you whine about the computer interface like a little five year old too short for the carnival ride, DUDE, I NEVER used this device to a computer, it is a OVER PAR performance device, and as for basses, didnt you notice there are more than anything I have rever seen!! you can create your own just by lowering the octive.
I have had mine since '06, and it never gave me a moment problem. You must be a techie and not a true muscian, no formal music composition? lmao
Damn good review ! I have watched a ton of videos about this and everyone just says its awesome and fail to leave out a lot of info so thank you for filling in the blanks !
Im glad at least you bad mouth the mc 808 because it is really a weak machine I spent months trying to get this thing working but it failed no one gives any tutorials because its so complicated .
5.you can even retune your sample (like antaris etc.) and bring your voice sample to the full notes thanks to the finetune fader. its not autotune - but hey no computer. just be a little inventive. MC-808 rocks!
i must admit the instruction manual is horrible. but you still have to read it!!
4. you don't have to load samples one by one. just copy and past them on the card (as many as you want at once).
5. the faders don't rattle - that is the tick motor on the faders which disengages as soon as you touch the fader. (it is loud so - but for the price very good)
Well, thank for the review.. although it put a damper on my hopes:( The truth can hurt sometimes (even though it's your opinion, review)! Still, I do appreciate it and you sharing your experience! Peace!
I was totally going to get an 808 until this vid?! :(.. Haha... but seriously. I got a 505 recently and I like it a lot! Connecting to a comp for storage, editing, and burning is a must, so I've been back and forth from the 808 to 909.
1. Are either the 808 or 909 compatible with "other" computer software? Specifically Reaper.
2. Having capabilities to sample audio is another reason that draws me to these mc's. They both look to have the same audio sampling capabilities.. is this..
Define Compatible. You can sync them via midi. You can import wav samples, but I believe the Roland software needs to convert your samples to get them onto the 808/909.
man when is roland gonna figure out the best machines they've built are the analogue ones?
there's absolutely no use for digital machines like this anymore when we can just use computers, but pple would buy 909/808/303 if they made them again.
I think that the sounds that can be acheived in the emx are great but i spose this depends on what genre your trying to approach, though like I said I run the midi out to control other synths, though its a shame it won't sequence proper chords for me.....
well, your right bout it not being analouge warmth, and evryone knows that the glow inside is not really tubes glowing though just a lil light, though nevertheless they do as you say offer some overdrive that does fatten up the overall sound. I can come up with a basic pattern in no time on the tribes though utillitie functions such as copy / paste etc. can be pain staking, though not impossable..Though i asked you is the 808 srx expandable like the 909..?
The electribes are gr8 lil intuitive machines that give some nice instant FAT results thx to those tubes, though.the synthesis engine is nothin to write home about, and I'm wanting "pollyphonic" sequencing, there are some great things and bad things with the 909 I recently aquired as well, its a rompler (you get what you get), I think the best thing people can do with grooveboxes is run there MIDI out and control other synths, I hav a supernova 2 + a triton rack (which does support multisamples)
The tubes are a total marketing ploy. They don't offer any warmth and are under feed. All they offer is a distortion send, but no analog warmth. I disagree with you regarding the synth engine on the EMX-1, but you are right about the sequencing. Simple, but sometimes too simple.
I've had a mc 909 for a month now and am lovin it, my first ever Groovebox was a mc 307 bout 7 years ago but change over to the electribes not long after, so its great to be back to the pollyphonic goodness of the rolands, the electribes have there plus's and minus's as well as the rolands, though is the 808 srx expandable..?, I agree about the need for a G/Box to be self contained, or else I may as well just go and use ableton like everyone else.....cont...
I got the MC 505 years ago but hated it ! I got the MC 909 and it was ok .... Im a software head now ! My PC is becoming my Customized hardware * 8 Gigs of ram massive CPu power Great audio interface - and so on
I got it and I think You're right but the drum and the sequencer made me love this tool....about the sampling you said exactly what i wanted to say is too FXXXXN hard to put those samples from the card....
I see a lot of people doing quality songs using the 808 without using a computer to edit. I think the computer feature is there if you want to fine tweak and engineer the track and sounds. But you can still make good songs without worrying about the computer much.
I see a lot of people performing cool stuff with it, but not actually making sounds. As I mentioned in the review, the sequencer is fantastic, but you literally cannot change the OSC waveform from a Sine to a Saw for example without using the computer. The only thing you can do on the box to sounds is tweak envelopes and filters. You cannot "build" a patch.
They compliment each other well actually. I don't know how you like to work, but for hands on control and synthesis the EMX-1 wins hands down. You touch it and it makes dance music. If you want to do sampling or sequencer external gear, the MC-808 is superior.
I also disagree with what you say. The motorized faders are really handy when switching from one part to another. The bass can get real deep if you know how to tweak the sound.
The motorized faders were a brilliant idea and they do work OK. The problem is the build quality, not the concept. They are cheap faders and have less accuracy because of the vibration that they have when they move.
I almost agree with you on that. The faders are accurate within 3 of what it really reads. When adjusting the volume if I touch the fader without moving it, it sometimes jumps.
The only other thing I agree with you about is the display. They could have made it look more like the MC-909 or even the Fantom display. Having the lcd display is really disappointing.
It is better than switching from volume to pan and having the it jump from center to the left side because you touched it. This is where the faders really show themselves off.
Im sorry but i totally disagree with you on what you said about the 808. I am using it for about a year and i also use it a lot on stage. I think it really is a great tool for drums (808/909) and there are also some pretty neat synth sounds in there. It is correct that there is some stuff which only can be accessed with the 808 software but there is so much stuff you can do with just the machine.
I never said the percussion was poor or the sequencer. In fact the sequencer is fantastic. But 808/909 sounds can be found on just about everything shipped and are not worth the price of admission.
The live performance capabilities are good, but they are simply surpassed by the Electribe series. Heck, the older MC boxes have better hands on performance controls.
Sorry you feel that way, but the purpose of the video was not to demo the 808 but for me to voice my opinion on it. If you have any specific questions regarding the sound though I can try to answer them.
Thank you for doing this honest review. I was just days away from buying one for US $300. I might just get a MPC instead.
FiftyfourhundredWatt 2 months ago
do you happen to know if the Mc-909 requires the pc to produce?
MrAndromedean 3 months ago
@MrAndromedean It does not.
sup909 3 months ago
@sup909
Nice thanks. This stuff isn't always immediately apparent when reading a manual. I appreciate your honesty in this video.
MrAndromedean 3 months ago
you whine about the computer interface like a little five year old too short for the carnival ride, DUDE, I NEVER used this device to a computer, it is a OVER PAR performance device, and as for basses, didnt you notice there are more than anything I have rever seen!! you can create your own just by lowering the octive.
I have had mine since '06, and it never gave me a moment problem. You must be a techie and not a true muscian, no formal music composition? lmao
MistressSiam23 4 months ago
@MistressSiam23 Been a classical clarinetist since I was six.
sup909 3 months ago
Newer ain't always better. The MC 909 from a few years before kicks it's ass.
SVTtaurus 5 months ago
Damn good review ! I have watched a ton of videos about this and everyone just says its awesome and fail to leave out a lot of info so thank you for filling in the blanks !
Flipjunkie1 1 year ago
Im glad at least you bad mouth the mc 808 because it is really a weak machine I spent months trying to get this thing working but it failed no one gives any tutorials because its so complicated .
pinpeter 1 year ago
Didn't the newest OS update allow full access to all parameters?
aynsoph1 1 year ago
@aynsoph1 That may be true. When was that released? This review was posted in 2008.
sup909 3 months ago
@aynsoph1 That may be true, but this review was done in 2008.
sup909 3 weeks ago
this was really useful
sirvidia 1 year ago
This guy makes a lot of good points.
But you can use the 808 without the computer.
You can edit all your samples from the 808 without a computer. My biggest hang up with the 808 is the bass. But you can always sample!
jsinn 2 years ago
5.you can even retune your sample (like antaris etc.) and bring your voice sample to the full notes thanks to the finetune fader. its not autotune - but hey no computer. just be a little inventive. MC-808 rocks!
Gigaloader 2 years ago
even standard sampling is enough for most.
i must admit the instruction manual is horrible. but you still have to read it!!
4. you don't have to load samples one by one. just copy and past them on the card (as many as you want at once).
5. the faders don't rattle - that is the tick motor on the faders which disengages as soon as you touch the fader. (it is loud so - but for the price very good)
Gigaloader 2 years ago
unfortunately this review is not correct.
1. you can create sounds (patch) on the device without computer (out of 622 waveforms).
2. base is awsome.
3 you can do almost every sampling task on the device. if you utilize resampling there is literally nothing you can't do. but even standar
Gigaloader 2 years ago 2
..correct?
Well, thank for the review.. although it put a damper on my hopes:( The truth can hurt sometimes (even though it's your opinion, review)! Still, I do appreciate it and you sharing your experience! Peace!
soulvibee 2 years ago
I was totally going to get an 808 until this vid?! :(.. Haha... but seriously. I got a 505 recently and I like it a lot! Connecting to a comp for storage, editing, and burning is a must, so I've been back and forth from the 808 to 909.
1. Are either the 808 or 909 compatible with "other" computer software? Specifically Reaper.
2. Having capabilities to sample audio is another reason that draws me to these mc's. They both look to have the same audio sampling capabilities.. is this..
soulvibee 2 years ago
Define Compatible. You can sync them via midi. You can import wav samples, but I believe the Roland software needs to convert your samples to get them onto the 808/909.
sup909 2 years ago
@soulvibee how do u record ur track into ur pc?thx
djbethove 1 year ago
so what would be a better alternative to this?
sentient001 2 years ago
Depends what you want to do. The older MC-909 is an overall better product. The MPC series is a better sampler.
sup909 2 years ago
man when is roland gonna figure out the best machines they've built are the analogue ones?
there's absolutely no use for digital machines like this anymore when we can just use computers, but pple would buy 909/808/303 if they made them again.
isawdrones 2 years ago
Computers are too complicated and require too much mouse clicking. Electribe SX, - hands on and buttons - that's the way to go!
xesionprince 2 years ago
Six weeks must be the magic time period I got rid of mine after the same period it really is a piece of dirt this thing
jonnyrb1981 2 years ago
Thanks, helped me alot, mlg
RainMainDein 2 years ago 2
I think that the sounds that can be acheived in the emx are great but i spose this depends on what genre your trying to approach, though like I said I run the midi out to control other synths, though its a shame it won't sequence proper chords for me.....
NickAAylward 3 years ago
An EMU Command Station might be a better Midi sequencer to look at. Full 128 polyphony. 16 tracks and 32 channels of midi.
sup909 2 years ago
well, your right bout it not being analouge warmth, and evryone knows that the glow inside is not really tubes glowing though just a lil light, though nevertheless they do as you say offer some overdrive that does fatten up the overall sound. I can come up with a basic pattern in no time on the tribes though utillitie functions such as copy / paste etc. can be pain staking, though not impossable..Though i asked you is the 808 srx expandable like the 909..?
NickAAylward 3 years ago
There is no SRX expansion slot.
sup909 2 years ago
The electribes are gr8 lil intuitive machines that give some nice instant FAT results thx to those tubes, though.the synthesis engine is nothin to write home about, and I'm wanting "pollyphonic" sequencing, there are some great things and bad things with the 909 I recently aquired as well, its a rompler (you get what you get), I think the best thing people can do with grooveboxes is run there MIDI out and control other synths, I hav a supernova 2 + a triton rack (which does support multisamples)
NickAAylward 3 years ago
The tubes are a total marketing ploy. They don't offer any warmth and are under feed. All they offer is a distortion send, but no analog warmth. I disagree with you regarding the synth engine on the EMX-1, but you are right about the sequencing. Simple, but sometimes too simple.
sup909 3 years ago
I've had a mc 909 for a month now and am lovin it, my first ever Groovebox was a mc 307 bout 7 years ago but change over to the electribes not long after, so its great to be back to the pollyphonic goodness of the rolands, the electribes have there plus's and minus's as well as the rolands, though is the 808 srx expandable..?, I agree about the need for a G/Box to be self contained, or else I may as well just go and use ableton like everyone else.....cont...
NickAAylward 3 years ago
No the 808 does not have the SRX expansion slot.
sup909 3 years ago
I got the MC 505 years ago but hated it ! I got the MC 909 and it was ok .... Im a software head now ! My PC is becoming my Customized hardware * 8 Gigs of ram massive CPu power Great audio interface - and so on
llDefecTedll 2 years ago
I got it and I think You're right but the drum and the sequencer made me love this tool....about the sampling you said exactly what i wanted to say is too FXXXXN hard to put those samples from the card....
vittoriocassaro 3 years ago
I see a lot of people doing quality songs using the 808 without using a computer to edit. I think the computer feature is there if you want to fine tweak and engineer the track and sounds. But you can still make good songs without worrying about the computer much.
DJFG85 3 years ago
I see a lot of people performing cool stuff with it, but not actually making sounds. As I mentioned in the review, the sequencer is fantastic, but you literally cannot change the OSC waveform from a Sine to a Saw for example without using the computer. The only thing you can do on the box to sounds is tweak envelopes and filters. You cannot "build" a patch.
sup909 3 years ago
I see you have a Korg EMX-1 in the background. I'm looking to get an MC-808 or EMX-1 and can not make up my mind. I might just buy both.
DJFG85 3 years ago
They compliment each other well actually. I don't know how you like to work, but for hands on control and synthesis the EMX-1 wins hands down. You touch it and it makes dance music. If you want to do sampling or sequencer external gear, the MC-808 is superior.
sup909 3 years ago
I also disagree with what you say. The motorized faders are really handy when switching from one part to another. The bass can get real deep if you know how to tweak the sound.
Batman83 3 years ago
The motorized faders were a brilliant idea and they do work OK. The problem is the build quality, not the concept. They are cheap faders and have less accuracy because of the vibration that they have when they move.
sup909 3 years ago
I almost agree with you on that. The faders are accurate within 3 of what it really reads. When adjusting the volume if I touch the fader without moving it, it sometimes jumps.
The only other thing I agree with you about is the display. They could have made it look more like the MC-909 or even the Fantom display. Having the lcd display is really disappointing.
Batman83 3 years ago
You think a +/- 3 points on a 0-127 point range is acceptable margin of error for your faders? I don't.
sup909 3 years ago
For switching from volume to synth, or pan, yes.
It is better than switching from volume to pan and having the it jump from center to the left side because you touched it. This is where the faders really show themselves off.
Batman83 3 years ago
Im sorry but i totally disagree with you on what you said about the 808. I am using it for about a year and i also use it a lot on stage. I think it really is a great tool for drums (808/909) and there are also some pretty neat synth sounds in there. It is correct that there is some stuff which only can be accessed with the 808 software but there is so much stuff you can do with just the machine.
SuicideServer 3 years ago
I never said the percussion was poor or the sequencer. In fact the sequencer is fantastic. But 808/909 sounds can be found on just about everything shipped and are not worth the price of admission.
The live performance capabilities are good, but they are simply surpassed by the Electribe series. Heck, the older MC boxes have better hands on performance controls.
sup909 3 years ago
would have appreciated to hear less your voice and more the 808
JulCanada 3 years ago
Sorry you feel that way, but the purpose of the video was not to demo the 808 but for me to voice my opinion on it. If you have any specific questions regarding the sound though I can try to answer them.
sup909 3 years ago
lol, apparently he does not understand what a "review" is.
DJFG85 3 years ago