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Roland MC-808
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Roland MC-808

Sampling Sequencer from Roland belonging to the MC series

Dub Tom Dub Tom
Published on 03/21/09 at 08:29
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