TR-808 Rhythm Track Mode

[Rumbler101]

Hello,

Finally bought an 808 after months of saving. It's so fun!

One mode that I am puzzled on though is the song mode/rhythm track mode. I looked in the manual but like Roland manuals, instead of getting to the point, it just waffles on about things.

Could anyone give a crack at summing up this mode on the 808? It really isn't that I'm trying to be lazy, it's just Roland manuals... .

[pflosi]

You have to program it in real time.

While the machine is not playing, set the mode to COMPOSE RHYTHM TRACK. You have 12 memory locations for tracks, chosen with the INSTRUMENT SELECT switch. Go to the one you want, press TRACK CLEAR (the red button) to empty it. Press START and program your track in real time, switching patterns and fills etc. It is handy to have empty patterns, as there will be no end (it will just loop to the beginning again when playing back). Stop to finish the composition.

While the machine is not playing, set the mode to PLAY RHYTHM TRACK. Press PLAY and what you've done before will play back.

Easy peasy

Have fun!

PS: Obviously, it will not record knob movements... Only the chaining of patterns.

[Rumbler101]

Thanks for the reply.

Is there a way to edit the songs as well? The 909 is quite capable with editing but the 808 seems more limited because of no number system on the drum pads.

[pflosi]

Somewhat. If you don't delete the track in write mode, you can start and it will just play the track as it's written; then, you have to do your changes in real time again. TBH I'm not sure right now whether you have to do everything again from the first change onwards or whether you can just edit what you needed, and then stop... I don't use the mode very often. But you can try it out easily I suppose.

[Rumbler101]

Thanks man.

[phesago]

between your fill in button and then a/b switch you should have tons of live variation.