Feb 14
Roland just combined two of its most iconic analog drum machines, the TR-808 and TR-909, into a new digital beat maker.
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Jan 15
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is the most famous drum machine ever made. It remains a staple of modern production despite being more than 30 years old. Roland just posted a video teasing for a new product called the Aira TR-08, which it’s positioning as a modern version of the 808. I have no idea what that means, but I might still freak out.
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Nov 12
Even if you’ve never played with Roland’s iconic TR-808 drum machine, you’ve most definitely heard it used in the background of hit songs over the past 3o years. So what could be a more appropriate way to enjoy those songs than kicking back on this massive TR-808 beanbag? More »
Nov 07
MR-808 recreates Roland drum machine with robot instruments, puts them in an 808 State (video)
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Music lovers will often tell you that Roland’s TR-808 gave birth to modern music. Acid house, rap, techno and other genres owe some of their original (and even current) sounds to that synthetic beat. Moritz Simon Geist appreciates the effort, but has built a solution for those who think the drum machine is a little too perfect: his MR-808 installation has robot limbs playing all the equivalent real-world instruments, right down to the cowbell. A laptop musician at the helm sends MIDI input to an Arduino controller that then triggers the robot’s instrument motors and matching lights. The effect is a unique mix of flawless cues with imprecise, almost organic sounds — imagine 808 State or Kanye West replacing each and every machine with a live band and you’ve got the idea. Although the sheer size of the MR-808 sadly nixes chances you’ll ever see one at the local nightclub, it could give any of Geist’s recorded music one of the more distinct vibes we’ve heard.
MR-808 recreates Roland drum machine with robot instruments, puts them in an 808 State (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Nov 2012 18:36:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Aug 04
Roland TR-808 flash drive
Posted in: Today's Chili
This 8GB TR-808 flash drive is perfect for DJs and other music enthusiasts. You can pre-order it now for $40. Sadly it doesn’t also function as the real thing, but at least it looks authentic in a mini form.
It might be fun to fool your friends and tell them that you’ve shrunk the real instrument. Hopefully they won’t ask you to play it and prove it.
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