Authentic TR-808 and TR-909 Experience in a Modern, Performance-Ready Instrument

More Info

The Lineage

Unleashed upon an unsuspecting world in the 1980s, the TR-808 and TR-909 produce arguably the most influential drum sounds in modern music. Not only have they appeared on thousands of dance tracks over the course of three decades, they’ve helped define the sound of entire musical genres. From rap and house to techno and trance, the TR-808 and TR-909 have left an indelible mark on the art and culture of music. Roll the drums…

The Sound

In developing the TR-8, we’ve obsessively analyzed and faithfully recreated every detail and nuance of the analog circuitry of these legendary rhythm machines—the boom and snap of the 808; the thud of the 909; the robotic click of an 808 rim shot or a classic 909 snare roll. It’s all here. But not content with mere recreations, we’ve enhanced these classic instruments with capabilities that go far beyond the original units.

Tune and Decay knobs are now present on every instrument, and the Bass Drum and Snare Drum have additional controls such as Attack, Snappy, and Comp. This allows for a wide variety of tones, from subtle ambient percussion to pounding dance grooves. Per-step effects and the massively addictive Scatter function take things into entirely new territory.

With the authentic tone and character of the original units and new sound-tweaking capabilities inspired by legions of users, the TR-8 breathes new life into the sounds we all know and love.

The Feel

Make no mistake—the TR-8 has been carefully designed from the ground up as an instrument to be played. Every control has a solid, predictable feel, with each drum instrument having robust, “playable” faders. Numerous lighted knobs and RGB buttons give both real-time performance feedback and a striking appearance on stage.

Pattern creation is creative and intuitive using an evolved version of the TR-REC method, which originated in the TR-808 and eventually became the standard for electronic rhythm programming. Based on detailed analysis of the original TR-808, the TR-REC behavior has been faithfully modeled in the TR-8. But the TR-8 goes well beyond the original, allowing you to seamlessly switch between programming and performance modes, and to introduce lots of groovy rhythmic variations from subtle snare fills to total glitch meltdowns.

What is Scatter?

Scatter is a unique performance function that gives you detailed real-time control over variations in your patterns and any incoming external input signal.

• Scatter can reverse, glitch, gate, truncate, stutter, and perform all manner of rhythmic variations from subtle to extreme, and all in perfect sync
• Pick from 10 different types of Scatter and smoothly adjust the intensity—or “Scatter Depth”—with the large, comfortable dial
• Seamlessly switch between Scatter patterns and quickly toggle Scatter on/off for cool variations when and where you want them

Try it…you’ll like it!

A Few More Things

The TR-8 looks great and is designed to work seamlessly with other products in the AIRA series. In addition, you can connect the TR-8 to your computer via USB to send and receive both audio and MIDI data, including MIDI clock information for syncing with external devices and other AIRA units.

TR-8 Version 1.1 New Features

Backup and Restore

• Manage your kit and pattern library with easy backup and restore over USB.

Improved Playability

• Instrument Levels — Customize kits by adjusting the gain of each instrument to suit your individual style.
• Better Rolls — Rolls are now easier to engage, offer more control, and sound better overall.
• Scatter Latch On/Off — Alternate unlatched trigger mode engages only while “On” button is held down.
• Scatter Cycle — Scatter will enable for one cycle and then automatically disengage.
• Sync Reset — Get back in the groove by instantly starting a pattern from the top.

Improved Editing

• Pattern Lock — Lock the contents of a pattern so you can experiment without losing your original groove.
• Nonstop A/B Pattern Editing — Now you can edit both A and B parts of a pattern without stopping the sequencer.

Improved MIDI

• Modes — Local On/Off and MIDI Controller modes determine how MIDI data is sent and received.
• Accent Velocity — MIDI velocity is variable by the accent setting.
• Kit Select — Select kits using MIDI control change messages.
• Scatter — Scatter On/Off, Type and Depth can be controlled via MIDI control change.
• External Record — Record patterns in real-time from external MIDI devices.
• MIDI Off — Disable sending of all MIDI messages.
• Ignore Play/Stop — Toggle whether or not TR-8 responds to PLAY/STOP messages.
• Effect Control — Control effects using MIDI control change messages.

Authentic TR-808 and TR-909 Experience in a Modern, Performance-Ready Instrument

Specs

User Drum Kits

16

User Patterns

16

Steps per 1 measure

1 – 16 steps x 2 (Variation A/B)

Tempo

40 – 300

Instruments & Controls

BASS DRUM: LEVEL, TUNE, ATTACK, COMP, DECAY, INST SELECT
SNARE DRUM: LEVEL, TUNE, SNAPPY, COMP, DECAY, INST SELECT
LOW TOM, MID TOM, HIGH TOM, RIM SHOT, HAND CLAP, CLOSED HIHAT, OPEN HIHAT, CRASH CYMBAL, RIDE CYMBAL: LEVEL, TUNE, DECAY, INST SELECT

Effects and Controls

ACCENT: LEVEL, STEP
REVERB: LEVEL, TIME, GATE, STEP
DELAY: LEVEL, TIME, FEEDBACK, STEP
EXTERNAL IN: LEVEL, SIDE CHAIN, STEP

Mode

TR-REC, PATTERN SELECT, INST PLAY, INST REC, DRUM KIT SEL, DRUM INST SEL

Controllers

VOLUME knob
SCATTER knob
TEMPO knob
FINE knob
SHUFFLE knob
PADS: 16
MODE buttons: 6
CLEAR button
VARIATION buttons: A, B
SCALE button
LAST STEP button
START/STOP button
SCATTER ON button
SCATTER DEPTH button
TAP button
Power Switch (Rear)

Display

7 segments, 4 characters (LED)

Effects

REVERB, DELAY, SIDE CHAIN

Scatter

Types: 10

Nominal Input Level

-10 dBu

Input Impedance

100 k ohms

Nominal Output Level

-10/+4 dBu (Selectable)

Output Impedance

MIX OUT, ASSIGNABLE OUT: 1 k ohm
PHONES: 130 ohms

Connectors

PHONES jack: 1/4-inch stereo phone type
MIX OUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
ASSIGNABLE OUT (A, B) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
EXTERNAL IN (L, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
USB port: USB type B (Audio, MIDI)
DC IN jack

USB

Audio, MIDI

Power Supply

AC adaptor

Current Draw

1,000 mA

Accessories

Owner's manual
Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
AC adaptor

Size and Weight

Width

400 mm
15-3/4 inches

Depth

260 mm
10-1/4 inches

Height

65 mm
2-9/16 inches

Weight

1.9 kg
4 lbs. 4 oz.

* 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms

Accessories

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland, BOSS or Cakewalk product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.

You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.

In addition, we have a library of Support Documents that you can download and reference. If Support Documents are available for this product, they will be listed below.

Support Documents