Roland TR-8S Masterclass

This video captures a Roland TR-8S drum machine masterclass, presented by Roland's Peter Brown at the 2019 Brooklyn Synth Expo.
In the video, Brown goes beyond traditional 808/909 style programming and digs into some of the more advanced capabilities of the TR-8S, including using custom samples, modulation sequencing, effects sequencing and polyrhythms.
From Synthtopia's coverage of the Brooklyn Synth Expo:
www.synthtopia....

[@CottonBud]

Absolutely superb demo. Lots of very cool stuff used musically and you don’t come across as a show off. Whatever Roland are paying you, it isn’t enough! 👏

[@KiTnKyra]

I absolutely love the workflow on this machine 💚

[@theoriginalheartstrummer]

I admit it is a fun workflow. But it doesn't have a guide click, which annoys me every single time I sit down to use it, nor a tap tempo, unless I just can't find it, and it doesn't sound as punchy or cool as my actual 707 - which does have a guide click. So you do get more options overall but you also lose stuff as well.

[@KiTnKyra]

If you hold ‘last step’ and press ‘clear’ it will reset the pattern back to its original flawlessly!

[@space-skeleton]

I saw Peter at this Expo on Saturday, got some of the TR8/TR8S fader covers from him. Nice guy!

[@loudrthnbombs]

Wish this had an overhead cam angle on the machine instead of these wide shots w/ transitions.

[@GeoStarMusicOfficial]

This helped me so much I was so confused on how to use it when I bought it haha

[@meilstone]

"LFO in a drum machine is kind of unheard of" 😂

[@wowerman]

I have this machine and I like it but... there are some small flaws.My biggest issue is for finger drumming tapping pad is to small to do quick rolls and variations.This video is more a presentation than masterclass.Nothing is explained what to press and no info from screen either.

[@TheVenusProjectInfo]

how big is the internal storage?

[@DouglasAudio]

Inst Play mode: Hold step 12, 13, or both and any other step to make that step roll for live performances Tr-rec mode: Record them into the sequencer with sub button. Hold sub button and use value knob to adjust roll lengths Unfortunately i dont see a way to INST REC rolls into the sequencer, but i find recording rolls in TrRec mode is cool...

[@goodatsolitaire]

This needs to be higher - I'm glad I scrolled down and found this comment instead of wasting time watching the video. Demos are nice I guess, but they don't need to be 20 minutes long if they aren't also informative in a helpful and useful way.

[@meilstone]

Couldn't you use a midi pad controller for finger drumming?

[@jnny7182]

So it’s safe to say there’s not too much menu diving needed to jam on this machine?

[@miguelangelreyes4892]

I think with the TR Editor APP you can skip all the navigation stuff but even without the editor is not a big deal because all the shortcuts it has

[@DJeMo]

Best tip I'd tell anyone out of the gate is to learn all the shift functions asap....especially after the updates too, as those are the fast best habits for each specific material and saves any menu diving, love it

[@jnny7182]

Thank you both for the responses!

[@Hhajsjeieirhrbbr]

Is there a way to switch all tracks back to 16 step sequence at the same time?

[@roxfoot]

Thanks brother, well presented and very helpful.

[@jordancarral]

Just got mine im having issues syncing with ableton

[@reverseetc]

Can drums be programmed in live via tap rather that entering steps? My main workflow on the tr-09 is to select 4 patterns, get them playing, and then just tap in all the drum notes I want - going back to step mode if I need to make any fine tuning. I'm ready to upgrade, but I'm scared of losing that functionality.

[@goodatsolitaire]

It does have a live record mode, yes. I don't remember exactly how to enable/use it, but there's plenty of videos that explain it and I'm sure it's in the manual as well, which is actually decent for a change (24 pages vs the one-sheet nonsense we got with the TR8).

[@reverseetc]

@@goodatsolitaire I bought one, and found it - its the "inst rec" button or something, super easy - thanks!

[@DonaldMerrit]

Yes on the right hand side of the machine there is a larger Blue pad that you can tap in the beats

[@christoroppolo8742]

How many shift commands are there? Is the manual still a piece of paper printed as tiny as possible? Or do I need a laptop or phone slSh tablet to view it ? That’s why everyone is hesitant now we are buried in navigation. It actually caused ptsd. Peace Christo

[@thestever]

The laptop that comes with the TR-8S is a book, probably about 25 pages. It doesn't cover everything but is enough to get you started.

[@ChazSeamus28]

Pretty rad

[@4matcollectiva847]

For my taste the best drum Maschine of the market nowadays !

[@ochentronix3293]

Tu camara deberia estar frente a la trs en diagonal es dificil de seguir!

[@whoadog8725]

Good demo... who would ever think to put an LFO in a drum machine lol

[@tylergates4075]

MFB

[@robertknight8655]

Like the substeps

[@luvlilginger2514]

I've been trying to find a beat machine that's close to or similar to the "E-MU SP-1200 Beat machine" Would you say that the "Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is that machine? Thanks!

[@atmapriyayoga]

not sure how someone telling what he can do with a machine without explaining anything is a 'masterclass' :-)

[@luciennedornier2790]

salut merci beaucoup , la même en francais svp serais trop classe

[@luciennedornier2790]

un vrais il sais ce qu'il dit

[@RvBy88]

1117 year later, and the world is still waiting for the first French man to speak any other language

[@pennyhemens478]

Again someone starting with "go to a blank pattern" assuming the person (whos taking a 'tutorial') knows instintively how to do this. i can't find on the whole internet how to go to a blank pattern. I get :33 seconds into this masterclass and I have to shut it off.

[@phillipmarnik]

This is a masterclass, not a beginners guide. This video assumes you already know the basics.

[@Hhajsjeieirhrbbr]

Can you add effects like delay to a single note?

[@eebzmusic]

I never care about how many likes or comments people get, but you just hit 808 ;)

[@drewbud315]

Great video but I had to EQ out that resonant feedback

[@spectre.garden]

Thanks for sharing the presentation, good tips & a great machine.

[@goztbreaka6506]

Still have no clue 😥

[@FunkTree]

Best d machine

[@KingzofSwing]

Roland Cloud shows you all you need to know

[@ignacecoenen7488]

At around 8:30 he's adjusting the tuning, but I can't seem to get my tr 8s to "remember" the tuning for different steps, it just takes over the new one. If I input a new one, it does glow yellow, so something is being remembered, I guess. Any tips?

[@paulgeorgmusic8748]

coarse tune

[@paulgeorgmusic8748]

as inst CTRL

[@IWOKEAGIANT]

at 20:12 my head started bobbing like a disco pigeon! That little effect is sublime.

[@neilchristian1635]

Good production well explained.

[@neb2612]

Learnt a lot thnaks

[@obeseelmo5216]

Hpw did start a a new pattern

[@LovehouseMusicZone]

Thanks bro ❤

[@beesting6135]

It rocks

[@gregoryschimanski7689]

Top

[@frankschneider7190]

Toooooo much menu diving

[@richardwalley2862]

Frank Schneider what’s not too much for you is the question. Compared to everything else out there this is super simple

[@lamdahalbe]

I sold my Maschine MK3 and got me a Roland TR8S. Did you ever menu dive?

[@gregvadnais1606]

Hope you never end up with an Elektron ;)

[@stateofart2445]

Hello... Men, Im looking make an vnder techno set ( around 3 / 4 instruments or machines ). What do you recommend me ? My first Idea was: [ TR8S + MX1 + SY1 + SOME TABLETOP VNDER TECHNO MODULAR SYNTH ]. Thanks for your time. We're in touch! Best, Patrick.

[@snorpechumgalimp8943]

Elektron Machinedrum SPS1UW and Roland TR8s.

[@joproductions2009]

It doesent have a metronome ....it sucks big time 😢😢....its CRAP

[@shivarium9656]

Always the same thing on Roland machine that's boring. I begin with TB 303 and MC 303, after i have MC 505 and 808. I love TB 303 only because you can do every good sound and you have two road for do it. 1 put with universal power and the 2 with a battery the sounds are incredible. Now all the machine like drum machine or analog synth have the same capacity nothing original and they so limited and expensive that's fucking boring.

[@markhall3323]

I think for a similar price the MC-707 makes this redundant now

[@snorpechumgalimp8943]

Uhhhhh....NO!