Roland MC-808 user reviews ( 7/10) - 28 user reviews

• 05/08/12

  AlanForPresident's review "roland sounds"

  Characteristics

  The roland MC 808 is a device that I had a chance to use a few times before when I was searching for the right sampling sequencer for me. After using it for about an hour or so, I must say that it was pretty good. It seems to have the capabilities of almost any other sampler that is out. Its pretty big and it has a lot of knobs and sliders at first glance, but after you open the manual and start to understand the boards interface it will all kind of make since. So after you figure a few things out you will be up and running right away, plus it was made by Roland and they always bring quality products to the tables though this is one of the first samplers I have used by them mostly just the keyboards I have seen from Roland.

  Utilization

  Like I said with the quick start guide, it will get you going in the right direction pretty quick. Its easy to understand and is right to the point. But just navigating through menus and to get the specific stuff you are looking for can be a hassle with so many knobs, buttons and submenus. it’s a pretty complex machine. Its hard to compare it to the MPC though because the MPC is known for its pads and layering of drums. The nice big square pads just don’t exist on the Roland MC 808. Which is pretty much a deal breaker if you ask me because sampling and chopping on pads is a huge part of my creative and musical process.

  Sounds

  One of the good functions that it does have is the auto fader functions which took me a while to figure out how to get them to fade automatically for a while so I had to pick up the manual for that. The sounds a pretty good though just like most sounds that Roland produces.

  Overall Opinion

  Overall, it’s a very good sampler and im not surprised that so many people like it. Its more of an all in one sampler though and can be pretty dependent and doesn’t need to be synced with a computer for you to really finish a project which I like.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 03/25/12

  theaudioandvideoguy's review "its not for me"

  Characteristics

  The Roland MC 808 is a groove box that was created about 6 or so years ago. This groove box never really had a chance to reach its full potential in my opinion. it’s a great piece of equipment be was over looked because of all the other drum machines on that market that are so powerful. The Roland MC 808 can take up to 512 MB similar to an MPC. I supports a flash card memory as well. Has all of the functions like the chopping, auto chopping sampling as well as full patch editing.

  Utilization

  Pretty easy to understand but I did have to pick up the manual just to get some of the basics down because I have never used one of these before when I was at a friends house. Me being and MPC user, this didn’t work for me. Sorry to say, but it will give you NO satisfaction if you use an MPC. I just couldn’t get in my groove with this groove box (no pun intended) . It cost about 1200 dollars brand new when it came, that was around the same time the MPC 1000 came out for 200 dollars cheaper. I just cant see why anyone would choose this over the MPC.

  Sounds

  Sounds good, doesn’t provide that gritty sound that I love but it does exactly what someone would want it to do, load up your kits or samples and start creating songs. Not really sure about the song mode on this, I didn’t get that far because I got frustrated with its basic features not being able to compete with the MPC.

  Overall Opinion

  Overall, I say it’s a great piece of gear. But if you are coming from an MPC don’t get this. If you have this or want to get this now that’s fine you will love it. But once you get your hands on a MPC this thing will no longer matter!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 03/15/09

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by Libreesprit/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  See Roland's website

  Utilization

  Comprehensive and clear user's manual. It includes a quick start guide explaining all main functions. With lots of references to other chapters. So you'll need to make a lot of copies if you want to have everything you need without having to look it up in the user's manual.
  
  
  
  Easy configuration if you understand Roland's concept. Many button combinations (Shift + ...) but all basic functions are easily accessible from the front panel.

  Sounds

  The factory presets sound "modern" but I'm still looking for more authentic sounds (for Latin instruments for example).
  
  
  
  Until now I haven't found a sound bank for the 808, except for the sounds of the included and VERY intuitive software.
  
  
  
  The effects are good enough to color the sound, but if you want more accurate effects you'll have to use an external multi-effects processor.

  Overall Opinion

  I've been using it for six months (about 2-3 hours a day).
  
  
  
  Great product if you take the time to understand it, but it will still remain complex if you don't know music theory because it's a music instrument!
  
  
  
  I don't know much about music theory so I had to work really hard to learn how to use all functions.
  
  
  
  It's a great product that allows you to produce good music.
  
  
  
  Value for money is ok.
  
  
  
  The SD card offers enough storing capacity and the sample memory can be extended (see Roland's website).
  
  
  
  Would I buy it again? Yes because its versatility allows me to spare the use of any additional synths. The motorized faders and additional functions are a delight.
  
  
  
  If you want an easy and ready-to-use device, don't buy it! But if you like sound tweaking and creation, buy it!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• 11/20/12

  Nevrakse's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Or post to other characteristics

  Utilization

  The machine is easily on hand .... nose in the manual, it takes a few days synmpa thing .... but it is true that the machine was to be suspect connected to a PC, and ca shows!

  Sounds

  I've heard so many korg electribe, their sound ... my inflated it sounds ..... The clean, well is there's way to blackmail

  Overall Opinion

  I have only a few months, but it is happiness :)
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 09/26/11

  D4p0up's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " An excellent machine that suffers from its name"

  Characteristics

  16 channels / Sequencer multistep 3 Recording Modes / Sample-based synthesis or a Roland synth made in multilayer powerful.
  
  
  
  Connection Midi / Audio / USB / CF (bridge Midi possible)
  
  
  
  Motorized faders, Pads, rotocoder "classic" Roland, Section effects, optical remote controller, etc ...
  
  
  
  Specifications are detailed on the website of Roland. It is a complete machine, mixing in a form factor of a sampler groovebox multilayers, a powerful synthesizer, a sequencer and powerful aid to live performance (Chord bank, arpeggiator, one button call pattern, etc. ...).
  
  
  
  There's no denying it, there are many functions. E is not around in 10 minutes.

  Utilization

  Side "I can do anything" makes configuration pretty winded. The functions accessible with the machine itself is very limited, the user can change a few synth patch paramètrse as the filter, or LFOs rates.
  
  
  
  the essential functions of composition are available live, but the advanced user will always use the supplied software, heureseuement comprehensive, patches and to refine his songs.
  
  
  
  Auto faders are a very good initiative, they can easily change a patch or a beat live without losing other settings. This is a great addition that makes the machine very comfortable to use when we had the bar winded millions of features.
  
  
  
  this machine can not do without a PC for advanced editing, but provides all the functions to lay a pipe in 30 seconds.

  Sounds

  The sounds are very good. Basic presets are basic, but with a little tweaking and synthesis of knowledge can be drawn from large sound system lutitimbre classic Roland. When the sampler, with the addition of some RAM, it very well decrease its function.
  
  
  
  effects are correct, and are used easily.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for almost 4 years now and I am fully satisfied.
  
  
  
  Its bad credit / reputation is mainly due to purists who thought buying a groovebox 1990 under the term, and felt prisoners. This is not a groovebox primary meaning of the term, but a studio work including sound sampler, synth and sequencer with other systems seen in the live well.
  
  
  
  It's a Swiss Army knife of impressive live setting allows the well to make any beat with ease. on the other hand, are accessible from the front that controls that can be reasonably fit to live in a benefit. The rest of the setup is done with a PC. This phase can be quite tedious but ultimately, we can not really blame him for doing his job poorly.
  
  
  
  Instead, the controls available on the machine are a synthesis of all she can do. those who do not find their happiness were wrong machine: it does everything, but does not allow the same freedom in facade on a more specific device. to dig, push in the software menus.
  
  
  
  You just have to have that in mind to get a view of the beast.
  
  
  
  This choice I would do without hesitation, although I admit having to use a master keyboard in order to fully enjoy the features of the beast.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 11/20/10

  Tybowz's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Top"

  Characteristics

  there enormemment sounds and different styles, but many like ..
  
  after, are very solid surprising for a sampler!
  
  effects are well over 47 effects but there are many twenty useless!

  Utilization

  It is clear that the mc808 is not very easy to use, but after some days of battle and laminated pages of the manual, you quickly understand how it works.
  
  The most amazing is that even after 2 years are still being discovered functions or tricks! what's it good!
  
  it is certainly not easy! but must also stop being lazy!

  Sounds

  Admit that the sound is not bad for a sampler. Maybe the battery kit is a bit **** ch has long but you can always import with usb cable!
  
  the 16 small pads (which I love) are not velocity sensitive.

  Overall Opinion

  I used it for 2 years.
  
  I started music at the machine with mc808.
  
  
  
  The +:
  
  if you're a minimum "gifted" you leave something flapping in 2minutes watch in hand. the "r-rec" is pretty nice. motorized faders its super cool! the dial is much better value than small plastic buttons that are "CLAC" when you press on it .. storage of sample by inserting a compact flash card is the TOP. and then I forget ..
  
  le:
  
  motorized faders make noise (when you are in or with the headphone and the need to avoid the noise) is not that great. the d-beam controller is useless. the console is a good 15minutes démmarrer when you have a compact flash card filled enough.
  
  
  
  value for money is indisputable!
  
  now I'm on ableton live, so good .. but YES I would do if this election!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 07/25/10

  Mr joypop's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " not enough fun"

  Characteristics

  connetable convenient USB connection is missing the pedal is to the ball on the sp 555

  Utilization

  machine not accessible enough without the software it is not easy to transform the sounds and yet he must have pumped up a PC so it does not ram.

  Sounds

  the sound quality of the machine is unprecedented, but the basic sounds do not sound quite electronica. a lot of piano and guitar that can nevertheless ask good instrumentals hip hop and trip hop

  Overall Opinion

  the downside is the listing has argus. 400euros you lose focus for resale even though it has less than 1 year and under warranty roland. NOT ABUSED
  
  I sold the EMX1 and my sp 555 for the 808 and I bite my wad.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 04/15/10

  lekanut's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  all characteristics that are expected to total a machine in terms of technical capabilities (features) and nothing in terms of ergonomics ..
  
  (For details, see the previous posts to understand what I mean .. see more))

  Utilization

  voila groovebox Miss plastoc designed by robocop!
  
  the interface is completely rotten ... a 2000 miles from what we want to groovebox ...
  
  
  
  This machine is cool in concept as the north pole ...
  
  Roland we sell tons of products with real-time access .... the 505 and 909 (which I've had and adored before purchasing a 808) were thinking machines for fun and ... musicians with access time Réél ..
  
  
  
  Think that you can not even have access to any parameters in terms of real time synthesis except through the computer is shocking ..
  
  
  
  When was his motorized faders ... it s in motion ....( go left right me a knob for my pan for example.) C is just a smokescreen to make marketing history gnagnagna positive on the bike.
  
  
  
  Ps: if the manual, ca va!

  Sounds

  nothing negative to say about the sounds given what is expected of this type machine ..
  
  There are things to do .. and it can sound very good!

  Overall Opinion

  lovers and users of roland groovebox for ages (505 and 909), I had bought the 808, thinking back the spirit that I adored groovebox ..
  
  
  
  Nay!
  
  This machine provides no pleasure roland s. .. use has destroyed the concept car with this machine ..
  
  
  
  This machine has the ass between two chairs (computer, not computer?) And anything that was that little thing we kiffa the 505 (better?) For example.
  
  
  
  I've sold after 3 weeks ... disappointed and surprised to have n no desire to make music with.
  
  
  
  (And tell yourself that this is not a control problem .. I make music on a large multimedia station pro and I have mastered and worked and often possessed with all the main synthesizers of the past 20 years ... so I'm not supposed to be a ball either ..)
  
  
  
  This is definitely the machine hardware that I have found the worst in its concept for a long time .. roland c is fucking the mouth of all fans groovebox with this Bécanne ..
  
  
  
  Money:
  
  Today I work with Ableton Live 8 and the APC akai 40 (with any such arturia synths that sound so much better at the limit, and an apple macbook for exemplary reliability, the best in the world ?)... and groovebox although of course ableton live has 10000 miles is in terms of power of the 808 ... and that would force the hardware (the usability) of the akai is still 10 times better that a dedicated machine as the 808 (the sprinkler watered) with a feeling on the knobs plastoc much less and more productive!
  
  
  
  And in my opinion is better GPA for the sampling, or Electribe EMX, or a Machinedrum (boxes of pace at least take advantage of real-time hardware design ... s. 808 opposite the bastard!)
  
  
  
  My conclusion?
  
  
  
  I am surprised to see so many positive opinions on this machine finally to be honest .. but actually I think that c is also because all those who think like me were a little less stupid than me: they did not have bought ... so at least they have not lost no time has put a negative review ..
  
  (Yes ok, my opinion is a bit of a rant but if you search the forums internationals you'll see that I am far from being the only one thinking that eh ...)
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 03/29/10

  fafadu49's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  896 Patches slamming!
  
  256 patterns of plant and most of NEEDS-go box lol it rocks whether or techno rnb

  Utilization

  the manual is very clear is true that the mc 808 is complex, but without the manual good luck :-)

  Sounds

  point of view I'm having severe sound (I have since 2 days!)
  
  ideal for my songs (Trance, Hardtrance ...) the kiks petes thunder
  
  Brief 850euros (I buy new) no regrets, nothing to do with my mc 307 (if someone wants to sell it elsewhere I)

  Overall Opinion

  for 2 days
  
  I already had my hands the mc 303, mc 307 and d2
  
  I chilled this choice without problem!
  
  Friends and tranceur technoman YOU EXPLODED!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 02/02/10

  Nhcool's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The sequencer is powerful, the Groove Quantize are still present.
  
  There are 16 runs ahead on the mc 505 y 'had only 8.
  
  Y 'sound has tons, more than enough for any style of compounds apart from film music style can be john william and again.

  Utilization

  - Well, if you just dial noraml ok, you just get used to.
  
  - The manual is ok
  
  - The sampling is ok too.
  
  - I not sure how he should use effects is more complicated than the mc 505

  Sounds

  - Yes, the are very good and very realistic. there are tons categorized by genre.
  
  - Only disappointment, the drum kits do not prennnet full extent of the keyboard as on the mc 505, but there are good sound, I do not like the sound of the compressor, but no, we hear nothing.
  
  - I is not even the computer software for now, without running the chop.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 1 month. I do not know yet all these functions, but hey there 's plenty to do.
  
  I never had a mpc 1000, but I think the MPC should not be bad, except that there's no all the sounds of roland.
  
  Sampling is a good thing you can tap your good instrumentals.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• Page: 1
• 2
• 3
• 
•