Roland TR-8: A Guide to Live and Studio Use – “Hidden” Menu and Other Settings
Part 4
It’s getting to be time to cover situational use of the TR-8, but one last thing should be covered beforehand– the infamous “hidden” settings menu. The settings in this menu are crucial to properly configure the device for use in various situations. Otherwise, you will find yourself fighting the machine more often than working with it.
The settings menu of the TR-8 isn’t really hidden at all. It’s very easy to get to, but it is inaccessible once the machine is switched on.
Accessing the “Hidden” Menu
In order to access the settings menu, your TR-8 must be OFF. Press and hold the PTN SELECT button, then switch the device on. Do not release the PTN SELECT button until the device boots up.
Rather than starting up normally, the TR-8 will boot into the settings menu. Now, because the TR-8 has only one very basic display, these options can only be manipulated if you know which switch controls which option.
Let us now go into each of the options in the TR-8 hidden settings menu and their main applications.
MIDI Channel – TEMPO Knob
This setting adjusts the MIDI channel to which TR-8 transmits and receives MIDI data. This is helpful if you are using TR-8 to control other devices, or if you have other devices controlling TR-8.
By default, TR-8 uses channel 10, but you can set any channel 1-16. Additionally, OFF isolates TR-8 from the rest of the electronic ecosystem (with the exception of clock information), while OnN (omni) sets TR-8 to receive MIDI on all channels. In Omni mode, TR-8 will transmit only on channel 10.
Application: Setting the MIDI Channel to OFF will allow the TR-8 to exist in an electronic ecosystem without triggering – or getting triggered by – other instruments. Conversely, setting a MIDI channel will allow the TR-8 to control other devices or be controlled by other devices via MIDI.
Clock Source – Step 1 Button
Lit – Auto; Unlit – Internal
This setting tells TR-8 where to get its clocking information. Lit is the ideal setting, as TR-8 will automatically listen to incoming clock signals, with USB taking priority over DIN. Otherwise, TR-8 will use its own internal clock.
“Internal” will have TR-8 disregard any incoming clock information in favor of its own internal clock. This is helpful if you are sending/receiving MIDI, but wish for TR-8 to function as the master clock in your system.
MIDI Thru – Step 2 Button
-Lit – On; Unlit – Off
This is the most clutch trick up TR-8’s sleeve. It turns the MIDI Out port into a MIDI Thru. This means that TR-8 will take any incoming MIDI messages (including clocking information) and re-transmit them verbatim.
Application: This is great in a small ecosystem where you need to pass MIDI from one device to another in addition to clocking information from the TR-8. In many cases, this single option can eliminate the need for external MIDI routing hardware such as signal splitters or mergers.
Signal Boost – Step 3 Button
Lit – On; Unlit – Off
This setting boosts the levels coming out of the MIX Out, A, and B jacks.
Application: If you are using TR-8 in a live situation, like pushing it through a DJ Mixer channel, you may want additional gain on the machine. However, for studio use, you can turn this setting off – it will likely clip in your DAW.
External In Type – Step 4 Button
Lit – Stereo; Unlit – Mono
This setting dictates whether the External In jacks operate as a single stereo input or dual mono inputs. In stereo, the inputs are hard-panned left and right. In mono, they are both panned center.
Application: You can connect a mixer, media player, or groovebox and retain the stereo imaging. Inversely, you can also connect any combination of external devices – for example, two synths.
Scatter Control Type – Step 5 Button
Lit – On; Unlit – Off
This decides how the Scatter function will behave. On means Scatter is engaged only for as long as the ON button is held. Off means Scatter is engaged and disengaged by separate button presses.
Application: This is purely preferential. Personally, I like the ON setting because on the rare occasion I use this function, it is often very quick.
MIDI Message Reception – Step 6 Button
Lit – Clock only; Unlit – Clock and Start/Stop received
This setting decides whether or not TR-8 will ignore Start/Stop messages when receiving MIDI clock information.
Application: This is helpful if you are sending Start/Stop to other devices in your MIDI ecosystem, but need TR-8 to keep going. Personally, I use TR-8 as a slave device most of the time, so I keep this button unlit.
Pattern Sequencer Operation – Step 7 Button
Lit – Precision Timing; Unlit – Timing modeled by TR-808
The original 808 had considerably loose timing, especially when you consider it’s supposed to be a computer of sorts. At higher tempos, the original TR-808 actually drifted in time before resetting itself at the start of a loop. This actually influenced the sound of early jungle and drum-and-bass music.
This option on the TR-8 allows the user to decide whether they want precise, bang-on timing or loose, drifting 808-style timing.
Application: This is also preferential. It largely depends on what type of feel you are going for.
Hi Hat Link – Step 8 Button
Lit – On; Unlit – Off
This option allows for both the Closed and Open hi hat to be controlled by the CH controls. It specifically links tuning and volume, which makes sense. In the real world, they are two sounds produced by the same piece of kit.
Application: This streamlines hi hat programming by marrying settings that often are changed by the same amount at the same time. Leave it unlit for greater control over your hi hat sounds.
Scale Operation – SCALE Button
Lit – On; Unlit – Off
This setting controls how easily the user can change the rhythmic scale in a live situation. When this option is engaged, the user must hold down the SCALE button and cycle through the scales with the TEMPO knob. When disengaged, the available scales are cycled with each press of the SCALE button.
Application: For the love of God, make SURE this option is engaged. It is far too easy to accidentally press the SCALE button in a live situation. And if you do, you will regret it. Your beat will immediately fall off and the only way to get it back is to restart the sequencer. I dare say that 90% of you will use one scale anyway. (Four-to-the-floor, of course!)
Assignable Outs A and B – A Button and B Button, respectively
Hold Down A; Hold Down B
This allows the user to reassign instruments to one of the two alternate outputs on the TR-8. When neither is held down, the focus buttons of the instruments assigned to the MIX Out will light up.
To reassign them, hold down the desired output and press the desired instrument’s focus button. It will light up. When you release the A or B button, it will go dark, indicating that the instrument is no longer assigned to the MIX Out.
Application: This setting is great for studio use. It allows you to group your instruments to up to four isolated tracks. In live settings, this can be used to isolate your kick drum for independent processing or to key a side-chained compressor.
Screen Saver – TAP + Tempo Knob
Hold down TAP, turn TEMPO
This specifies the length of idle time until the “screen saver” (sweeping patterns of lights across the face of the machine) switches on. The screen saver stops as soon as you press something on the device, and you are returned to wherever you left off.
Application: This is another preferential setting. It really doesn’t affect the operation of the machine, but it may be a good idea to turn it off in a studio setting.
Sequencer Programming Mode – TR-Rec Button
Lit – Pad; Unlit – INST
This setting decides how the user accesses weak (ghost) notes in TR-Rec mode.
When this setting is active (lit), you need to press the step button twice to access a weak note, thrice to switch the note off.
In INST mode, you would hold down the focus button of the appropriate instrument in order to input a weak note.
Application: Another preferential application. This has to do with how you like to work. Personally, I like to program with a simple ON/OFF functionality. If I want a weak note, I’ll use the focus button.
Effect Mode – KIT Button
Lit – effect types are saved per kit; Unlit – effect types are globally applied to all kits
There are many different types of effects available for the Reverb and Delay sections. This option allows the user to use specific effects for specific patterns.
Application: This is most useful for live players, as it allows the user to call up different effect types for different situations.
Color Scheme – DEPTH button
This allows the user to choose from multiple color schemes for the Sequencer Panel. Each color scheme also changes the colors denoting ghost notes. Some are more visible than others. Press START/STOP to confirm your selection.
Application: Purely preferential. I recommend using a color scheme in which ghost notes are easily identifiable.
Other Settings
Some settings on TR-8 are accessible at any time via button combinations. Here are some key settings available outside of the “hidden” options menu:
Instrument Pan – Drum Select INST Mode + Instrument Focus Button + TEMPO Knob
You can pan all of your instruments any way you see fit. The pan setting will be displayed in the Tempo window. Note that these settings only apply to instruments assigned to the stereo MIX Out output.
Application: This is used to add width to your drum machine in the overall mix. Many will pan their instruments to reflect what a real drum kit may sound like.
Instrument Gain – Drum Select KIT Mode + Instrument Focus Button + Tempo Knob
This allows you to set the maximum volume attainable with your instruments’ faders.
Application: Just as in any sound situation, gain staging is crucial to a good sound. The best practice here is to adjust your gains with your faders maxed out. This way you can ensure no clipping occurs, and you can mix your kit so you won’t have to worry about weak or overbearing sounds.
Local Control and MIDI Controller Modes
While sequencer is STOPPED, LAST STEP Button + SCATTER Knob
This mode allows the user to choose when, if at all, TR-8 produces its own sounds.
Local Control ON allows TR-8 to make its own sounds, in addition to being triggered by external devices. (This is where most people want it).
Local Control OFF disables TR-8’s internal sequencer and pad play functionality, only sounding off at the command of incoming MIDI signals.
MIDI Controller Mode completely disables on-board sound production, only allowing TR-8 to send MIDI signals. Essentially, this renders the TR-8 a (very complex and capable) MIDI controller.
Conclusion
These past articles have been quite long, I know, but they are important. The TR-8 is an incredibly deep, versatile machine. In order for one to unlock its potential, one must gain a deep understanding of its logic and functionality.
Now that we have covered the TR-8’s physical layout, basic operation, and system settings options, we are ready to dive into situational use. The forthcoming articles in this series will cover the key settings and connections needed in order to properly assimilate the TR-8 into an electronic ecosystem – be it a studio system, a live electronic system (with or without a computer), or a hybrid DJ system.
Additionally, we will cover performance techniques and tricks for unleashing this powerhouse of a rhythm machine in any setting.
Until next week,
Audiomunk
Missed the earlier parts in this series? Check them out below!
