This is a primary example of how a good product presentation and a good interview is done: structured, to the point, no blah-blah, brilliant. Another good job from those two neat fellas.
David’s groove at the end is *so* much better than the “Deep down inside” thing 😄. This box looks like one of Roland’s best efforts in quite a while. I want one... given all of my (ahem) Swedish boxes it is tough to justify. I am infatuated with drum machines and groove boxes.
@4:46 - Note that you can ALSO use the variations AS fills... Soooo.. you can set auto fill to something like 4 bars, have A's fill 1 be variation F, then have variation F's fill 1 be variation B, then have variation B's fill be variation D, etc. etc. Now, because Autofill is set to 4 bars, you will often get patterns just going A>B>C, etc. but every 4th bar, depending on the currently playing variation, it will kick off a "branch" to another variation... This allows for some REALLY long, evolving patterns that are not just random, but can have some underlying structure to them that you can manually interrupt with manual fills, changing to fill2, or even changing fill to scatter... You could play for days on the same pattern and never hear the same thing twice... Pretty awesome... @14:00 - While people have noted lack of song mode, you can set it up so that it will play back multiple patterns in a row... So you can play Patt1 thru Patt5 and it will loop, then play with variations while those patterns loop around... You just can't say, "play pattern 1 2x, then play pattern 2...
The Drümünkey Hopefully they’ll add functionality where you can play one pattern 2 times and another 4 times etc. Even some of the Teenage Engineering Pocket operators let you do that.
Couldn't you c/p pattern 1 in 2 slots then play them back and forth 4 times then pattern 3 and 4 the same way x2, I mean with variations that could work, right?
We all have these samples but this could be very inspiring to have them all in one box with the reverb, delay, scatter, fills and other features. I can see myself coming up with something new on this. And finally an AIRA I can look at without puking.
I picked up my TR-8S last Saturday. It is indeed a lovely drum machine. Sample loading is great, especially if you like old vintage ROM sample based drum machines like the Linn, DMX and Drumtraks etc... I had a blast using LM1 drum samples on this - it feels like using an original drum machine with the user interface/workflow on the TR-8S. Also the 808/909 emulation via ACB on this is superb. More than anything, using the TR-8S is just fun and instant. I have an Octatrack MKII and that's a whole world away from using the Roland...
Cheers for the feedback! Have you noticed any digital "glitch" or hiccups with the sample loading / pattern changing? I only ask because this was an obvious issue with the recent Korg Electribe Sampler and wondering if Roland has similar build quality. Cheers again!
I have to say that this loads pattern and sample sets/kits flawlessly. I can jump between patterns and kits with no lag or clicks - actually it's really fun switching kits with a pattern playing :) The whole thing is super responsive. I had a TR-8 before this (sold it on eBay the day the TR-8S was announced), and whilst that's good it's nothing compared to the depth of functionality/sounds the TR-8S has.
The Octatrack is my main point of sequencing (I don't use a computer), so it won't be going anywhere. Also I upgraded to a MKII just recently (makes life a lot easier). To be fair, the TR-8S is never going to complete sampling/sequencing wise with the Octatrack.
A Beatstep Pro and a TR-8S, what more could you want as the backbone for a Synth Jam ( unless you want one of those other devices that are basically a whole Daw in hardware form but that`s what my PC and Pro Tools is for and not really for Jams )
The TR-8S is a blast. Hands down the best out-of-the-box performance drum machine / groove box out there right now. It blows away the E2's in terms of hands on performance capabilities (E2 wins in terms of synthesis though). As a performance tool, given the caveat that someone that has spent many lifetimes getting amazing on a Rytm could do wayyy more, it's "better" than a Rytm in terms of live performance... If the Rytm had faders and assignable individual outputs it would "win" at like 2.5x the price so not really apples to apples. Here's how I'd describe it among the likely competition in car terms: * The E2 is like a souped up Mustang on the street: Fast, good performance, fun, but lack of handling leaves you a bit down... * The Rytm is like driving a fully prepped race car on the street: Mind numbing capability... Performance for miles... But takes forever to get it up and running and you'll stall at every traffic light (as you scour the manual and forum posts to figure out how to do even basic stuff) and is way more expensive. * The TR is like driving an M3 on the street. Turn the key and start burning tires and gettin' tickets. The assignable outs are awesome! Mixed with the external inputs that allows sidechaining... So cool. Few things I've tried that are fun: *Route a few voices out through A/B stereo pair in Boss DD-500 for some crazy delay mangling, then route DD-500 back into TR with kick assigned to sidechain for some good old pumpapumpa... *Route external MIDI CC LFO's from iPad (Running Bram Bos Rosetta LFO in AUM) via 5 pin midi because Roland are retarded and have yet to discover what Class Compliant means) the assignable controls/gains, etc. for some trippy-ass sound warping/mangling * Use single cycle waveforms as osc sources and take advantage of the pretty extensive sample filtering options and envelopes * SOOO many FX, filters, options, etc.. Things I miss: *Ability to exclude/bypass certain voices from master FX *No mute groups. You can solo, and you can clear mutes, but you can't queue mutes like on AR *Really really hope Roland allows the ability to assign the three knobs like you can the CTRL knob. I'd love to have more hands on control of some deeper parameters of Voice FX. I rarely mess with tune knob, so if I could assign CTRL to Cutoff and Tune to Rez, that would be cool. *Wish there was a per-voice delay, not just on master... But as I wrote above, with external outs that's "fixable" *Oh... And why the F doesn't Roland send out MIDI from the sequencer?!!! They are apparently suffering from the same "let's intentionally limit out stuff" as Elektron... :(
I know it doesn't sample. But can you resample the internal stuff? Also the fact that you can't route tracks/fx, (like have sound 1 on track 1 through fx 1, route it to track 2 instead of the master and then route it to fx 2 etc...) is a missed opportunity, maybe they can implement it in an update..Would be a sound designers dream.
So, when Roland were asking TR 8 users for feedback and suggestions for updates, I actually thought they were trying to improve the TR 8 ! It seems they were working on this as a replacement for it instead. I mean, the TR 8 was marketed as an expandable product, just like the system 1 but it has never received a real ACB upgrade and now the same company that sold it comes up with the only real competition for it to have it replaced - again: their own "expandable" product...! Wow! So far TR 8 users haven't even been supplied with recordable rolls or a simple A to B copy function yet, even though Roland have already improved ACB tech and made sub-steps available in the TR 08 and have always asked TR 8 customers for their opinion, as if they really cared... which they don't.
Austin Brubaker - I agree, far more impressive than I first thought but what you going to do with it? Kind of thing you would play out for a month, then return to software for the same quality sounds with more scope beyond limited loop stepping. Great for this kind of demo, for that dude that had too many E’s and never got out the 90’s.
s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y !!!! 10:47 he fckn read all of our minds no good reason for vocals in techno ... especially tacky shit ..... Wooo! it's getting hot in here ... so tak .... fuck off!
I've been trying to find a beat machine that's close to or similar to the "E-MU SP-1200 Beat machine" Would you say that the "Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is that machine? Thanks!
My next questions: 1st: Can I record a keyboard/guitar input connected to the TR8S as an instrument into one of the variation banks (A-H). If so how? 2nd: Can one vary tempo level or have individual tempo levels for each input/instrument recorded into variation banks (A-H). If so how? Thanks
Nice demo but It would of been nice to see how the samples are filed, loaded and edited. Does it have the basic sample start, sample end and pitch or can you chop up a loop for playback like with the Electribe units? Can you resample with built in effects?
- Aira-connect - what am i missing? "just the USB cable and what I get is ----- _clock only_ .,.,., power and audio don't seem to be happening for me.,.,.,
wow that looks like a really good drum maschine :) .. best product i have seen from roland in a very long time. .. I knowits being pushed very hard towards live use but if this is your only box live i think i would rather use other devices like a push 2 or something. But for jamming, for the drummer in a band, being experimental in the studio with all the outs and creating a groove and well drum maschine stuff it seems awesome!
Fantasy product I understand it has the 606 707 727 808 and 909 sounds. But what I’m trying to distinguish is, if the S has the tr-8 808 909 sounds or the boutique tr-08 and boutique tr-09 808 and 909 sounds which is a well known fact that these smaller boutique units have different ACB drums than the tr-8.
Looks nice. Noob question: Does it have any sort of note mode for me to input melodies for things like pianos? Or is that not what this box is about? (I'm new to all this). The melody he creates in the final performance - is that dependant on the other, grey box he's connected?
Regarding the external triggering at the end of the video: does anyone know what the Tr8s is set on so that the steps are only triggering the tb303? Is there a setting on the screen that he didn't show us? In other words, the step buttons are not assigned to any of the voices...are they somehow assigned to the trigger out? Thanks in advance
Thanks for diplomatically bringing up Roland's lack of class-compliant support Nick. I won't buy anything that relies on USB if it requires proprietary drivers. In my mind it equates to planned obsolescence. At least in this case you could manage without USB as it has seperate outputs unlike the TR-8 or the Boutique 08 and 09. All you would lose is the MIDI/Audio interface over USB.
Not buying a TR-8S because of its proprietary USB drivers is rather short-sighted when even a cursory look at the features available prove that it is eminently useable as an entirely standalone instrument. I don't disagree with your initial sentiment, but Roland is doing Special Sauce things (more elaborate coding than a class-compliant interface would allow, probably) so that this and the rest of their AIRA range can integrate together into their MX-1 mixer. But no-one is _forcing_ you to use these features.
Back in the old days (80's - 90's) you had cartridges to upgrade firmware to fix bugs and add functions. USB makes this alot easier. What makes you think this kit would become obsolete?
Drivers. Modern operating systems don't sit still (especially macOS) and once a product is discontinued, driver support tends to follow shortly after. As I said, in the case of the TR-8S you would only lose the audio/midi interface so it would still function fine as a standalone drum machine. But a TR-08 would lose the ability to output audio over multiple channels.
That's what I said. The 08 and 09 rely on USB for seperate outputs. So when the drivers stop working, so will that ability. Unlike the TR-8S which has separate outputs that don't rely on USB.
It doesn't really matter that much though.... The focus on this machine is definitely hardware. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I don't get the notion of people buying this machine for the DAW integration. It's just a bonus.
I everyone, i have a little question, and not really finding info on it nowhere. I want to use the TR-8S as a midi controller, as i was doing with the TR-8 before, but now i only can make it work on the sequencer, but no faders or knobs send no midi! Hope somebody can help me on this Thanks a lot.
there are a couple of similarly named features, but they will only apply to sounds in the drum machine, of course - anything else feeding into the mx1 you'll have to use the mx1 effects - bearing in mind the caveat that those can only ever be applied (as is conventional - dubbing last) to the final stereo mix - not to individual channels under any circumstances,..,
It seems a very nice drum machine, with a lot of cool things for a live use. I'd like to know if it's possible to change the CTRL parameters while playing, and if would be possible to motion record these different parameter.
Roland back on form at last! Too bad it sounds like effects don’t deal with pattern changes well, one thing korg and Elektron can do, but hardly a deal breaker. The burning question for me is, can you recorded more than one parameter with the control knobs, is it separate data ? I.e. can control knob one be set to reverb decay , record automation , then switch it to reverb pre delay with same encoder and record that on top. Anybody know ?
i think this new TR has a lot of character. elektron to me now seems more limited. the TR-8S is going to end up being a classic. the flow is easy to work with. first Roland kit i've been interested in in a long time.
will Nick do proper review? because this way you wont hear about the downfalls.. like the anoying gap when switching to patterns containing different kit
Never touched a TR-8, so I can't compare it to that... but comparing it to the solid metal casing of my Digitakt, or the wood ends of my Drumbrute, this thing feels fragile and light to me. It is fun and sounds very good though!
Ok. So here's what I'm not finding. I'm not finding a "So you bought the Roland TR-8S and it's your very first drum machine. So here is a step-by-step-by-step beginners guide on the TR-8S. We're starting from the assumption you've never, ever, ever owned a drum machine. In this video, we present the drum machine. Here's your very first step--and why. Here's your second step--and why. Here's your third step--and why." and so forth. In other words, videos that start with "oh, you do this this this and this..." as if you've already had extensive knowledge of the drum machine world, aren't helpful. "Well then why did you buy a drum machine"? Because I'm interested in it. Because I want to learn. Because why does it matter? Point is I bought one, my money went to Roland, and I'd like a comprehensive starter guide. Bonus: I'd like to not have to deal with people who act like it's some kind of closed society where beginners are not allowed. So there it is. A comprehensive guide starting from the "this is my first drum machine--I have no idea what to do to get started--PLEASE HELP" position. It's not an unreasonable request as there isn't anything like this in the vast sea of videos on TH-cam.
Totally agree, I’m thinking of getting one of these but I’ve never owned something like it so I’m a bit overwhelmed with them assuming you already know stuff. I’ve got a Yamaha EX7 and Roland FA06 and there’s loads of tutorials and tips from professionals in studios and people just at home & I learnt so much more even after reading the manuals
Still doesn't have song mode...So basically you're stuck playing loops... even if you were to play variation A-H x 16 or 128 bars, which is not enough - roughly 4 minutes -> it's impossible to make a full song. The damn thing needs "song mode" or also known as "track write" on the original 909/808/606/505/707 - even the TR09 and TR08 have "track write". To be more useful the machine should have the ability to custom play the variations in any order up to 256 bars. AKA SONG MODE
I bought an Alesis SR16 for 10 bucks which has "song mode" and hooked it up with the TR8S -- bam! "Song mode", but also preset and kit changes... Then I bought a Roland MC80 32 channel MIDI recorder for 100 bucks -- bam! Infinite control over all my MIDI devices including pattern/kit/sample changes and parameter sequencing and menu automation.
@@JCooperAudioSystems If you look it that way, the MC80 augmented 15 000$ worth of gear by fully and interactively automating them... But I see what you mean. A song mode would be fairly easily implementable with the existing interface and a firmware upgrade, but creating the songs would not feel like the overall user experience lacking dedicated controls. I just wanted to share my solution to drive the TR8s and create complete songs with intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro, control changes and even unique drum fills utilizing an extremely cheap -- but legendary -- drum machine that has this feature.
@@Andronty I understand, that's a cool solution, but I can do the same with cubasis on my ipad, it has a full midi implementation. In fact I could use my arduino board and a midi shield to make a cheap sequencer also. Any sequencer will do this. The point is really that TR909 -> track write TR->808 track write 37 years TR-8, TR-8s has no track write. Who are Roland listening to these days...
@@Andronty it's crazy we have to jump through hoops like that to get Song mode... I have an MPC1000 to use as a sequencer but would much prefer the TR if it had a Song Mode. It's a consistent issue with several products at the moment that assume everyone will use it live. I want to use it live but I want to do other stuff such as strings and pads and also a bit of guitar.
Niiiiiiice. Shame it's so expensive. It's twice the price of the Electribe Sampler 2 and the Novation Circuit (and no doubt any other comparable drumpler/groovebox you can name). It'll do well on the 2nd hand market. btw, could Sonic State please ask Roland if there's going to be a final expansion/firmware for the TR8? Could do with a couple more kits and more than one effect per pattern.
Dang this looks interesting - 7 trig outs possible - Hummm. Of course will have to wait for a full SonicState review (and the wallet to stop smoking!). Thanks Nick, thanks Dave!
Thanks for the video, I am appreciative of being able to learn about the device. That being said, better planning should've been put into setting up a demo that actually sounds good. During the whole demo, I didn't once feel like "wow, I want to make a song like this" , which is pretty important, in my mind. The demoed song was unimaginative, grating, out of time, and annoying beyond words. I've seen better demos of this device, which is strange, because Sonic State usually produces some great demos that make me want to purchase said devices. Better luck next time, I guess.
Agreed. It's a good enough demonstration of the features, but so many product demos like this are so musically generic. Not the best way to really impress people and get them inspired to use your product. But it clearly could be put to great use in many different genres and styles. I'm sold on it.
First thing I will do is erase that deep down sample.
LOL!
Yes
it was the wrong one to showcase for sure
10:48 my god how did it even take them that long
same
This is a primary example of how a good product presentation and a good interview is done: structured, to the point, no blah-blah, brilliant. Another good job from those two neat fellas.
DEEPDOWNINSIDE DEEPDEEPDOWNINSIDE ARGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Ugh
David’s groove at the end is *so* much better than the “Deep down inside” thing 😄. This box looks like one of Roland’s best efforts in quite a while. I want one... given all of my (ahem) Swedish boxes it is tough to justify. I am infatuated with drum machines and groove boxes.
@4:46 - Note that you can ALSO use the variations AS fills... Soooo.. you can set auto fill to something like 4 bars, have A's fill 1 be variation F, then have variation F's fill 1 be variation B, then have variation B's fill be variation D, etc. etc. Now, because Autofill is set to 4 bars, you will often get patterns just going A>B>C, etc. but every 4th bar, depending on the currently playing variation, it will kick off a "branch" to another variation... This allows for some REALLY long, evolving patterns that are not just random, but can have some underlying structure to them that you can manually interrupt with manual fills, changing to fill2, or even changing fill to scatter... You could play for days on the same pattern and never hear the same thing twice... Pretty awesome...
@14:00 - While people have noted lack of song mode, you can set it up so that it will play back multiple patterns in a row... So you can play Patt1 thru Patt5 and it will loop, then play with variations while those patterns loop around... You just can't say, "play pattern 1 2x, then play pattern 2...
The Drümünkey Hopefully they’ll add functionality where you can play one pattern 2 times and another 4 times etc. Even some of the Teenage Engineering Pocket operators let you do that.
Couldn't you c/p pattern 1 in 2 slots then play them back and forth 4 times then pattern 3 and 4 the same way x2, I mean with variations that could work, right?
Great to see two legends together. Thanks Nick and David. Love the TR8s
Roland's most beautiful instrument since the original Jupiter 8. Great demonstration and sound. Thanks for uploading.
The TR-8S is the next candidate for a Friday Fun Session. Go for it Nick!
Here we go!
We all have these samples but this could be very inspiring to have them all in one box with the reverb, delay, scatter, fills and other features. I can see myself coming up with something new on this. And finally an AIRA I can look at without puking.
Absolute instabuy. Thank you Roland! Very proud Tr8 owner happy to upgrade.
It’s a nice upgrade! Enjoying mine. Keeping my tr8 also. May team it up with a 404A.
I picked up my TR-8S last Saturday. It is indeed a lovely drum machine. Sample loading is great, especially if you like old vintage ROM sample based drum machines like the Linn, DMX and Drumtraks etc... I had a blast using LM1 drum samples on this - it feels like using an original drum machine with the user interface/workflow on the TR-8S. Also the 808/909 emulation via ACB on this is superb. More than anything, using the TR-8S is just fun and instant. I have an Octatrack MKII and that's a whole world away from using the Roland...
Cheers for the feedback! Have you noticed any digital "glitch" or hiccups with the sample loading / pattern changing? I only ask because this was an obvious issue with the recent Korg Electribe Sampler and wondering if Roland has similar build quality. Cheers again!
Apparently this does happen with pre-1.02 firmware when changing a pattern also changes to a different _kit_.
I have to say that this loads pattern and sample sets/kits flawlessly. I can jump between patterns and kits with no lag or clicks - actually it's really fun switching kits with a pattern playing :) The whole thing is super responsive. I had a TR-8 before this (sold it on eBay the day the TR-8S was announced), and whilst that's good it's nothing compared to the depth of functionality/sounds the TR-8S has.
The Octatrack is my main point of sequencing (I don't use a computer), so it won't be going anywhere. Also I upgraded to a MKII just recently (makes life a lot easier). To be fair, the TR-8S is never going to complete sampling/sequencing wise with the Octatrack.
My firmware is 1.01, but I'm guessing this is a live version.
Very loving to let Phil be a part of this ❤😂
07:30 The step of altering the step gets interesting if you change the swing or groove of the steps for polyrhytms.
Nick you are the best channel on TH-cam, IMO.
A Beatstep Pro and a TR-8S, what more could you want as the backbone for a Synth Jam ( unless you want one of those other devices that are basically a whole Daw in hardware form but that`s what my PC and Pro Tools is for and not really for Jams )
jams are a really good brain exercise , its become the only way i make music now. it is really interesting. Its the APHEX TWIN way
@@disectormusic yep - the less mouse, the better,.,
The TR-8S is a blast. Hands down the best out-of-the-box performance drum machine / groove box out there right now. It blows away the E2's in terms of hands on performance capabilities (E2 wins in terms of synthesis though). As a performance tool, given the caveat that someone that has spent many lifetimes getting amazing on a Rytm could do wayyy more, it's "better" than a Rytm in terms of live performance... If the Rytm had faders and assignable individual outputs it would "win" at like 2.5x the price so not really apples to apples.
Here's how I'd describe it among the likely competition in car terms:
* The E2 is like a souped up Mustang on the street: Fast, good performance, fun, but lack of handling leaves you a bit down...
* The Rytm is like driving a fully prepped race car on the street: Mind numbing capability... Performance for miles... But takes forever to get it up and running and you'll stall at every traffic light (as you scour the manual and forum posts to figure out how to do even basic stuff) and is way more expensive.
* The TR is like driving an M3 on the street. Turn the key and start burning tires and gettin' tickets.
The assignable outs are awesome! Mixed with the external inputs that allows sidechaining... So cool.
Few things I've tried that are fun:
*Route a few voices out through A/B stereo pair in Boss DD-500 for some crazy delay mangling, then route DD-500 back into TR with kick assigned to sidechain for some good old pumpapumpa...
*Route external MIDI CC LFO's from iPad (Running Bram Bos Rosetta LFO in AUM) via 5 pin midi because Roland are retarded and have yet to discover what Class Compliant means) the assignable controls/gains, etc. for some trippy-ass sound warping/mangling
* Use single cycle waveforms as osc sources and take advantage of the pretty extensive sample filtering options and envelopes
* SOOO many FX, filters, options, etc..
Things I miss:
*Ability to exclude/bypass certain voices from master FX
*No mute groups. You can solo, and you can clear mutes, but you can't queue mutes like on AR
*Really really hope Roland allows the ability to assign the three knobs like you can the CTRL knob. I'd love to have more hands on control of some deeper parameters of Voice FX. I rarely mess with tune knob, so if I could assign CTRL to Cutoff and Tune to Rez, that would be cool.
*Wish there was a per-voice delay, not just on master... But as I wrote above, with external outs that's "fixable"
*Oh... And why the F doesn't Roland send out MIDI from the sequencer?!!! They are apparently suffering from the same "let's intentionally limit out stuff" as Elektron... :(
That's easy! A BMW 2002! :)
"Deep down inside" - Nick looks proper cheesed off with it.
When Nick is impressed my wallet starts sweating...FFS Nick!
LOL
Honestly though, for sure.
Does anyone know if the effects show up via usb on each individual channel unlike the tr8 which only works on main output
Why not three assignable knobs?
Sure it's nice but the one thing that i gotta ask though even if it's small thing please say it tells you the key when using the tuning knob ?
Rick James just use your ears
(EyeRoll) Nigga listen, if i wanted to just use my ear, I would not have ask the damn question.
Rick James It doesn’t, no.
Meh guess i'm not getting it.
Rick James But I can’t think of any drum machine that does 🤔
I know it doesn't sample. But can you resample the internal stuff? Also the fact that you can't route tracks/fx, (like have sound 1 on track 1 through fx 1, route it to track 2 instead of the master and then route it to fx 2 etc...) is a missed opportunity, maybe they can implement it in an update..Would be a sound designers dream.
Very very very cool machine.
Is there a possibility to sample from the line inputs in a future firmware upgrade?
Great presentation, lots of infos, clear, focused, I see this is a great instrument indeed.
So, when Roland were asking TR 8 users for feedback and suggestions for updates, I actually thought they were trying to improve the TR 8 ! It seems they were working on this as a replacement for it instead. I mean, the TR 8 was marketed as an expandable product, just like the system 1 but it has never received a real ACB upgrade and now the same company that sold it comes up with the only real competition for it to have it replaced - again: their own "expandable" product...! Wow! So far TR 8 users haven't even been supplied with recordable rolls or a simple A to B copy function yet, even though Roland have already improved ACB tech and made sub-steps available in the TR 08 and have always asked TR 8 customers for their opinion, as if they really cared... which they don't.
16 Banks? My Unit has only 8 Banks... Is that just a wrong information or did they stripped it down?
Lightning fast there Nick, "doesn't record fader movements"
Probably by design.
Love the groove at the end. I’m sold.
very nice look around and demo - it's pretty darn cool
I'm going have buy this one can you upload samples drum kicks for dutch hardcore
This device is actually a lot more compelling than I originally gave it credit for. Not sure it's for me, but very dope indeed!
Austin Brubaker - I agree, far more impressive than I first thought but what you going to do with it? Kind of thing you would play out for a month, then return to software for the same quality sounds with more scope beyond limited loop stepping. Great for this kind of demo, for that dude that had too many E’s and never got out the 90’s.
PLEASE bring back Roland MC 909 maybe with anew face or with something more added
Anyone knows how good is the quality of its construction? Cause Elektron's drum machine kicks ass....
Some highlights:
1:45 "no green"
5:35 "is it tasteful"
:-)
That was so awesome !!!
I'm ordering mine today !!!
Is this the return of the Groovebox? Just what I'm looking for. I'll take 2.
LOL WTF "deepdowninside" hahahaha.
..... Her ass😌
s.e.r.i.o.u.s.l.y !!!! 10:47 he fckn read all of our minds
no good reason for vocals in techno ... especially tacky shit ..... Wooo! it's getting hot in here ... so tak .... fuck off!
I've been trying to find a beat machine that's close to or similar to the "E-MU SP-1200 Beat machine"
Would you say that the "Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is that machine?
Thanks!
My next questions:
1st: Can I record a keyboard/guitar input connected to the TR8S as an instrument into one of the variation banks (A-H). If so how?
2nd: Can one vary tempo level or have individual tempo levels for each input/instrument recorded into variation banks (A-H). If so how?
Thanks
Nice demo but It would of been nice to see how the samples are filed, loaded and edited. Does it have the basic sample start, sample end and pitch or can you chop up a loop for playback like with the Electribe units? Can you resample with built in effects?
mattsynth I don't think so. I think all editing has to be done before it's dropped in. I think once in it's a sample trigger
You can adjust pitch, start time and end time.
Yo this old man is no joke. He ask all the right questions
- Aira-connect - what am i missing? "just the USB cable and what I get is ----- _clock only_ .,.,., power and audio don't seem to be happening for me.,.,.,
Congratulations to the interviewer. Good questions Thanks.
Hi....the sounds are all from the tr 8s?....thanks!!!!!
Muy bien very good...menos mal que poco a poco van haciendo bien las cosas...bien animo y vayamos todos con alegrias...
wow that looks like a really good drum maschine :) .. best product i have seen from roland in a very long time. .. I knowits being pushed very hard towards live use but if this is your only box live i think i would rather use other devices like a push 2 or something. But for jamming, for the drummer in a band, being experimental in the studio with all the outs and creating a groove and well drum maschine stuff it seems awesome!
Ahhh... those class compliant drivers. Someday Nick someday ...
Wanttoknowabout aha I laughed too
Is it the EXACT same ACB sounds as the tr-8 or more like the tr-08 or tr-09?
DjRafiV I think it's got all variations
Fantasy product tr-8 had different ACB sounds compared to the tr-08 and tr-09. Wanting to find which flavor Roland slapped on the S
DjRafiV it's got all of them
Fantasy product I understand it has the 606 707 727 808 and 909 sounds. But what I’m trying to distinguish is, if the S has the tr-8 808 909 sounds or the boutique tr-08 and boutique tr-09 808 and 909 sounds which is a well known fact that these smaller boutique units have different ACB drums than the tr-8.
DjRafiV it definitely has all of them that is one of the USP's
Looks nice. Noob question: Does it have any sort of note mode for me to input melodies for things like pianos? Or is that not what this box is about? (I'm new to all this). The melody he creates in the final performance - is that dependant on the other, grey box he's connected?
Regarding the external triggering at the end of the video: does anyone know what the Tr8s is set on so that the steps are only triggering the tb303? Is there a setting on the screen that he didn't show us? In other words, the step buttons are not assigned to any of the voices...are they somehow assigned to the trigger out? Thanks in advance
Tubasco I would imagine that, just like a 909 and others, it will have a separate trigger track that just sends from the trigger out.
Dan Preston thanks! I've never had the pleasure of working on the old school units. Makes sense though :)
have a look at the last two voices,pressed together they will activate the track for trigger out
Stick around for (or jump ahead to) the jam at the end. Good stuff.
I wonder if the ACB 808/909 is the same as in the Boutique series? That would be sweeeeeeeeeet!
If it had a song/chain mode it'd be the one for me... Why, oh why do they not include that one simple function...
Can you program a row of 4 measures for example?
Very impressive. But will there be coming a tb3s? Would be awesome 😉
Glad to see that Roland has pulled their head out of their asses and added separate outputs.
Thanks for diplomatically bringing up Roland's lack of class-compliant support Nick.
I won't buy anything that relies on USB if it requires proprietary drivers. In my mind it equates to planned obsolescence.
At least in this case you could manage without USB as it has seperate outputs unlike the TR-8 or the Boutique 08 and 09. All you would lose is the MIDI/Audio interface over USB.
Not buying a TR-8S because of its proprietary USB drivers is rather short-sighted when even a cursory look at the features available prove that it is eminently useable as an entirely standalone instrument. I don't disagree with your initial sentiment, but Roland is doing Special Sauce things (more elaborate coding than a class-compliant interface would allow, probably) so that this and the rest of their AIRA range can integrate together into their MX-1 mixer. But no-one is _forcing_ you to use these features.
Back in the old days (80's - 90's) you had cartridges to upgrade firmware to fix bugs and add functions. USB makes this alot easier.
What makes you think this kit would become obsolete?
Drivers. Modern operating systems don't sit still (especially macOS) and once a product is discontinued, driver support tends to follow shortly after.
As I said, in the case of the TR-8S you would only lose the audio/midi interface so it would still function fine as a standalone drum machine. But a TR-08 would lose the ability to output audio over multiple channels.
That's what I said. The 08 and 09 rely on USB for seperate outputs. So when the drivers stop working, so will that ability. Unlike the TR-8S which has separate outputs that don't rely on USB.
It doesn't really matter that much though.... The focus on this machine is definitely hardware. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
I don't get the notion of people buying this machine for the DAW integration. It's just a bonus.
Can you adjust the probabilities?
I everyone, i have a little question, and not really finding info on it nowhere.
I want to use the TR-8S as a midi controller, as i was doing with the TR-8 before, but now i only can make it work on the sequencer, but no faders or knobs send no midi!
Hope somebody can help me on this
Thanks a lot.
So some of the features of the TR-8s covers the ground of the MX-1 yes?
there are a couple of similarly named features, but they will only apply to sounds in the drum machine, of course - anything else feeding into the mx1 you'll have to use the mx1 effects - bearing in mind the caveat that those can only ever be applied (as is conventional - dubbing last) to the final stereo mix - not to individual channels under any circumstances,..,
It seems a very nice drum machine, with a lot of cool things for a live use. I'd like to know if it's possible to change the CTRL parameters while playing, and if would be possible to motion record these different parameter.
Blue Synth Cave you can
Great!! thank you!
It's not polyrytm , it's polymeter .
Polyrytm would be triplets or duplets played against quavers etc .
Ward de jager So this can't play a triplet against a quarter note??
@@javiceres yes, it can.
Andronty Thanks
I'm sold.
I wonder how long those faders are going to last!
Big respect from abroad, mister Nick: you got me buying a few machines
What about time signature variations?
Roland back on form at last! Too bad it sounds like effects don’t deal with pattern changes well, one thing korg and Elektron can do, but hardly a deal breaker.
The burning question for me is, can you recorded more than one parameter with the control knobs, is it separate data ?
I.e. can control knob one be set to reverb decay , record automation , then switch it to reverb pre delay with same encoder and record that on top. Anybody know ?
I'm pretty sure you can't, but I've only played with it for about 2 hours so far, so it's possible I could be wrong.
That’s the first thing I wondered too haha
Craig Z ty , have you got the bug where if you move 6 faders at once it glitches the timing of the sequencer ?
Just tried it now... yes I do see that bug. I get it on moving 5 also, though it's not as bad there. Moving 4 at once seems fine.
i think this new TR has a lot of character. elektron to me now seems more limited. the TR-8S is going to end up being a classic. the flow is easy to work with. first Roland kit i've been interested in in a long time.
Can you tune and change decay with own loaded samples from the SD card?
Yep
will Nick do proper review?
because this way you wont hear about the downfalls.. like the anoying gap when switching to patterns containing different kit
And the cheap plastic build.
The TR8 feels like a toy. This feels solid. I'm even impressed and I'm a fussy prick.
Never touched a TR-8, so I can't compare it to that... but comparing it to the solid metal casing of my Digitakt, or the wood ends of my Drumbrute, this thing feels fragile and light to me. It is fun and sounds very good though!
Ok. So here's what I'm not finding. I'm not finding a "So you bought the Roland TR-8S and it's your very first drum machine. So here is a step-by-step-by-step beginners guide on the TR-8S. We're starting from the assumption you've never, ever, ever owned a drum machine. In this video, we present the drum machine. Here's your very first step--and why. Here's your second step--and why. Here's your third step--and why." and so forth.
In other words, videos that start with "oh, you do this this this and this..." as if you've already had extensive knowledge of the drum machine world, aren't helpful.
"Well then why did you buy a drum machine"? Because I'm interested in it. Because I want to learn. Because why does it matter? Point is I bought one, my money went to Roland, and I'd like a comprehensive starter guide. Bonus: I'd like to not have to deal with people who act like it's some kind of closed society where beginners are not allowed.
So there it is. A comprehensive guide starting from the "this is my first drum machine--I have no idea what to do to get started--PLEASE HELP" position. It's not an unreasonable request as there isn't anything like this in the vast sea of videos on TH-cam.
Totally agree, I’m thinking of getting one of these but I’ve never owned something like it so I’m a bit overwhelmed with them assuming you already know stuff.
I’ve got a Yamaha EX7 and Roland FA06 and there’s loads of tutorials and tips from professionals in studios and people just at home & I learnt so much more even after reading the manuals
Still doesn't have song mode...So basically you're stuck playing loops... even if you were to play variation A-H x 16 or 128 bars, which is not enough - roughly 4 minutes -> it's impossible to make a full song. The damn thing needs "song mode" or also known as "track write" on the original 909/808/606/505/707 - even the TR09 and TR08 have "track write".
To be more useful the machine should have the ability to custom play the variations in any order up to 256 bars.
AKA SONG MODE
I bought an Alesis SR16 for 10 bucks which has "song mode" and hooked it up with the TR8S -- bam! "Song mode", but also preset and kit changes... Then I bought a Roland MC80 32 channel MIDI recorder for 100 bucks -- bam! Infinite control over all my MIDI devices including pattern/kit/sample changes and parameter sequencing and menu automation.
@@Andronty unfortunate that you'd have to rely on yet more gear to augment a 700$ machine...
@@JCooperAudioSystems If you look it that way, the MC80 augmented 15 000$ worth of gear by fully and interactively automating them... But I see what you mean. A song mode would be fairly easily implementable with the existing interface and a firmware upgrade, but creating the songs would not feel like the overall user experience lacking dedicated controls. I just wanted to share my solution to drive the TR8s and create complete songs with intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro, control changes and even unique drum fills utilizing an extremely cheap -- but legendary -- drum machine that has this feature.
@@Andronty I understand, that's a cool solution, but I can do the same with cubasis on my ipad, it has a full midi implementation. In fact I could use my arduino board and a midi shield to make a cheap sequencer also. Any sequencer will do this.
The point is really that TR909 -> track write TR->808 track write 37 years TR-8, TR-8s has no track write. Who are Roland listening to these days...
@@Andronty it's crazy we have to jump through hoops like that to get Song mode... I have an MPC1000 to use as a sequencer but would much prefer the TR if it had a Song Mode. It's a consistent issue with several products at the moment that assume everyone will use it live. I want to use it live but I want to do other stuff such as strings and pads and also a bit of guitar.
Niiiiiiice. Shame it's so expensive. It's twice the price of the Electribe Sampler 2 and the Novation Circuit (and no doubt any other comparable drumpler/groovebox you can name). It'll do well on the 2nd hand market. btw, could Sonic State please ask Roland if there's going to be a final expansion/firmware for the TR8? Could do with a couple more kits and more than one effect per pattern.
First time I own a piece of kit before you guys get your hands on one...
is it good ?
Is he wearing Aira glasses?
Dang this looks interesting - 7 trig outs possible - Hummm. Of course will have to wait for a full SonicState review (and the wallet to stop smoking!). Thanks Nick, thanks Dave!
does tr8s have quantize off function ?
No.
Does it work with the sp404a aswell?
It even works with a Tesla. ;-)
Seriously: what exactly do you even mean?
looks way better the the 8...has me interested...def will not preorder but
anyone know if this could be used with eurorack?
Yes. Did you even watch the video?
I waited for this "Roland's Global Artist Relations Product Specialist" guy to demo it...
Thanks for the video, I am appreciative of being able to learn about the device.
That being said, better planning should've been put into setting up a demo that actually sounds good.
During the whole demo, I didn't once feel like "wow, I want to make a song like this" , which is pretty important, in my mind.
The demoed song was unimaginative, grating, out of time, and annoying beyond words.
I've seen better demos of this device, which is strange, because Sonic State usually produces some great demos that make me want to purchase said devices.
Better luck next time, I guess.
I'm here cause the rd808 is delayed with not a single word on release 😮🎧🎛🎛
Boutique CR-78. Please. Pretty Please.
Nice - but still being presented as a niche product for only one style of music despite it's obvious capabilities outside of the EDM world
Agreed. It's a good enough demonstration of the features, but so many product demos like this are so musically generic. Not the best way to really impress people and get them inspired to use your product. But it clearly could be put to great use in many different genres and styles. I'm sold on it.
it's a sample based drum machine you can do any styles of music withy it
if this had battery operation too it would be my dream machine
Anybody looking for a cheap TR-8 with 7X7 expansion to add to their collection? Legitimate question.
End track was cheerful and great, and seems like a very nice piece of kit overall. Well done Roland :)
2:39
when he did that i went like :0
Cheers Nick! Looking forward to a proper review. Better still a head to head with the Digitakt.
yes!
Is it possible to turn all those colours off?
I think you can make them just white
That would be good enough :) Thx.
You can dim them down through 10 levels. One of the first things I looked for when I got mine yesterday.
too right. Damn... those frikin ugly colours man!
What you meant to ask was, "Can I change all the colors to green?"
Nick. “ is it tasteful “, David “ depends who you ask “ . Hey great vid .
The sexual tension between these two was very distracting!
That's such an odd thing that you think you've seen 😂
I wish I read this comment after watching, the context has shifted dramatically.
Chud > Not like Gaz and favorite son Kuckoo ?
lol
"Deep down inside!!"
What happened to the "D beam?"
Peace ✌️ out people
this thing is awesome.. *eyes credit card*
Now is the time to get a TR8 they're being sold for as little as £250 on eBay
Next update: Sound Locks and Instant Pattern Change please