New Roland "DANCE" hardware- AIRA TR-8, TB-3, VT-3, SYSTEM-1

[himalaya]

Time to hear from those who have actually spent some time with the TR8 or who have bought it (and use it). Comments quoted from GearSlutz, if it's allowed.

I got my hands on the TR8 today, and it freaking blew my mind. I think what they pulled of for the money is freaking awesome.
That bass on the kick is freaking huge.
I think it is awesome, I am getting one of these with out a doubt. I am still getting the original but I want the new one.
I own the real 909 and damn it man they have done a freaking awesome job at replicating the original sound.

today ends my third day with my new TB-3 and TR-8 ...so far I am incredibly impressed. having spent too much time reading about and listening to everything Aira related, I can safely say that I knew exactly what to expect. I'd read the skimpy manuals, I've watched the Youtube videos and yet after their arrival I can honestly say that my expectations have been exceeded. from the sound to the build quality and feel, these are outstanding.

the TR-8~ ****ing incredible. aside from the lack of parameter automation it blows away my old XBase09, or at least my memory of it and as many have already said, it nails the TR-909.

Yesterday demoed the TR-8 with TB-3. Impressed. The combination of the two looks like lots of fun. The 808 bass drum is a real killer. Also very positive I found that the devices are really easy to understand and program.

just bought one, sounds fantastic. took me 1 minute to plug it to my mpc and start jammin.

I want something very simple, intuitive that sounds good.
I don't want an all singing, all dancing drum 21st century drum sequencer. I want something that emulates the Roland drum boxes at an affordable price that still sounds good. In that regard the TR8 IS finished.
The only compromise for me is the decision to go with USB audio, but the only way they can fix that is to sell a hardware breakout box.

I honestly haven't yet gotten past the jamming phase with mine ...I'm having a stupid amount of fun with it.

<snip>

after three weeks I'm loving my TR-8. the sound is fantastic and it is a joy to use. I am extremely satisfied with the purchase and feel that for $500 it is an incredible deal. this isn't saying that it's going to be perfect for everyone, but that I love mine and my expectations have been exceeded.

Got to play with a TR-8 at a local Guitar Center... want one... Was pretty straight forward and sounded good.

[ghettosynth]

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[ghettosynth]

...moved lower in the conversation...

[himalaya]

Why do you call users who actually bought the TR8 and like it with the demeaning term of "fanboism"? What is it? Those who like it through direct experience are deemed as fanboys, but those who are critical are the intelligent keepers of the discussion?

[ghettosynth]

Why do you call users who actually bought the TR8 and like it with the demeaning term of "fanboism"?

....snip-waste-of-time....

Here's Nick Batt's review of the TR-8 and friends. Nick is capable of positive critical evaluation. So there you go, I've added what I think is a valuable positive review, for a second time, to this thread, without resorting to fanboi-ism.

[himalaya]

CAn you counter the point that the TR-8, like the 808 and 909, lack expressive dynamics, and why that doesn't matter in todays music, without resorting to the trivial, "cause we like peanut butter, that's why" ?

Easy.

We've all expressed that the TR8 is not perfect. It lacks in many areas.
It does and does not matter in todays music. A cop out statement? No. It simply recognises that there are different needs, different expectations and appreciation. As seen in different videos poste here by you and yours truly. I would imagine that it's all too airy fairy for you, because you demand some deep "analysis" and video proof of TR8 use even before its widely available in the shops!

And so it goes that there is a huge number of people who look to buy the TR8 just because the way it is - some wish for certain improvement to design aspects, which as I said, we all agree, constitute an oversight - but the sound and the direct interaction is what they want. You don't see it, preferring Push, Machine, samples, midi controllers....but others just want that simple to use interface with a limited amount of 808/909 specific parameters. And no doubt some will use the TR8 alongside Push, Machine, RYTM, midi controller, or not!

I don't need any deeper "analysis' than that. There is simply space for all those instruments to coexist, and I don't understand the continuos attempt at the ridicule, not criticise any more but ridicule, because it has moved on from criticism to pseudo-intelectual-waffle.

More over your attempt at ridiculing myslef is not welcomed. Your comments expressed in the past posts about what I do or do not know are ill-judged and arrogant.

[ghettosynth]

[ghettosynth]

Moved below the nonsense.

[himalaya]

Consider this quote:

Yesterday demoed the TR-8 with TB-3. Impressed. The combination of the two looks like lots of fun. The 808 bass drum is a real killer. Also very positive I found that the devices are really easy to understand and program.

Looks like a lot of fun, real killer, easy to understand. How is that critical positive evaluation? That's fanboi-ism my friend.

Not at all. It's an expression of joy or satisfaction. It does not need analysis. Nobody asked these people to provide your idea of "critical positive" evaluation. Analysis, isn't called for here. These people are just happy with it. They did not post reviews, but simple and immediate statements of their experience. A professional reviewer has a different task, this you should know. No doubt the same users will post deeper reviews over time, some even changing their mind and finding more to criticise, perhaps!

But in the meantime, your assertion of fanboism just further underlines the futility of conversation with you, since even a pure expression of satisfaction - that does not need to be qualified - isn't right for you!

You have to be honest here, you're responding just because you don't like my criticism.

So let me be honest. I've responded to someone else this time, and you have latched on to my post, so I'm here responding yet again, to you.

Yet, to me, you seem particularly unprepared to really discuss these instruments in depth. We've had pages of jubilee. The conversation is getting more detailed now.

Trying to elicit a response with a condescending remark? That's unfitting of someone seeking to have a discussion?

It's not just about experience, it's about the discussion. Whether you're critically negatively, or positively, is not relevant. You aren't being critical about your evaluation in your positive response, you're just jumping up and down like a cheerleader with Roland pom poms.

Another attempt at ridicule? A cheerleader with pom poms? That is your idea of having a discussion?
A purposeful statement designed to insult, despite the fact that I have expressed my criticism of certain aspects of the TR8 design and am not a blind follower of some imagined cult of the TR8.

[ghettosynth]

But in the meantime, your assertion of fanboism just further underlines the futility of conversation with you

For you! So why do you keep trying? You know, considering how little you seem to think of my opinion, you seem awfully sensitive to it. I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve?

I'm going to respond critically to your posts to the group about the topic at hand, but I'm going to ignore all of your attempts at bating me into this endless meta-conversation that you seemed determined to have.

[ghettosynth]

moved below nonsense

[ghettosynth]

moved below nonsense

[himalaya]

Posting a bunch of contentless expressions of "I'm happy with my purchase" quotes from another site in order to steer the conversation is "jumping up and down with cheerleader pom poms", you asked what I thought fanboi-ism was, and I told you.

You are really displeased that people like the TR8 the way it is... Genuine joy is translated by you in a negative light?

I didn't want to "steer" the conversation, but simply show that despite the often mentioned limitations, people are actually happy with the TR8 sound and performance, which mirrors that of 808/909, so why expect more from it? It's an 808/909 emu....and it performs admirably in this role.

[ghettosynth]

Moved to next page.

[ghettosynth]

FYI: I loathe the word tweaker as it has a completely different connotation within EDM culture, at least in the states.

i'll tell you exactly what i mean by that term: an act who does nothing on stage except move (or give the impresssion of moving) knobs here and there, like they are constantly trying to EQ a song. No triggering, no synths, just small finger movements and head nodding. Thats not a performance, thats a rip-off. I can stay at home and listen to the album, i came to see a perfomance!

Sure, knob twiddlers. I have a wide acceptance of variation for what I consider musical performance. But to some extent, on balance, I agree with you in the following sense. If your presentation of the material is complete like the album, perhaps with some interesting subtle variation, then I can enjoy it. If you get a chance, take a look at the Orbital performance above for something that, for me, meets that bar. To the extent that your music is more raw, then I expect more performance. But, to me, holding your hands in the air, giving knobs a twist with a flair, pretending like you're doing something when you're not, is not a performance, but, I don't need to "see action", because, after all, I'm there to "hear" a performance. To that extent, I've "heard" some very good performances that it wasn't always clear that actions by the performer led to specific musical outcomes. The aforementioned Kooky Scientist being one of them.

i cant watch any vids today, i will try and make an effort tomorrow, but i cant promise anything, got a busy day.

It's just a conversation man, if you don't want to watch the vids, don't watch.

BTW: A tweaker in the U.S. is someone who uses meth, and in particular, has the signs and the attitude to go with it.