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I use an SP-808 "EX-ed". I don't use any sequencing, its all realtime. I run a MIDI fader box into it.
I use the MIDI faders to control the pan assignment of each track. I then run the "l" into one
channel of a scratch mixer and the "r" into the other channel. I use a Numark Pro SM1.
The SM1 gives me rotary kills on each channel as well as a grab switch on each channel. I have the
2nd grab switch input on each channel run in parallel with the 1st grab channel. But, the 2nd grab
channel runs thru a good FX unit. I use the remaining 11 MIDI faders and 16 buttons (5 faders
were used as SP-808EX panners) as realtime controllers for the FX unit. (This is all in an effort to do
everything that DJ's can do, better. My rig is almost as portable and easy to set up as 2 turntables
and a mixer, but much more powerful). I use the 808 live with absolutely no sequencing at 32 kHz
sampling rate. I use the lower sampling rate because there is no audible difference in sound quality
(arguably in the studio, but certainly live). But, the lower sampling rate allows Vari-Pitch to go up
to 137.8% of the original speed. A MIDI fader box is used to pan channels A,B,C,D and line. The
"left" channel from the master goes into channel "1" of a scratch mixer. The "right" channel from
the master goes into channel "2" of a scratch mixer. The phones jack is split into (2) mono channels
"left" and "right". Each of these is run through its own independent FX line via a single good FX
unit. The "wet" lines run in parallel with the "dry" lines directly from the 808, but they are on the
other side of the scratch mixer's grab switch. This enables not only crossfading and tricky mixing of
material, but also extremely dynamic effects use. I present this method to offer up my argument
that the 808 is one of the best live performance instruments (for loop-based music) in existence. If
it were not so, then it would be nearly pointless to own one. We'd all be better off with just
computers. The phone out is split into "left" and "right". I don't use the aux out cuz it doesn't
include the 808 FX and that confuses me live. Cuz I cant PFL the "808-wet" signal in that setup. But
I do use the aux in: the zone out from my mixer goes into the aux in for realtime sampling through
the FX unit. Since the phones out is used on the 808, I monitor the whole setup thru the mixer's
phone out.
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I am working my way into using 2 808s live, plugged into either side of a scratch mixer.
I think it's useful to think of the 808 in terms of what it is capable of in contrast to a more
traditional sampler like an MPC. This sheds light on how to exploit it best, since the "traditional"
techno/hiphop production methods often don't work so well with it. In comparison to an MPC, the
808's MIDI handling is weak. But the amount of sampling space the 808 has puts the MPC to
shame. So I use that to my advantage. Many pads are of identical phrases, but with various
effects/instrument combinations applied. I think of it as an all-audio MIDI sequencer. MIDI msgs
are hopelessly vague and "square" compared to audio information. I just dont think a digital spec
from the days of the TRS-80 that was originally designed to plunk in piano melodies is as applicable
to the music being made now. Furthermore, I always use a 32kHz sample rate live. this way, I can
Vari-Pitch up to 137.5% (especially useful if you're trying to drop in to a 175 BPM set and your set
is at 171 BPM.) One exercise I have been doing with 2 808s to enhance my live "chops" is to record
an 8-beat phrase from a record found on the fly, the cheesier the better. (I used "afternoon delight"
by starland vocal band as an extreme test) As soon as I grab it, I loop it immediately. Then I start
deconstructing it in realtime by sampling/effecting bits of it, crossfeeding between the two 808s. If
you take even 50% advantage of the power you have, it is not too tough to turn a sample into
something both completely different and interesting, but still vaguely timbrally recognisable as
the original. And all without interrupting the rhythmic flow of the "song".
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