Roland - AIRA TR-8 and TB-3 - Unboxing and demo by James Wiltshire of Freemasons

[@dxtrs_mnpltr]

I must say that i hated it when i first saw it because i was expecting an analogue machine but i've totally changed my mind now. Wicked sound, features, looks and price. Can't wait to get mine.The world is in trouble!

[@Jackmackrel]

loving this for live applications. can't wait to get mine

[@SoulFlask]

Ordered the tr08 and the tb3. Can't wait to get my hands on them

[@whodrankmymilk8098]

How exactly does the tb3 compliment the tr08? I am new to all of this but I think the tr08 will be my first device. Can you sell me on why I would need the tb3 next to the 08? Thanks

[@muf211]

WhoDrankMyMilk Why? Because ACI:-D !!!

[@user-gg7pr3wu7r]

WhoDrankMyMilk you will know

[@Elmex_1]

I kind of wonder how these 2 compare to Korg's Volca line.

[@meldmagic]

WhoDrankMyMilk Check out Chemical Brothers' "Chemical Beats" or Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up" for 303 goodness. Yeah I do think 4/4 808/909 beats have been superseded by more interesting breakbeats ever since samplers became affordable. Let's just hope people get more creative with TR-8 drum pattern creation.

[@chrisyacksic1236]

the best demonstration i've seen soo far

[@bboymac84]

sir, you just sold this product to me. best demo ive seen on this and i watched alot!!!! thank you!!

[@maccagrabme]

Best demo so far.

[@MercuryPJ]

I want too! the sound and look are perfect :)

[@GakCoUk]

They really are. One of the most impressive products in the last few years.

[@marike1100]

Interesting how a proper demo like this one seems to have silenced the critics. The multi channel audio interface alone makes the TR8 a versatile production tool. Well done. Thanks guys.

[@nunobessa5376]

Awesome, totally spotted on, at least in terms of interface, layout and features. The sound seems also nice...

[@tresporros]

best drum machine ever! with 100 bucks update you got additionaly 707, 727, and 606 Roland sounds (all tweakable)....I love it, so creative

[@Zoner1000]

Great video as always James

[@Spidouz]

I would have loved a AU/VST/AAX plugin for the integration in the DAW (to keep using my audio interface with other instruments). But since there's already midi and audio over USB, we can still hope for a plugin to insert the signal back to the DAW. That would also be great to insert it on other sequencer such MPC Renaissance or Maschine Studio (to sequence from the MPC/Maschine, send midi out to the TR-8, tweak the sound from the TR-8 but get the audio back to the MPC/Maschine).

[@elliottd1707]

Awesome review guys and the cost of it all is amazing. I really wanted to learn to start making house and techno but just looking at the prices of old equipment is insane but this is amazing and such a great place to start off with and build a set around. Awesome will definitely be getting a tr-8 and tb-3 as soon as possible

[@marike1100]

I picked one up today and it's incredibly fun, and sounds quite good. The 14 in/4 out audio interface with the 24bit/96 kHz sampling rate is a huge bonus. Anyone who writes that it's a boring box has not used it, it's as simple as that.

[@jorgedavalos5663]

what a nice studio!

[@syntheaven7815]

I have had my TR-8 and TB-3 two days now and I still have not had time to beast them!

[@Kolegate]

I was thinking about getting this months ago. Didn't know you can record drum sounds individually onto it's on track. Might just have to reconsider my decision.

[@partymonsterTV]

fake unboxing :p but totally fkn awesome machine & vid. thanks for making this valentines day so special :D

[@ShadowBoxerDNB]

I was quite excited about the tr-8 until I heard I slight whimpering from the corner of my studio. It was from a very dusty unplugged MC 505 that hasn't been looked at in about 10 years, "Oh yeah" I thought and then had a cup of tea and forgot about both of them.

[@janminaya8680]

Awsome.... 7:26 you got a really fat tune there :)

[@dagoblinn2350]

Well done.LOve that you can jam , then dump it via usb to Ableton.So many times I've got a good jam with the tempest then by the time I get the audio hooked in -via- in my case pro tools I sometimes loos the vibe..Thanks GAK!

[@pierrevandenbroeck9572]

4:49 The Beatangers - Big Mouth ?? 😄

[@acidwarfreak28]

nice Studio ^.^

[@djjuno106]

freemasons are superb at giving tutorials they should create there own website demonstrating and giving masterclasses.

[@AsherPiesman]

Very cool! Obviously the 909 and 303 are the real deal, but there far too expensive for my pockets. And the TR8 and TB3 do look like a nice tribute with a contemporary twist to the old machines of the 80s. I’m tempted to buy one, but on the downside I don’t think they’d really come in useful for any of my productions. But I still want one for the fun of having a good play around and experimenting with. Sample packs are fantastic, but they don’t quite have the same appeal.

[@partypipip]

exactly!! no looking at screens just head down and play. love it!!

[@thevco]

could u add accent on all the steps at full i would love to see what the 808 kick sounds like with the accent at full cheers

[@meldmagic]

No amp sim effects onboard like tube & distortion? Roland's COSM affects are pretty good on kick drums.

[@baileydotdj]

I was watching this about 10 months ago and forgot that I had the output of my iPad running through my Korg Kaoss Quad. As the video played, this strange, but oddly pleasing, sound was coming from the monitors...so I recorded it - All 20 or so minutes! The effects in play were (in order): Grain Shifter --> Distortion-->Jet--> Tape Echo. There are no additional sounds or processing, it is only the video providing the effects unit with audio. It's available to hear on my Soundcloud - soundcloud.com/djtydee/aira-james-wiltshire-unboxing

[@ronnieperez7650]

@GAK: When you're recording in Ableton, you should monitor off of your interface, and have your Ableton Monitoring set to "OFF". That way, you get zero latency in your recordings, thus you do not have to shift the audio after recording. If you set all the tracks to Monitor 'OFF', there should be no latency, and all the recordings should be right on the grid without editing. Give that a try.

[@samstechworld]

i can see these machines going a long way

[@ClayMann]

Well I enjoyed the video and was actually quite miffed once it ended. I felt we were just really getting into it! heh. I see a lot of negative comments but look at the gear this guy has in front of him and look at the smile on his face as he's using this terribly digital kit.

[@romzu432]

his face was like wtf at first sounds:D thanks for stay this, very important!

[@donpepperoni0]

I have a lot of old drum machines and synths and initially when I heard this was digital I was down on the T8. However, I've changed my mind on this thing because it seems that they have nailed the classic vintage sound that many people have been lusting after (hence the high 'collectors' prices the 808s and 909s go for these days). It makes the sound but importantly, with the original xox interface step sequencer. Making this at a price available to the masses is a great thing. People here were saying that Roland are just regurgitating old 80s sounds but I strongly disagree. This is what everybody has been crying out for but not been able to afford. I have used an 808 a lot live and have had to take it on flights to gigs which is really worrying and not fun. I then got a Miami to do this but I might be tempted to get one of the T8's just for that purpose. The same for the system 1, I have taken the sh101 on tour to Russia, Japan, all over Europe and I've been waiting for the day when I turn up at a gig at who knows where and the beloved 101 doesn't switch on. For studio work I doubt that the sound of the system 1 will beat my System 100 but it's potentially a great live tool. I'm a bit unconvinced about authenticity of the TB3 but the interface looks interesting and lets face it, anybody who has used a real 303 will tell you programming the sequencer sucks big time! What worried me here was that the T8 connected by core audio. Does this mean that you cant connect your sound card at the same time? That would be a big problem......

[@d3p3ch3mod3]

Does the TR-8 have any TR-707 samples????? I think that's my favorite one

[@elektrosoundwave]

/me looks at E-Bay. /me looks at prices for the 808, 909, 303 /me looks at the price these two Yup, sounds good to me

[@elsongs]

WANT.

[@sunnyhours84]

I'm confused about the bit on latency issue at 13:15. How does this affect the recorded audio, I mean it looks and sounds perfect on time when he plays it back? I don't get it.

[@mosai6950]

These to a midi effects controller and ableton would be soooo awsome!

[@meerkatzThe23]

.....don't let u mesmerize by the hypnotic lights.....;-)

[@iykist]

Which software is being used.

[@rs2klee]

I like all the finger prints on the TB-3 pad coming out the box lol

[@Rosso456MGT]

I own all the classics 101/303/707/727/808 and 909 and while I believe there will always be a market for the classics and the true analogue clones these are the first decent pieces of roland kit in decades. Live performance possibilities are the main reason for investing IMHO. Korg is now making a true analogue ARP odyssey. Whichever way you approach it as Freemason #1 says thank god we are not going to be staring at computer screens any longer

[@benanderson89]

Rosso456MGT True analogue ARP Odyssey? Are they making a new synth after the MS20 mini?

[@TheIrishKiwi84]

good demo straight to the point without much shite talk ,, :-]

[@CrankyPills]

Two months in the initial WOW faded. This thing is much fun but if you want authentic 808 / 909 sound and behaviour you STILL need the originals. Prove me wrong with a massive update of the emulation Roland.

[@SPAZZOID100]

My tr-8 sounds VERY close to my 808.

[@wejamm]

What would be the price of TR-8 ?!

[@lutherwinter800]

i have the midi cord, whats the other one i need to run the tb-3 through the tr-8

[@bubbanderson]

You just need a couple of audio leads to connect the output of the TB3 to the input of the TR8.

[@ValTek_Armory]

I would have to plug my midi keyboard into that tr-3 to be able to use it. I can't stand only having one octave to play

[@doncristobalaspee5925]

If this is a genuine unboxing of the TB3 I would be disturbed that the screen has what looks like a lot of greasy fingermarks all over it.

[@JungleTunes94]

+Escobar Manchulo Without being sure i'd say they are in the shop and he has come in to test what is likely a test copy of each hence they are used.

[@Ricardoaugustinholima]

How can i adjust latency to record multi channel in Ableton?

[@tinigiant2613]

does anyone know if it will be able to use purely anologue without midid?

[@wakeupFFS2012]

That TB-3 is the squelchiest thing since Misses McSquelchy fell into a skip full of octopus. Which is a good thing, btw.

[@djiatro]

Korg electribe ii - runs on batteries/portable - I use it in train, bus and even library!

[@savanaviolenta]

TR8 is the king of drum machines man,you can beat it.606'707,808,909 reverb delay effects,individual outputs for each track.The king.Period.

[@uberd0gAlpha]

@@savanaviolenta you can easily add all those kits onto the Electribe ES2 too. And it has all the effects you mentioned (plus more. 38 in total). And you can export each track to your SD card as an individual, Ableton-ready loop. Plus, y'know, the synth programming and the sampling and the kaossilator-style touchpad and the being battery powered. The king? No. Even 3 years ago your comment was straight up wrong.

[@johnnybagwash2456]

could you actually mix the tb3 and tr8 without syncing them if both tempos match ie like a dj would beat match 2 tracks any info gak would be grateful

[@mikebroomfield3029]

I'm a big 303 909 fan but I can see the point of people saying its old hat. It may spark a resurgence in Acid House but otherwise its just a (gorgeous ) toy.

[@F-Andre]

i tested the tr8 and the only loud element was the kick .... i cant hear the hihats?? i need! ride cymbla in my tracks :) still dont know what to think about these they are cheap and sound good but they are digital and ...

[@spanner2091]

I've used the real 808 and 909 in the past, but now numerous softsynths offer everything these boxes can do at a fraction of the price. As for the 303 I was once offered one for free and turned it away because they were a nasty little fart box back then, and they still are. Roland really need to get their heads out of their arses and get thinking original and innovative again like they were in the 80's.

[@ericchamberlain9260]

12:45

[@ohmydever]

cant seem to get my tr-8 coming up as an input device in either ableton or logic, any ideas how to fix this?

[@ohmydever]

You're a bit of a weird/sad person aren't you... and fyi, I got one of the first TR-8's in the UK, and if it makes you feel any betetr about yourself, I solved this problem within a couple of hours...

[@SpaceAcex]

would I be able to use this and its step sequencer to control plug in's or racks in reason? I'd like to get this but only if I'd be able to control synths/redrum/kong in reason.

[@xXDjOdysseyXx]

Dose this use dual Ts are Dual TRS are what i see people use it with dual trs and ts and single cord trs and ts? and dose the midi have to be male are female

[@MysticDonBlair]

What is the difference between SCATTER and GRAIN SHIFT??? Some one please explain this to me or tell me where I can easily find out.

[@acidaciderecordings6716]

I must have. Heaven is back on earth.

[@corelgott]

Please, please no acid-revival!

[@Kevin_MK7RSR]

Wait, what? ...Acid went away?

[@Kevin_MK7RSR]

***** Ice?

[@pwnedshift1]

Zeug acid never died

[@klanggenerator2918]

Too bad that routing the seperate channels in the DAW means that I can't use my FW interface (ASIO) at the same time because Ableton does not support the simultaneous use of multiple interfaces. So I won't be able to record the other channels from my FW Mixer with the TR 8 channels simultaneously when doing a live set. Multiple 1/4 outputs would have been nicer...

[@Ninjaflip88]

Jack Audio interface my friend

[@SPAZZOID100]

More analog outs would have put roland beyond their price point.

[@deanod9]

Hello all, looking into buying a sythn, really impressed with the equipment but can't afford it all, would I be able to combine the TR-8 with say a Novation Bass Station? And would this require a dedicated Audio Interface or could I feed it into my laptop? Thanks!

[@aragonbrasil]

I am not an expert, but Some time I saw a keyboard demo, and I say, its great, I would like to play that Some times I saw a flute demo, and, same, great ! But, this box is boring man. I prefer hit my hands inside elevator or on my desk. But it may be good for those how like it

[@inf0tr8r]

you're pretty good on the drum machine brah.. make some techno

[@Mentchikov]

Groovin' as fuck

[@johntiris312]

Hello,I have a problem connecting and syncing my tr8 with my tb3.i have connected both via midi ( midi out from tr8 to midi in to tb3 ) but for some reason tb3 is not playing along.although the step sequencer is lightning up,there is no sound coming out of it..if anyone could give me any idea i would be greatful.maybe it has something to do with the settings?

[@MrSimondaniel3]

Gak vision? hahahaha ever heard the term gak-ed out?

[@kvfive]

Cool, shame it's about 20 years too late :( Roland should've done this in the 90's

[@kvfive]

Yes to the MC303... Great machine :) but as you say 'sample based' and you can clearly tell :-(

[@theGanj]

I can actually afford this unlike the original 808 and 909. Yeah, I'm buying this.

[@Ninjaflip88]

If you have any sound, it may take time, but you can make better sound... DAWs exist now, where you have control of each literal bit of sound at your fingertips to modify and refine... These are great sounds at affordable prices, and a great mastering technique tool.. not a terrible idea to get this, if you want to do a RADAR to an AWS Duality type transition but in a sense of sound refinement technique not Mixers

[@nhlazyarse]

Been pairing 808 & 909 drums together for a while.909 always been more punchey sounding to the 808 which has a more bassy sound.alot of sheep inthe game who don't experiment enough out their comfort zone with sounds.

[@bloxelectrix]

I like it. It even has the utterly shite cowbell. Will i buy the tr08 ? Yup !

[@poppalars4904]

I have no idea how to set this up.

[@zariisofficial]

Roland, wtf are you doing? These sounds just don't cut it now.... :/

[@RothmanHarv]

They may not work on their own, but keep in mind that a lot of modern drum/bass sounds are pretty much heavily processed and compressed 808s and 303s.

[@zariisofficial]

While I totally agree with you, however still think roland need to think more "out of the box".

[@RothmanHarv]

Zariis (Official) Oh yes definitely. They should make the sounds much more tweakable to the point of sounding totally different.

[@whiteslash]

Say what bitches?

[@whiteslash]

These classic drum machines were once originally made to destroy the limitations of drums cause the transients were only half as powerful when recorded due to the format and the axis always being at 0 and being pushed up til it almost clipped and cycling til silence... Loudness wars started not because it was necessary but because they were made possible by exploring the limitations of format and exploiting it. Mixing improved, mastering improved, and well we had been waiting so long for a higher standard for live playback... cause playing live devices with 92khz can be a pain in the ass outside the studio without the source being in the table at all times, tweaking sounds. Big boys? Really? Do you even know what you're talking about? Demanding them to think out of the box, these guys INVENTED the 808's and you're trying to teach them how to do their shit? lol... srsly... just HA.. it's funny. So much progress in soundcards and sound design and so much more new knowledge regarding formats and so much gear required to make such perfect sounds...

[@Sklang32]

....Is thinking of a TR8 to make Breakcore...

[@sikdelphi303]

every demo ive seen, well the clap leaves something to be desired.

[@sikdelphi303]

I think im just purist. I cant make anything sound as good as my 808 no matter what i do but it is subjective. The 909 however, i find the d16 more usable.

[@zethbruno1204]

Just got one of these. I have a 909 to compare it to....Selling my 909. This machine sounds great, and better than my 909. I think the 808 and 909 will go down in value. Those old machines are like old ibm computers, great for a museum, but sound dated. And those old machines have been overused. time for new sounds and look to the future.

[@SPAZZOID100]

The value of the originals will continue to increase. And how do the originals sound dated but the TR-8 sounds "modern"??? Lol

[@TheLukeBrown]

*throws money at screen*

[@GakCoUk]

Throw money here instead: www.gak.co.uk/en/aira

[@TheLukeBrown]

hmmm... this would indeed make more sense. thanks GAK!

[@TheLukeBrown]

GAK ok, i threw my money at your site. really looking forward to getting my hands on it ;)

[@KingofAmerica97]

Wasn't this what they used alot for songs during the 80's?

[@charliemorris5648]

Yes it's a vintage drum maschine

[@mrotee0123]

Roland is throwin down, the things you can program using their electronics in a home studio is off the chain, I'm in the process of building a home studio and it will have some Roland equipment/electronics on board!!!!

[@vanyasky777]

don't understand who buy it? if only for live performances!

[@kletsgoo]

Looks like Jani the Janitor beat you to unboxing the TR-8, Roland packs their stuff a bit neater.

[@whiteslash]

92khz sound or something like that I heard.. Do I hear people bitchin' about higher quality sounds? Yeah we know, it's the classic sounding 909's and 808's, but the best producers I know agree this is the real deal.

[@jonvenn1918]

That u can get all of this and control it in analog form is dope, but I don't think anyone void of 808/909 nostalgia would really go for this. Its fun and functional still, but to pay $499 for something thats sounds are EVERYWHERE is just bad economics.

[@jaypardogg7351]

I might were a wedding ring, it helps when conducting :P

[@BlatendCrude]

Thank god I havent bought the volca's yet....!

[@Dougie-]

I hate that neon glow style of the Aira line. TR-8 is nice even though it's a bit ugly, but I would never buy that TB. I'd prefer a Cyclone instead.

[@meerkatzThe23]

...at least it's not that expensive like a mc-505,that makes it attractive,thought it is much more expensive!

[@JoelRozier]

lol look at how hard he bangs the pads at 3:58, obviously taking his anger out on Roland because these aren't analog like the real things

[@Anatomiedusens]

trololol , marvel VS DC , xbox vs playstation , analogue vs digital , vagina VS anus ..... choose you're side

[@inf0tr8r]

haigna he's an idiot.. pulling the dumbest argument card in the deck

[@rikirex2162]

guitar players likes old tube amps and analogue effects because they sound good, but why any one would and do bother with shitty sounds like those I still can't get it

[@AVClip]

It would be really fun to play around with but I can't see this being used in anything serious.

[@amphitheatre]

lovely as they are they're just glorified controllers, hence the price. still. i'd love to have that tr3.

[@user-gg7pr3wu7r]

how are they glorified controllers? they are instruments. What is your point?

[@amphitheatre]

the feel of them . the fact that some patches are only available in unison when working with a DAW (nothing wrong with that) and the fact that they're aimed at a performer, not a composer. again, no beef there, but notice how the guy focuses on the performance aspect of it (noting how he hasn't had to look at his daw) and not so much the range of what it can do (not much you cant do with software from what i see (concerning the tr8 anyways)). these are all fine features but they prey on the neophytes fears that performance = legitimacy, or that its some sort of sin to work entire with your daw. i love that they're bringing them back, but call a spade a spade.

[@user-gg7pr3wu7r]

rss313 machines that focus on performance are instruments to be played, the sounds are on board, i believe the whole point of these instruments is to play them, like the original ones, as a person who has played the original ones , in the studio and live, i miss them, to not look at my screen is a godsend, if you dont like to play shit, use a daw, whatever, the point is to play.The point of these 4 things is performance, roland dont really care about the rest of it. But they have made some cool shit also, you can record str8 into your daw., whatever, try it and see...

[@Elmex_1]

Frazer Thomson dunno, I'm more keen to see if Roland could jump the analog synth bandwagon. i've had my time with one groovebox already (korg emx), and now I just wanna create sounds by playing or programming synths. I've already got some synths, but there's still room for more, especially for some analog poly. Now there's a gap that needs to be filled.

[@theguitarczar]

the review wasn't unimpressive but the tools are

[@calaverasgrande]

here is the thing about these modeled boxes. The real vintage boxes actually sound kind of annoying! The raspy character of the hats and the percussion is what makes them work in a mix. Especially when you hammer the analog multitrack to compress it. These boxes all sound like they are trying to sound like those recorded beats. Not the beats as they came out of the boxes themselves.

[@whormongrmuzik]

I wasn't interested till I saw the scatter -

[@mrbarr63]

I don't really see the need for the TB3