Device Details

I cannot manage to switch the drumpads via push. When i select them with the mouse the drum pad and the controls will be reflected in the pushs display but there is no way to do it without the mouse. Neither with the arrow buttons nor with thein and out buttons. Should it be like that?

Ok i found out i had to hold select while pressing the drum pads. Now it works but i can't record the movements. It records simply nothing what i am doing.

Hi GuybrushThreepwood (nice name!),
About the drum selection problem; try the auto select option in the very bottom left of the drum rack. I think it's called auto select.
When it's selected, you can edit the drum you last pressed.
For automation recording, make sure you have the automation recording on. There's a button in the left of the push or at the top of Ableton for it.
Let me know if that helps.
Cheers for the download!
-Ryan

Hi GuybrushThreepwood (nice name!),
About the drum selection problem; try the auto select option in the very bottom left of the drum rack. I think it's called auto select.
When it's selected, you can edit the drum you last pressed.
For automation recording, make sure you have the automation recording on. There's a button in the left of the push or at the top of Ableton for it.
Let me know if that helps.
Cheers for the download!
-Ryan

Man, I can't believe this patch only has 136 downloads!! Out of all the TR-8 patches out there, this one is by far the best! It even let's you program/ automate the new parameters in the update. Other than changing a view colors here and there of the knobs etc. and the order of a few of the drums, I had nothing to change.

Great work, and thanks!

Hey Socketz,
I hope you get this reply.

Firstly, thanks a bunch for the kind words! I see you also have a TR-8 device! Let me know if you'd ever like to collaborate on something like this. :) Your device looks much nicer than mine.

Secondly, I made sure each pad routes the midi to the right place so that you can rearrange the drums however you want.
Was unsure what a popular placement for each pad would be so by default they are in the same order as the machine.

I'll have to work on a better looking device for the next version.
Cheers!
-Ryan

Ok i will try it again. Another question: Will the momentary state of the TR-8 be reflected instantly in the software or do i have to turn knobs first to send them? I want to save my sound settings at this moment without changing something.

This site also needs tools like a reminder for favourite discussions.

GuybrushThreepwood, the settings will not automatically be reflected in the software. Firstly you'd have to map all the knobs to the corresponding controls then move each one slightly to update their current CC value.
Ahh the comments section of this site needs an update.

very nice drum rack!
...any chance to have multichannel drumrack as usual?
everything outs in the first channel of the rack.

very nice drum rack!
...any chance to have multichannel drumrack as usual?
everything outs in the first channel of the rack.

Amazing device man!

just one thing, I'm having trouble trying to use the Utility pad (kit select).

any updates on the top 3 pads?

thanks a lot man!

Hi robertochriqui,
The top three pads work fine for me and I've yet to receive another of the same request.
I'll look into the patch but for now I'd suggest making sure your settings are the same.
Make sure to be updated to firmware 1.1 http://www.roland.com/support/article/?q=downloads&p=TR-8&id=63185234 this link should help.
Otherwise I'll need more specifics on the problem.
Sorry for being so unhelpful.
-Ryan

Hey Ryan, awesome device, I agree I can't believe only 600 downloads, this should come with the TR-8!

I can't seem to get the Scatter or the FX to work.. the utility works for me, so i can change kits which is cool though.

Do I need to select the audio output or something for this to work?

Cheers,

james.

Hey Ryan, awesome device, I agree I can't believe only 600 downloads, this should come with the TR-8!

I can't seem to get the Scatter or the FX to work.. the utility works for me, so i can change kits which is cool though.

Do I need to select the audio output or something for this to work?

Cheers,

james.

Hi Jrock,
Thanks for the nice words!

Please be aware that the FX and scatter section only work on sequences inside of the TR-8 and not anything sequenced externally. This is a limitation of the TR-8 and I included it only for sequencing those parameters on top of and in sync with an internal pattern.

I'm working on some extra features for the update/7X7 upgrade.

Cheers! Hope this helped.

I wish there were a guide to help me set it up. Step by step. I am routing it through the MX-1 and I am not sure with that extra step if it would still work as intended. I have heard, and read many great things about this so I am anxious to try it out!
Cheers!

Hi Jeshl,
This will work fine with the MX-1. I'm not sure how the audio interfacing works with the MX-1 as I'm yet to play with one but if you want to bring the drums audio into ableton just use the external instrument devices at the end of each chain and select the appropriate input.
Please feel free to hit me up on Facebook if you have it or shoot me an email. I'm more than happy to answer questions or give in depth information. I can't easily help through this message board you see.
I've actually made an updated version of this rack for the 7X7 expansion allowing you to play the hidden drums like cowbell and whatnot. I'd been tweaking it at home and forgot to upload it. I think it's done. I'll put it up when I can get to my computer.
Also, I'm more than happy to add in user suggested features or tweak the devices to make personal copies. Seriously feel free to shoot me an email. I love to hear from you.

Hi Ryan:

First of all, thanks for the work man!. Tr8 really needed this.

The thing i like the most of it is the ability it provides to record automation in a live situation. It can effectively extend the somewhat limited pattern lenght of the tr8 in a very creative way.

However i have encountered a painfully limiting issue (at least it happens on my side):
When two or more CC changes are sent at the same time, only one gets through. As a result the existing automation changes every time you record automation for other control. Usually in a non pleasant way.

This can be a real pain when you have big transients of automation. If it misses the cc messages that tells a parameter to go from top to bottom, it gets stuck on the top value until the next cc change (IF it gets through).

Anyone with the same problem?

I dont really have a clue of maxforlive an so i couldn't test if it is an output problem (ableton or the max device) or an input issue of the tr8 (what would be a major mistake of roland).

Maybe if the problem is in the software there might be a workaround to fix it. What do you think Ryan?

It would make me the happiest man on earth :)

I'm using the usb connection btw.

Thanks again.

Hi Neids,

I'll get to work on an update.
Send me an email and I'll get you a copy with a few changes that I think might help.
You'd just have to play around with it.
That's the best help I can offer at the moment.
Hope this can help.

-Ryan

Wow! that was a fast answer. Thanks a lot!.

I've sent you an email so you have mine.

If you can pull this out, Roland really should get you on their payroll. A couple friends of mine are waiting in line to buy one tr8 if live automation recording becomes available. And i'm guessing a lot of people around will do the same.

Hi Ryan,

Thanks for building this. I am excited to get it going. I have mapped all of the sliders and drum parameters, but for the life of me cannot get any midi data from Scatter, effects, or kit select parameters.

I have tried every midi setting on the device, changed clock settings, and read everything I can get my hands on. It just seems like the machine is not sending data on those channels, so therefore and can't map the plugin the plugin to them.

Am I missing something? Appreciate any tips you may have, and thanks again!

Hi ExposureTherapy,
As far as I know, those parameters on the drum machine don't send MIDI but receive it. This is the function of the TR-8 and can't be helped.
If this isn't what you mean, please send me an email and I'll see if I can sort you out a proper solution.
Also, stay tuned as I will upload the updated version this evening (as soon as I get to my computer). It includes support for the 7X7 expansion and actually has auto-map parameters when set to receive MIDI Remote from TR-8 in the settings. Plus a whole lot of under the hood stuff which seems to improve performance (only slightly).
Please don't hesitate to contact me as I'm more than happy to help.
-Ryan

Hey Ryan,

This is Ian (Exposure Therapy on M4L). I didn't see your email address, so I thought I'd shoot you a message first, and I added you on FB. First, immense thank yous for getting back to me so quickly and for something you put out there for free, none the less.

So, I guess my problem is that when I installed these devices, none of them had any midi mappings. So, I did the mapping for the drum devices.

When I get to the other parameters, I obviously can't click on the parameter in Ableton and then move a knob or button on the TR-8, because the TR-8 isn't sending any data out. But, in Ableton I can't manually set the midi cc of a parameter.

I must be missing some key component here. Still pretty new to working with Midi.

New template sounds awesome btw. Thanks man!

Excellent device sir! Just a quick question, I picked up a TR8 a week ago and by any chance do you know if the midi messages that go out when it's in controller mode are going out in regular as well?

Hi tatem333,
Yeah they do send out depending on the mode. Hold down the 'last step' button and turn the 'scatter' knob. There are 3 modes.

LOCAL ON: It produces sound through any operation including
external MIDI message.

LOCAL OFF: It produces sound only through external MIDI
message.

MIDI CONTROLLER: It doesn’t produce sound through any operation,
only outputs MIDI message.

Use my updated TR-8 control rack to auto-map midi controllers.

hey ryan,

it seems the zip file in the download link is stil an old version!

Thanks for letting me know voodoohop!
All fixed. Try again now.

Much cleaner than the other TR controllers. Nice job!

Hy Ryan!

big thanks! your control rack is very cool!
just a question : it's possible to change the type of delay and reverb with control change or program change? (on tr-8, knob INST and STEP of delay or reverb)
thanks a lot for all!

Hy Ryan!

big thanks! your control rack is very cool!
just a question : it's possible to change the type of delay and reverb with control change or program change? (on tr-8, knob INST and STEP of delay or reverb)
thanks a lot for all!

Hey gieger2,
Unfortunately this is still down to a hardware issue.
I await further updates from the company and you can expect me to update this device every time Roland releases a firmware update.
-Ryan

Hello i have a problem with this device and others TR8 devices, when i move a fader or a knob nothing happens on device screen and i cant figure why, all in and outs are activated in ableton preferences. Any help? Thank you.

When i move a Knob in TR, the audio changes, when i move a knob in max4live , the audio changes,the problem is the max4live device not updating the visual information sended by TR. Thank you so much.

Ok i fixed it , the problem was my template, making it reset to abletons default fixed the problem, thanks.

Hi, thank you so much for this Ryan! Sorry for the dumb question, I assume the TR-8 has to be set up as an audio interface in live (I would create an aggregate audio interface with my focusrite) for this to work properly, right?

Many thanks

Hi again, I managed to set it all up, many thanks for this wonderful device!
However, I can't seem to get the scatter wheel nor the effects to work.
They don't work at all not even if I make the pattern on the the tr-8 itself…the scatter wheel blinks but pressing "on" doesn't do anything…any help please? many many thanks

Hi taiman,
Firstly I need to check that you're using the most recent version of the TR-8 firmware. Hold pads 14 & 16 and turn the TR-8 on. Press the start/stop button.
As far as I know an update made these controls work.
Let me know.

Scatter and effects only work on the master out (Track 1/2). Individual drum outs using the TR-8 over USB will not be effected by Scatter or FX.

You have to have the master track playing with the effects turned all the way up along with the individual tracks. Pretty stupid on Rolands end. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for your replies guys! I updated the firmware as soon as I got the tr-8, so it's on the latest version 1.1.2
So I guess that I'll need to have a channel (main tr-8 out) always on mute and turn it on whenever I want to apply scatter or fx...but this kinda sucks roland!

Oh I must have misinterpreted your problem. Yeah this is down to a hardware limitation. I think it should be switchable in case you want a mix of clean drums and scattered ones

Hi Ryan, This rack works perfectly for me, many thanks in advance. But for the Scatter, FX and Utilyty pads, can you tell me where is the Audio Channel from TR-8 Should I put on "Audio From" in the External Instrument, just to work?? I´ve not get it... Many thanks in Advance!!

Hi notrin,
The only channels that send audio are each of the drums themselves. Therefore the utility, scatter, and fx don't send audio. These pads a merely for control of those parameters. Feel free to move each pad to where've you want on the drum rack. You might feel that the utility doesn't get used so much and put it somewhere else. The audio return is only if you want to use Ableton to mix incoming drums
Cheers for the download!

hi there. i just downloaded this today. i have the sounds working ok - i can use push to control the sounds coming from my tr8. however, when i create a sequence in ableton in the clip, when i press play i cannot hear it. i can only hear it when i have the record button armed on my push and press play, so every time i press a pad, it records the sound.

is there anyway to record a sequence, and just press play to hear it, without having to press the record button?

thanks
david

please ignore the last comment...... n00b + a beer = had monitor set to in as opposed to auto.....

Thanks for this great Device.

My one tip for others using this device. Don't turn the sound on for each instrument output when you are setting it up. Otherwise you'll be left with a heavily amplified drum machine where the sounds is 12 repeats of the same sound. Just turn the output of the Bassdrum on.

Ok can anyone assist?

How do you use the effects and the Accent?
I think I am missing something very simple. Can somoene please explain what you do to turn the reverb on on just the Snare for example?

And how do you make the accent work? thanks in advance.

My TR8 has the latest firmware installed and I can use the scatter ok and can change drumkits.

Hi JimRoland,

Thanks for the nice comment.
Firstly I'll just clarify about the setup and the individual instrument gain. If you are running the TR-8 through an interface or using its main stereo mix, then we only need to select one input as to not duplicate the sounds and lead to a heavily amplified drum machine. However, if you are using the TR-8 in its USB multi-channel mode or using its assignable outputs, you can select inputs for individual drums. Very nice for recording and mix down but less fun for jamming with because these bypass the effect unit as far as I know. (Can't Test it yet)
So, to answer your question. First, just to remind you, the effects and accents can only be used on the TR-8 internal sequence and can not be used be used on a sequence created in Ableton Live. The effects and accent are step dependent.
Once you have a sequence programmed into the unit and set the steps of the effects or accent, you can then alter their parameters from Live or a control surface. This feature is only useful for playing around with and won't see much use functionally. I only included it because I wanted to cover absolutely every control available.
If you are happy playing with the internal sequencer, you can turn effects on or off for each instrument by holding the effects step button. This should light up each instrument that is currently being passed through the effect.

If you have any other questions please shoot me an email or message.
Cheers for the download.
-Ryan

Ryan

Thanks very much for clarifying that.

Thanks again for your efforts, I use this device all the time to control my TR8.

Jim

Hi, Ryan.

As I can't get in contact with Roland Support, I use your space to ask a question about TR-8. I hope you can help me. I'm sending midi clock via ableton to TR-8 and also mapped some TR-8 knobs (the two external in) to control parameters in ableton. But the TR-8 keeps sending midi clock back to ableton as well. Is there a way to avoid this to happen? Thanks a lot!

wow this thing is incredible - absolutely love it - all working perfectly, but for a some reason all the push mappings for the various cc messages, seem to disappear, the moment i hit a pad other than BD, and then i don't seem to be able top get them back again, any pointers massively appreciated - thanks!