replaced it with rebirth 338 software vst back in 1996. Wouldn’t pay ridiculous hyped up money for it today as you can easily get a good 808 sound from the much cheaper TR8s & Roland’s I cloud versions.
Yeah it’s just not worth it anymore
@@LiamKillen Thanks 😊
Super interesting. Thanks for this. And yes, more info on ACB would also be interesting!
Alright!! 🎈🎊🔆
Nice video. Here's a couple of additions and corrections.
1. Although the TR-808 was pre-midi, it used Roland's Sync-24 protocol that also had the same 5-pin DIN plug. Plenty of later devices had BOTH din sync-24 and midi to bridge between the two types of sync like the TR-909, 707, 727, Roland's SBX sync boxes and even some MPCs. I have fond memories of jamming with friends using an TR-808, with a 909, 707, or 727 providing the master clock, and MIDI syncing a newer Yamaha or Korg machine. Everyone on separate drum machines like an electronic drum circle.
2. The TR-808 can shift the scale to triplet shuffle, which gives you an ultra-swinging beat. Think swing stuck cranked all the way up.
3. If you want the retro experience, Roland still makes a Boutique version of the 808, the TR-08, which has the ACB tech, but works nearly exactly like an original TR-808. It's larger the 6S, but still 1/3 the size of the original TR-808.
Thanks for this! And yeah- I wish i had the 08
Which MPC has DIN Sync?
I think the x/one + live
@@LiamKillen I only see CV/gate, no DIN Sync 🤷♂️
I liked the TR6S more in the first two examples. I'm going to buy one. 🙂
You will not be disappointed
When I listened to the blind test, I thought the first machine was the real tr-808.
I was very surprised when I saw that the first machine was tr-6s, according to my ears, the digital version sounds better than the original.
I will definitely use my Tr-8s more frequently after this test and sell my Behringer Rd-8 :-)
Hail ACB!
Really interesting comparison. I picked the 808 out as sounding /better/ each time, but I think I was just picking the brighter sounding one, so I was actually surprised that it was the 808
Oh really! I thought the 808 was darker in comparison. Literally everyone’s got a different answer
The 808 easily puts out frequencies up to 96,000 Hertz. I recorded mine with 192kHz sampling rate and that was not even enough to completely cover its frequency spectrum.
Yikes .. not giving this one away ... thanks for all the coverage and comparisons .. well done .. cheers !
Cheerio
On my studio monitors I preferred the sound of the TR-6S. But on my home stereo system, the TR-808 was more pleasing. My preference is certainly the TR-6S, but I think that I'm more accustomed to music produced today and the TR-6S fits that sound better.
Yeah it's all changed- I think i'm over it with the whole OG 808 thing- ya just don't need one anymore it's not worth it.
i liked the TR-6s in the blindfold test evertime
Interesting 🤔
Everyone seems to have a different take on it
@@LiamKillen snare seems punchier (maybe how its' mixed) and there is a nicer separation of the drum sounds
Yeah these are both completely unmixed
i love taking the 6s to the park or whatever. that with the microfreak you can run both on usb batteries. my favorite combo right now.
Yeah you can cover a lot of territory with just that!
I got it right in all 7 tests, and I'm definitely not lying!!
You have the best ear then
i love my808..I use Logic Pro X to control it and I use Izotpe plug-ins to clean my baby up, If you really love the OG 808 sound then go for it, it was always my dream to own this drum machine, you could midi control it to keep it on time and the sound will always be original to you,
I’m considering doing a video using Ableton + Roland gear 😏
Even if the 808 sounds “better” (I certainly couldn’t really tell on my phone), except for the very first sample which sounded a hair snappier, you have to consider that the 6S/8S is cheaper, much easier to obtain, and when you buy one, has the equivalent of EVERY influential drum machine Roland has ever released. I recently got a 6S, and while it has its advantages, I already want an 8S!
Anyway, I also like that you have CHOICES for you experience. For example, if only the 808 interests you, you can get the TR-08 from the Boutique line, which offers the sound and an updated but vintage feeling interface - but at $399, why wouldn’t you want access to all the kits? Wanna save on desk space or integrate with a DAW? Roland Cloud has ALL those machines modeled really well as VST instruments, and all those devices utilize the ACB technology. As a hobbyist, I personally think that there’s never been a better time to enjoy musical instruments like these. The way I see it, the original instruments seem more like vanity items the way they are priced.
Not gonna lie - I’ve been a Roland fanboy ever since I purchased my first Synth (Roland Alpha Juno-1) and drum kit (TR-707). Love the way they continue to embrace their legacy with all these modern options!
Yeah! I think that these classic Roland drum sounds are here to stay for a looooong time and with good reason.
2:58 1,200 U$D from 1980 would be around 4,000 U$D now. Which is not THAT far off what these units actually cost. I do agree that the actual prices are quite high.
3:58 That is just Roland's stance. I mean their claim back then was "we design the future." It's just not their thing to re-do stuff. And imho, this way of thinking brought us all these iconic instruments. The Mid-0-series, the Jupiters and the Junos.
Yes, tons of features on any of these new machines. Like times 100. But... Lots of songs we really like were made with very limited equipment. And... if you really want an 808, you buy one. An 808. That's what I just did some months ago. I looked into all available alternatives. And none of them would have gotten me an 808. Except an 808 =)
I do not measure the joy of making music by the price of the tools needed. I really do like being in front of actual machines. I do not enjoy endless menus or even endless feature sets and possibilites, because in this case, I just wanted what the 808 delivers 100% instantly. It is just so present (direct) and round (kinda soft) sounding in the very same moment.
8:08 Yes, no MIDI, but DIN Sync IN and OUT. Which is super stable and does the job perfectly. You may want to look into a master clock anyway if you use multiple machines. So I got the E-RM #multiclock which has four channels, each switchable between MIDI or DIN Sync clock. On top of that it gives you the possibility of shifting these four channels in time against each other AND apply shuffle to the clocks. Which lets the 808 shuffle, also the 303 for instance. Or the 909, 707 and 727 in finer amounts that their internal shuffle. So. (:28 can easily be solved with a Multiclock or an ACME-4 by SND.
9:20 "it's a lot of work" Yes, why not put in some solid work? Great analogue mixing consoles are very cheap these days. So are decent outboard effect units.
13:58 I got all comparisons right. Without thinking about it too much. No "internal overanalyzing" 😅 I just picked what I LIKED better. And it turned out to be the 808. Again, I don't judge my joy in money. What I like to do is to compare it to other fields. Look at oldtimer cars. Older Porsches, Mercedes-Benz'es and so on. There are cheaper modern cars out there with tons of features which will do the job of transporting people and goods from A to B just fine or even better as in faster and safer. Are they fun? Will you be satisfied with a modern Hyundai if you really wanted that vintage Porsche 911? Not sure.
That being said, let's just not get too crazy about this topic. It's just music. In my part, pure hobby on an amateur level. Which I enjoy very much in my spare time. 🕊️
🟥🟥🟥🟥🟧🟧🟧🟧🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
Thanks for all your input! ♥️
I like the TR-8S more for everything except for the cymbals the TR-808 hats is ice cold!
But on the TR8S i love layering different sounds to make 1 unique kick, snare....plus the FX's are great quality for a drum machine🥁
Hey that’s true! They’re dirtier
Interesting. I did pick the 808 every time and I do think it’s better, but not for the price. However, it does reinforce my impression that true analog does offer something special that digital recreations don’t exactly replicate.
It’s so interesting because it seems that everyone that commented on this blindfold test had a different take- like there’s been no consistency.
@@LiamKillen It is super interesting. I suspect there is some kind of difference between analog and digital that is perceived but is very hard to describe. Some people may prefer one or other. Were people in general consistent within their own choices, or were a lot of choices seemingly just random guesses? More data might be needed. For the price, with fx, etc, the 6s is pretty awesome though! :)
thanks for the video... i finally replaced my dr-202 once i heard the 6s had those "real" 627 sounds as well as the classic roland stuff. thanks!
Roland RIPS!
as someone who owns the tr6s, its low rumble was a dead giveaway for me! also, the OG 808 in this vid seems to have a higher tonality than the tr6s
Yeah they all sound different!
analogue individual outs and the ability to mod it are additional points - helps to have sep. fx for drum sounds when mixing, put it thru different compression types and post leveling etc.
personally would go for the analogue clones out there, the re808 is looking like the best contender 4 it's price
Yeah those are dope too. Would love to get my hands on one of those,.
I'd rather have the Behringer RD-8. $459.00 CAD. (I'm a broke joke) Side note: I was about to sign up for Distrokid, glad I stumbled on the discount. Thanks man! I really enjoy your tutorials and product reviews. keep it up👍👍
Always! And thank u!
Yes I was able to pick out the 6s and 808 on the one with different grooves! Since I can only afford the 6s my opinion is leaning toward the 6s lol
Good point 😂
@@LiamKillen but something about the 6S sounded a little more punchy!
I failed the first one but I learned from the mistake... the 6s sounds more dynamic and sharp, the 808 sounds more compressed and warm, with a more cohesive mix
Once I learned from the first error the rest was obvious, but the fact that I initially associated the sharp attacks (which I like) with an analog device makes me think about what I really want. By now the 6s is a great option, especially for a live set
I just love how everyone's take is completely different haha.
Honestly I got it wrong a lot and I’m normally right on these sort of blind tests. What sounds better than both is a Norddrum
Heavy words
You can tell with the snare, but it's not better just different. I have the 6s I think it's awesome, and if I had the money to choose, I'd still get the 6s.
I love how everyone has a different stance on this video.
you know what I've realised.. my 808 kit from my EMU E4xt sampler sounds even better than my tr6s. it actually sounds sizzly and crisper than the tr6s(which also sounds really good)
Whatever works with your set up! 😊
Bam! Got it right. The TR6s sounded better. There, i said it, & i stand by it.
You just saved yourself like 8 000 $ lol
Just get yourself a din sync replica, somewhere midway between the two. I got the original for a good price and enjoy sampling it into different sampler, it’s a classic, just grooves nicely, always a blast, and the accent track is pretty underrated, same with 3 trigger outs for synths.
6s, good for travelling but honestly, I would just use software.
Something to consider for sure
I've been trying to decide between the tr-08/rd-8, tr-09/rd-09 and the 8s for awhile and I feel like this might have finally convinced me to go with the 6s
8s is best option out of those! 6s is dope too though.
8s all the way, no contest
Really! It’s crazy how every person has has a different answer/sonic experience
Got the first one wrong, but when I knew what each machine sounded like I got them right in the other tests. To be honest I prefer the sound of the TR-6S.
Interesting! :-)
6S is more compressed sounding, thus louder sounding, and fuller in the low mids. 808 is more dynamic and separated.
I love how every person has like a completely different take on it haha. Thank you for watching
Blindfold test: Got it right each time and I liked the 6s better each time. Guess I'm not stuck in the past... ?
Woahh really!
got all 3 right in the blind test, but the difference is so subtle its negligible, especially with other instruments in a track. and the digital roland acb sounds a lot better than behringer's analog 808 clone in my opinion. i'm not a behringer hater by any means btw, i just think the acb 808s sound better lol.
Yeah I’m the mix there’s pretty much 0 diff
Thank you for this. I'm coming in late, just considering the 6s for the first time.
I did guess correctly which was which in each instance. Not sure if the differences are obvious or significant in a scenario where there is no A/B comparison-like in real music, so i can't say the old 808 is "worth" $8,000 more than the new box. I wonder if importing samples into the 6s gets it closer, or if the 'magic' in the old box is somehow not duplicable just by sampling.
I can say that by today’s standards / options - it’s not worth it lol
Wonder if fpga chips can be used to reproduce these vintage circuits?
🤔
I was 2 out of 3. Listened on studio monitors via motu 8A. I thought the analog was better. I have a feeling the difference is more striking when there is no TH-cam compression. It might not be 6K difference and maybe you could EQ them to be even more identical.
Yeah- after processing i don’t think it makes much of a diff
Yes, It is actually hard to record! And prosumer gear is quickly overstrained with the amount of energy an 808 puts out. High quality gear can handel it though. But then again, when being recorded, some of that sound goes away. For real, these machines just feel very "right" in reality. Same with a 909 or 303. I recorded my 808 in 192kHz, to see what is going on in the frequency spectrum and was amazed to see that it easily puts out frequencies up to 96,000 Hertz.
groove 2 kick of the tr6s gave it away
and tbh it is the only groove where i didnt like the tr6s better than the 808
good ears
interesting.
I picked 808 both times based on “best sounding”
And last one i did pick each correctly. I’m new and do not have a tuned ear so i’m surpriced!
But it’s not worth it for anything less than perhaps a record producer imho
Interesting! It seems like everyone has a different take! :-)
@@LiamKillen haha yeah! But i’m certain i would get the modern unit for size and price as a hobby nerd
I was actually surprised how easy it was to tell the real 808... And yes it does sound better. But $5000 better? Nope! What would be really interesting is to put ACB to the test vs simple 808 samples, or maybe a VST 808 emulation. The 6S is cute but the only real advantage I see over a sampler (hardware or virtual) is the control offered by the faders
That’s actually a great idea i’ll consider when digging more into ACB
ahh nice bro. u did 1!
Yeah! Thanks for watching :-)
@@LiamKillen stay awesome my guy! ✌
Looking forward to checking this out when I have my headphones. Consensus seems to be that there's a noticable difference but not life-altering. Be interesting to see what it would take to get the 6S closer. A hint of overdrive?
Some people liked the 6s sound better!
for 808 sounds obviously nothing beats a real 808, but i like the 6s anyway though as just something different, it's just a cool little machine and pretty cheap
Yeah there's something dusty about the original- it sings.
pretty easy to tell the difference surprisingly but I still not close to being worth $6000. The thing is though the tr6s has a very different workflow and hardware compared to the 808... Especially as it doesnt have multiple outputs or any trigger outs like the 808 does so depending on your studio and how your signal flow works it might not even really be an equivalent. ie if you have a lot of outboard analog gear, mixers effects, analog synths etc. In that case something like an rd-6 would be more fun and make more sense than the tr-6s. But either way I couldnt imagine buying an original 808 unless you just have a ton of disposable income..
It actually does have individual outs via USB
@@LiamKillen interesting I guess if you had a multichannel soundcard you could then route multiple stuff to your hardware rig (seems a bit redundant with the sorts of plugins daws have on offer I guess) but thats cool either way even better argument then
It’s way easier and cleaner- you don’t even really need a sound card
I was right on every test haha ! I’m probably just lucky
Oh sharp earr!!
I got both wrong lol. I think I need to grab the 6s now. :)
😏
Damn, I spotted and preferred the 808 each time - I guess I can’t buy the tr6s now ! 😢
lol damn
So why not the TR-08?
Also a cool option and uses that same ACB tech. Thing is that’s all it does!
Tr-6S has all of the classic Roland drum sounds and is generally much more capable for I think a similar price.
@@LiamKillen i get that, but uou were only comparing it to the 808 and how the ACB was compared to anologue, so just seems the tr-08 would have been the best comarison.
I love your vids, i just didnt understand why the tr6s? 😁
Does Tr 6s. have tr 505 sounds?
I don't have it in front of me but I believe it does not.
You can use samples via SD-card of the TR 505 which used 8-bit PCM sounds itself.
......easy to pick the difference.
Mixed bag of opinions on that one!
On mobile phone speakers I got all 3 guesses as to which was the real 808 wrong 👀
Yeah you need qual speakers for this sort of precision
@@LiamKillen no doubt brother! Good video though
Cheers
I could definitely tell the which drum machine was which but not because of sound quality but mostly behavior, but I actually liked the TR-6S better.
Interesting! Well you just saved yourself thousands of $$$ lol
You are a Sonic Relativist if you think the TR-6S sounds the same as a real analog 808. You also claim that the 707 and other sounds are also in the TR-6S--they are NOT the same. Also, acting bewildered at why the 808s are "so expensive" is incredibly disingenuous. You known darn well why they cost so much. I've owned a TR-8S and for all it claims to do, the voices sound less like an analog machine and more like an old lady queefing. Tell the truth, Liam!
Probably the most extreme take in this comments section lol
Sure, label me "extreme" so you don't have to contend with my comment. Whatever. @@LiamKillen
Wow you could almost buy a mini moog for that price
Yeah it’s bonkers lol
12.30 for comparison
😏
No post production?
i'm not sure what you mean.
@@LiamKillen was it a clean recording? It sounds that you highlighted the tr6s. I heard a comparison between tr909 vs. Tr8s and tr8s sounded flat in comparison, so i was wondering why the tr6s sounded so crisp
Thanks god for MIDI? What? Thanks Dave Smith and Ikutaro Kakehashi for MIDI!!!! Without them god wouldn't help you with MIDI at all :-)
My mistake lol
Damn I got the first test right and missed the last two tests! Why pay thousands of dollars when you can get virtually the same sound for way less? Not to mention the extra features the new ones have.
Right!? A lot of people in the comments here actually like the TR-6S better. It def sounds cleaner in a way.
@@LiamKillen It sounds great to me. I may have to cop one of these! 😁
No menu diving 🤣
😂
Back in the day, I had a TR-626 and ended up trading it for a Yamaha RX-11. Worst. Trade. Ever.
Lol
I like the tr 6 sound better
We’ll there ya go!
Another ridiculous thing is that in the old Roland manuals the exact circuit schematics are presented for all the sounds. You could just get the components, get a breadboard and make the same analog 808 kick sound yourself with a little help of soldering iron. Your time would cost more than the components needed. People are crazy with money these days.
Im so not handy though lol
But not all components are still available any more.
@@wackerburg That really isn't an issue. No two 808 sound exactly the same. Nobody hears the difference inside a mix.
I have made people think they are hearing 808 while the instrument was actually a Drumbrute. Golden ears are rare. Surely there are snobs who cannot be satisfied... even with pair of 808s.
And nowadays, people just buy a Behringer and start crushing those outputs, which is perfectly fine. The RD-8 is unbeatable in value at the moment.
@@beaticulous Yes, once you're sensing these differences, which are really bold regarding an 808 and the mentioned RD-8, you simply cannot stand one of these machines. I also do not like line arrays, compression drivers for midrange or mp3s. I simply cannot enjoy it and... since great alternatives are easily accessible, I use those. Some people care, most don't. Many DO have the choice. Also true for food. And that's more important, actually.
Cheers!
🙂
@@wackerburg I see your point and have similar issues with some very different things. Those issues are killing enjoyment from my professional life.
I want to avoid purism/perfectionism like plague in hobbies. I don't want to die twice in the same trap.
Happiness lurks in the shadows of ignorance.
I would at it the complete reverse way around. Forget the gear. Now every hobby with a large cross section will have some minority of people to whom money is not an issue. People want to waste money on their hobby because the logic is the more invested (in this case financially) you are the more you must get out of it. Some people choose large collections, far more than they will ever have any practical application for. Some are completists. And some it’s all about rarity. I see this behaviour all the time in loads of different hobbies.
The price of an 808 has nothing to do with sound or it’s usability as an instrument, and has everything to with the psychology of the people who buy them
Yeah it’s not about the gear. I’m all about exploring new gear for the channel which is why i have so much. I was (and still am) a DAW guy for years
It’s the hype! And it’s basically just become a collector’s item at this point
@@LiamKillen I always think “I don’t care what you own, I care about how good you are”. I’ve seen guitar players with £30k rigs and everything they play sounds like a trapped bumble bee
yeah that’s common- the lawyer story
I missed all 3 tests😂
😝
I'm not a big fan of the 808 909 drum machine they don't sound like the sample packs u download online.
Fair enough!
@Liam Killen I'm not the only one th-cam.com/video/fPDe0S1z8bI/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/l7gWfumNUXo/w-d-xo.html
th-cam.com/video/9bw2ndVQNp0/w-d-xo.html
Hmm, The high hats is the easiest way to ident
I agree with you- the cool thing with the TR-6S is that you can change hats sound- but not with the TR-808
No way 808 should cost $6000 today because it cost $2000. This is wrong adjusted value. Electronics is cheaper today than ever.
It’s become a collector’s item more than anything else IMHO
Duuuiide! Back in the day the XoX series was dirt f’n cheap. My first 808 I bought for 20usd. The start/stop button never worked and it was hell to sync with anything. Second one was given to me.
It’s ALLLLL about the hype. People made music with those *because* it was cheap. And people are willing to pay the price only because of that hype. The OG units are clunky and only usable for sampling
20 usd!?!?!! jeeezzz
@@LiamKillen lolz! Yup, but that ‘92 fam! Those things were kinda unpopular for a min especially when the sp1200 and mpc60 came out
The original units only became inexpensive when digital drummachines took over.
They may be somewhat clunky but very usable, I prefer using them directly instead of sampling their sounds.
Current prices are beyond ridiculous though, all hyped until no one is able to buy them anymore.
It’s so interesting to me how they’ve completely exploded
interesting
I think you mean Montreal...
No they moved to TO!
He actually mentioned he might be going back to MTL but currently in TO
@@LiamKillen I see...the site only has information on Montreal...
thanks!
yeah it’s a lil out of date heh
The inflated price has more to do with the economy of 2020 than the 808 itself. Supply of goods across the whole market dropped because of covid, driving used gear demand, driving the comparative vintage demand. It could be an artificial effect of covid that will settle back to pre-pandemic levels. Not sure, but I wouldn't buy an 808 as an "investment," and with samples and ACB machines so good...it's not worth it anyway.
I’m on the same page as you- 1200 in 1980 isn’t quite the same as 6000 in 2021 but it’s def not far off!
The sound of the TR6S is very impressive, i have the real TR808 and if i close my eyes...i can ’t tell the difference with my TR6S, except for the HiHats, i prefer the true 808 HiHats sounds, the TR6S can’t beat it.
But i sold my TR6S with no regrets, but not because of the sound quality :
- The general size is way too small
- Plastic, Plastic everywhere...
- Way too much menu diving
- The "screen" is a total JOKE
- No physical separeted output (i work with a DAWless configuration, i never use and don’t want to use a computer)
- No 9V or 12V adaptator in the box, just batteries (seriously Roland???)
- I can’t stand the ergonomy with the extensive use of the SHIFT button...
- Quality of the faders
I play Techno live very often, and it’s not very simple in a Live situation, the machine is too small, sometimes you want to change a parameter, but you’re changing the wrong parameter...not very cool, the number of knobs are so limited unfortunately.
The previous TR8 Aira was better in term of size, and ergonomy, if you compare with the TR6S, i’m talking about the ergonomy, not the sounds.
Yes, the TR8S is avalaible, but it’s not my thing, it’s too complicated, too much menu diving, with a ridiculous 90's style "screen" (for more than 600 $, really Roland?) and too much things inside, it’s subjective for sure.
The TR6S is not a bad machine, the sounds are good, but the ergonomy, the size, and the workflow are horrible, i had no pleasure to play with when i had it, everytime i was so pissed, disappointed by this complicated, stupid ergonomy.
If you want the 808 sounds with the simplicity and the ergonomy of the TR808 buy a real TR808, or the RD8 from Behringer for example.
But if you want all the TR’s from Roland and more, if you want a handy, compact, drum machine and if the size and the workflow of the TR6S are okay for you....go with the TR6S, but this TR6S doesn’t have the feeling of the real TR808, not especially for the sounds, but the feeling of the buttons, knobs, a feeling of a good old TR808.
It’s up to everyone, but for me, the hardware feeling, workflow is very important, i don’t care if the drum machine has 500000 sounds if the workflow is horrible ;)
hey thanks for the effort here and your addition.
Lol, I got it wrong
It’s a good sign! Shows that that authentic 808 sound is affordable!
Tr 808 sounds wild and untamed like you can feel the circuits buzzing inside and thats the magic .. i think the other drum machine sounds too compressed and radio ready aka boring
Yeah everyone seems to have a different opinion on this video and I love it haha
Just my two cents: This is all driven by hype. I have never understood why people are so insistent on matching the exact sound (sic) of some retro instrument. The artists who used this in the late '80s were looking for something new and different and would love some of the new gear available today. Why are we all trying to be sheep, stuck in some idea that 'they' had all the good gear and we have to sound just like them? Move on, innovate, and create new sounds let the past stay where it belongs.
I respect your opinion but also think that 808 sounds are still very relevant you hear them on modern records all the time- so having something that replicates them authentically is a good tool to have. Owning it is just unaffordable.
Yes, but all we hear now is sounding the same. Like fast food.
Its original history thats why !!!! SMH
The comments section of this video reflect how pretty much no one is able to tell the difference between a 400 $ unit vs a multi thousand $ unit- and in many cases people liked the 6s better. Kind of speaks for itself