TabMuse — a Home for Digital and Analog Music Inspiration

Tag: TR-808

  • Roland reveals the TR-08 and a Boutique SH-101 – Synth News Digest 5

    Roland reveals the TR-08 and a Boutique SH-101 – Synth News Digest 5

    808 Day (August 8) brought an appropriate bit of synth news from Roland: the announcement of the TR-08, a Boutique version of their venerable TR-808 drum machine. The company also revealed a Boutique model version of the SH-101 synthesizer, known as the SH-01A. This new synth ups the ante compared to the original with 4-voice polyphony and more.

    roland-tr-08
    Roland’s shiny new TR-08 drum machine. Photo copyright Roland.

    Roland also introduced an updated SP-404A sampler, but the two new Boutique models are the focus of the music technology press as well as the social media synth grognards. The small footprint of the Boutique line, in addition to the virtual analog ACB circuitry with the noted exception of the SE-02, seems to bother some Internet denizens. Imagine that.

    Still, considering street price of $399 for the TR-08 and TR-09, the smart drum machine shopper is likely better served by spending $499 on the TR-8, which offers simulations of both the TR-808 and TR-909, in addition to its larger controls and deeper functionality. I already have the Arturia DrumBrute in the studio, so I’m not in the market for a new piece of beatbox kit.

    Behringer lurking with their own SH-101 Clone?

    Like a synth manufacturer version of Sméagol, Behringer lurks in the background, teasing all with its own clone of the SH-101. The Gollum comparison is said with love, lest my venerable MX3282 mixer now malfunction due to bad music gear karma. There isn’t an official announcement yet, just a published photo picked up by Synthtopia, among other media sources.

    Apparently, there’s nothing like trolling Roland on 808 Day.

    4ms adds Resonator Plugin to Softube’s Modular

    Modular by Softube is a virtual modular synthesizer system for the desktop, garnering praise from synth-heads all over the world. Many Eurorack module makers have released Modular compatible plugins with 4ms now joining the party with a software version of their SMR – the Spectrum Multiband Resonator. This Modular exclusive plugin is available for $49.

    In addition to working like a classic resonant filter, SMR also serves as a vocoder, harmonizer and more. If you are familiar with the hardware module or simply looking to add a measure of sonic mayhem to your own Modular virtual rack, this plugin belongs on your shortlist.

    Ventus Ethnic Winds lets you find your Inner Zamfir

    If you are searching for a quality pan flute sound for your world music projects, look no further than Ventus Ethnic Winds from Impact Soundworks. A great interface combined with over 6,200 samples with a variety of modeled playing techniques highlight Ethnic Winds. This plugin – available for $99 – requires the full version of Kontakt, so keep that in mind before purchasing.

    Give your Mixes some “karacter”

    The Plugin Alliance recently introduced a new product sure to be of interest to musicians and studio engineers. The hardware version of elysia’s karacter Class A saturator holds a legendary status in the hearts of many, and now the company, working with the Plugin Alliance and Brainworx, offers that same classic functionality in a plugin format. Applications for everything from mastering an entire mix to coloring an individual instrument track abound.

    Available in most popular plugin formats, karacter is priced at $199. Git ya one!


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  • Roland introduces AIRA Product Line — Finally

    Roland introduces AIRA Product Line — Finally

    One of the biggest buzzes to NOT come out of the recent NAMM show, Roland’s new AIRA line of instruments starred in a collection of interest-generating videos and press releases released during NAMM. Many, including myself, were hoping they’d follow Korg’s retro lead and release true analog versions of the TB-303, TR-808, and TR-909.

    Well, the AIRA units were officially announced today — a Valentine’s Day present to synth lovers everywhere — and while they aren’t real analog instruments, they leverage a new modeling technology called Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB). ACB appears to provide a good simulation of that classic sound, and the AIRA line offers a host of interesting features at a good price point. Roland may have a winner on their hands.

    Let’s take a quick look at the AIRA products including their street price. If Roland wants to give the intrepid new music technology analysts at TabMuse promo copies, we’ll gladly accept them!

    Roland TB-3 Touch Bassline (MSRP $299)

    While not an actual TB-303, Roland’s new TB-3 bass synth is the most intriguing of their AIRA line to me. There are tactile knobs for filter cutoff and resonance, and I really want to try out the touchscreen keyboard, which looks to be superior to the original 303.

    Roland TB-3 Image
    The Roland TB-3 Touch Bassline appears to be a 21st Century version of the TB-303. Photo Copyright Roland.

    Real-time control of the 16 step sequences is possible, and I would be shocked if odd time signatures weren’t part of the equation. (According to a TB-3 review at MusicRadar — they are!) Throw in a street price of $299 and I may be picking one up later this year — promo copy notwithstanding.

    Roland System-1 Synthesizer (MSRP $599)

    With a Moog Sub 37 on pre-order, I’m not in the market for another analog modeling synth (a Korg Prophecy and Z-1 still hold court in my rig). But the Roland System-1 has some unique features that pair nicely with its $599 street price.

    Roland System-1 Image
    The Roland System-1 synth features an innovative “plug-out” architecture. Photo Copyright Roland.

    Most impressive is the System-1’s ability to download analog synth emulations from a computer. I assume the software to manage this capability is included with the synth or can be downloaded from Roland’s website. The synth itself also sports all the standard knobs and sliders to easily program a subtractive synth in real-time.

    Roland TR-8 Rhythm Performer (MSRP $499)

    The TR-8 looks like a 21st Century version of the TR-808. A host of controls appear to allow powerful control of drum beats in real time, but its $499 price tag makes me wonder if it is really worth it compared to something like the Arturia Spark LE.

    Roland VT-3 Vocal Transformer (MSRP $199)

    Hiring Darth Vader for your band might be a drag, so Roland’s VT-3 is a vocal processor that brings all the benefits of a Sith cyborg’s vocal stylings without the hassles of the Dark Side. At a street price of $199, the VT-3 might make sense for musicians looking for an inexpensive vocoder with other vocal effects.

    While I admit to being disappointed that the TB-303 isn’t being re-released, that TB-3 looks to be something worth checking out more closely. The System-1 also intrigues with its unique “plug-out” architecture deserving its place in a crowded market, especially if some interesting synth models are available for download. At the risk of sounding a bit cloying — Roland, hit a brother up?!

    Expect the AIRA series to hit stores next month.

    A knob twist to Keyboard and Synthtopia.