Nobody in these type of reviews ever mentions the "Register" feature on the CR8000 which is its secret weapon. Also the real time swapping between shuffle mode. The greatest drum machine Roland ever made.
Now you mention it for everyone to know. It is a great machine and I wonder why it is not super expensive today considering prices going crazy lately with vintage gear.
@@spurv AI says: The Roland CR-8000 CompuRhythm drum machine had a unique "Register" function that allowed users to program and store their own rhythmic patterns and fills. Specifically: - It had 8 programmable "registers" that could each store a 2-bar rhythm pattern. - It also had 4 programmable "fill" registers to store short fill-in patterns. - Users could chain these registers together in any order to create longer rhythmic sequences and songs. - This "Register and Arranger" section gave the CR-8000 more real-time pattern creation and arrangement capabilities compared to other drum machines of its era.
For those who want a modern alternative with MIDI etc: Cyclone TT-78 is amazing. Better programming and sound editing. Real analog sounds. Not the same as a CR-78, but gorgeous in its own right.
I have both a CR-78 and a TT-78, and yeah the CR-78 is a great classic sound and I love mine, but the TT-78 is a great modern take on that pre-808 Roland sound. Doesn't sound exactly the same as a CR-78 but it has a similar vibe and it's a fun little box. (And yes, easier to program heh.)
I love the CR-8000 and of course it has a sound of its own. As you say, in between the 76 and the 808 but quite a bit more tame and muffled than both. I find the 78 sharper with more bite and sizzle and the 808 way more dynamic (lower and bigger lows, sharper claps and snare, thinner cutting hats). The 8000 however lends itself more to lower tempos, ambient and styles where the beats don’t need to be so upfront. And for me where it shines is in the fun factor, like an extended 78 interface to mix and match patterns, fills, mute parts and use the brilliant register feature to alternate patterns.
Absolutely, I consider it like a chill cousin of the CR-78 and the TR-808. While it doesn't have the raw power of the 808 or the crispness of the 78, it shines in certain areas. As you mentioned, it's a great machine for lower tempos, but for faster, more upbeat tracks, it might lack punch. Personally, I find it perfect for chill house music and melodic tunes.
Someone gave me a CR5000 with dead buttons. After resurfacing the conductive dots it works great. I'd never seen a Roland before this video, now that's 2. Having serviced organs for years I like it's back beat choices without the various patterns which also can be combined unlike later organ drum sections.
That is the problem with this machine, that the buttons can die easily. What did you use to resurface the conductive dots? I remember fixing one CR-8000 and it was hard to get it back to play, that was in my early years of putting my hands into old drum machines. I found it more difficult than the DX, Drumtraks, Drumulator or any other machine.
I think people are beginning to realize more and more that the emotional allure of vintage gear is not worth it. For example, on this unit none of the sounds can be edited. It is MONO out. It came out over 40 years ago for God's sake. This ancient unit retails for $1,200-$1500. Then you have reliability, uptime issues, and what to do when it needs repair. OR. simply buy a Behringer D-8 ($350) for example. Between that and a cheap VST, you have everything without the headaches and the expense. The CR8000 is fine for a collector, but it has no true practical applications for today.
Then it’s definitely not for you. But to say it has no practical sense? I completely disagree. It’s like saying film cameras don’t have a place in todays world because digital cameras exist. It’s all about the process, and therefore the results. Different tools will lead you making things differently and the very particular way the CR-8000 works, the way it lends itself to improvisation is simply delightful and will take you to places VSTs, samples and copies won’t.
Perhaps you missed I said an affordable alternative was the Behringer D-8 (physical hardware) with all the advantages of new equipment, not VSTs, samples and copies. VST only as supplementation to the newer hardware. You cannot add/edit or supplement anything to the CR-8000. My point was about practicality, not this is better than that. @@autoy
Frankly i loove my Cyclone Analogic TT-78. Real analog, great sequencer. Program whatever you like, and change the sounds of the CR-78. The kick is heavy & the toms/congas are great.
You think people are JUST NOW starting to think maybe hardware isn't worth the trouble? If I had to guess I'd say people were beginning to realize that 30 years go. Another hint might be the fact that this channel is called Nostalgic Explorer. Like maybe nostalgia for a time when everybody didn't just use cheap VSTs? I don't know. Regardless, if the CR-8000 doesn't fit your budget there are plenty other less expensive things you could get that have a lot more personality than a Behringer RD-8 or a cheap VST. Personally I'd rather see a dawless jam with a Zoom Streetboxx than another RD-8 video.
“no true practical applications today” If it makes sound, then it works. You personally have no practical application for it. There are many downsides to vintage gear, but all that matters is if you enjoy using it. There is a lot that goes into the experience of hardware and the emotions play a huge part in the music you end up making. I have a mix of new and vintage gear, but if I had an unlimited budget then I would absolutely buy the original over a clone regardless of the downsides. I would still choose to own both to be utilitarian, but the experience, not the sound, of playing an original minimoog vs the behringer clone or Diva vst is very different.
@@NostalgicExplorer Well perhaps, but there was no need to go back to cumbersome programming. They just put the excellent and intuitive16 step sequencer on the 808 and the 8000 had the terrible programming again. Even though it has more buttons than the 808. So no cost saving there.
Nobody in these type of reviews ever mentions the "Register" feature on the CR8000 which is its secret weapon. Also the real time swapping between shuffle mode.
The greatest drum machine Roland ever made.
Now you mention it for everyone to know. It is a great machine and I wonder why it is not super expensive today considering prices going crazy lately with vintage gear.
What’s the point of mentioning it, but not explaining it?
@@spurv AI says:
The Roland CR-8000 CompuRhythm drum machine had a unique "Register" function that allowed users to program and store their own rhythmic patterns and fills. Specifically:
- It had 8 programmable "registers" that could each store a 2-bar rhythm pattern.
- It also had 4 programmable "fill" registers to store short fill-in patterns.
- Users could chain these registers together in any order to create longer rhythmic sequences and songs.
- This "Register and Arranger" section gave the CR-8000 more real-time pattern creation and arrangement capabilities compared to other drum machines of its era.
Love it
Thanks for watching! I am a big fan of your videos! Cheers
Would be nice to have an updated version as Korg did with the KR55 .Modern Sounds, Use of a sample bank and 2 rows of user programmable patterns.
That will be great, they can probably work on a nicer design 🙃
For those who want a modern alternative with MIDI etc: Cyclone TT-78 is amazing. Better programming and sound editing. Real analog sounds. Not the same as a CR-78, but gorgeous in its own right.
I have both a CR-78 and a TT-78, and yeah the CR-78 is a great classic sound and I love mine, but the TT-78 is a great modern take on that pre-808 Roland sound. Doesn't sound exactly the same as a CR-78 but it has a similar vibe and it's a fun little box. (And yes, easier to program heh.)
It is indeed a great alternative, I was thinking on getting one but was lucky to find this one a very good price.
Awesome
I love the CR-8000 and of course it has a sound of its own. As you say, in between the 76 and the 808 but quite a bit more tame and muffled than both. I find the 78 sharper with more bite and sizzle and the 808 way more dynamic (lower and bigger lows, sharper claps and snare, thinner cutting hats). The 8000 however lends itself more to lower tempos, ambient and styles where the beats don’t need to be so upfront. And for me where it shines is in the fun factor, like an extended 78 interface to mix and match patterns, fills, mute parts and use the brilliant register feature to alternate patterns.
Absolutely, I consider it like a chill cousin of the CR-78 and the TR-808. While it doesn't have the raw power of the 808 or the crispness of the 78, it shines in certain areas. As you mentioned, it's a great machine for lower tempos, but for faster, more upbeat tracks, it might lack punch. Personally, I find it perfect for chill house music and melodic tunes.
Someone gave me a CR5000 with dead buttons. After resurfacing the conductive dots it works great. I'd never seen a Roland before this video, now that's 2. Having serviced organs for years I like it's back beat choices without the various patterns which also can be combined unlike later organ drum sections.
That is the problem with this machine, that the buttons can die easily. What did you use to resurface the conductive dots? I remember fixing one CR-8000 and it was hard to get it back to play, that was in my early years of putting my hands into old drum machines. I found it more difficult than the DX, Drumtraks, Drumulator or any other machine.
Very cool
Thanks for watching!
4:12 real og phonk right here.🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️🛎️
More cowbell!
I mean... It's a drummachine, and it looks like your grandmother's superdeluxe egg boiler from 1976... What's not to love?
Exactly! 😂😂
Ah, the DM Speak & Spell snare! 😁
I actually found this amazing bootleg concert by DM while I was reading your comment: ua-cam.com/video/UpITNQV6cX0/v-deo.html
No, Speak & Spell is the Korg KR-55
@@Ni5eisoon to be a video about that one.
@@Ni5ei Is it really?! I always thought it was the CR8000. Oh well, you learn something new every day. 🙂
First!
I think people are beginning to realize more and more that the emotional allure of vintage gear is not worth it. For example, on this unit none of the sounds can be edited. It is MONO out. It came out over 40 years ago for God's sake. This ancient unit retails for $1,200-$1500. Then you have reliability, uptime issues, and what to do when it needs repair. OR. simply buy a Behringer D-8 ($350) for example. Between that and a cheap VST, you have everything without the headaches and the expense. The CR8000 is fine for a collector, but it has no true practical applications for today.
Then it’s definitely not for you. But to say it has no practical sense? I completely disagree. It’s like saying film cameras don’t have a place in todays world because digital cameras exist. It’s all about the process, and therefore the results. Different tools will lead you making things differently and the very particular way the CR-8000 works, the way it lends itself to improvisation is simply delightful and will take you to places VSTs, samples and copies won’t.
Perhaps you missed I said an affordable alternative was the Behringer D-8 (physical hardware) with all the advantages of new equipment, not VSTs, samples and copies. VST only as supplementation to the newer hardware. You cannot add/edit or supplement anything to the CR-8000. My point was about practicality, not this is better than that. @@autoy
Frankly i loove my Cyclone Analogic TT-78. Real analog, great sequencer. Program whatever you like, and change the sounds of the CR-78. The kick is heavy & the toms/congas are great.
You think people are JUST NOW starting to think maybe hardware isn't worth the trouble? If I had to guess I'd say people were beginning to realize that 30 years go. Another hint might be the fact that this channel is called Nostalgic Explorer. Like maybe nostalgia for a time when everybody didn't just use cheap VSTs? I don't know. Regardless, if the CR-8000 doesn't fit your budget there are plenty other less expensive things you could get that have a lot more personality than a Behringer RD-8 or a cheap VST. Personally I'd rather see a dawless jam with a Zoom Streetboxx than another RD-8 video.
“no true practical applications today”
If it makes sound, then it works. You personally have no practical application for it. There are many downsides to vintage gear, but all that matters is if you enjoy using it. There is a lot that goes into the experience of hardware and the emotions play a huge part in the music you end up making. I have a mix of new and vintage gear, but if I had an unlimited budget then I would absolutely buy the original over a clone regardless of the downsides. I would still choose to own both to be utilitarian, but the experience, not the sound, of playing an original minimoog vs the behringer clone or Diva vst is very different.
It sounds terrible and programming is cumbersome. I still wonder how Roland could come up with this machine AFTER the 808.
Well, I personally think it was an attempt to make a more affordable version, you can see the limitations in comparison with machines.lile.the 808
@@NostalgicExplorer Well perhaps, but there was no need to go back to cumbersome programming. They just put the excellent and intuitive16 step sequencer on the 808 and the 8000 had the terrible programming again. Even though it has more buttons than the 808. So no cost saving there.