Roland TR-8S Tutorial: Trigger Out

An In-Depth look at Trigger Out on the Roland TR-8S. Connecting to, and setting up, the SE-02 and SH-01A boutique synths.
Join us on Facebook at / 442726646143498

[@AtomkeySinclair]

Unit:E ~ Hey man your info is always great. Thanks for all the help a while back. I've learned quite a bit from your videos on the TR-08S and was looking into using the trigger out abilities with the SE-02 - and lo and behold you have content on just that setup. Excellent.

[@UnitE808]

Thank you for the support! The SE-02 is a beauty of a synth. Keep watch for more tutorials to come!

[@richardwalley2862]

Tried this and the instructions were perfect 👌

[@lwpweb]

love this demo and especially the sound of SE-02. SE-02 has outstanding unique bass. Will get one. :-) I exercised the functionality with triggering my Korg SQ-1 connected to a MODX. Yes its FUN.

[@twiglet2214]

Going to give it a whirl with the SE-02 and the SH-01A now that i know how it's done - it looks quite straightforward ! I've bought an index card set so that i can write down the process step by step rather than committing it to memory - for all my tech gear - it's a useful resource ! Thanks Unit:E

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Love those in sync sequences. Just like the old TR-606 TB303 SH101 80’s days.

[@UnitE808]

Grew up with those sounds! Thanks for the support!

[@djkennymack]

As always, doing an outstanding job of educating your students lol. 2 thumbs up!

[@UnitE808]

DJ KennyMACK thanks, bruvah!

[@housemachine509]

Thanks buddy going to try more triggering

[@AepoK-]

Tres bon tuto comme toujours ! MERCI !💪

[@richardwalley2862]

I cant wait to try this

[@blkrbbt]

Great video. As always. My only hiccup is workflow. If I’m only using the DFAM in the middle of the pattern chain, I have to individually clear the triggers in each sequence before. I do this with the dedicated trigger out. I can’t seem to clear the sequence entirely with the clear button and pressing the two track buttons to get to the trigger out sequence. I wonder if the assignable outs can be cleared easily with the clear button, but I’d lose a track.

[@MilesEllis]

i have an o-coast, sq-1, mother 32 and the tr8s, i can hook up those... everything but the mother 32. thank you again this was very helpful !

[@alexandermalesevic]

Why not the mother 32?

[@MilesEllis]

@@alexandermalesevic I actually sold my M32 but it was because its like a different voltage I believe

[@Patje040175]

Great vid, have to buy the SE-02 now :-)

[@UnitE808]

Patrick Rurenga yes. Yes, you do.

[@perogie62]

Great video! Exactly what I was looking for to trigger my MiniBrute 2. Especially love the 1/2 time and substep effect. Have you tried playing with the assignable out/trigger out settings as well? If I'm reading the TR8S manual correctly, I can also assign a trigger to an instrument and send that to the sequencer reset input on my MiniBrute. That would set up some interesting sequences if on the HC in a pattern, for example, it restarts the sequence.

[@UnitE808]

Thanks for the support! My mother video on assign out talks about it

[@donkeykingkong]

Great video as always. If I am using audio interface and short on inputs can I run the audio from the se02 into the Ext audio input of the tr8s. In such using 1 input on the audio interface for both devices. Se02 - tr8s - audio interface - speakers

[@UnitE808]

Yes, that will work fine.

[@djkenstone]

I use the tr-8s trigger out into the electribe. Works great

[@robbylewis1220]

How so and which one?

[@djkenstone]

@@robbylewis1220 There's only one trigger out on the TR-8S right next to the SD card slot. Use an 1/8" TR cable to the trigger in of the electribe then set the electribe to use trigger in.

[@VK3FADU]

Im having trouble syncing a Roland system1m to an MC707 can you possibly so a run through

[@gabrieldelamora3701]

Greetings, this is a question unrelated to the video.. On my TR8S: I sent a few tracks/instruments to the assignable outputs but i was trying to figure out if there is a way to have the master FX, delay and reverb of the TR8S effect outputs? Because once I assigned those tracks to the independent outputs they were no longer affected by the master FX, delay and reverb of the unit

[@Smobus]

Ok.

[@dbrugnani5286]

Nice explanation! Does the Trigger Out work to signal a Eurorack sequencer like a System-100 182? If it does then I don't need to buy and install a midi-to-CV convertor module on my rack.

[@UnitE808]

Yes it does. It will advance the eurorack sequencer, or send clock info to it.

[@santiagocadavide5261]

Nice video, do you mind answering this, do you know if I can upload a sequence from my daw and save it in a sho1a bank?

[@UnitE808]

Hi! Thanks for the kind words! Unfortunately, you can't transfer sequences onto the SH-01A. They must be programmed internally.

[@castles4762]

Hi, i have 2 synths + the TR-8S, I have the JX-03 and the SH-01a. how do i get all 3 to play in unison, but also output via Ableton?

[@UnitE808]

USB into the computer would be best.

[@mikenowacki9729]

what is difference between global sequence trig and individual sequence trig? is it so you can have different sequences triggered by differing clock inputs i.e. one by (as in this case) trigger in an other by midi etc . . Thanks for Vid

[@UnitE808]

Yes. Some users might not want to have all patterns on the SE-02 synced by trigger in. Midi from my MC-707 is generally how I sequence/sync it now. I use the trigger out of the TR-8S for clocking modular gear.

[@FabiolousBarker]

can i connect a Simmons analogue drum like I do with the Arturia beatstep pro? (simmons module has only trigger in and trigger out, all individual) like individual channels of the Roland to individual channels of the analogue drum module?

[@UnitE808]

I'm not sure. Let me look into this

[@FabiolousBarker]

@@UnitE808 thank you! I can’t find this info anywhere :)

[@alexandermalesevic]

Hey unit:E thanks for all those great videos. One thing I’m struggling to find is the voltage of the trigger out. I’m planning on getting a mother 32 and want my tr8s to trigger it. I do not want to use midi since I don’t want the mother to stop when i stop my tr8s. the mother ideally accepts 5v and i don’t want to fry it.

[@UnitE808]

I can find out for you when I get home but from what I've read, the TR-8S sends the standard 5v trigger pulse. The Mother 32 will stop when you stop the TR-8S since the trigger is what is driving the Mother sequencer.

[@alexandermalesevic]

Unit:E thanks for your reply! I would feed the mother into the Ext in and trigger it with the trigger out to use my tr8s as mixer in my little studio

[@kevinking7720]

can you change the last step/ sequencer length on the trigger out? or do you have to use one of the TR8s individual outs?

[@UnitE808]

Kevin King you cant change the last step of the external instrument's sequencer, you would have to do that on the external instrument.

[@pramster001]

Thanks Unit:E for the wide range of videos on the TR-8S. I successfully synced my SE-02 via trigger out, however, the SE-02 is playing about 20-30 ms ahead of the TR-8S, so they both don't sound in complete sync, as they do in your videos. I could go into Ableton and put a delay on the TR-8S audio, but that's not the ideal solution, as then I need to delay every other track to stay aligned. Do you know what might be causing this issue I am having?

[@UnitE808]

Are you up to date on both device's firmware? What is the audio all going into? If its into a computer, the driver settings might need to be adjusted for the SE-02.

[@pramster001]

@@UnitE808 Yes, upto date on both device's firmware, and using Mac Mojave. Audio is going into a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6, and don't see any way to adjust timing parameters in the Focusrite software. In the end, I routed the audio from the SE-02 into the External In on the TR-8S, and now it's perfectly in sync.

[@pramster001]

@@UnitE808 I looked into this more, and realized that the issue is not the SE-02. When connecting that directly to the computer via soundcard, it is in time. It is the TR-8S that has latency issues when using USB audio, as I need to use USB audio into Ableton, in order to get the individual drum tracks. I know this for sure, as when I record a kick drum loop into Ableton, the kicks are noticeably off the grid line. I've seen a lot of other complaints about this for the TR-8S and the TR-8. Have you experienced this when using USB audio with the TR-8S?

[@UnitE808]

@@pramster001 I have a video on fixing the latency. Check my channel

[@mostellato1749]

Top tutorial as usual👌Just bought a moog dfam and I'm triggering it from tr8s trigger out mini jack to adv/clock in on dfam patch. Am I safe doing this? I don't know if the voltage matches on the 2 machines... Thanks for help

[@UnitE808]

You're good! It sends a +5v trigger

[@mostellato1749]

@@UnitE808 thanks mate

[@misteremagic]

Thank you again

[@waleedbanjar3050]

i have a Toraiz Squid as a sequincer and i am strugling how to assign each instrument in tr-8s to a pad in the toraiz squid, is it possible to assign each instrument to a midi channels? lets say for example on squid pad 13 i assign it to be for kick which i assigned it on midi channel 13.

[@UnitE808]

Each instrument cannot be a midi channel. They do send midi notes though. Look in the utility menu, under the midi category. Find Inst Note. The corresponding numbers and notes are assignable to your preference.

[@aaron8298]

Hello great tutorial 👍 I’ve just got a SH01a I have the tr8s once it’s set up with a trigger out can I use the delay and reverb to effect the channel ? I really would like delay and reverb with a SH01a great tutorial mate 👍

[@UnitE808]

You will have to send the output of the 01a to the ext in of the 8S. Then you can affect the 01a with the delay and reverb of the 8s. The trigger out just advances the sequencer on the 01a

[@aaron8298]

@@UnitE808 excellent I can I really need delay and reverb on the 01a I’ll try it thanks for your reply 🙏

[@steffelo]

great videos! - can you do one on triggering the tr8s from a daw or through midi? ie to change variations / patterns when changing scenes / clips in ableton/or other daws?

[@UnitE808]

Steffen L. I'll try. I'm still learning that part of it. I have my midi guru on schedule in a couple weeks. Once I have a solid understanding of it, I'll make a video.

[@WickedRoyale]

I'm trying to figure out how to sync Tr8S and Ableton 10 and Studio One 4 transports. Thank you for the awesome videos​....keep them coming!

[@housemachine509]

Downloaded the latest firmware but after a bit if I change some fader positions on the tr8s I get changes in sync is their a setting I need to shut off ? Have it running to some modular

[@ErickRinconOficial]

What about the mix, for example if you want to record each channel by separated. Could you mute or "solo" a channel?

[@UnitE808]

There is a mute mode that allows soloing. If you are using the usb out to record, you can multi-track

[@ErickRinconOficial]

@@UnitE808 perfect, thank you 🙏🙇‍♂️

[@bwah7]

Hi - I have bit of a newbish question. Do you know how I could go about trying to trigger a synth that doesn't have an onboard sequencer? For example, I have a moog slim phatty that I was wondering if I could trigger, but set the sequence on the TR8s.. is this possible? Thanks. Great videos

[@UnitE808]

Hi. Unfortunately, the TR-8S doesn't send note sequencing through the trigger out. It is a simple trigger signal, just a +5v pulse.

[@bwah7]

​@@UnitE808 OK - Sounds like I need to get a dedicated sequencer for the Moog then try it. Thanks for your reply and answer. Much appreciated.

[@bigdebbie6265]

Last question, I promise. I got the regular instrument to trigger out (as you mentioned through Assign, and switching Boost to Trigger), but the original assigned instrument is still bleeding through the main mix out. Is there a way for it to not come out of the main out, and just through the assigned trigger channel? Thank you, thank you, thank you. Really appreciate your knowledge.

[@UnitE808]

You'll just have to keep the fader down or mute it

[@bigdebbie6265]

@@UnitE808 Muting it doesn't work, but the fader at a low trick, does. Thank you again for such a quick reply. Happy Holidays!

[@UnitE808]

@@bigdebbie6265 Happy Holidays!!

[@nutnut1987]

How do you sync volca bass to tr8s and what leads do u need?

[@UnitE808]

A mono patch cable and audio leads back to the TR-8S

[@metalooping6995]

hi, can you help me to send tr-8s into fl studios ? different channels

[@UnitE808]

DigIT Gamer I dont have fl studio but I can see what I can dig up for you.

[@bigdebbie6265]

Can you apply "Last Step" function to Trigger Out sequence on TR 8s. Does any one know? Thank you.

[@UnitE808]

No last step for trigger out.

[@bigdebbie6265]

@@UnitE808 Thank you.

[@bigdebbie6265]

MyTr8s seems to trigger SH1a sequencer via trigger out, the way it's supposed to, but not through regular assigned outputs. What could be the problem? Any one? Thank you.

[@UnitE808]

2 things. First, you have to change the assign out in the kit menu to be Trigger instead of Boost or Normal. Second, in the inst menu you have to assign an instrument track (bd-rc) to the assign out that you made a trigger out. The assign out will send a trigger pulse each time the designated instrument's sequence activates on a step.

[@bigdebbie6265]

@@UnitE808 Wow. Knew about assigning instrument out, but definitely didn't know about the Trigger vs. Boost specifications. Thank you so much.

[@bigdebbie6265]

@@UnitE808 I think I got it to work. The assign Out (Boost vs. Trigger) is in Utility menu and the assigned instrument out is in the Kit menu. Brilliant! Thank you again for pointing me in the right direction.

[@yohann44]

Like a lot of youtube video of the tr8s, we don't see the difference with the step unlight and Light in red. Thanks

[@UnitE808]

Thank you for the feedback! I have taken that into consideration for future videos and will make sure all steps are visibly changing.

[@miguelincito]

So i have the tr8s, se-02 and the sh-01a. Im trying to connect all 3 so the tempos are in sync. Right now i have the midi out of the tr8s going into the midi in of the sh-01a, but im stuck after that. How can i connect all 3 together and have them all play in tempo together? My se-02 is connected to a midi controller so My midi in is being used on the se02. Any help would be much appreciated!!

[@UnitE808]

Keyboard midi out -> 8S midi in. 8S midi out -> SH-01A midi in. SH-01A midi out -> SE-02 midi in. The 8S is going to be channel 10 by default. Set the 2 synths to different midi channels. Changing the channel on the keyboard will change its control to the matching synth.

[@noworries9648]

@@UnitE808 thank you so much! I contacted roland support and they said im basically SOL. I see on the keyboard controller where i can select midi channels but how do assign/set midi channels to the 2 synths?

[@UnitE808]

@@noworries9648 that is specific to each device. On the 01A, push menu and scroll the tempo knob to midi. Press enter (2). Scroll to Ch. Press Enter. SE-02, hold exit while powering on. When powered on, you should be in the system settings. Either step 7 or 8 is the midi channel setting. Find it and once set, Press the value knob on the left like a button to confirm your changes.

[@noworries9648]

@@UnitE808 okay i was able to change the midi channels on the two synths. But the se02 is still not in tempo w the tr8s. 01a is in tempo and sounds fine. Am i missing something? I am able to control the se02 w the midi controller no issue.

[@UnitE808]

@@noworries9648 go back into that system setting and find the parameter that says sync. Set to midi.

[@TheAVsChannel]

Can i trigger a Behringer Neutron with my Roland TR-8S?

[@UnitE808]

If it has a trigger in or ext clock in, you can do like the video shows. I'll have a look at the Neutron and let you know what I find.

[@TheAVsChannel]

@@UnitE808 Thank you!!

[@HazeAnderson]

Bonus TR-9 lesson ... I mean bonus SE-02 lesson. ;)

[@dmares700]

So why does the sequence play forward and backwards I’m having a little trouble understanding that part

[@UnitE808]

The sequencer of the SE-02 has the option of playback direction. You can choose forward, reverse, forward then reverse, odd then even steps, and random. The pattern I played had the forward then reverse option selected.

[@penroseconjecture5318]

Anyone know how to turn shuffle off of only the trigger outs ?

[@UnitE808]

Shuffle is pattern-wide. You unfortunately cannot exclude any sequence from the shuffle.

[@De_Bars_Gullible_Travels]

🔥🔥🔥🤩😎👍

[@staytrue4949]

Can I get to this trigger out a Roland tb3? Just joined the Facebook group 😎

[@UnitE808]

Welcome to the group! The TB3 does not have a trigger in or ext clock in, so it won't trigger the way in this video

[@staytrue4949]

@@UnitE808 time to invest is t03 also I noticed on the last two channels the volume is down do you have another video on the setup

[@UnitE808]

@@staytrue4949 I don't have a video on the setup. The only setup required is to plug a ts patch cable. The trigger out doesn't need sound from an instrument, just the steps lit up when both cc and rc are pressed.

[@Mike-tg1ux]

That Diana Ross base line sounds more like the Donna summers base line of "I need love". No?

[@UnitE808]

It absolutely does. I realized my misnomer after posting the video. I am truly embarrassed about it. I might just need to remake the video.

[@Mike-tg1ux]

Don't be. It's a great tutorial.👍

[@philipdeasy9866]

Great video but the sound is crazy low on headphones

[@UnitE808]

Sorry. One of my early videos before I had any equipment