Tr 808 vs Tr 08 - Which is better?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2017
- We were lucky enough to get our hands on a classic TR 808 and put it side by side with the new TR-08.
Now before we start a chin stroking drum machine war, let me just say that the original is the original, and no matter how good the remake is there's something magical about this big metal box with it's clunky buttons that seem more at home on a push button telephone from the 80's, rather than a ground breaking, genre spanning rhythm machine.
but the question really has more to do with whether the TR-08 can satisfy your 808 desires, without forking out close to $5000.00AUD for a second hand one!!!
The 808 we had was very well cared for, but it didn't change the fact that it's a VERY old piece of gear, unfortunately drum machines aren't like a stradivarius, they don't exactly get better with age. so there are a some crackly pots and wayward tuning issues, but I wont lie, it was a real buzz hearing an original 808 going through it's paces, and maybe if I had the $$'s I might talk myself into getting one.
The TR-08 definitely held its own though. In reality I could have spent a little more time tuning it to match the 808 (because thankfully you can with this incarnation) but I felt that it definitely possessed the same characteristics of the old classic, and so it should, it's been modeled directly, from what I would assume, is a beautifully cared for original 808 stored deep within the vaults at Roland.
In reality the TR-08 probably sounds like how most of the original 808's sounded straight out of the box.
Before the ravages of time started adding their sonic quirks into the mix. But who knows?
So in closing would I by a TR-08 as an 808 substitute? Damn right I would! It's worth every penny!
But if I win the lottery I'm heading straight to ebay to get me an original too!
Buy now! goo.gl/A6AkJq - เพลง
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Nice comparison!! I’ve owned a few 808’s back in the early 90’s when they were only two hundred dollars and funny thing is that most of them sounded a little different from machine to machine. Some had better sounding claps or different pitches in regards to cymbals. Overall, the tr 08 to me sounds in the ballpark. Remember it’s all about how it sits in a mix. Today if your a purist go and spend a few grand. If your into producing get yourself something practical in the price range. Musicians and producers don’t make money nowadays so think wisely.
Agreed.That last sentence was so spot on.
You damn right!
Thanks
Great outlook also, considering how cheaper priced newer units could be discovered, change music and become legendary in the future
i know what you mean;; back in the day i had a few 808's too
The TR-08 is a great clone!
Thanks for this test.
The TR-08 is amazingly close. I run it through an Analog Heat to boost the bottom end. I can also run it through my Minitaur's filter which kind of softens the sound a bit.
You can nit-pick all day long, but... If you wrote a GREAT SONG it wouldn't matter which machine you used.
shut the fuck up
Are you always so clever? Or are you just on a lucky roll...
It would. The swing is what makes the 808 special.
It has a feel to it. It’s not ridged on the beat. You can swing the beat too, it has a knob.
1) write hit song with TR-08
2) ???
3) PROFIT! go buy TR-808
808 is simply the best drum machine ever made.
nonsense
nope, tr808 is the best =)
Elevatorhead05 the 808 always rules. It's the original Beat Box and the origin of Bass Music. The 909 is probably the most expressive of the old school analog drum machines, and definitely the most expressive of Roland's x0x series. The 909 kick is the hardest drum sound on the planet with the right processing. Nothing has come close to emulating the envelopes on that bass drum. The snare is amazing when driven. Same with the hihats. The 909 without processing sounds pretty lackluster though. If you're getting a 909, you're going to also need to buy some high end preamps, compressors, EQ's, and run it through a high end desk/channel strip to get the sound you want. Many people buy 909's thinking they are going to be making banging Techno out of the box, only to find out that their machine sounds nothing like the records they want to emulate. The cymbals and hihats sound especially cheesy without processing. The 808 on the other hand sounds amazing out of the box, with or without processing. It actually sounds best with little to no processing. Also, the 909 sound is so synonymous with dance music, that's pretty much all it's good for today. In the 80's when the 909 came out, Industrial, hip-hop, goth bands (Schooly D "PSK," Skinny Puppy "Smothered Hope" Nagamatzu "Taraiky") all rocked it out to great effect but, this was long before House Music and Detroit Techno had fully emerged into the mass consciousness (besides, old House and Techno producers were mostly using the 808 606 505 and 707 until the very late 80's/early 90's) The TR-808 on the other hand is extremely versatile, and can be used for pretty much anything, even though it's sound has been rocked out endlessly by Trap and Rap producers. It can be used for Electro, Hip Hop/Trap/Rap/Hardcore/Crunk/Dirty South/Miami Bass/Old-School Hip-Hop, Industrial, Post-Punk, New Wave, Experimental, Ambient, Synth Pop, AS WELL AS House, Acid and Techno (listen Adonis "No Way Back" probably the most seminal Chicago House and Acid Track of all time- it used a 303 and 808 with effected vocals. Also Plastikman "Spastik" one of the most seminal and influential Techno tracks of all time, uses mostly a 606 and 808 with a bit of 909 cymbals). The 909 is always going to invoke the sound of dance music from here on out, no matter what. Granted, there are many styles of dance music to choose from- run the 909 thru guitar distortion pedals and make some Gabber- Try making Rap with it, though, it comes out sounding like Hip-House. At the end of the day, the 808 always wins in my book. Regardless of how many records it has been used on, it always sounds fresh to my ears. The 909, not so. If it's not processed properly, it just sounds like bad House Music.
1, tr808 2. Linn drum, and the tmpest etc... tr 909= OVERRATED
Sp 1200
Great comparison, thanks for posting!
Thanks for uploading the comparison. Now I'm convinced that the TR-08 lives up to the legendary original. Roland did it again. \o/
You're welcome! It was really fun getting a chance to compare them. All the best!
The clap on the 808 sounds so much better
Nobody ever seems to care about the toms in these vs. videos, but I think they sound way better on the 808. Good comparison. Thanks for this.
Dadrian Wilson I was thinking the same. Kick and snare sound almost the same but those toms are a night and day difference.
Side by side you can hear a slight difference… but for the price difference, that’s just fine 😃
The tr 08 sounds good and looks the part too.
This is not just about sound, this is History.
For me they should make even in the same size.
But I can solve all the diferences in the Mix!! 😊
Excellent comparison. I agree with the video. The TR-08 sounds more crisp and is lacking some bass. But EQ is cheap. :-)
Great vid. Owning the “reissue” and not being able to truly go thru it, I found the “reissue” to be slightly “brighter” overall but pretty well exact with all the aspects that make the TR808 what it is.
I know I love mine!
There are alot of main differences, but i just want to add, the original pops and rounds like its going through tube and tape !!
Just sold myTr 808 for a ton of money then got the Tr 08 and i don't regret it
the timing of the hihat close is quite different.
I owned a tr808 myself, NOTHING sounds like that wonderful machine.
But in a mix you really cant hear the difference, I sold my tr808 and used samples instead =)
The clean tr808 sound is played out imo
I love The tr-08. :-D its good enough for me.
Hi, can you check if the start/stop and tap button and all the 6 black knobs are exact the same size as on the 808. Thanks
It's like a song that's been remastered....the TR 08 is the Remastered version.
Thx🙏; original seems tad “beefier”/reissue tad brighter but overall very similar. Bit cheaper too😉. The “work-flow” I think will match my 70s/80s vintage analogue setup. Might be interesting thru their 80s Reverb & Delay boxes ... old school😎. Thx again.
This is a nice comparison, the TR-08 sounds cleaner (perhaps too clean) and there is a noticeable difference in pitch, especially with the Claves around 3:38. I would own either one but have just invested in the R8 with the 808 ROM Card because I could not afford an 808. Good work.
Nice
the TR-08 is too tight imo but still very nice. is there a way to extend the decay?
I wish Roland made the 08 GIANT like the original 808!! THAT's what the people want!
Gordon Townsend $4,000
Nice. :)
how long will each one last
I also hear the "reverb" is longer in the original but using the decay on the clap in the TR-08 wouldn't change this more precise to the original?
I'll take the 808, thank you!
Is a reverb a effect? someone say that the 808 didn't have any effects. but i do agree the claps on the tr-08 has none
That's just how the clap on the 808 sounds. I was actually a little surprised, I mean it's quite a lot of reverb.
Thanx for sharing the comparisson.
For my personal experience: The sucessfactor in the original is the depth and warmth , wich is missing in the boutique version.
it is yet another clone, but affordable and usable ;-)
You're welcome! And yes there were a few surprising sound differences, in all fairness to the TR-08 I could have spent more time adjusting it to match the 808.
Don't apologize, please! This is the better comparison between the machines selected I heard, and honestly, the tr-08 is not so bad - thanks for the work!
Comparing the tr-08 with the tr-8, what do you guys think?
Nothing that a simple EQ can't fix.
Tr808 is slightly higher in pitch, and warmth but other than that, they sound identical. I'm sure the differences are more noticeable when you hear one in real life. Tr08 is still a great machine and besides, you could always add the pitch, warmth, etc during post-production anyways; not that you would have to.
Did they just take the aira tr 8 sound and stick it in a new box for the tr 08? Just wondering if its the same.
The TR-08 is a faithful recreation of the original unit using Roland's analogue circuit behaviour model. They've modeled it all the way down to the component level! This means it has all the quirks of the original, good and bad. The TR-8, does an amazing job of emulating 808, and and uses the ACB technology as well, but but not as stringently and the TR-08, in all fairness you probably couldn't really tell the difference in a blind test, but as far as getting as close as possible to an original 808 without the massive price tag, the Tr-08 wins hands down.
soundseasy i found what i was looking for here. Makes sense... i didnt think roland revamped the sounds they all ready did. They just repackaged them according to the article. So its about how one wants to jam and how the units fit ones flow. Thx for sharing this vid it a great comparison.
www.roland.co.uk/blog/tr-09-vs-tr-8/
Awesome answer Soundseasy. You are on point, think I'll subscribe.
Wish Roland would build a totally new drummachine that we will come to love. Now everyone is comparing and comparing. They already had the TR -8, affordable and good sounding unit and has the 707 and 909 sounds as well. Ok, Roland build us a great analoge drummachine with character that will blow us away and sounds like it is 2017.
I totally agree. Thankfully the boutique (LOL pun intended) companies like Elektron have picked up where Roland left things. the new Analog Rytm MKII is what I would call a modern classic. I love all the Roland reissues from a nostalgia point of view, and also the fact that even modern electronic music is consistently harking back to these retro sounds. But I think Elektron and other brands like it are really flying the flag for the modern electronic musician.
I will do this...which is more affordable and easier to find? TR808 = $3000-$5000 depending on its condition, and can only be found on places like Ebay and Reverb. TR08 = $300 can be bought pretty much anywhere musical instruments are sold.
Haha the kick is also massive on the 808
Should I take the TR-08? I am interested in music production. Let the work flow be fast and I want to be a good producer and do quality sounds and work. Thanks...
Honestly? Tr08 sounds better to me. Sure, it doesn't quite have the weight of the original, but the sound is also cleaner, no noise or anything. Add some compression and eq to bass and it has even the same weight.
The tr808 is more laid back and kick is bassier the tr08 also nice and punchy.
Nice comparison.
To my ears the 808 sounds both pleasant and present at the same time, also full as in "complete". And it just grooves from the get-go. The 08 in comparison is not to my liking. Not as bad as the Behringer unit, but still way less enjoyable that all the 808 demos I heard here on youtube.
Agreed. I think if you've got ears you're going to hear it. The 08 is thin, not much fun. 808 just gets it going. Wonder if a mix would really change that?
Honestly I think it's mostly the output stage that people are complaining about. I think all the roland boutique have a more sweetened output stage Because that's what EDM wants. Same thing I got from the Novation Peak as well, it's bright and poppy just not warm. Sure on a set of beats headphones they sound great, but on a pair of sennheiser hd 600 it leaves something to be desired
... what i think? i have seen over 20 videos about the sound of TR-08 because i want to now the cymble sounds...
why does not one of you guys ever get the idea to turn on the tone button??? grrrr
Is this a trick question?
I do agree it does have lots of reverb which you don't need to connect a effects box to add any... also the decay knob on bass drum, cymbals & open hi-hat roland its cool the 08 has same features roland was ahead of there time when added these the effects build inside into many of there classic drum machine from the 70s 80's 90's to now.
808 sounds so perfect to me, no need to modulate to much, the sounds are perfect pitched and fully harmonic
The question is what do you think?
Better for WHOM???
Tr08 sounds more rigid and compressed but a bit of Eqing could sort that easy.
Having used both, I can say that had you never touched an original, and then got presented with the replica, you honestly wouldn't be missing anything. It works great and does a faithful job in aproximating the qualities of the original in a pretty good capacity. However if you are a regular to using an 808 or 909 with years of experience, i can see where you would turn your nose up to the TR08... The vid comments are correct, there is just a certain magic in the originals that the replica isn't quite able to reproduce. But at the same time the TR08 is such that in some ways its capable of going far beyond what the originals could do with tuning and upgraded sample packages. It really really is worth the money. And the slight difference in tonal qualities is the characteristic of the original. Recapping and restoring an original doesn't really "brighten" up its sound much at all like it is on an tr08... A little bit for sure, but not like the difference noted here. However the TR08s "dryness" is ealisly made up with an external effect. And tbh would rather have that.
yeh agreed, the original is better, i have both, but the tr-08 is actually still pretty magic. roland did a great job
@@roberttodd2414 Having had mine now for a year+, I think my feelings are much the same now. The TR08 is really worth it. And its versatile. However another one I have come to love is the Behringer TR8. It has a different magic all its own. And in one use specifically I noted that it had quite a hard raw punch to it that I could not achieve with the stock TR08. That is at least until I fiddled with it some.
@@wishusknight3009 that's where we gonna have to differ brother, no Behringer crap for me.
@@roberttodd2414 "no Behringer crap for me"
Fair enough. Reliability is often a problem of everything they have made in the past. I think I have yet to come across a EuroPro mixer that doesn't have dead channels. Or a compressor/gate that hasn't developed horrific clicking and popping noises. among about 500 other products of theirs.
But with the TR8. It really surprised me. They have improved a modicum since about 2010. And some of their replica synths are knocking it out of the park (when they work).
The best way to describe them since acquiring Midas, is they have an absolutely phenomenal engineering department with an abysmal assembly plant.
@@wishusknight3009 I just don't support companies that blatantly rip of other companies. But then I have the original, so don't need to. But I just find it immoral personally the way they conduct business.
Tr-808.make a Big difference but the tr-08 can be sound compressed, come on! Is not that big differences that here seems to. ;)
cesar g you van comp is all you want. The noise and harmonics wont ever be the same. sadly!
Doesn't sound 3000 USD/EURO more expensive to me. A few times just by listening to them sounds I couldn’t tell which one was which... Thanks for the test! :)
THE 808 CLASSIC
Which analog drum machine do you guys recomend to me? (I cant afford an original 808 now)
TR-08 is perfect, but 808 is very perfect 🤗🙃 is more punchy, bd woooom... etc.
808 is a bit more alive and full, the 08 is a very nice close match but not the real deal...
NOT THE REAL DEAL?? You mean to tell me that the TR-08 isn't actually a TR-808?! WHAT?! That is crazy, man.
Easy. After running the 08 through some good hardware (Neve 1073 pres and shadow hills dual vandergraph compressor for me), hit a tape sim, you’re there.
The 808 is pure orgasm to my ears
A machine is a machine and not a human!!! Anything that has been build by hand is far superior than a assembly line.
I was told by someone who we all admire, that if I already have the TR-08 i should invest 4k in "OTHER" gear instead of a TR-808. But Man, I still want one.
I prefer the TR 08, sound is less muddy
De Graon only one output
Old is old... new is new, with improved circuitry. In today’s time anyone can afford a drum machine. While back then, only the rich could.😎👆
I think I need a real TR-808. I need the punch!!!!
Take the TR-08 for a spin if you can, the 808 is super dope! But with a little tweaking the TR-08 gets really close and you won't be minus 3K+ from your bank account! =)
sounds like the 08 is tuned ever so slightly higher-- which skews the results- the cowbells are clearly about half a note higher on the 08- if the entire tune is that much higher this alone could account for the crisper sound of the 08 and the deeper bottom of the 808
the difference is most evident in the closing sequence- where a rhythm tune be made with the two obviously different pitches of the cowbell
Could I suggest perhaps reading the "show more" section above, it explains this. All the best
"Which is better ?" What do you mean by "better" ? "better sound ?" "better price ?" "better size ?" If your attempt is to compare an original product with its replication and try to figure out which one sounds better so...well guess it's a waste of time. Sadly I never owned a 808, but I'm having fun with my 08 for a week now, and I don't want it to "sound better" than a 808: I want it to sound EXACTLY like a 808 (or the closest as possible).
TR08
Already bought a tr-08 :'( but for the cost ;)
08 gets my vote. Gave my 808 away for a cheap bass guitar back in the day. (Only for the money they fetch now is why I regret it) always running hot and dying on me. I think the boutique stuff Roland are doing is great! 🎶🕶✌🏻
dukeofpearl only one output.
Yes its a good compare review. But for long time fun its better to spare some extra money and buy a tr8 or a mc 707 in the Roland brand.
Can you play a drum pattern manually in real time using the pads instead of programming each step into a sequencer?? Thanks...
seems the 808 in this test was pitched down a bit..
Because technically only the toms can be tuned on the original 808 we did our best in this tutorial to tune the TR-08 to the 808. even then we were having difficulty with the 808's tuning constantly changing. (the joys of analogue huh?) T
Doc Holidaze ....exactly right. make them both the same pitch
Tr 808 sounds a little better Old school Baby !!!
I had my answer at 0:18
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
Overrated. Tr-08 is overrated. 😄
I love me TR08 (and 09) , but Roland …just make a CR78 box already :)
The new one sounds like a kids toy. I’m sad. I wanted one
I'd checking one out in the flesh if you get a chance, you may be surprised.
That's what they said about the OG as well at first.
Honestly they're super close. And most of the differences come down to that that 808 has older components.
The capacitors on the 808 must be rotting so my best bet would be the TR 08.
the tr 808 sounds warmer
For 300 quid and the real estate you’re left with... I’ll take the TR08!
The original 808 are out of tune (normal with the past of time) the tr -08 sound like some tiny an presence, the original some dark sound an more big,, but the original cost 4000€ and the new 390€ the difference of price make the new 08 best purchase so far
I CAN HEAR FROM MY LAPTOP'S SPEAKERS THAT 808 IS SO FUCKIN BETTER THAN 08
Guys... for a 1/10th of the cost... it ain’t THAT bad hahaha.....
I have to assume that the people complaining have no idea wtf sound design is... smh...
I miss crackling pots on TR-08
What do you mean you miss crackling pots? Do you even know what that means or how that happens? They didn't have crackling pots when they were new.
in the main comment. "so there are a some crackly pots and wayward tuning issues"...
I know but how can you miss something that wasn't there in the past?
on my tr-808 were crackling pots.
Okay now I get it thanks for clarifying
Very different sound.
It’s a different swing too.
close enough. 808 sounds quite a bit better though.
You can make up the difference in a mix. TR-08 is the CLEAR WINNER!!!
i don`t know. somehow it feels as if they are tuned to different frequencies. At least the cowbell and the kick. Not only do they sound different but in also in different key... Hard to compare like that
As written in the blurb above ;-)
"Now before we start a chin stroking drum machine war, let me just say that the original is the original, and no matter how good the remake is there's something magical about this big metal box with it's clunky buttons that seem more at home on a push button telephone from the 80's, rather than a ground breaking, genre spanning rhythm machine.
but the question really has more to do with whether the TR-08 can satisfy your 808 desires, without forking out close to $5000.00AUD for a second hand one!!!
The 808 we had was very well cared for, but it didn't change the fact that it's a VERY old piece of gear, unfortunately drum machines aren't like a stradivarius, they don't exactly get better with age. so there are a some crackly pots and wayward tuning issues, but I wont lie, it was a real buzz hearing an original 808 going through it's paces, and maybe if I had the $$'s I might talk myself into getting one."
with all due respect, I for example don`t feel anything at all about the real 808 and certainly nothing magic. If we were talking about the touch of a woman yes but a metal box with transistors is no magic to me. What i mean with all that is that what you feel about something and how much value it gets is 100% relative. Others pay crazy amounts of money for a post stamp because they see something in it same as you see something in a 808 and then there are the boring people like me who feel nothing special about anything material. i had "yes!" moments with both software and analog instruments. As long as you feel anything at all it is good i think, soft or analog i couldn`t care less. I possess a few of both worlds. So to get back to the subject , the only downside i see in the Tr08 is that it would be more attractive to me if it was about 10-15 % bigger cause it really is almost too tiny but not as big as the real 808 cause this i find too much for what it does and had discreet outputs.
*The Thing is, will the NEW Tr 08 still work after over 30 Years , i dont think so ;)*
I mean, its still a roland product so I bet it would
the og 808 blew it away the first beat anialated
This thing is at least roland didnt fuck it up with the tr8....and you actually get a better clap!
Damn. The difference is significant. The original is better.
why did they not make a fucking fill in button!??? how hard can it be!??
Who uses stock sounds to make their whack beats?
no analog individual outs on tr08... this is a no go : (
All outs can be directly routed to channels in your DAW
Yes, but first i heard there is a hard latence so you need a midi timing correction device first and second not everyone wants to use a daw in his setup.
This demo was done on the fly with me switching between each unit manually. But yes I def agree that I have some latency ;-)
From the grapevine: use USB 3 to prevent latency issues.
The TR-08 sounds cool, but my ears can hear the difference. Granted, I've been listening to music made with the 808 since Planet Rock and Sexual Healing came out in the 80's, so that's 35 years of hearing the genuine article. Most kids today can't tell the difference and it's a great toy for them to use to get a feel for the magic of the TR-808, the original Beat Box (well, not counting the CR78 of course, but that's only for those who know, and of course the ACE TONE and UNIVOX rhythm machines, etc). It sounds quite digital and sterile to my ears, albeit very crisp with a hot signal. Part of the magic of the TR-808, though, is working with a true analog signal and the inimitable effects you get when pairing that with analog synthesizers and effects. You could never get the same sounds out of the TR-08 that you get on a track like, for instance, "Spastic Crunch" by Severed Heads, "Yo Yo Scrape" by Skinny Puppy or even the esoteric sounds on "No Way Back" by Adonis. On the other hand, you could create some clean, overproduced Trap all day with it, especially since it has the roll/flam/32nd note feature (which you can still do with the 808 using the pre-scale time signature selection and pattern variation). There is no way you can get the all digital TR-08 Bass Drum/Kick to hit on a large sound system the way an analog 808 kick hits. On a lossy TH-cam video, using headphones or computer speakers, sure they sound similar.... But try them both on a massive sound system or pressed to vinyl. Nope.
Have you a delay in your pc?
Nick Angel huh?
Hahaha! Sorry, it was for an other video, nothing about your excellent work - by the way, it's the better about this machines -
every clone I've heard just does not cut the mustard,they will never get anywhere near the original unless they manufacture broken transistors.....the iconic twang is nowhere to be heard on a clone.
The original 808 is old, dusty, and has decades of sweat, smells and who knows what else stuck to it. Considering the fact that most men don't wash their hands after using the bathroom, and 808s were used mostly by men, you can imagine the filth that is stuck to this machine since 1982. I'm not a clean freak, but I much prefer to have a brand new, nice, clean TR-08 in my studio.
Good point! lol
The smell of the 80s lingers on
Fresher than a frog! 😂😂😂
how is this even up for debate