Roland Aira TR-8S Tutorial: Importing Kits and Patterns

A walkthrough on how to download, transfer, and import kits and patterns. Plus, a new feature on the #Roland #Aira Sound Library microsite!
Click here to head over to the sound library...
aira.roland.com/soundlibrary-...
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[@MrMnKn00]

i own an TR-8S for around 3 months now, it is my first drum maschine and I really love it. please go on with your videos, they help me unleash the whole power of this beast :)

[@UnitE808]

Will do!

[@Christov37]

Always appreciate the consistent info, Unit:E! Thanks for everything.

[@tomwarner3608]

Thanks for your videos. Just got a TR-8S as my first drum machine and these are so helpful to understand how to use it properly.

[@danielefornara9494]

Thanks man!!! Really appreciated!!! I think this will help everybody! ✌🏻✌🏻✌🏻

[@poppopw5305]

Thank you so much. Great informative videos. 👌🏾👍🏾

[@Barney205]

Great video was looking for new sounds

[@evefifine7291]

Thanks for sharing it, keep it up!

[@burydudexxx]

Thanks Man - this is super helpful

[@fantomandjupiterx864]

Very impressed thanks 🙏

[@VimyScout]

Thanks for sharing my friend 👍

[@andreumateulamas]

thank you.. Good info

[@improbablesafari1491]

Thank you.

[@lucca6738]

Thanks!!

[@marcelmarechal1420]

when I get to kit import, no matter what i pick it says not found

[@thestever]

You make the best tutorials!! Where did you get those knobs?

[@UnitE808]

From a Roland Rep. There is a place in UK that makes knobs that fit nicely that are fashioned after the Soundcraft Signature knobs. Classy looking.

[@ChrisArtsTube]

Ok I am trying to find out and there is very limited info on this... is there a way to upload custom kit sounds to the tr8s? I for one would love a real sounding drum kit and a linn drum kit sound.

[@UnitE808]

Yes. Watch this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4DFfIKma6t9jrM

[@chriswilson6118]

Hello again, sorry if already asked, please could you tell me if can I transfer patterns off the tr-8s onto my pc via the usb?

[@chriswilson6118]

Sorted it 🤦‍♂️

[@AndroLectric]

Hi :-) How can I export a kit or pattern? Not as a backup !!! only kit / pattern. Utility, Export Kit / Pattern is not working for me? Can You help? Thanks

[@UnitE808]

What do you mean it is not working? Export kit or pattern will send it to the sd card. Make sure the sd card has been properly formatted on the TR-8S. Once it is in the card, you can plug the TR-8S USB into your computer while holding shift to enter storage mode. Once the drive pops up on your desktop, you can retrieve the kit or pattern from the export folder inside.

[@6rad9itt40]

I like have a diverse instrument library on my TR, but I like to clean mine of preset kits and patterns in order to make my own. I’m curious if importing these kits means importing new instruments into my machine, or if it’s just creating new kits out of instruments I already have (2.0 firmware). If they are in fact new instruments, will I be able to permanently save them to my instrument library without keeping the kit? Thanks

[@UnitE808]

No new instruments

[@pflo-98]

hi ya,ive just been over 2 Roland #Aira Sound Library microsite and you can now download the songs direct to kits/pattern,1can you then adjust /mess with them and save changes?.2 what does it mean when theres an Asterix* next to the song???? as some do have * n some dont,only had it 2 days ago /nu firmware 2.01....thanks

[@UnitE808]

The direct addition to the TR-8S is nice. You can mess with everything all you want. Anything with an asterisk next to it means that the pattern or kit had been changed since last save. If you don't want to lose the changes, you must save. Be sure to register your device and accept the incite to the cloud academy classes. They are an interactive live class veered towards teaching you everything about the TR-8S

[@pflo-98]

@@UnitE808 THANK YOU soo much as not mentioned in either manual...nuttin about what * mean?., so if i do a factory restore and back up all the originals i like and keep as is? ,i can still go crazy wiv copys and they will remain in that changed state after switching on n off, as do i have 2 save em b4 shutting down ? or will they still b there wen i switch it back on again w/out saving?

[@UnitE808]

@@pflo-98 if you do not have auto save enabled in the utility menu, you must save before powering off.

[@MudarMahayni]

Very helpful, I just downloaded the kit everything worked perfectly, I had the TR-8s for 3 days only...just one thing happened not sure what I did but suddenly the sound of the Kit for day&night changed what it could happened?! Please advise

[@UnitE808]

You might have changed the kit. That would be my guess if every instrument sounds differently. Remember, patterns and kits are 2 different things.

[@MudarMahayni]

@@UnitE808 I'm in the kit mode and it says Brisk Afternoon, I might changed the pattern how I can switch same kit difference pattern, when I go to pattern mode I can choose between the 16th one but when I put 11 for example it says forest dance pattern but the kit change as well..

[@MudarMahayni]

I got it already. ok one more thing regarding sync with Ableton I stoped the doubling sound by choosing my output is Scarlett sound interface and the input the Tr-8s is that cause any problem, this way I can play the Tr-8s with 11 individual channels and still can hear another Channels...

[@MudarMahayni]

@@UnitE808 and one last question :D about Ext Sidechaine can I do it from push 2 or machine mk3 ?

[@UnitE808]

@@MudarMahayni regarding the double sound, your setup should work fine that way. Regarding sidechain, you have to control the sidechain source and depth and type from the TR-8S.

[@totalSLACK]

do you know if theres resources or downloads for importing kits for the TR-6S?

[@UnitE808]

The Roland Cloud has some. Also check out the Aira microsite.

[@ernavk31]

*Edit* whoops, just found your system backup/restore video. Will check it out now, maybe disregard this comment :) As always, thank you for making these tutorials. I'm not sure if you've addressed this in another video, but this one seemed most relevant. When you create a backup (e.g. tr8s_bak.bin), does this save *everything*: patterns, kits, even user samples that may be used by bespoke kits? I've been getting an error along the lines of "Sys Memory Damaged" recently and felt that now is a good time to back up the kits & patterns I've created. The Reference Manual is pretty scant regarding the backup details, so I thought I'd ask. Thanks much :)

[@UnitE808]

It does back everything up. User samples too

[@ernavk31]

@@UnitE808 Great. Thanks much! Just out of curiosity, how do you like the MC series devices? Specifically, what features do you like about the MCs compared to the TR8S? The TR8S is my first drum machine, but I as I initially didn't realize it lacked a song mode, I now use Ableton/an MPC1000 to handle MIDI sequencing.

[@UnitE808]

@@ernavk31 I love the synth engine and the clip arrangement. I love the sequencing of external instruments and recording to the 707. I use the TR-8S for drum duty and the MC for synth and additional percs.

[@ernavk31]

@@UnitE808 Good to hear! I'll probably stick to the MPC and Ableton for now, though I'm curious about the 707's synth capabilities. Thanks!!

[@marcelmarechal1420]

When I am at Kit Import, after I have transfered onto the tr8s, I select export and no matter what it tells me nothing can be found.

[@Amatteus]

SAme problem.. I get "not found",, do u remember how you solved this problem?

[@diegosk8ification]

So if u transfer direct to tr8s u dont need the external memory?

[@UnitE808]

No. You will need an sd card. The only time I found it wasn’t necessary is when using the microsite. From there, it would transfer direct to machine.

[@modulairbliep8662]

Hee there, love the videos :). i have a question about the midi ports. i would love to write sequences for my euroracksystem on the TR8s. The video about triggers was really helpfull. but i was wondering if you could also send midi info out the midi out like pitch, i use the doepfer A-190-3 for my eurorack to recive midi info and would love to be able to make melodic on the tr8s to go to the eurorack. Cheerz

[@UnitE808]

It's not possible to write midi sequences from the TR-8S.

[@modulairbliep8662]

@@UnitE808 Thank you for the anser, saves alot of research. i will now look for a small CV sequencer with trigger input and use it that way :), cheerz

[@jesseharradine9861]

@@UnitE808 thanks for your videos. So does that mean the TR8S can't send out any midi data of the sequence/note hits to a daw to capture a midi file? What is the midi out used for? thanks again! your vids are fantastic

[@UnitE808]

@@jesseharradine9861 You can record the midi sequence into a DAW, you just cant sequence external gear from the TR-8S.

[@jesseharradine9861]

@@UnitE808 ahhh awesome! Thanks for reply

[@l1fef0rm]

Where did you get those sleek colored knobs?

[@UnitE808]

From a roland rep at a trade show. Hopefully we will see them for sale

[@marcelmarechal1420]

Okay so here is the other question, what if you want to custom build your own kit? How can you pick all the appropriate sounds for the kit, how can you assign the sounds to the right channels on the tr8s? How does it all work?

[@UnitE808]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/enLdcqtjptOpms0

[@marcelmarechal1420]

.

[@jimbo2471]

Thanks for your Videos sir, they are going to help me so much! Im on the way to order a Roland TR-8S as my first drum machine. Do i need something else to connect the machine with my computer or is anything i will need in the package of the TR-8S?

[@UnitE808]

Just a USB for computer connection. It comes with one. Are you running it into a DAW?

[@jimbo2471]

@@UnitE808 yeah, I want to connect it with live 10

[@UnitE808]

@@jimbo2471 just the USB cable!

[@jimbo2471]

@@UnitE808 Thank you! :)

[@jimbo2471]

@@UnitE808 Hey, got my TR 8S, some minutes ago. I put in the usb cable but i dont get any sound out of my speakers. My Monitors are connected with my Computer. Do u know what i forgot?

[@BladeRunner74]

The one with the kit is really great. But one question. Why should I install patterns?

[@UnitE808]

Not a necessity, just for fun

[@adrianaguirre2111]

Is is possible to make your own kit and patterns on a computer and then import those into the tr-8s?

[@UnitE808]

No. There is no editor for the TR-8S. Making kits on the machine is pretty quick once you import any sounds you want to use.

[@Asdrubale01]

Is this possible only with sd card or does the tr8s have an internal memory where to import samples and loops?

[@UnitE808]

User kits and patterns have to come from the sd card, there currently is no way to import direct to the internal memory from PC. The kits and patterns available at the aira microsite can be loaded directly to the machine from the computer.

[@Asdrubale01]

@@UnitE808 Ok thank you brother

[@MiguelOliveira-ef8ed]

Hi, is it possible to create these custom kit files and import them instead of creating a custom kit on the tr-8s hardware?

[@UnitE808]

No, not at the moment. But, it is still receiving full support from Roland and you never know what will come in an update.

[@migueloliveira241]

@@UnitE808 Thanks!

[@vantuzilla]

After importing patterns, they disappear after turning off if you do not save them additionally, is it just me?

[@UnitE808]

You might want to turn on Auto Save in the utility menu.

[@hctee]

My TR8S freezes on "Completed!" after I try and restore some kits I created. Any ideas why it's doing that?

[@UnitE808]

I'm not sure. Do the kits contain your own user samples? Have those samples been deleted from the machine? Are you importing the kits, or restoring?

[@hctee]

@@UnitE808 Thanks for replying! The samples were deleted from the machine (I did a factory reset - I was trying to start again and take only the samples I needed, due to the limited sample memory on the TR-8S). I figured it out though - I had to restore the individual kits/patterns from a backup rather than the individual saved kit/patterns files. No idea why, but it works.

[@antoniocalandra]

plugged in with usb, tr8-s goes on storage mode but i can't see the device on my mac.. any suggestions? Thanks!

[@mikeasinas1567]

happening to me too, any luck?

[@antoniocalandra]

@@mikeasinas1567 nothing..

[@Amatteus]

@@antoniocalandra I have the same problem.. did you solve it?

[@Jakevx1k]

what is the easiest way to pull the drum samples off the TR8S on to your computer?

[@UnitE808]

Record them into a DAW

[@Jakevx1k]

@@UnitE808 There is no way to connect via USB and copy the individual files?

[@UnitE808]

@@Jakevx1k no.

[@Jakevx1k]

@@UnitE808 thank you. Seems odd you can't directly access them that way

[@UnitE808]

@@Jakevx1k I can't think of any drum machine that lets you transfer their factory sounds via USB

[@matticus24yum]

For some reason I cannot see the options for 'Kit' and 'Pattern' in the import menu on the tr8s. I am sure my SD card is correctly formatted. Any tips? Thank you

[@UnitE808]

Were they stored in the Backup folder?

[@matticus24yum]

@@UnitE808 I appreciate your speedy reply Unit:E! No, I dragged a .t8k file in to the Kit folder located in the Export folder.

[@UnitE808]

@@matticus24yum ok, same method. Import. Kit. Export folder. Did you format the sd card on the 8S? We don't format it on our computers.

[@matticus24yum]

@@UnitE808 Okay so turns out I wasnt following the instructions closely enough! Thank you again mate! Time to cut down on the thc i reckon!

[@UnitE808]

@@matticus24yum no need to cut down, just wait till you are ready to jam! Lol!

[@KarmaPaym3ntPlan]

Can .t6p files be exported from the TR6S, and imported into a TR8S?

[@UnitE808]

No, unfortunately

[@KarmaPaym3ntPlan]

@@UnitE808that’s so brutal. Time to decide which one to return. Thanks, much!

[@UnitE808]

@@KarmaPaym3ntPlan return the 6S. The 8S is way more powerful

[@marcelmarechal1420]

I'm having a problem here, when I get into the TR8s drive, I click on the ROLAND folder, then go to the TR8s folder, once i'm there, the only file folder to choose is BACKUP, nothing else is there.

[@marcelmarechal1420]

What do I do??

[@UnitE808]

Did you format the sd card on the TR-8S? Also, make sure you are in storage mode by holding shift while you plug the USB in to the computer. Finally, what firmware version are you running? Utility menu, last item.

[@marcelmarechal1420]

@@UnitE808 yes I have the newest version 1 .11 or whatever, I did format on the tr8s

[@marcelmarechal1420]

I followed your instructions

[@UnitE808]

@@marcelmarechal1420 what size, speed and brand of card? Did you do a factory reset after updating the firmware?

[@marcelmarechal1420]

Even though I followed the whole process, once I am at Utility Import, it tells me nothing can be found!!?

[@marcelmarechal1420]

WHen the tr8s is connected to my computer i can see the files that are on it but when I dosconnect and use the SD card, the tr8s tells me there is nothing on it. Ugh

[@UnitE808]

@@marcelmarechal1420 what kind of files? Wav or AIFF? Were you able to get it the folder structure to show up on the card while connected to a computer? Can you video chat?

[@marcelmarechal1420]

i got it to work, but maybe my sd card is too small because i only get a kit or two on it. hmm

[@marcelmarechal1420]

my mac is from 2008 lol

[@marcelmarechal1420]

yea bro i'm down on a chat for sure, I can use all the help that I can get.

[@lwpweb]

maybe to mention, the downloads direct to tr8s are only possible with chrome using macos.

[@UnitE808]

Wasn't aware of that. Thanks!

[@marcelmarechal1420]

ok but what if you did it the sd card way?

[@UnitE808]

Same thing. Instead of storage mode, insert the sd card into the computer. Once transferred to the card, eject and insert into the TR-8S. Power on and proceed as the video says.

[@marcelmarechal1420]

@@UnitE808 I'll have to try it out, thanks man!

[@dbeene36]

How do you export your patterns to pc

[@UnitE808]

Choose export in the utility menu. Then choose pattern. Connect to computer. Open Roland Drive that appears. Pull the pattern from the export folder.

[@dbeene36]

@@UnitE808 Do they show up as wave files on the computer?

[@UnitE808]

@@dbeene36 no. They are t8p files. If you want a wav of your pattern, you need to play it and record it in a DAW.

[@dbeene36]

@@UnitE808 Thanks. One more thing. When I slave it to my Fantom X keyboard, the first beat of the loop doesn't sound. Any ideas?

[@UnitE808]

@@dbeene36 make the TR-8S the master for tempo sync

[@marcelmarechal1420]

I follow your video work for word and I keep ending up in the same place man

[@UnitE808]

I'm ready to help you further, you just need to text me when you're ready.

[@marcelmarechal1420]

@@UnitE808 your vids rule, sometimes my Facebook is deactivated but I'm still around

[@marcelmarechal1420]

You are doing a good job but you need to be more intricate and thorough with your explainations.

[@Z-Light-1986]

Boring !!

[@UnitE808]

How exciting do you need it to be?