Exploring The Timeless Roland CR-78 Drum Machine & How The TR-8S Keeps Its Legacy ALIVE!

Ollie goes in-depth with the legendary Roland CR-78 Drum Machine from the late 70's, and how the modern Roland RS-8S not only keeps it's legacy alive, but massively expands and modernises it, all whist maintaining some of the original features & tones!

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Find the Roland TR-8S here - https://bit.ly/421znQs

Roland CR-78 Specs & Info
As the first computer-controlled programmable drum machine, the CR-78 helped free musicians from the tyranny of the preset. It also set the stage for the arrival of Roland’s world-conquering TR-808 and TR-909 drum machines in the next decade. But first, the CR-78 would make some waves of its own!

The CR-78 uses analog drum voices that sound very little like real percussion instruments. The unit also incorporates an NEC microprocessor to provide digital control of its functions.

Previous Roland drum machines had offered only a selection of preset rhythms. The CR-78's key new feature at the time of its introduction was that in addition to offering 34 preset rhythms, it provided four programmable memory locations for storing patterns created by the user. These can be created by using step programming with the WS-1 box, which was available as an optional extra. The four user patterns are stored in RAM memory; when the CR-78 is switched off, the contents of the RAM are maintained by a NiCd rechargeable battery.

The CR-78's front panel allows the user to customize the preset rhythms by altering the volume balance between bass and treble sounds, canceling some sounds altogether, and adding "metallic beat" (three filtered square waves that create a distinctive chime timbre). Many of the preset rhythms have a memorable character, and the ability to manipulate them further made the CR-78 a versatile instrument.

No digital control of tempo is provided on the front panel, with only an analog knob for tempo control. However, the CR-78 accepts an external V-trig clock, allowing a control voltage to be fed in from another device such as a music sequencer.

A selection of preset fills and rhythm variations are also available, either to trigger manually, or automatically every 2, 4, 8 or 16 bars.

Roland also produced a simpler drum machine, the CompuRhythm CR-68. This was essentially the same as the CR-78, but without programmable patterns or the ability to fade drum sounds in and out. A large cabinet version, the CompuRhythm CR-800, with capabilities between the CR-68 and CR-78, was also produced. At the same time Roland also sold the TR-66, a smaller unit that offered fewer preset rhythms and no programmability.

Roland TR-8S Specs & Info:

The Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer combines the most influential and iconic drum machines of all time into one sleek device. Includes custom sample support and a host of new live performance features to make it the most powerful step sequencer on the market to date!

Winner of DJ Mag 2018 'Best New Studio Device' Award
Designed with the studio producer and live musician in mind, the Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer evolves the original design of the AIRA TR-8 to make it easier to navigate, sequence and customize. No longer is it just limited to the TR-808 sound bank - it now includes every sound from the most sought-after Roland Drum Machines. With authentic recreations of the 808, 909, 707, 727, and 606, as well as several modified versions and the ability to load your own mono or stereo samples via SD Card - the Roland TR8S is a dream for sound designers as well as beatmakers.

Amongst the new features include a much more creative Effects Bank, with a host of new instrument and Master FX types for limitless sound design. An Auto Fill In feature gives live performers a new tool to shake things up, and an LCD Display makes it super easy to navigate through presets and custom kits.

0:00 Intro Tones
1:18 Importance Of The Roland CR-78
2:08 It Was Ahead Of Its Time
2:50 Unique Specs
4:28 Controls & How To Use The Roland CR-78
7:23 Famous Tones
9:40 The Modern Roland TR-8S
13:20 Outro

#Roland #Vintage #MusicTech #DrumMachine
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