All user reviews for the Roland R-8

Hello
it comes no notice c is asking you a service.au fact I have a lil r 8 with 3 sound cards and as I didn t use the manual I do not know how to read the card.
is that you can help me please?
thank you very much

USE

Hello
it comes no notice c is asking you a service.au fact I have a lil r 8 with 3 sound cards and as I didn t use the manual I do not know how to read the card.
is that you can help me please?
thank you very much

SONORITS

Hello
it comes no notice c is asking you a service.au fact I have a lil r 8 with 3 sound cards and as I didn t use the manual I do not know how to read the card.
is that you can help me please?
thank you very much

NOTICE GLOBAL

Hello
it comes no notice c is asking you a service.au fact I have a lil r 8 with 3 sound cards and as I didn t use the manual I do not know how to read the card.
is that you can help me please?
thank you very much

What connections (audio, MIDI ...)?
1 phone output, 1 output R / L hand stereo, 8 separate outputs, the classic trio twelve o'clock ... known

Note that the output level is not very high, just like my JV2080. but the sound is good

He has an effects section?
NO

How many sounds, styles available? Are they editable? Through a Utility Mac / PC?
about 130, plus those of the memory card (I have a 04 SN R8, including the sounds of a TR 808 ...

What caractériques sequencer?
I bought my R8 for the sequencer and I do not regret it a very good way real time, a very good step sequencer, recording parameters such as pitch pan, attack, release is recorded, that n ' is not necessarily current

requires a little time learning the LCD is very readable when walking

Attention because the power supply is external, specific and heavy. Without him no functional R8, it is almost impossible to find, so be sure to check its presence when purchasing


UTILIZATION

It is a machine of the late 80s (20 years so ...) and machines are clearly dated and have the sounds of those years. to study well when you want to buy this bar only for use "sound"

BUT

use is excellent, and after several MPC groovebox (MC 505, she had a huge sound), I need to streamline my machines and R8 is the ultimate BAR (at least for my use)

the sequencer is doing its job brilliantly, the step sequencer screen is perfect and the broad, is magnificent readability. It's pretty simple I do my pattern almost instantly.

It changes my GPA or my MC 505 that needed to go through submenus to activate step ...

only limitation not possible to change the sounds for recording a pattern ... (But I do not care complémentement actually, because editing is already more than enough!)

editing sounds is easy and very complete ... a slider value, takes the same principle as the Qlink of akai it works well and everything is solid, including PADs hard plastic, strange choice but not so bad ...

just talking about the pads: I was very afraid of the people, but they are well spaced, respond well to the sensitivity ultimately it is a very pleasant surprise when they are in good condition.

especially the pads for functions FLAM, ROLL and ERASE are basic yet few machines must offer. Basically it's well designed and it is especially ergonomic

SOUNDS

Basic R8 is not very follichonne, it seems to me that it is 12bit and sampled ca feel:
- This is clearly not very clean ...
- However, the dynamic is very good
- In the end it is strange how nice it is typed in a 80 piece!

BUT

I put a SN R8 04 ... this little card is a real bomb, with my R8 and the map I available to me in a nice box and a small standalone TR-808 with ALL the sounds of the TR 808 and generally all the features of the TR with MIDI, editing facilities and separate outputs

Obviously the R8 with the TR 808 card will not be worth 100% the sound of the TR 808 but if I had pronounced all like her big sister to 98%!

Once again if listening to solo the difference may be, it becomes much less in one piece ...

Incidentally, I met very recently, a possessor of TR 808 confessed to me that he loved his TR 808, it was a beautiful thing, but now he could not take the concert because:
- 1: there is no MIDI
- 2: it is super fragile and shock scare him
- 3: the risk to the flying is more than some!

R8, a little worse than the original, can fill this tour ...
Basically a TR 808 at home or in the studio and on tour R8 or studio!

then in the end as I unfortunately not true for 1500 euros and 500 euros TR slam for the revision / midification ... well you have understood my R8 220 euros is a reasonable choice, not passionate.

When I have as I take can be a real TR I'll midifié. But what will happen? Honestly I'm not sure a real TR 909 however ...

OVERALL OPINION

Many advantages to using this BAR, I use it only as clonne of TR 808 and filled with wonder this functionality and this opinion is a reflection of R8 use as TR 808 only.


Sequencer, midi, separate outputs, maps, durability, ergonomics ... I love this beautiful machine decidedly generous dimensions, it is a place, it is not cramped ... I LOVE my R8!!

there are also drawbacks: the external power supply, the number of patterns / songs a bit limited ...

I have a few machines in the hands (I played a few hours with TR 909 and 808) but I did not have a very large physical experiences with those below.

small boxes ALESIS BOSS and are not bad, but suffer from their size, separate outputs malgrés sounds that are not bad, but rather ...

I do not know why the R8 gives me more satisfaction than anything that happened in my hands at least for what it is supposed to do.

In comparison, if I had to make a very personal comparison I admit) between my three favorite machines (R8 / MPC / MC 505 for its:
- TR obviously original
- Tied: R8 with the card or MC TR 808 505 1000
- MPC 1000 as if the sound is excellent processing samples for TR sounds différenement

for a comparison in terms of ergonomics:
- TR 808/909 has egalité with the R8, even if the TR is certainly faster edition
- MC 505
- MPC

The R8 is expensive used, the strength design will pay dearly priori, but against a TR original ca not seem exorbitant (5 months time about expensive!)

PS: I have not tested the card dance (R8 SR 10) containing a portion of the samples TR 909, it seems it is not terrible. So, I stuck samplers back of the R8 and the result is quite correct, but on the other hand, the difference is clear: NOTHING like a real TR 909!!

Try to find a R8 in poor condition to play, this can still be used (just for the LCD)

No CV / Gate (of course) but no effect and that's good.

UTILIZATION

Getting started relatively quickly. The sequencer galley may seem at first if you're used to TR (606/808/909), but in the end, it is more accurate and realistic.

SOUNDS

Sounds "basic" are not great, like drum kits late 80's at the bottom, but the bike takes all its interest with sound cards SN-R8-04 and 10. One is left with a sort of TR-808 digital. While handling is obviously not the same, but the sound is there. With 10 separate outputs (Master L / R included), the possibilities are endless mix.

OVERALL OPINION

The large gear of the era (1988), reliable and costo totally underestimated the benefit of BAR Roland TR-808 or 909 who snapped up the price of gold when you can easily obtain an R-8 for a much more reasonable sum. The whole is to arrive to find sound cards that come with it ... That said, even without the cards, this bar is very good quality / price ratio.

Aspect gnral:
Large ergonomic bar (40 * 30 cm and a weight of 3 kgs) for the use of all buttons, felt the strong current has changed things in small fluorescent plastoc (I do not quote marks .. .)

Connections:
- Hand Out Stereo + 8 outputs on Jack indpendantes 6.35
- Midi In / Out / Thru
- Headphone
- Tape Sync Rca
- Foot switch between trig +
- Two expansion slots for additional cards (one card of sounds, a card backup)

Sons:
- 68 basic sounds in 16bits/44khz samples, with 32-voice polyphony
- Extension of the bank card homeowners thmatiques of 26 sounds (10 cards available)
- Edition of sounds: pitch, tone VLOC, decay

No effect

Squenceur:
16 assignable pads, programming pattern (100 max) and songs by chaining (10 max)

Implmentantion complte twelve o'clock (sync, control change, sysex dump etc ...)

Machine:
- The 16 sensitive pads vlocitbr /> - volume slider and slider to change paramtre
- 39 buttons to manipulate the BCAN

UTILIZATION

- Config gnrale very simple and intuitive ...
- Editing sounds simple, squenceur practice mode pattern as that song mode, all as rich (for example, grows according to humanize patterns, working in VLOC note note , change the tempo ...)
- The manual is clear enough, but to deepen ncessaire cete machine, but is learning fast.

SOUNDS

- The audio connection is of good quality warm, lightweight despite blowing out his hand (which disappears with the output spares) ...
- The basic sounds are average, but some are exploitable. (I got at least a me sometimes to think of bad years 80-90 bars trying with more or less successfully re-create the sounds of acoustic ...)... pleased brief t used in the context of electro music and others ...
- Additional sound cards give lots of opportunities for cons: I for my part electro and dance cards, samples of TR808/909 and CR78, the dynamics are good trs, heat is Submitted: we are dealing a hard machine, not something numrique ...
- No effects but spares 8 outputs allow you to send rhythms to a mix table, much more sensible solution than implementing a multieeffets mdiocre, as is done today has history of the package to ct CHARACTERISTICS.
- The expression of the trs BCAN is good, thanks its sensitive pads VLOC the office of humanization and paramtres adjustable to note note .. .

My rating down because the basic sounds are average, we must jog APRS maps for more wealth ...
Note that you can not put an expansion card in both the BCAN. So if you want a kit consist of sounds from multiple cards, it must go through the additional optional memory card ...

OVERALL OPINION

Well, have APRS test the TR707, the programming software (prciser finally we can say that I do not like the virtual), the QY70, I must admit that in terms of ergonomics the R8 is much more flexible and enjoyable. The sounds are then usable without problem, with good richness thanks its expansion cards. Finally CONTRL for an external device, everything is Submitted ct noon to do it well (very good squenceur rhythm in short) ...

Given the price in time, it is a good value quality trs prices for those who want so squence rhythms other than with a soft ... (200 euros on average depending on options).
If the purpose is mainly for you to have a good library of sounds, look on the R8 Mk2 plutt which contains the almost complete sound cards + a standard memory capacity twice important ...

Everything in that old BAR of what to do with the current Phra groovebox.
Explixations:
- Standard MIDI connections and allows exchange of sysex dumps.
- 8 outputs spares can restate all instruments, spare.
For me, the 8 outputs of my R8 8 inputs are connected to my table mix (one day Soundcraft Spirit Folio 12 / 2) which I used exclusively bought a Behringer DSP rcement . Before this acquisition I thought I dbarasser my R8, but since, thanks to the DSP, the R8 is more like a good groovebox, and allows me to get a much more pchu!

For indeed the R8 does not have an effect section, but this is not a brobleme when using a external dsp, or if you retire the signal recorded through a sequencer audionumrique.

The R8 Has a sequencer Real Time, No or Not powerful offering the possibility of recording 100 patterns and 10 songs. 10 Songs Only! Cel may seem little, but it is possible to arrange the order of'm even patterns, but traditional methods rather dynamic interressent strong argument if it intends to use the BAR, live.
In my case, I have my bf pilot intgralement EX5R, thanks the R8, a real rgal!

UTILIZATION

Gnrale the config is pretty simple. Pads and pots on the BAR, dj allow access to sound, recording and playback of patterns or songs. The edition of the sounds is of utmost precision and comprehensive, for a BCAN this era. Almost all parameters are ditables of her making the editing patterns raliste as possible.

As for the manual ... can not say ... not put your nose in it, all fawn is useless, except to know the operation of initializing the BAR.

SOUNDS

To complete what I say dej above, the sounds are rather simple and usable alone.
But it is possible with a little patience, to extract sounds interressants BAR:
- Pseudo-strat guitar
- Heartbeat
- Close to Boing dcolage! (Yes .....!)
- Storm, rain, wind, waves
- Percussion Classic, Oriental.
- Claves Mlodiques
- Pizzicati

Personal Note:
the R8 has all the sounds found in the best pieces of Phil Collins (Genesis Epoque).

OVERALL OPINION

For almost 10 years I use this BCAN, after having her little sister also used the R5, and frankly I have no BAR represents more satisfactory than it long ago.
I especially like this machine to its ability to CONTRL.

The ratio quality price, used is reasonable. By the way, 300 euros seems to still be a maximum price, in the Whereas the era when it came out, and the profusion of groove box on the market today.

This BCAN is robust, friendly, good finish (very simple my taste), intuitive, and fits perfectly in a home studio in sphere of pro numriques hardware. Basically it is not in the Czech decor, on the contrary!

Without question, if I buy that BCAN c'tais again.

Blah-blah is told and re-told!

UTILIZATION

This encoding method here "there" drum machine!
Not that I spit on other brands, or that I was a shareholder of Roland Corp. Japan.
But good. R-8 is the ultimate BAR.
A MIDI controller par excellence!
You have a sampler? Well turn it into MPC-X through R-8!
The internal sounds can matter ...
I do here is focus on the functions shifted or diverted.

The only downside of the R-8 is that the screen does not display all the instruments (4 only on the grid)
Not like a TR-707 for example (Grrr).
But it was good to make up the human feel which can give unexpected stuff!

SOUNDS

Sensitive pads to the bike!
It's cool and expressive!
It may well have fun with an R-8 coupled to other machines (aka Sampler!).
Stick him in the ass in an MC-303 slave card or SN-R8-04 E!

-Despite all, the original sounds are editable and allow a range of original drum-kit-based PCM sound.

OVERALL OPINION

Well I admit that my R-8 is stored in a corner.
She serves as a control-pad from time to time and is still at his post!
It is true that when I schedule a hassle to be a complex rhythm on other machines I used the R-8 is a real bar ...

I can not believe the coast of the BAR! Yet it is not an R or an R-8M-8Mk2 ...
So I keep it worse and that's it!

Tip: financial worries aside and hazards of life, keep your R-8! It will always be useful!

The exterior is reminiscent of a cousin of the akai mpc home. But I think Roger Linn was involved in the creation of this machine ... (Which explains quite a thing ...).

The pads are strong and vibrant.

It has MIDI connections (IN OUT THROUGH), 8 outputs + 2 (stereo) + phone, can sync with tape.

Sounds nice but the basics are better now is to get the 11 sound cards that increase the potencial of the beast. (Notably the card electro (808) and dance (909 + CR78).

It has no effect.

The sequencer is a bit limited in memory but the problem of machine Roland in general ...

UTILIZATION

Setup is simple, the manual makes it difficult (indeed, the Roland manuals are always complex: I lost most of my hair while reading one of the r8, the DJ70, D -10 and MC-303).

Most of this machine is to make and customize your own sounds. From these samples, and thanks to editing parameters, you can make funky sounds very easily.

The manual is not well thought out, remember to take notes when you have caught on something

SOUNDS

As I said above, sounds are customizable that allows me to say that this machine is comfortable in all styles (more if you have sound cards). Personally, I made rhythmic: techno, electro, house, trip hop, jungle, rock, jazz, etc ....

Sounds have the advantage of sounding like you want: mechanical or realistic with the "Human Touch".

The term is very good but the R8 needs to be connected to a table through separate outputs in order to bring out all the reliefs.

I have a weakness for the sound card "electronic", all the sounds of the 808 are included! One regret about the card "Dance" is missing a few sounds of 909. It lacks the clap, the ride, crash. On the clap, you will have to settle for clap808 because there is not much else ...

OVERALL OPINION

I bought used in 1997 and I always use.

I love the sound editing and the ability to control other machines via MIDI. A sampler connected via MIDI, giving you the impression of having a p'tite mpc.

The lack of memory does not consider making a live one with no other sequences.

I has many other BAR but the only one so versatile.

Quality / price ratio: Given that side on ebay, please!

I bought it just by chance: I walk into a shop, I see the beast, I talk with the seller, I am one price and two minutes after, I was the new owner. Given the Food Standards it made me, I say: YES, I would do the same choice!

A BAR no effect with 5 times 12 or 60 song song of songs clasique TR at things more 90 ... C

UTILIZATION

simple but not easy if done quickly, a record over 3 4 hours and c cool.
Not too brain.
The buttons are becoming harder we need to start serious typing to do it ring the bell ...

SOUNDS

Cool TR, 90, his son the moment she did not do too much noise so so cool Cool

OVERALL OPINION


c but not c faulichons not excessive
At this point the guy is a trip on prices. As with any ... 130 see 140 euro c too I pay 80 euro Ya 6months when the other vender 70 ...

Connectors: - MIDI (in / out / thru)
- Mono output (jack)
- Output stereo (left and right)
- Headphone
- 8 outputs assignable to the pads of your choice
- Release pedal (pedal startting)
- Tape sync (in / out)
all sounds are adjustable pitch, decay, length, volumme ...
How to make custom sounds pretty.

R-8 has 16 pads that have to be assigned a precise output and the sound of your choice.

For use with a PC / Mac, the only solution is for MIDI: how drum pad (like mpd 32 for example) or how launcher (like APC) in ableton live for example.

Caution is not a sampler! Indeed, one can not use it to return samples to the way MPC (for those who know).



UTILIZATION

Relatively simple to use. In any case a irst degrees.
Are used as a sequencer rhythm is only slightly more complicated but very accessible. When the manual, really, he did not used to much ... mieu on this machine is to take charge over time, trying, discovering ...

SOUNDS

Sounds can be compared to the modern sounds are on the market today. Indeed, the resolution, the technology used in R-8 are really outdated. But it's never really unfashionable Oldskool!
More customization possible sounds can make sound very interesting ...
In general the effects are not bad and the velocity is relatively realistic (keep in mind that this is an old machine!).


OVERALL OPINION

I use it for about 4 years. It is true that I do not use it through significant but it remains a centerpiece of my instrument. to decorate my composition is perfect.
The feature I like best are: oldskool sound, choice of sounds, the setting on the pitch.