Roland Aira TR-8 and TB-3 Live Minimal not Dark Techno Jam "Dark Tech" - Tommy J Obscure Machines

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Tommy J sites
www.TommyJ.com
SoundCloud: / tommyjlive
Facebook: / tommyjlive
Twitter: / tommyjlive
Obscure Machines
www.obscuremachines.com
Gear used:
Roland Aira TR-8
Aira TB-3
RME UFX
Video:
Nikon D5100
Software:
Final Cut X
Live (Recording and limiting)

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Sucha minimal setup but so much impact. Awesome! God bless 😊🙏🏼❤️

[@poodlebites69]

Years later...you've inspired me. Masterful playing. Thanks.

[@PeteSpaker]

Tommy J- First, THANK YOU. I love how you've embraced the AIRA line. Thank you for using it, and using it WELL in all sorts of genres and not doing what most of the other videos do: babbling endlessly about the features and going on and on and on with amateur product reviews. These guys just yammer on and on about what they approve of, and of course, features they don't like; what they're impressed with and what they wish AIRA had, that it does not. You explain ALL OF THIS AND TONS MORE just by PLAYING. You've inspired me to buy this system. For real. I am slowly acquiring it one piece at a time. On purpose. I've decided not to dive in the deep end all at once (buying everything in one huge order) so I can try to master each device as well as I possibly can, one at a time, with few exceptions. This is better for my particular learning style and not for everyone- just how I'm doing it. Really, thanks for showing all this system has to offer just by PLAYING IT and not analyzing the damn thing. I really appreciate your AIRA videos. When I talk about AIRA to friends, a lot of whom are Ableton heads, like myself, I tell them that the Roland AIRA line of products is like having a hardware version of a DAW. My TR-8 comes via Fed Ex Tomorrow. I can't overstate my thanks just for recording yourself with this gear.

[@ObscureMachines]

+Pete Spaker yeah man! Thanks for watching!

[@pcnus]

Well done! I really like you you are utilizing the effects in this track.

[@brandonschwenk8636]

I am loving this!

[@pjursa4113]

Absolutely Spectacular !

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@adriengoy2944]

Enfin on peut voir des performances différentes et un son bien plus présent que sur certaines vidéos, merci =D

[@strayferal]

Great jam!

[@ObscureMachines]

+strayferal Thanks!

[@BayAreaEventDesigns]

that was very cool love it my kind of style

[@hihan196]

u love these roland tommy j ! true soo addictive when i start them! nice job

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks! Yeah they were a lot of fun!

[@rusty1923]

Just bought a TR8, loving this vid this is the sort of stuff i want to make when it arrives.

[@LucIndustries]

How is it going?

[@rusty1923]

@@LucIndustries Got rid of it after about a year, it was fun just didn't use it enough!

[@onnolab]

Best demo vid really showing how to apply the effects and performance controls. I'm buying one cos of this vid. Thanks!

[@ObscureMachines]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@hickehelbro]

Me too. I just did!

[@TripLikeIDo86]

This is what should be playing at clubs! Just great, pure techno.

[@ObscureMachines]

YuckYuck Agreed! Thanks for watching!

[@robotomy2000]

Bravo!!Well done!!!

[@ObscureMachines]

+yasu tanaka Thanks again!

[@maoriewhitney4294]

yasu tanaka a

[@Kobayashi1888]

Just watched this. Bought a DJ808 and a TB03 in the last fortnight but now I know I need the TR8. subbed ✌

[@ObscureMachines]

Cool! TR8 was one of the most fun pieces of gear I've owned.So immediate. If only it was analog!

[@danielrico3006]

Amazing bro

[@ObscureMachines]

thanks yo!

[@bodhisattva1087]

Super sound...Respekt

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@PIANOPICTURES]

So good.

[@ObscureMachines]

PIANOPICTURES Thanks!

[@JohnWilkBeats]

very good man, really loved it

[@ObscureMachines]

John Wil thanks

[@ej1mshan]

Very nice, I like the phase shifting parts.

[@ObscureMachines]

***** thanks yo

[@joebrooks72jb]

Nice, i use my tr8 with a korg electribe ea 1,, thinks i might get a tb3, looks fun, good work.

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks for watching!

[@blatendcrude7570]

I have been here before..... to listen

[@deej211]

nice!

[@alienrape1085]

like it mate,thought you were gonna do Hardfloor's Acperience the way it started,just that big slow bean ya know?Been a dj for near 30 years,some serious base,would sound mental on a big sound system,doing well mate,keep going!

[@alienrape1085]

lol,slow beat,don't mention beans to me,all they temazepam Beans I used to take,ffs,what hapened!

[@Funky1ism]

Sorry for the double post :-) Anyway i bought just the tr-8, tb3 will come later..its awesome! Endless fun! One question : is it normal that the clear button on the tr-8 does not light up like the rest off the buttons? Thanks for the help.

[@anthonyhoarau5622]

good!

[@DJCJ999]

what?!... 8 year old video pops up on my feed! Subb'ed my dude... looking forwarded to checking out your content.

[@pedalodon1240]

Very very nice jam :)

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@simaszaidimas6213]

if you have this tr-8 alone, can you play? for example to record rythms in FL Studio or other DAW, create beatlines with tr-8 and then add some other instruments and sounds with your used DAW? by the way i love all kinds of techno and i love this video, sounds are tight, clear and awesome. thank you

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks for watching! Yes, you can. You can record via USB since the TR-8 has a built in interface.

[@technic7762]

i bought a behringer td3 then needed a drum machine went for the tr8 so straight away i wanted to pair it with a tb3 they pair up nicely then got carried away and got the rest of the aira gear

[@Steven_Random_Suffix]

Well done, but it would be nice if you gave an overview of the patterns per part at the end or beginning of your vids :-) I am pretty confident I can recreate them with ease, but for someone new to producing it would be really helpful.

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks for watching. Actually, what's interesting is that where you were at when you made this comment was where I was at making electronic music. I was chasing a sound so I knew what I wanted and this video is me trying to get there. That bass loop on the TB-3 was a happy accident. Drum stuff was pretty standard sequencing patterns. So I encourage you to figure out the sound that you want, and do everything you can to make it happen. Try to get there and the funny thing is you might get close, you might get exactly what you want, but probably along the way you will find something cool! And THAT is where it gets really fun.

[@NicoBassX]

Can you make a Tutorial, how you use the TB3 with the TR8? You are awesome, love your mixes!

[@ObscureMachines]

I can put a little something together. Thank you so much for your positive comment! It drives what I do and makes my day!

[@aarondicker]

Love this video, well done. Question, how do you get the white noise sound?

[@ObscureMachines]

If I remember correctly it the shaker going to the reverb.

[@joebrooks72jb]

Question, how do you record the sound, I have the same same kit and it sounds shit when i try and record it on my phone.

[@ObscureMachines]

You can record via USB into a DAW or if you have an interface. Also, you could get an interface that's able to connect to you phone and record that way. The main thing is to record directly out of the machine and it'll sound way better.

[@dennisf1973]

Nice one! Really like the use of the reverbs on the tr8. Simple but very effective!! Brings me back to the good club nights 😉 So this was only the tr8 jamming? (Hope to get aira tr8 & plugout synth someday this year..)

[@paulin39]

pretty nice and you're doing great with the tr8 especially those effects but i wish you did more than 2 notes on the tb3 the whole way ..

[@ObscureMachines]

+paulin39 Steve Reich disagrees

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Whole point of the genre.....

[@Danielsfield]

That's my hesitation can a person not intrested in house play an actual tune the way it was originally intended to compliment for example an acoustic guitar with ease of operation.

[@emanuelexx2969]

Sorry for the late. Please do more video like this. I enjoy so much. I want this setup too. What do you say? It's good for starting producing without a Daw? Another thing. If i want to set up custom drum set with the tr-8 it has no problem with the tb-3? I want to use this machine to djing too.

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks! Yes, I do plan on doing more videos. I've changed my setup completely moving towards analog Roland and Elektron. The TR setup is a lot of fun and the sounds are quite good out of the box. For all of my videos I did minimal EQ, compression, and limiting. Almost always only on the master just to get the volume level up. TR8 is versatile, but you can't create your own sounds. The workaround is to use the USB out of the TR8 so you have individual drum tracks in your DAW. Then use a realtime drumreplacer (bitwig has one stock), and then use those sounds to trigger a plugin. You can also use the TR8 to MIDI sequence other hardware or software, but I never really got that far with it cause I liked the sounds in the TR8. 808 and 909 are quite good. I've used the TR8 when I DJ as well. I've synced MIDI clock with Traktor as the master, and have also done manual beatmatching using the TR8 tempo adjustments. It's quite doable, and fun. I do recommend the Aira line as the workflow is simple and fun and like you said gets you away from the DAW. Note that as much as you want to get away, you'll have to use a DAW at some point for mastering..BUT I did notice that my song output increased so that's one thing about getting away from the computer that helps. Anyways, let me know if you have any questions or need help. CHeers!

[@andronaut]

Dat BASS 😎

[@03Edgar]

would you recommend the aira system in conjuction with ableton to produce techno?

[@ObscureMachines]

+Edgar Ordonez Yes. My earlier stuff was just Aira. My later stuff used Ableton as an effects bank and a tape recorder. If you want to make proper tracks as opposed to just jams, then Ableton will be necessary

[@alexbeta7257]

Dope

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks for watching!

[@9DragonTao]

damn you, now I'm buying one.... that set was sick. :D

[@ObscureMachines]

wry bai Thanks Do it!

[@CramoJJEEDC]

Hows this set up? TB-3 into TR-8. Then TR-8 into speakers? Do I need it to be linked up to any kind of laptop/computer?

[@ObscureMachines]

correct and no need for computer

[@Funky1ism]

I planning to buy these two machines this weekend, but how are they connected? Wich cables should i buy with them? I know you can sidechain the tb3 to the tr-8 Help is appreciated, thanks.

[@hihan196]

just one midi cable n one jack jack between them haha !

[@djdatrance]

make more use of the tb-3 with cutoff and resonance to get that 303 vibe

[@ObscureMachines]

So to get the bass sound the resonance and cutoff had to be set static to get the subby sound.

[@musicofhere]

Very groovy

[@ObscureMachines]

thanks!

[@totheadblogspot]

How is it connected? The TB3 goes into TR8 external in's and then audio aut to speakers/whatever? midi synced

[@ObscureMachines]

+tothead yes

[@Wouterferdinand]

So when the tb3 goes into the tr8 the tr8 can be plugged straight into monitors?

[@ToeJamAndEarl1977]

I've gat mine connected via my mixer on separate channels. but synchronised with the midi Tr8 as master. great fun ..

[@Wouterferdinand]

Jimi Galliano cool! I'll need some jack-rca cables to do that, but I'm sure that is a good combo! That way you can add some fast loops :D!

[@ToeJamAndEarl1977]

Wouter Ensink depending on your set up. .

[@303abuse]

Nice video how did you make the humming sound in 3:09 in to the video?

[@ObscureMachines]

+303abuse That's all the TB-3. I can't remember which preset, but I think it might be B21. There was a sweet spot in the knobs which you can copy my settings from the video.

[@bware5711]

Wow !!

[@ObscureMachines]

+Bob Lamers THumbs up!

[@habananu]

Fucking good

[@javiercacao7475]

I'm trying to find a gear like that. Are both units 100% standalone?

[@ObscureMachines]

Yes, and can be linked together

[@mrnessss]

sweet

[@bboyclipsy]

Hello, can you help me to setup TR-8 and TB-3 ? What additional cables I should buy ? Thanks a lot.

[@henrik199414]

you need a midi cable to sync the tr8 and tb3 with each other, or if you want to use them without midi sync u need to connect the tb3 to ur audio interface with mono cables in the interface input

[@henrik199414]

or the tb3 outputs into the tr8 external inputs

[@knavorplo230]

how would you record the sounds comming out of it ?

[@ObscureMachines]

I use the stereo out of the TR-8.

[@throwachair]

fucking sweet as !

[@ChojiPiu]

I am currently sitting at a Xone:42, 2x NI X1 MK2 Controller and a Audio A10, but I want to switch to a live set up. I like this deep Ambient techno but also heavy bass stuff. Would you recommend the Roland Aira series for me?

[@ObscureMachines]

ChojiPiu Sounds like you have a nice DJ setup. Why don't you segue into a live setup. Add a TR-8 to your DJ setup, and if you want to continue go from there. TR-8 also acts as an interface, so it's quite possible that you could trade the A10 for the TR-8.

[@ChojiPiu]

Obscure Machines I think with the TR-8 I would loose sound quality. The A10 seems to be perfect for me, but thanks for the tip

[@ObscureMachines]

ChojiPiu You are welcome. TR-8 runs at 24bit 96khz, same as A10. Sound quality is the same. Latency, may be the bigger issue. Food for thought.

[@ChojiPiu]

Obscure Machines In case you are interested in my solution: I bought an Native Instruments F1 and changed 1 track deck to a remix deck, so now I got 3 track decks 1 remix deck. :) Next problem is already up: There are so many good vinyl only releases do you know if I can integrate a vinyl player to my setup? I didnt find anything like this on the Internet

[@ObscureMachines]

ChojiPiu no idea. good luck

[@dvdny]

Good toon.

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@rcon303]

nice old school detroit sound you have !

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@motorcityproject]

This is not Detroit!

[@fantasyproduct1042]

@@motorcityproject you obviously haven't much of DJ PIERRE. He's Detroit!

[@elkin1888]

Hi Tommy J, fist, very nice mixes!!! I love dark techno, and I want to make you some Question before buy these equipment: 1. Whats the diference on conecting tb3 and tr8 throught line out, and conecting by midi? 2. Tb3 makes loops? I mean, you just play a note and It keep playing itself like a loop? or, is the Tr8 that makes the loop? 3. Did you use some PC on this mix? 4. How do you sync Tempo and BPM between TR8 and TB3? and finally, Can I install more patches to the tR8 and tb3 besides the originals? THANKS Tommy, sorry for my english, im just a Colombian Guy who Loves TECHNO!

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks! 1. You can sync machine using MIDI or trigger other machine a with machine b. I use it to sync the clocks so everything is in time. MIDI just sends data like time and or triggers, but not sound. Line outs send sound. 2. Yes, you can make loops. Notes can change pitch, legato into other notes pitch slide and you can also enter rests. 3. I usually keep it simple with live stuff so I would record the 2 or 4 outs and just do a simple mastering chain, which was The Glue compressor, EQ, and limiter. All stock in Live Suite. 4. See 1, use a MIDI cable. TR8 is usually the master clock, and MIDI out of the TR8, into the MIDI in of the TB3. 5. You can get the expansions for the TR8, which I recommend. It turns into 3x the drum machine for $100 or less. TB3 only has it's factory patches, which are mostly all pretty good. All of my TR/TB video use the sounds included with the TB3. Use the TB3 effects to get new sounds. They are both simple machines, and as a result are fun to play and fun to work with. I enjoyed my time with them as you can see from my videos I had a run where I was jamming everyday for a while. Let me know if you have anymore questions or need help. Cheers!

[@elkin1888]

I really apreciate your answers, thank you very much, I hope you keep uploading many dark techno videos with both machines specially, salutes! I suscribe you

[@ObscureMachines]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@fredericlang123]

goood

[@GowsiVideo]

nice

[@ObscureMachines]

Gowsiganaudio Thanks!

[@darekmojsak1214]

good

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@voodoosmiledc]

This thing is Jammin' ;)

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks for watching!

[@arekceg]

fucking brilliant man, really inspiring!

[@ObscureMachines]

arekceg Big thanks!

[@fUjiMaNia]

Obscure Machines nice but what does the TB-3 do?

[@ObscureMachines]

Sub bass line need a subwoofer to hear

[@ShogunX11]

can a movie play the tr-8 & tr-3?

[@SuperRiki81]

Sir Aaron Rowell Depends on the movie. There are some movies that only play ANALog synths

[@mangyshlakdapaul]

nice :) I have also both units

[@javiercacao7475]

Paul's Maker Lab are they fully stand alone?

[@mangyshlakdapaul]

Javier Cacao yes

[@anthony_pr1033]

I think I'm gonna get one for myself

[@ObscureMachines]

Good stuff!

[@ObscureMachines]

I would say the TR8S 👍

[@goaelfe9499]

klasse beat

[@ObscureMachines]

Thanks!

[@sebastianungerer9566]

Wow

[@Welcome_to_Juarez]

крутые часы!!!как называются и где такие купить??!!

[@mathisgaumand9555]

Nce video, i think you should tweak some more your bass too had some groove & texture.

[@ObscureMachines]

+gaumand mathis I agree. Only thing is with this particular preset there wasn't really anything that could be changed timbre wise in the knobs without losing the essence of the sound. Notes could've been changed, but that sound is only available when the knobs were at a certain spot.

[@AlexandrFromBeglovsk]

Cannot streams clear sound without approuv.

[@ogcastello28]

Where is Darktechno?

[@ObscureMachines]

+Owen Gallart Where's Waldo?

[@RANKITRANKI]

Owen 04:35 come on bro .. So fucking darkness

[@ObscureMachines]

So this is apparently minimal as opposed to dark techno

[@alienrape1085]

what,the baselines bleed darkness,some things ya need to hear loud,after getting,Billy,Charlie with plenty of EasE

[@TheMa5terMau5]

you call 128bpm techno?

[@ObscureMachines]

The Ma5ter Mau5 If we're speaking about tempo only, it would be "allegro". Don't make the mistake of categorizing an entire tempo like 128 into a single genre because of culture because that's not how it works. A genre is more than just tempo. It's groove, mood, mode, meter, rhythm...so yes it's "dark techno".

[@TheMa5terMau5]

Obscure Machines ok thanks, i got it now...

[@TheMa5terMau5]

Obscure Machines i just prefer it to be between 120 - 125

[@ObscureMachines]

Seems to be slowing down...used to be like 133, then 128/127, now things are getting down to 124ish like you said...

[@fin41]

3:35

[@UnitedPebbles]

Available in most DAWs? included with drum kits?? for one twentieth of the price. Phew these guys are

[@intandemdj]

You never even touched the TB3...

[@ObscureMachines]

Intandem DJ It was sensitive that day, and didn't want to be messed with, so I left it alone.

[@nonamemate6095]

sounds like the previous vid ive just watched, very rehearsed, sorry but you are having half as much fun as you should be

[@ObscureMachines]

Welcome to Miami and Dark Tech are the same with subtle differences. If you want completely unrehearsed then the Annicon live set is probably more your speed or Get Off My Acid. Point me toward one of your vids if you had to pick one to share.

[@ifthebeltiscrackedor]

Too "Housy" buildups for beind "Dark" techno I would say. Nice anyway!

[@ObscureMachines]

+Ola K ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ sure...

[@djevictor907]

hmmmmmm, I don't mind your pre arranged loops, and for what it is, it sounds good. however I've noticed in your videos that you are scared to experiment and you don't think outside of the box. You don't switch up patterns, and when you run out of gas from your limited constraints, you end the video. Your performances lacks momentum, ingenuity and true creative freedom. These tools are truly limitless in the eyes of someone who isn't afraid to push themselves. I do hope you break that fear that separates a hobbyist from a true artist. good luck

[@ObscureMachines]

+Dj Evictor I just make music and have fun thanks for watching

[@fantasyproduct1042]

Oh mate understaaaaaand the geeeeeeeenre........

[@Funky1ism]

I planning to buy these two machines this weekend, but how are they connected? Wich cables should i buy with them? I know you can sidechain the tb3 to the tr-8 Help is appreciated, thanks.

[@dennisf1973]

Midi cable for clock but: output can also be usb to pc/daw, then every track o.t. tr8 can be recorded into a session and/or what you do with the knobs in that recording from what i have seen ;)