Novation TR808 Owner's Manual
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Novation TR808 Owner's Manual

Rack drum synthesizer
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808
PROGRAM
DRUM SELECT
FRONT CUT
CONT / VELOCITY
MIDI RX CH
909
4
5
6
MIDI TX CH
0
10
NOTE-OFF REC GEN MIDI SET
OUTPUT SET
VOLUME
DRUM KIT
UTILITY
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8
9
EDIT
WRITE
SAVE
ASSIGN BANK
DISTORTION
DEMO
0
SELECT
PROTECT
ENABLE
SAVE TYPE
TRIGGER
SAVE
AUDITION
START STOP
WRITE
COMPARE
HEADPHONES
WRITE
DATA ENTRY
AUTO TRIGGER
MODE
BASS DRUM
SNARE DRUM
TOM TOMS
5
5
0
10
5
5
0
10
5
5
0
TUNE
LEVEL
TUNE
LEVEL
TUNE
LEVEL
LOW
MID HIGH
0
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
0
10
1
2
3
ATTACK / TONE
DECAY
TONE
SNAPPY
DECAY
SELECT
R'SHOT H'CLAP C'BELL
HI HAT
CYMBALS
10
5
5
0
10
5
5
0
10
5
5
0
TUNE
LEVEL
TUNE
LEVEL
TUNE / TONE
LEVEL
R'SHT
H'CLP C'BLL
CLOSED
OPEN
CRASH
0
10
0
10
SELECT
DECAY
SELECT
DECAY
SELECT
Owners
Manual
C'NGAS M'CAS CLAVES
10
5
5
0
10
TUNE
LEVEL
RIDE
LOW
MID
HIGH
C'NGAS
M'CAS CL'VES
1
2
3
CONGA SELECT
SELECT

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Summary of Contents for Novation TR808

  • Page 1 Owners Manual BASS DRUM SNARE DRUM TOM TOMS R'SHOT H'CLAP C'BELL HI HAT CYMBALS C'NGAS M'CAS CLAVES PROGRAM DRUM SELECT FRONT CUT CONT / VELOCITY MIDI RX CH MIDI TX CH NOTE-OFF REC GEN MIDI SET OUTPUT SET VOLUME DRUM KIT UTILITY TUNE LEVEL...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Editing & Writing Programs Factory Demo Guide Compare Function MIDI Implementation Voice Architecture / ASM MIDI Precussion Map TR808 & TR909 Notes Troubleshooting Guide Bass Drum Section Specification Snare Drum Section * TR808 & TR909 are trademarks of Roland Corporation, Japan...

  • Page 3: Introduction Section

    The two most popular drum machines which originally produced these sounds - Roland’s TR808 & TR909* - are no longer manufactured and as a result, second-hand units are now changing hands for far more than their original selling prices (and indeed the selling price of the DrumStation).

  • Page 4: Front Panel Controls

    This section contains the Bass Drum Level, Tune, Attack/Tone, and Decay controls. 9 Congas/Maracas/Claves Section This section contains the TR808’s Congas/Maracas/Claves Level, Tune, Select 4 Snare Drum Section and Conga Select controls. This section contains the Snare Drum Level, Tune, Tone, and Snappy controls.

  • Page 5: Rear Panel Connections

    Rear Panel Connections This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following DIN SYNC INDIVIDUAL OUTPUTS MASTER OUTPUT MIDI two conditions: 1.This device may not cause harmful interference. 2.This device must accept THRU any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

  • Page 6: Connections & Setting Up

    MIDI In on the DrumStation Rack and check that the ‘Write’ switch is in the ‘Protect’ position. Now, connect the power supply ( Novation PSU-4 ) to the socket marked ‘Power In 9VDC’ and plug into a suitable AC power outlet.

  • Page 7: Applications Basic

    On page 4 is a diagram of the basic way to set up the DrumStation Rack. Normally the Applications setup should be as follows: If the Master Keyboard is a “Workstation” i.e. it has a Basic Synthesiser built in, turn “Local Off” or the equivalent in its MIDI setup. ( Refer to the manu- facturers Owners Manual for details on how to do this.

  • Page 8: Applications Advanced

    CAUTION: DO NOT OPEN CASE. NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE. REFER TO 9V DC QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL. D R U M S Y N T H E S I S E R M O D U L E MADE IN ENGLAND Novation ADVANCED SETUP PSU-4 Power Supply MERGE...

  • Page 9: Master Volume Section

    VOLUME DRUM KIT Drum Kit - Buttons Here you select which drum kit (TR808 or TR909) will be edited when using the front panel PROTECT ENABLE controls or any of the Utility functions. Each ‘Progam’ has TR808 & TR909 sounds - see...

  • Page 10: Data Entry / Program Section

    This is where you select the programs on the DrumStation Rack, set the MIDI transmit Data Entry/Program and receive channels, set the various utility functions and store newly edited pro- Keypad grams. NOTE: When editing a program, the current position of a knob or switch will probably be totally different to that of the program selected, so when you turn a rotary control more than a few degrees or move a PROGRAM...

  • Page 11: Audition - Auto Trigger Button

    Audition / Auto Trigger - Button Data Entry/Program This button is used to trigger a drum sound from the currently selected program. It provides Audition/AutoTrig a convenient way of monitoring a sound whilst working at the control panel. The Auto-Trigger function will play the currently edited sound automatically at a pre-determined tempo.

  • Page 12: Mode Button - Program Change

    buttons on the data entry keypad to speed up or slow down the auto-trigger sequence. Auto- Data Entry/Program Trigger tempo is a global setting and is not saved with each program. Program Change The Audition and Auto-Trigger features can also be used when editing sounds in the various Utility functions - see Utility Mode on page 30.

  • Page 13: Midi Tx & Rx Channels

    MODE 2 - MIDI Receive Channel Data Entry/Program This is where you set the MIDI receive channel for the DrumStation Rack. Use the ‘Mode’ MIDI/Utilities/Save button to select the ‘MIDI RX Ch.’ mode - LED on, and then the ‘Data Entry’ keypad to enter your selection.

  • Page 14: Loading System Exclusive Data Dumps

    Ensure that your data storage device is ready to accept the data. Use the ‘Mode’ button to Data Entry/Program select ‘SAVE’ mode - LED on, the display shows: Loading Sysex PROGRAM MIDI RX CH MIDI TX CH UTILITY EDIT WRITE SAVE NOTE: The program ‘Saved’...

  • Page 15: Editing & Writing Programs

    2 If you want to listen to a program before committing it to memory, select the ‘Program’ Data Entry/Program mode ( don’t worry about which program number comes up ). Ensure that the ‘Write’ switch Editing/Writing is in the ‘Protect’ position and then transmit the sysex dump from your computer. The ‘Edit’ LED on the display will come on to show that the program available is different to the one displayed i.e.

  • Page 16: Compare Function

    If you want to start creating a drum kit of your own from scratch, use one of the ‘Blank’ kits Data Entry/Program initially stored in the user program locations. Compare To store a new or edited program, move the ‘Write’ switch to the ‘Enable’ position - LED flashes.

  • Page 17: Voice Architecture / Asm

    ‘fluid’ changes to the character of the drum sound can still be made using any of the front panel controls, just like the original TR808 and TR909.

  • Page 18: Tr808 & Tr909 Notes

    Drum Sounds TR808 / TR909 The TR808 and TR909’s range of drum sounds were not identical. For your reference, the Notes full set of sounds from the original units and the method used to re-create them in the DrumStation are listed below.
  • Page 19 Drum Sound Controls TR808 / TR909 The TR808 and TR909 also had differences in their sound editing controls. To give the Notes DrumStation enhanced sonic capabilities, the controls in each section will affect both drum kits. For your reference, the controls of the original units and the DrumStation’s are as fol-...

  • Page 20: Bass Drum Section

    NOTE: This control was not featured on the TR808. To re-produce the original pitch setting of the TR808 Bass drum always set this knob to the 12 o’clock position. Attack/Tone - Rotary The TR909 and TR808 different controls for this sound so this knob has two functions depending on which ‘Drum Kit’ is cur- rently selected.
  • Page 21 Tone - When the TR808 kit is selected this knob will affect the tonal character of the Bass drum by changing the frequency content of the sound. At ‘0’ all of the higher frequencies in the sound are removed making the sound more rounded and ‘plummy’.

  • Page 22: Snare Drum Section

    NOTE: This control was not featured on the TR808. To re-produce the original pitch setting of the TR808 Snare drum always set this knob to the 12 o’clock position.
  • Page 23 This knob alters the ‘character’ of the TR808 and TR909 Snare drums in different ways. TR808 - On this sound it changes the overall tone. At ‘0’, the sound is at it’s fullest. As the knob is moved in a clockwise direction the pitched element loses it’s lower frequencies and, if an amount of ‘Snappy’...

  • Page 24: Tom Toms Section

    A long ring is often used for fills, whereas if a tom is used repeatedly in a pattern you may want to reduce its decay time. NOTE: This control was not featured on the TR808. To re-produce the original decay setting of the TR808 Tom Toms,...
  • Page 25 always set this knob to the 12 o’clock position. Tom Toms Section Select - Switch This switch selects which of the three Tom Toms will be edited by the Level, Tune and Decay knobs. NOTE: Each Tom Tom sound has it’s own individual MIDI Controller information so when recording via MIDI always check that this switch is pointing to the tom you want to change.

  • Page 26: Rimshot/Handclap Cowbell Section

    This knob allows you to change the pitch of each of the sounds in this section. Turn anti-clockwise and the pitch will be low- ered, clockwise and the pitch is raised. NOTE: This control was not featured on the TR808/909. To re-produce the original pitch setting of the TR808/909 sounds, always set this knob to the 12 o’clock position.

  • Page 27: Hi Hat Section

    In the Drumstation ASM is used to faithfully recreate the TR808’s Open and Closed High Hat Hi Hat sounds and Samples are used to recreate the TR909’s Open and Closed High Hat sounds. Section Level - Rotary HI HAT This knob controls the volume of the Hi-Hat on both the stereo and individual outputs. When assigned to the stereo outputs this knob allows you to set the relative level of the Hi-Hat in the “mix”.

  • Page 28: Cymbals Section

    ‘larger’ cymbal, clockwise and the pitch is raised, as if a smaller cymbal has been struck. Tone - When the TR808 kit is selected this knob will affect the ‘character’ of the TR808 Crash cymbal by changing the fre-...
  • Page 29 This switch selects which TR909 Cymbal will be edited by the Level, Tune and Decay knobs. NOTE: The TR808 has one Cymbal sound. This switch has no effect on the TR808 Cymbal. It is used to switch between the two TR909 Cymbals.

  • Page 30: Congas/Maracas/Claves Section

    This knob allows you to change the pitch of each of the sounds in this section. Turn anti-clockwise and the pitch will be low- ered, clockwise and the pitch is raised. NOTE: This Tune control was not featured in the TR808’s Maracas and Claves sections. To re-produce the original pitch setting of these sounds, always set this knob to the 12 o’clock position.
  • Page 31 Select - Switch Congas/Maracas/ This switch selects which of the three sounds will be edited by the Level and Tune knobs. Claves Section NOTE: Each of the three sounds has it’s own individual MIDI Controller information so when recording via MIDI always check that this switch is pointing to the sound you want to change.

  • Page 32: Utility Mode

    Operational Procedure Utility Mode Operation IMPORTANT NOTE: The operating system of the ‘Data Entry’ keypad is different in this mode ( all of the functions in the Utility mode are visually indicated in small text under the data entry buttons- see panel diagram on page 8 ). The ‘0’ to ‘9’ buttons are now used to call up ‘sub-directories’ of the Utility mode and the ‘-’...

  • Page 33: Drum Select

    Utility Mode TR808 Bass Drum TR808 Maracas Drum Select TR808 Snare Drum TR808 Claves TR808 Low Tom TR808 Mid Tom TR909 Bass Drum TR808 High Tom TR909 Snare Drum TR808 Rim Shot TR909 Low Tom TR808 Hand Clap TR909 Mid Tom...

  • Page 34: Front Cut

    EDIT WRITE SAVE Typical Display ident. ( TR808 Snare Drum ) Use the ‘+’ and ‘-’ buttons to “page” through the different drum sounds. Function 2 - Front Cut This function allows you to remove up to 99 milleseconds of the start or ‘front end’ of a drum sound to create a similar effect to sample editing.

  • Page 35: Controller / Velocity

    Use the ‘-’ and ‘+’ buttons to change the value. Use the ‘Drum Select’ function again to Utility Mode change these settings on another drum sound. This setting can be saved with the program. Controller / Velo See ‘Writing a program into memory, on page 13. NOTE: The Front Cut setting can also be accessed via MIDI.
  • Page 36 Tune - Tone - Decay tu - to - dE - VL TR909 Bass Drum Tune - Attack - Decay tu - At - dE - VL TR808 Tom 2 Mid Tune - Decay tu -dE - VL TR909 Crash Cymbal Tune - Tone...

  • Page 37: Note Off Recognition

    Response for tu - to - At - dE - Sn parameters: Utility Mode ‘OF’ - will respond to MIDI Controller data Note Off Recogn’t’n ‘On’ - will respond to MIDI Velocity data Response for VL parameter: ‘OF’ - has a fixed MIDI Velocity level ( 100 ) ‘On’...

  • Page 38: General Midi Setup

    Function 5 - General MIDI Setup This function is used to select which drum kit ( TR808 or TR909 ) is placed in the General MIDI drum map area. Range = ‘80’ ( TR808 ) & ‘90’ ( TR909 ). Press the ‘GEN.MIDI SET’ button once - the display alternates between:...

  • Page 39: Output Set

    13. NOTE: Because the TR909 has fewer drum sounds than the TR808 ( Conga’s - Maracas - Cowbell etc.) only the drum sounds common to both units will be moved in this operation. - see the ‘MIDI Percussion Maps’ on page 47.
  • Page 40 Any number of drum sounds can be routed to an Individual output enabling a ‘stack’ of sounds to be processed in a similar manner. Example: TR808 Snare - TR909 Snare - TR909 Handclap all routed to output 1 - all treated with the same effect i.e. Reverb/Compression/Eq etc.

  • Page 41: Assign Bank

    Function 7 - Assign Bank Utility Mode This function is used to setup the Pitch Play Assign Banks. There are four Assign banks, A, Assign Bank B, C, & D. Range = ‘AA’ to ‘Ad’. This feature places a drum sound in the centre of a one octave range of undefined MIDI note numbers allowing the drums pitch to follow a musical scale.

  • Page 42: Distortion

    Function 9 - Demo This function demonstrates the full potential of the DrumStation Rack. If a Novation BassStation is connected to the MIDI Out socket and set to receive on MIDI channel 1 an accompaniment to the rhythm track can be heard.

  • Page 43: Din Sync Output

    To start the demo running, press the ‘DEMO’ button once - the display alternates between: Utility Mode Din Sync PROGRAM PROGRAM MIDI RX CH MIDI RX CH MIDI TX CH MIDI TX CH UTILITY UTILITY EDIT WRITE SAVE EDIT WRITE SAVE Display Ident Value ( Program Number )

  • Page 44: Controller Map

    Controller Distortion Tone Tune Decay Decay Low Conga (1) High Tom (3) Front cut Distortion TR808 Kit Tune Distortion Bass Drum Front cut Tune Mid Conga (2) Decay Distortion Distortion Tune Tune Rim Shot Tone Tune High Conga (3) Decay...
  • Page 45 Snare Drum Front cut Tune Controller Distortion Closed HiHat Tune Distortion Tone Tune Snappy Decay Low Tom (1) Front cut Open HiHat Tune Distortion Decay Tune Decay Crash Cymbal Tune Mid Tom (2) Front cut Decay Distortion Ride Cymbal Tune Tune Decay Decay...

  • Page 46: Factory Program List

    Distortion effect on 808/909 Bass drums. ‘Rave/Jungle’ TR808 808 kit setup in the real ‘Rave/Jungle’ style. Classic TR808 V1 Familiar setup of the classic TR808. Ballad City. ‘Tune Me Up’ Key velocity Mod - Tuning on all 808/909 drums. ‘Cut’ TR909 Front Cut effect - Bass/Snare drums.

  • Page 47: Factory Demo Guide

    18 to 26 ‘Hardcore’ style demo with dynamic mod of Crash Cymbal Tune/Pan, Bass Distortion/Pan, Open HiHat Tuning/Pan opposite channels & Handclap Pan. 26 to 31 ‘Rave/Jungle’ style demo using the classic TR808. 31 to Out Classic Ballad style demo using the classic TR808.

  • Page 48: Midi Implementation

    MIDI Implementation...

  • Page 49: Midi Precussion Map

    C3 on a Korg / Yamaha equals TR909 Crash Cymbal TR808 Crash Cymbal C2 on everything else. TR909 Ride Cymbal TR909 Ride Cymbal Note: There is no TR808 Ride Cymbal TR909 Open HiHat TR909 Open HiHat TR808 Bass Drum TR909 Bass Drum TR808 Rim Shot...

  • Page 50: Troubleshooting Guide

    If the DrumStation Rack does not operate as expected, make reference to the troubleshoot- Troubleshooting ing guide below. Remember in most cases, problems that appear to be caused by equip- Guide ment malfunction can often be traced to human error. No power Check that the Power supply not connected correctly or you are using an A/C adaptor of the incorrect polarity.

  • Page 51: Specification

    Via MIDI - Front Cut, Pan and Distortion on most sounds. Refer Controller Map on page 42. Note-Off Recognition : Selective Note-Off recognition for each drum sound. General MIDI : Selective Drum Kit (TR808/TR909) for placement within the GM map. Connections MIDI : IN/OUT/THRU Outputs : Stereo Left/Right + 6 Individual Outputs &...
  • Page 52 Specifications subject to change: The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of going to press. However, Novation reserves the right to change or modify the specification without notice or obligation to update existing units.

This manual is also suitable for:

Tr909Drumstation

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