■Roland digitally cloned their cult drum machines TR-808 and TR-909 in a single box at affordable price.
■ Main panel features a 7 segment display, 16 step pads, 11 sliders, 30 push buttons, 2 encoders and 38 knobs.
■ Digital engine based on the analog modeling ACB - Analog Circuit Behavior - emulates the unstable behavior of traditional transistor circuits. The machine generates 11 channels / polyphony with independent mix gains, panning and new tonal controls not present on the original machines TRx0x 808 and 909.
■SEQUENCER features 2 recording modes:
- realtime with quantize option
- step mode (classic TR) with variable scale set at 8th Triplet, 16th Triplet, 16th and 32nd.
Some extra functions are: shuffle mode (swing) and random patterns; internal clock frequency (range from 30 to 300 BPM) can be set using TAP button or sync slave mode by either Midi clock or USB.
■ EFFECTS internal sounds can be processed by reverb, delay and side chain also known as ducking external input. The DPS be only edited on main parameters such as time, level, gate and feedback.
■ SCATTER EFFECT this function offers 10 drastic synched-tempo effects for sound-mangling, however performances cannot be recorded but external sources can be processed.
Here's the scatter effects list: chop samples variations, backward play, glitched effect, ring modulation, gate mode, truncate and stutter
■ MEMORY holds 16 drum kits and 32 patterns on 2 banks A & B.
All knobs movement can be recorded and replayed during patterns playbak
■MIDI rather complete with full implementation, knobs send and receive CC#, can be totally controlled by sequencer such as Cubase or Ableton. The drum machine can be also triggered by USB Midi driver recorded and tempo-synched with other Aira devices (it needs specific DRIVERS).
■EXPANSION TR-8 can be updated with further classic Roland machine:
-Expansion 7X7 includes sample from classic TR-707 + TR-727
7X7-TR8 page for more INFO
- Tr606 update includes sample from the famous analog TR-606
■TIPS to change Midi channel: hold PATTERN and turn on, change channel turning tempo, then hit start/stop.
- to change step colors: hold PATTERN and turn on, press SCATTER DEPTH and rotate the SCATTER knob from 1 to 6, hit start/stop.
- to random a pattern: hold PATTERN SELECT and press SCATTER ON
- to assign separate outs: hold PATTERN and turn on, press and hold A for aux1 and B for aux2 and select an instrument
- to PAN an instrument: press DRUM SELECT INSTRUMENT, hold an instrument selection and turn the TEMPO wheel from R64 to L63.
■AIRA TR-8 New Features - Version 1.1
Backup and Restore
Manage your kit and pattern library with easy backup and restore over USB
Improved Playability
Instrument Levels: Customize kits by adjusting the gain of each instrument to suit your individual style
Better Rolls: Rolls are now easier to engage, offer more control, and sound better overall
Scatter Latch On/Off: Alternate unlatched trigger mode engages only while “On” button is held down
Scatter Cycle: Scatter will enable for one cycle and then automatically disengage
Sync Reset: Get back in the groove by instantly starting a pattern from the top
■Pattern Lock: Lock the contents of a pattern so you can experiment without losing your original groove
Nonstop A/B Pattern Editing: Now you can edit both A and B parts of a pattern without stopping the sequencer
■Modes: Local On/Off and MIDI controller modes determine how MIDI data is sent and received
Accent Velocity: MIDI velocity is variable by the accent setting
Kit Select: Select kits using MIDI control change messages
Scatter: Scatter On/Off, Type and Depth can be controlled via MIDI control change
External Record: Record patterns in real-time from external MIDI devices
MIDI Off: Disable sending of all MIDI messages
Ignore Play/Stop: Toggle how TR-8 responds to PLAY/STOP messages
Effect Control: Control effects using MIDI control change messages