All user reviews of 4/5 for the Roland MC-808

For which specific applications or uses have I chosen this product?

Used for sampling, creating melodies, and experimentation( R&B, Hip-Hop, Lo-fi and Soul)

In what context do I currently use this product?

I use the machine as a standalone unit connected to my lexicon to Cubase through KRKs 8", mainly as a sound design platform, and to work on indie tapes (beats)

Have you tested other comparable or competing products before purchasing this one?

I had the MPC 500, and I really didn't like it, I felt ripped off that in the modern era we still need to basically use a machine from the 90s. Roland has updated faster than Akai in this regard(adding auto chop in the update was great!). My MPC would sit for months unused because it was frustrating to have to chop samples manually I would just use fruity or Magix(cringe). I've also used Reason,Cubase, Fruity and Ableton extensively(geeking).

What are the pros and cons of this product?

The Pros!:

The machine is extremely versatile, allowing you to tweak your sound quite well. I've read people saying that the D-Beam is useless? No, you can filter on the fly and record that as a take, I mean come on!

Also I really enjoy the fact that it's just a bit simpler than the MPC and allows you to do the same things quicker.

I love the sounds, and after the firmware update the sounds are a little crisper, I've read people whining about the sound quality( I love the sound for the lo-fi effect, and I'm, buying a lot of cheap equipment for new tapes and lo-fi will always be cool. You can also really tweak sounds.

The sounds: I love sine waves and other tweakable parameters and sound wise the 808 is a smorgasbord.

The Cons:

Minimal tutorials, you literally have to scour the internet looking for ways to load samples, chop, update ram, use the unit, etc.

The unit is complicated and does have a learning curve, but with an understanding of mixing, recording and music theory, one can totally explore unlimited possibilities. I think instead of looking at it as just a groovebox, think of it as 40 years of advancement in one unit, you can create sounds from the disco era(JMJ), EDM, and sample for Hip-Hop(JMT) or dance. What more could one ask for?

You have to Learn to work with sound to enjoy this unit fully.

Lastly.

I've been making beats and music for about 12 years now and only in the past 4 years can say I have professional grade music. This piece of gear has really tweaked my sound in the way that I want, through allowing me to take the sounds I want and mix them how I want. I'm using mostly sampled drums and synths, so the multi-sampling function is a real dream, having said that I must say that the 808 is not for everyone, if you have a passion for old synths, and sound mashing and molding this is for you. Clap Trap creators should stick to Fruity or Logic for quick fixes.

Having this unit is a real dream come true for me, I can finally make those dark atmospheric beats. I mean Stoupe the Enemy of Mankind(Jedi Mind Tricks) used a four track recorder, and I can't remember the sampler he used, but he had a lot less than 200Mb of Ram.

Challenge yourself.

StonElbows

The MC 808 has the ncessaires connections to conventional connection, audio outputs and noon, usb to the computer (mac or pc).
200's and something like fifty rhythmic quality kit.
any fawn with a compact flash card, one can load SEVERAL hundred other sounds so if you bump the machine is not ungrateful.
the software allows to modify each aillor patch or new sample
the famous motorized faders allow to keep the memory movements like mao and ac 'is a class, you can concentrate on one part of the pattern to play manually (must, for fun ...) and program a complex life cot ....
squenceur is the standard: loop many of the different measuring tens nothing do with Korg.
the effects are a little below them, a pity, but coupled with good programming is compensated.

USE

I 've taste the Korg EMX1 at a mate, that is on the request of roland works, a lot of work (and gallons of hot coffee ....) but pay.
less direct than his colleague, it helps with a can of experience to do very nice things even live but less radical (change of effects for example)
for the edition, the more it's not easy, but life is hard I think, huge
it's like comparing Zelda fihgter street, the 808 is exciting from that point of view, and it's like a that you have to see, if it's not worth it ...

SONORITS

The sounds are varied, I made of electro, tech trend hard, but I mvade in extraordinary personal trips and I have to .... koi software and sampler allows anyway one of accder happiness no matter what.
but it's true that the guys at roland might think has some preset core a little more, it would be cool for them, but should not navel gazing, the purchase has gnraliste and more day passes, you Gave the new patch and the fact !!!
sounds realistic says: average more
I 'like SYNTH and PLS (pulsating synth) damage that it does not have any more .. (PLS)
finally sends it anyway!
less fat than korg but the potential variety is, it largely dessu, so more possibilities out stuff not heard ten thousand times Adi

NOTICE GLOBAL

I have the last 9 months, I 'am happy .... it m' has obliged progress ....
j 'AIMME most: -possibilit of edition fine
Programmable -faders
-the while a
least: -livr without RAM
-al fragile air
-the effects .......

It is a machine for hard workers, not srieux refrain ...

A super machine that is difficult to exploit half of the opportunities, many effects, it is possible to play anything related to electro see a little more.

UTILIZATION

Really not easy when you're not used to this kind of machine!

SOUNDS

The quality is there, good sounds that work well (once you understand to the machine).

OVERALL OPINION

In the adaptation challenge is really fun, fun, nice, pro ... Everything you want positive!
I used to mix rock and electro, reggae and electronica, really good!
Many very pro option allows not to lose time as automated knob for example ...

Good

UTILIZATION

The attention is here I say we go back or forward?

the use of this machine is not simple in the beginning and even after a year or more for sure lol, and I had gotten used to the 303 505 307 909 mc and with its large screen is not reduced by any intuitive unless experience on roland mc ... and yet, for me it is even more complicated than the 909 mc and yet it was not already at the beginning of the cake!

back? end screen if I can say lol screen as a 505 mc 1998
Require the use of a computer for further settings "software supplied with"
Disappearing cursor "FAT" to head after a "solo univision" which was essential for me on mc 909 mtn I am obliged to turn 909 mc cursor to go midi mode for mc 808, or then make it work via pc ... Damn me if I chose to work on roland mc home was to avoid computers (mtn thus not the right choice "even without the pc on c has come out something quite that + correct

I'm not that hard as this will be as bad honest,

Many complained of his is useless motorized faders "is the flashy ect ...
Personal because it helps me to really moin more joke with filters, volume ect when the modified real-time tj we know it or even if you go to another track thank you.
I would prefer to see the round cursor automatically rotated as it is big rectangle that rises and descends like a volume tuning is ... not serious.

lire the manual several times to understand it says go little by little with this machine is c casi do exactly the same as the 909 mc but will require more work, but the product will put you on the ass you forget moments of crisis with it.

that's basically for me

SOUNDS

I have nothing to say they add some sound + is compared to the 909 mc
+ this + compressor and adapted to modern music.

OVERALL OPINION

I need to have my 808 with 909 mc to choose between the two I chose the 909,
But view its strength ect 808 is superior and a compressor + present and firmer and warm and pure kicks.

After a good control of this machine and have good songs tweak your machine you will get an unrivaled sound to others ...

I'm just saying that the mc me on the most is the mc-505, mc-909 and mc 808 bheuuuuuuuuuu the rest I have already forgotten that I had (mc 303 307 mc and D2)

He will follow up the MC at roland??? :/ The Machine style pads are rather mtn trend i / phone ect ...

For those who want to have fun or have a nice song without taking the head forget this machine rather watch a korg electribe esx ...

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.

Everything has been said, some additional audio outputs would have been welcome, the editor for Mac / PC is rather well thought out, the motorized faders are a treat to live!

UTILIZATION

Use the "basic" simple, provided that we know a little MC-X0X, if the manual is clear and the first patterns are written quickly, soon you sail in different modes and menus, but many thought.
As against a MIDI setup just loaded (controllers, synthesizers and other sequencer), things get complicated and many of the constraints appear. Master in the configuration of the DC is quite complex, as a slave, the real-time recording or step is laborious ...
These defects are specific to my use (a little weird I admit!) But very annoying for creativity, with a machine of this series I am a little disappointed, but I insist to use "classic", no worries !

SOUNDS

I use it for the hardtek and electronica, the sounds are very good, very many and varied, with good momentum, for against the realistic sounds (pianos, violins, etc.) are not very ... realistic! But the sampler is to compensate for this problem ...
The effects are good, especially the compressor and mastering, very effective.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for four months, the style all-in-one of the groovebox is really convenient modules sequencer, synth and sampler are of good quality and easy to use, the faders are very useful.
I tried the MPC1000 and 2000, the 808 has a much warmer, for against the sequencer is not worth that of the MPC, I think the choice is a matter of taste.
If it was the only sequencer in my config (we play many) I would do this choice, but too many constraints imposed on me with my other machines, a shame as it sounds!

Well I do not return it CHARACTERISTICS available on the site roland
not previously noted as the srx slot 909 and a single output more ... not cool
The pcm t have changed from the 909 and frankly to cover most basic needs (except rhythmic level since I am the dnb / breakcore but the sampler is to have!)
A compressor on the master reverb dosed for each track and three multi effects INTERESTED enough (but only with Editor ditable on computer)
Squenceur powerful enough (I have not tried APRS squence other machine) A default mode will not step beyond the 1 / 32 therefore have to use the microscope to a it sucks!
the sampler is the largest of all it's cool groovebox has
In addition to the edition (with the computer) is really in depth not really need a synth can be more than something typical for analog, FM etc ...

UTILIZATION

Trs same easy to use rather than on the 909 almost everything is done with shift + button
For against the edition is still no full games squence a little boring!

Bcp function for shipping samples or require the patch editor. To beginners is boring since we have not used that breaks the rhythm of a component, but in fact it is not so bad especially when the screen is forcment more!
The manual is not exactly clear, but TRS explanation is trs technique and then have to know rperer for essential functions (like unison in the patch that is a little stash!) . is clearly a technical manual, one wonders if aa t done by musicians finally nothing serious!
EDIT finally matters is hyper sucks to have to constantly alternating between the computer and bcanne like I load a sample on the machine I go to save I return the computer to edit the patch I return the machine to make a loop with I return the computer to edit the patch to the hair ... grr sucks, though prvoir to put both sides on the same side table if you become phew! :-(

SOUNDS

Noise level as well say at once I find a ring of death! although the presets are sound and hyper pourraves own. waveforms are also a neat surgical but ... in fact it should be understood The systems of the layer (4 layers that make up the sound). Their modes of association and by which they are associated Manir and distorts the sounds you can get really fat, dirty and powerful! Basically has used it as a basic groove is one takes the direct sound is more synth or large optical sampler is immersed himself in it and it really happens to the sound you're looking!
Ralistes sounds are not very good INTERESTED but I think with the sampler must be a possible but not so good in fact multichantillonage ... it has not done too much for what!
ryhtmiques kits covers the need classic techno bar, lots of the end of the bar roland (cr78 tr909/tr808 etc ...) sounds better than a mc on the 909 -> clear they ate vitamins!
The effects are really good, except the various distortion that blows dead but an accumulation of guitar amp replace it! bcp something a bit wacky but the truly classic (chorus phaser delay) of good quality!
Just do not think you understand how this machine sounds by relying on preset ... I have APRS hsit bcp test in the store but good as it is the same engine as the 909 (I had too!) I felt good going ! it's really the main strength of this machine (as in mc 909)

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 6 months and I have to sell ... I do not need much power since I do all my computer components on and I load the machines live!
I find that to be the computer's hard enough but hey you get used to it. ca a little closer to the composition of the computer I find the Manir to -> done on his patch, and then we compose APRS. I think that is gaining rapid and synoptic vision of the patches but that loses in the composite intuitiva :-( for a 909 mc the best silent

Relative price level quality for someone who does not use the computer too (but a little of the same) is unbeatable -> edition sampler pushed wide and ditable, squenceur powerful (with diff rent basic mode) no machine is as powerful for the price

See other advice and Roland website for an exhaustive list.

The MC-8O8 is at the same time an evolution and a little sister of the MC-909 (see pros and cons). The 909 is a cult because it groovebox complte (with all the time CONTRL tural and functions derived from Fantom keyboard workstation (effects, sampling, large LCD screen).

The 808 is less practical in the home studio but musically more powerful 909 with better ergonomics live for half the price.

UTILIZATION

Using live with the pads, the keys from select / mute by the motoriss faders and mixer functions (RPS, enchantment pattern) is excellent (9).

Only BMOL the squenceur is rigid and does not allow the edition as live on Electribe. Cel having induced any prparer home. And my opinion is more mixed.
Indeed, if the MC-808 is more powerful than Electribe also more complex.

The main functions are easily accessible via the mode button + shift + a pad. I love the TR-Rec mode for programming drums. However, when we enter the bowels of the can (which is a small gas plant), the cell complex. The complte edition (some paramtres be accessed via the faders) patches, samples, drumkits and effect is only through the MC-808 Editor software. As against the vnements of squenceur ditables are on the machine and the screen becomes a big brake ridiculous. Only through a solution squenceur software (Sonar, Cubase ...). So do not be neither pro nor anti soft to use the MC (6).

SOUNDS

Sound (pad, lead, synth bass and brass) are generally good electro, but if we Whereas it should be the highlight of the MC, we would like to synthse modlisation analog. The drums electros (TR 909 808) collide well, acoustic means.

To the sounds of organ, ep, and clav sound of it plutt way, ie that Integrates well in mix, but will sound a bit cheap to play alone.

The effects come from the Fantom and are very good at all (well above electribe and MPC) (8).

I had the opportunity to cost a Korg Micro X, and I find the best leads, organs and ep.

I have a Fantom G6 and set apart from the drums and some electro synth bass the Fantom is 1 (strings, brass, clav ...) 2 (organs, ep, leads, acoustic drums ...) notches according to the above sounds. The Fantom score 3 times more.

OVERALL OPINION

I have since late 2006. This is a great machine to play live electronic music (techno, house, hip hop, r'n'b, ragga ...). I really like this machine, but for me the ergonomics home studio, the sounds and effects are not enough I got. Fidler Roland, I opt for the Fantom G6 is a good trs workstation but on which I lose a little mind groovebox. Finally I found the instrument that combines the power of a workstation with a CONTRL live groovebox, the Korg M3, but I keep my MC-808.

Pros
+ + + All the major functions of the MC-909 (squenceur, sampler, synth the internal PR ...)
+ + + Technological evolution over the MC-909 (polyphonic waveform, RAM, memory card
+ + + Faders motoriss
+ + The price (half of 909, slightly less than the MPC-1000, slightly more than electribe)
+ MC-808 editor
+ Sounds and electro drums (for the base synthse waveform audio)
+ The size and weight (compared the MC-909)

Cons
--- The screen (no comment)
--- Obliged to go through the software to edit patches, samples, drumkits and MFX
- The MFX (5 including 3 fixed) is lightweight compared to standard software
- The number of audio outputs and rigid management (compared to the Fantom)
- The non-dynamic pads
- No multisampling
- No squenceur ACCS to the MC-808 Editor
- No synthse modlisation analog or SRX slot for the sound palette toffe

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.

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!

(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!