ROLAND TR-808 (01) PDF MANUAL

ROLAND TR-808 (01) PDF SUMMARY:

What does the MODE Selector do?

The MODE selector has six positions and is used for writing and playing rhythm patterns. When changing modes, ensure the rhythm is stopped.

What are the MODE Selector positions?

The MODE selector has the following six positions:

1. PATTERN CLEAR
2. PATTERN WRITE
3. 1st PART/2nd PART
4. MANUAL PLAY
5. RHYTHM TRACK PLAY
6. RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE

How do you erase a previously stored rhythm pattern?

To erase a previously stored rhythm pattern:

1. Set the MODE selector to PATTERN CLEAR.
2. Press the CLEAR button.

What is PATTERN WRITE mode used for?

PATTERN WRITE mode is used for writing rhythm patterns.

What is 1st PART/2nd PART mode used for?

1st PART/2nd PART mode can be used for writing rhythm patterns, including patterns with 32 beats and time signatures like 5/4 and 7/4.

What is MANUAL PLAY mode used for?

MANUAL PLAY mode is for performing with manual rhythm selection.

What is RHYTHM TRACK PLAY mode used for?

RHYTHM TRACK PLAY mode is for performing composed rhythms for an entire song.

What is RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE mode used for?

RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE mode is for composing the rhythm for an entire song.

How does the CLEAR button work?

The CLEAR button functions differently based on the MODE selector’s position.

What happens when the CLEAR button is pressed while the MODE selector is set to PATTERN CLEAR?

When the MODE selector is set to PATTERN CLEAR and the CLEAR button is pressed, the rhythm patterns selected by the following are cleared under the STOP condition:

• BASIC RHYTHM buttons
• INTRO/FILL IN buttons
• VARIATION switches

What happens when the CLEAR button is pressed while the MODE selector is set to RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE?

When the MODE selector is set to RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE and the CLEAR button is pressed, the program selected by the RHYTHM TRACK selector is cleared.

What are the SYNC. JACK and switch used for?

The SYNC. JACK and switch are used to connect the TR-808 with other Roland products like the MC4 and CSQ-600 for synchronized performances.

How do you use the SYNC. JACK and switch?

• Set the SYNC. IN/OUT switch to INPUT when the TR-808 is controlled by another unit.
• Set the SYNC. IN/OUT switch to OUTPUT when the TR-808 is controlling another unit.
• The TR-808 cannot work by itself when the switch is set to INPUT.

What does the BASIC VARIATION switch do?

Each BASIC RHYTHM from 1-12 has two rhythms with the same steps and pre-scale. When the BASIC VARIATION switch is set to the AB position, patterns A and B run alternately.

What does the START/STOP button do?

The START/STOP button is used to start or stop the rhythm.

What precautions should be taken with the START/STOP button in different modes?

• Ensure the rhythm is stopped when operating the MODE selector.
• Press the START/STOP button before the end of the last measure when in compose mode.

What does the INSTRUMENT/TRACK selector do?

The INSTRUMENT/TRACK selector serves different functions depending on the MODE selector’s position:

• When the MODE selector is set to 1st PART or 2nd PART, it serves as the INSTRUMENT selector for writing rhythm patterns.
• When the MODE selector is set to RHYTHM TRACK PLAY or COMPOSE, it selects a RHYTHM TRACK.

What does the PRE-SCALE selector do?

The PRE-SCALE selector selects the PRE-SCALE, which determines the number of steps for each beat, represented by a quarter note.

How do you memorize the PRE-SCALE selection?

To memorize the selected PRE-SCALE position:

1. Set the PRE-SCALE selector while the rhythm is running.
2. Press the CLEAR button.

What does the AUTO FILL IN selector do?

The AUTO FILL IN selector inserts the FILL IN rhythm selected by the INTRO/FILL IN button and I/F VARIATION switch at every measure specified by the selector.

When is the AUTO FILL IN function available?

This function is only available when the MODE selector is set to either:

• MANUAL PLAY
• COMPOSE

How can a FILL IN be inserted in MANUAL PLAY and TRACK COMPOSE modes?

Pressing the TAP button with the AUTO FILL IN switch engaged will insert a FILL IN in both MANUAL PLAY and TRACK COMPOSE modes.

What does the I/F VARIATION switch do?

The I/F VARIATION switch has the same function as the BASIC VARIATION switch, but it does not have an AB position.

What does the TAP button do?

The TAP button has different functionalities depending on the MODE selector’s position:

• When the MODE selector is set to MANUAL PLAY or COMPOSE, pressing the TAP button inserts the fill-in rhythm selected by the INTRO/FILL IN button and I/F VARIATION switch.
• When the MODE selector is positioned at 1st and 2nd PART, rhythms can be written by tapping this button.

What do the BASIC RHYTHM, INTRO/FILL IN, and STEP buttons do?

The BASIC RHYTHM, INTRO/FILL IN, and STEP buttons have different functions based on the MODE selector’s position:

• When the MODE selector is set to MANUAL PLAY, RHYTHM TRACK PLAY, COMPOSE, or PATTERN CLEAR, these buttons are used to select the rhythm pattern.
• When the MODE selector is set to 1st PART or 2nd PART, these buttons are used to select the rhythm pattern under the STOP condition.

What happens when the BASIC RHYTHM, INTRO/FILL IN, and STEP buttons are pressed while the rhythm is running?

While the rhythm is running, these buttons function as STEP buttons, and the steps per measure can be specified by pressing one of these buttons while simultaneously pressing the CLEAR button.

How do you connect the TR-808 to a HiFi grade amplifier?

1. Connect the MASTER OUT (LEVEL HI or LOW) of the TR-808 to your HiFi grade amplifier using the provided cord.
2. Set the MODE selector to the MANUAL PLAY position.
3. Connect the power cable to an AC outlet.
4. Turn the POWER switch on.
5. Set the SYNC switch (on the back panel) to OUTPUT.

How do you play rhythm patterns on the TR-808?

The TR-808 has pre-programmed rhythm patterns that are commonly used.

How do you play a BASIC RHYTHM pattern?

To play a BASIC RHYTHM pattern:

1. Set the MODE selector to MANUAL PLAY.
2. Set the AUTO FILL IN selector to MANUAL.
3. Select one of the BASIC RHYTHM buttons. For example, pressing button #3 will cause the LED in #3 to flash.
4. Set the BASIC VARIATION switch to the AB position. This will cause the TR-808 to play patterns A and B alternately.
5. Press the START/STOP button and confirm the effects of the following controls:

• TEMPO
• MASTER Vol
• LEVEL or TONE control of each sound source

6. Set the BASIC VARIATION switch to A or B and confirm the difference.
7. Press the START/STOP button.

How do you play a FILL IN rhythm pattern?

To play a FILL IN rhythm pattern:

1. Select one of the INTRO/FILL IN rhythm patterns. For example, pressing INTRO/FILL IN button #3.
2. Set the I/F VARIATION switch to A.
3. Press the START/STOP button. Pressing the TAP button will cause the FILL IN rhythm pattern to replace the upcoming basic rhythm.
4. Set the AUTO FILL IN selector to the desired position. For example, setting the AUTO FILL IN selector to 4 will insert the FILL IN rhythm.

How do you write rhythm patterns on the TR-808?

Rhythm patterns can be composed, modified, and confirmed using the LED patterns.

What are the steps to write a rhythm pattern?

To write a rhythm pattern:

1. Stop the rhythm.
2. Set the MODE selector to PATTERN CLEAR.
3. Press BASIC RHYTHM button #1.
4. Set the BASIC VARIATION switch to A.
5. Clear the pattern by pressing the CLEAR button.
6. Set the MODE selector to 1st PART.
7. Press the START/STOP button.
8. Set the PRE-SCALE selector to #3.
9. Press the CLEAR button. This memorizes the pre-scale. Specify the desired step number by pressing the STEP button while pressing the CLEAR button. (When the MODE selector is set to 1st PART or 2nd PART, the BASIC RHYTHM and INTRO/FILL IN buttons function as STEP buttons.) For example, pressing STEP button #12 divides one measure into 12 steps.
10. Press the CLEAR button again, then press the STEP button. This will divide one measure into 16 steps.
11. Set the INSTRUMENT selector to BD (Bass Drum).
12. Press STEP buttons #1, 7, 11, and 15 one by one, according to program score #1.
13. Press a STEP button again to erase the rhythm assigned to it.
14. Write the other instruments using the same operation.
15. Rhythm patterns can also be written by tapping the TAP button.

How do you compose rhythm tracks on the TR-808?

Each of the 12 tracks can memorize up to 64 measures, and they can be used separately or together for a maximum composition of 768 measures.

How do you compose a rhythm track using factory-programmed BASIC RHYTHM patterns?

Compose on rhythm track #3 using the factory-programmed BASIC RHYTHM patterns #3A, #4A, #5A, and #6A by following these steps:

1. Stop the rhythm and set the MODE selector to RHYTHM TRACK COMPOSE.
2. Set the TRACK SELECTOR to #3.
3. Press the CLEAR button. This will clear memory bank #3, allowing you to compose on that bank.
4. Set the BASIC VARIATION switch to A.
5. Select BASIC RHYTHM #3 for the first measure.
6. Press the START/STOP button to start.
7. Change the rhythm patterns in the same manner as in MANUAL PLAY mode.
8. Press the START/STOP button while the last measure is running.
9. Set the MODE selector to RHYTHM TRACK PLAY.
10. Press the START/STOP button to start the composed rhythm.

How do you play rhythm tracks on the TR-808?

The TR-808 has pre-programmed rock and Latin rhythm patterns.

How do you play the Rock Rhythm Pattern?

To play the Rock Rhythm Pattern:

1. Set the MODE selector to RHYTHM TRACK PLAY.
2. Set all VOICE selectors to the lower position. This will select UM/H TOM, HAND CLAP, and RIM SHOT.
3. Set the TRACK selector to #1.
4. Set both the BASIC VARIATION switch and I/F VARIATION switch to A.
5. Press the START/STOP button.
6. Stop the rhythm.

How do you play the Latin Rhythm Pattern?

To play the Latin Rhythm Pattern:

1. Set all VOICE selectors to the upper position, except for Handclap.
2. Set the TRACK selector to #2.
3. Set both the BASIC VARIATION switch and I/F VARIATION switch to B.
4. Press the START/STOP button.
5. Stop the rhythm.

How do you program 32 beats?

By using 2nd Part, 32 beats can be programmed. Refer to the owner’s manual for details.