Behringer RD-8

[Dave B]

Frank, that’s the first I’ve heard about the Movement - was it even available then? I thought that it was Henry (ppg Wavecomputer 340/380) which generated the actual sequences that drove the SDS5.

Interestingly, he also acquired a tr606 and tb303 sometime which he used to demo ideas - famously down a phone to Michael Jackson ..

[The Elf]

Well I liked it

Ah, you're the one!

[FrankF]

Frank, that’s the first I’ve heard about the Movement - was it even available then? I thought that it was Henry (ppg Wavecomputer 340/380) which generated the actual sequences that drove the SDS5.

Interestingly, he also acquired a tr606 and tb303 sometime which he used to demo ideas - famously down a phone to Michael Jackson ..

Yes, the wave computer is credited on almost every track in my Wireless CD sleeve-notes, so maybe he used the Movement later: he's name-dropped in the Vintagesynth link above, whence my confusion.
Excellent interview with TD here: he wrote Hyperactive for Michael Jackson! Well, you learn summat new every day.
https://www.songfacts.com/blog/interviews/thomas-dolby

[DGL.]

..and talking about Simmonds drums, the all Simmonds kit that Roger Rizzitelli used on JMJ's 1981 China concerts, even the cymbals were Simmonds!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l51VPwyyd5U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQOJny6oy7A

and as for the movement drum computer, it was supposedly shown off to Depeche Mode and they gave the designers a really punchy bass drum sound made on the 2600 to sample into their machine so they could see how good it was, about a week later they returned only for them to find out that the bass drum had got from puncy and full life to being really weak.

The MDS was also used a lot by Dave Stewart (Eurythmics) and is the computer shown in the "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" video, being operated by Dave.

[The Elf]

I am hoping that the RD-8 will finally satisfy my craving for decent analogue 808 sounds at a price I can justify!

If you've got the TR-8S I don't think the RD-8 will give you anything significant, TBH. I think Roland really cracked those old TR machine sounds in the 8/8S. I so wish they'd put the CR78 in there and it truly would have been my dream machine. As it is I have CR78 samples, but there's just something not quite right about them in sample form.

[resistorman]

I was inspired by Desmond’s post to install the RC 808 app and I have to say those evolved sounds will be integrated into my music going forward.

[nathanscribe]

I am hoping that the RD-8 will finally satisfy my craving for decent analogue 808 sounds at a price I can justify!

If you've got the TR-8S I don't think the RD-8 will give you anything significant, TBH. I think Roland really cracked those old TR machine sounds in the 8/8S. I so wish they'd put the CR78 in there and it truly would have been my dream machine. As it is I have CR78 samples, but there's just something not quite right about them in sample form.

Agreed on the CR-78. Wonder if they'll release an update..?

As for the sound, I've never had my hands on an original 808 to compare. I do have the 606 and a clone 909 here, and I was very impressed with the kick/snare/tom modelling of the 606, less so with the cymbal/hats, which are tonally very different to mine. I suspect they're just like the engineering team's reference machine though, as these old things do differ. The 909 sounds I'm less convinced by, they feel a bit clean to me. I've found myself adding noise in and a touch of grit to help liven things up a touch. The modelling Roland are doing is good, and the machines are enjoyable and all that, but I'm finding I need just a smidge more wonk than they offer out of the box.

[johnny h]

The TR8s is a big improvement on the original TR8 but I think Behringer will blow Roland away with this. It is my understanding that they do not have the capability to compete with it. They farm out their analogue products so margins are a little tighter than you would imagine.

I haven't directly compared the 808 to the RD-8 but everything I tried in Superbooth sounded fantastic. As much as I hate the company, they are making some great products for amazing prices right now.

[The Elf]

I've had most of Roland's drum machines through my hands at some time, starting with the charmingly dreadful DR-55. I replaced my 808/909 (as I mentioned, the less said about the 707 the better - ) with the Novation Drumstation, which I felt was close enough, if a bit of a faff. The TR-8 replaced the Drumstation.

The TR-8 gave way to the TR-8S.

I never made a study of the difference in sound. For me it was always a case of 'close enough'.

The TR-8S sounds close enough for me and is very convenient and flexible. I can load it up with all my favourite drum hits and have them on hand instantly. I can even load my stick trigger samples and use those to fire my Simmons module; never underestimate the difference the trigger sound makes to a Simmons - it is absolutely critical. Stereo sample playback too, which is a huge plus in my book.

For the predicted price the RD-8 is a winner. Do I need it? Nah. Do I want it? For that money, hell yes!

[Stratman57]

Never had an 808, but I've still got DR110, and it still works.

Regards, Simon.

[nathanscribe]

the less said about the 707 the better -

I sampled my old TR-505 a while back, you're welcome to a set. Stick 'em in the TR8s, it'll make the 707 sound good again.