ABOUT very classic drummachine that introduced the chase light sequencer system! well known analogue sound with real programmable grooves after the quite hard-to-prog CR78, 1981 choose an instrument (with that dial upper left!) set the steps and measurement (tri and normal each of the 16 led/buttons replesent a note) the sound of each instrument can be adjusted (there are mods to expand the number of parameters for the 808, 606 909 etc...

Mr.Kikumoto (the man behind the 808,909 and 303) wasn't happy with the hand clap.

DETAILS 16 instruments, all analogue - fat and good, 3 trigger outs, ind. outs, 64 steps per pattern (A/B) max. , chase light principle, 4 fill ins, DIN sync - the 808 can be equipped with midi 2 ways: 1) a DIN sync interface is built in, there are lots of din sync to midi converters (doepfer,kenton..) 2)send it in and let kenton add a nice midi interface! (see the red button the the right side? it's a midified TR-808 here!) Roland TR-808 and Jupiter 6 / 8 Buttons.. warning!achtung! the 303 buttons needed to be "slightly adjusted".. most buttons on 808 and Jupiters do not work perfectly these days. here's a replacement: ---> omron B3F-4000 farnell nr.:176434 für 303 ( B3F-4050 ) F.nr.: 176435 and TR808 env/decay times Roland TR808 laufzeiten der hüllkurven

- envelope running times: bd (decay =min) 242ms - (max) 1646ms. sd 199ms lconga 341ms mconga 234ms ltom 455ms mtom 309ms rim 15ms clave 41ms maracas 33ms clap 1964ms cow 1157ms cymbal min 276ms to max 3956ms OH min 144ms max 586ms CH 112ms

5 sounds must be switched and can not sound at the same time like d nicht gleichzeitig zu hören: conga or tom (3x). Maracas or claps and rimshot or claves.

SOUND Electro!

VERSION modification: additional parameters (see site link), midi retrofit possible (sync / instr trigger) by EES, kenton..

Roland TR808 back
back side: 3 trigger outs, audio outs.. click..

Roland TR808
808

Roland TR808
808

Roland TR808
808

Roland TR-808
Roland TR 808

Roland TR808
808

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
Changing the TR808 Switchboard..
TR808 opened..

here's the picture 808 tour..

for our american viewers: do not try this at home - only at YOUR OWN risk ;)

1) remove 3 screws on back and front

2) there are also some screws to remove at the left and right side..

3) now you can remove the control board from the PSU (mine has it's midi interface here also see picture, the big one to the right going to the upper board is going to the knob box! so maybe you do not have it! but maybe you can copy it - just click the pic..)

btw: you can enlarge almost ANY picture by clicking on them!!

4) now remove the knobs and another 3 srews in the middle: one under the big tempo knob, one above the "808"-lettering and another one beside / above the R of rhythm composer..

5) carefully remove the board and leave the cover as is, watch the cables!! the power switch must not be removed but be careful when turning the cover / removing the board..

6) when open: you can remove the screw holding the switchboard (right under the switchboard in the front..

7)now the one to be VERY careful: see the flat connection going to the switchboard? .. the 3rd picture shows it already removed: gently use 2 finges on both side to pull it out..

8) you can unsrew 3 more screws now on the board and remove it now.. the 6th pic shows how it looks like ;)

9) see the different boards awailable in the following pictures..

10) now place the board and fix all screws again..

11) how it looks like now.. the last pic and the small "movie"..

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: open it..

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: open it.. pt 2

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: closeup

Roland TR 808 LED switchboard
tr-808 switchboard: remove the old one..

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: replace this!

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: the board with(out) removed switchboard..

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: done - alternatives 1

Roland TR808 LED switchboard
tr switchboard: done - alternatives 2

- INFO TEXT
Roland TR-808 info
Roland TR808
well known analogue sound with real programmable grooves after the quite hard-to-prog CR78, 1981
choose an instrument (with that dial upper left!)
set the steps and measurement (tri and normal each of the 16 led/buttons represent a note)

the sound of each instrument can be adjusted (there are mods to expand the number of parameters for the 808, 606 909 etc...-->nice "more parameters" modification to
TR808, TR606, TR909, CR78, CR8000
by Analogue Solutions
www.users.globalnet.co.uk/%7econcuss/

the 808 can be equipped with midi 2 ways:
1) a DIN sync interface is built in, there are lots of din sync to midi converters (doepfer,kenton..)
2)send it in and let kenton add a nice midi interface! (see the red button the the right side? it's a midified TR-808 here!)

Roland TR-808
and Jupiter 6 / 8 Buttons..
warning! achtung! the 303 buttons needed to be "slightly adjusted"..

most buttons on 808 and Jupiters do not work perfectly these days. here's a replacement:
---> omron B3F-4000 farnell nr.:176434 für 303 ( B3F-4050 ) F.nr.: 176435
http://de.farnell.com/jsp/catalog/viewproductdetails.jsp;jsessionid=YIQ5SBRQ1DVCHQFIAESSFEQ?prodId=176434

and TR808 env/decay times
Roland TR808 laufzeiten der hüllkurven - envelope running times:
bd (decay =min) 242ms - (max) 1646ms.
sd 199ms
lconga 341ms
mconga 234ms
ltom 455ms
mtom 309ms
rim 15ms
clave 41ms
maracas 33ms
clap 1964ms
cow 1157ms
cymbal min 276ms to max 3956ms
OH min 144ms max 586ms
CH 112ms

Roland TR808 din sync pin
TR Series DRUM MACHINES
the classic drumcomputers:
TR = transistor rhythm
CR = Computer Rhythm

all analog drum machines.

DIN SYNC: same as tb303, TR606, TR707 (also with midi)
pins on the roland DIN sync:
from left to right:

3 tempo clock
5 fill in
2 ground (middle pin!)
4 reset & start
1 start/stop

midi pins? check this
http://sequencer.de/specials/midi.html

here's the back side of the tr-808
din sync, 3 trigger outs (nice to trigger other analogue gear) and outs for all instruments, master out hi and low level..


and here is the connector and midi in/outs.. (<--pic)

Roland TR808 mod
the analogue solutions - solution: 15 more parameters..

the parameter box is here
it provides BD tune (the real tune!)
SD decay, and lots more.

TR X0X Drummachines
CR78, TR505,606,626,707,808,909 basic technique etc..
atm. can also be found in the SEQ section!!.. pics'n'infos here:

-->nice "more parameters" modification to
TR808, TR606, TR909, CR78, CR8000
by Analogue Solutions
Roland TR808 drummachine
another mod of the TR606
one more 606 modification

Roland TR808 mod
the parameter box for TR808 + others.. (analogue solutions)