Description | The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is a unique and versatile rhythm device that can be used in a number of ways. Among its many operating features is its ability to write and record thirty two percussive rhythms incorporating up to eleven different sounds plus accents. Each of these percussion sounds has its own level control for full mixing flexibility over the total sound, and each sound also has its own separate output so that it can be mixed or processed separately from the others.
Programming of the Rhythms can be accomplished either in or out of real time by means of a Step programming method which basically breaks each beat down into a series of steps, which can be varied to suit the desired rhythm. Each beat (or quarter note), can be divided into 3, 4, 6, 8, individual steps so that rhythms can be written incorporating as small a division as thirty-second notes.
Once the various rhythm patterns are written and stored in computer memory, they can be arranged to perform an entire composition's percussion track by means of a Compose function, The track can last up to 768 measures. The memory can also be used in individual increments of 64 measures each to play up to twelve different songs.
Three separate Trigger Outputs allow the TR-808 to be connected to various digital sequencers, synthesizers or other such devices for synchronized con-trol of sound. Other performance features such as automatic insertion of Introduction or Fill In rhythms as well as remote control over both this and the Start/Stop function expand the TR-808's uses into live performance in addition to its obvious applications in recording and composing music. |
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | TR-808 |
| Device | Drum |
| Type | Desktop |
| Engine Type | Analog |
| Engine | VCO, preset |
| Voices (max) | 12 |
| FX | Auto fill-in |
| Drums | Kick, Snare, Low/Mid/Hi Toms, Low/Mid/Hi Congas, Rimshot, Claves, Hand clap, Maracas, Cow bell, Cymbal, Open hihat, Closed hihat, Accent. 64 patterns. |
| Sequencer | 16 step A/B |
| Recording | 12 Songs |
| Keys | 16 |
| Key type | Pads |
| Velocity | N |
| Aftertouch | N |
| Audio | Multi out |
| CV-gate | DIN Sync in/out |
|
Produced: | 1981 - 1984 |
| Legend: |
Obvious |
Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator |
DCO |
Digital Controlled Oscillator |
| LFO |
Low Frequency Oscillator |
Sub |
Sub Oscillator |
| VCF |
Voltage Controlled Filter |
VCA |
Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
| Velocity |
As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. |
Aftertouch |
Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel. |
| Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise. |
