Hi , Forum I have a question for all the mc-808 users .

[tuanjamz2]

Has anyone use the unit with a 3rd party software ?? Like Cakewalk , Cubase , even Ableton ?? Reason being my 808 is on the way this comming week . I do not own any of those products yet . But should I ??

Thank you tuanjamz2

[doombilly]

That would depend on what you want to do with it? You certainly do not NEED to use third party software, but you can if you want to. IMO I don't see why you would bother with getting the 808 if you were planning on getting something like Ableton. I had that and decided to go with the Hardware Sequencer instead of utilizing software, having to buy a bunch of plug-ins, VSTs and deal with latency issues. But you certainly CAN employ both. They both have their pros and cons. Also I have a Hard disk recorder so I really only use my 808 as glorified drum machine.

[tuanjamz2]

doombilly that's one expensive drum machine . Do you connect the unit to the computer ? And if so how doe's it do ? Ohh and I read you're post on memory vendor's . My I ask did you put it in the unit or did you have someone else do it ? And if you did it , did you violate the warrenty on it ? And you are using the mutec memory now , which how's that working out ,any more trouble's ??Sorry for all the question's but like I said mine is on the way here ( which the place told me tomorrow even ) and they won't install the memory at all for me ? And thanks for the input

tuanjamz2

[doombilly]

>doombilly that's one expensive drum machine.Do you connect the unit to the computer?Memory<
I installed the memory myself. I do not see HOW this could be thought of as voiding the warranty. I ended up just using some old Dell memory a coworker had left over from an old PC that got retired. It is only 256Mb, so I will upgrade to 512Mb when I can afford it. We bought about $5k USD worth of guitars/amps in 2006, as well as purchasing the 808. So I am kind of broke now. . IF I were you, I would get the Flash card first. You will need that to make backups. Installing the memory is easy.

Good luck with the new box.

[tuanjamz2]

Thank again for the reply doombilly . I've got CF laying around from using the sp-606 ( hope it's the same as it use's ) . On the memory problem that everyone is having by going what the specs say i'm not really sure . So the mutec memory from Europe didn't work ?? I wish Roland would get stuff ready before they decied to come out with it . I contacted Roland about the installation but, I"ve haven't had a answer yet (e-mailed them ) . I even called a certified Roland service tech and he didn't know if I could or if he had to ( and no answer from him either ) ? Hope you are having better luck with you're unit ) . Once again thanks for the reply !!

tuanjamz2

[doombilly]

I think you have to format the CF before you use it. I'm not sure how being from an SP model would effect anything. Just follow the instructions in the manual on that. I'm having a lot of good luck with this box. Although I was screaming at it last night. Heh.

[tuanjamz2]

hahah you are screaming at it !! I"m screaming with it lol !! Just got it today and only had 1hr to play with it . I just also started to look at the manual & WoW roland did them self's in with it . I'm just started to wonder if the 909 was this impressive ? So far what i've heard i'm pleased with the unit . Ohh by the way doombilly are you the same doom.billy on yahoo? And thanks for the reply doombilly !!

tuanjamz2

[doombilly]

That's me. I'm like famous, only not really.

When you are looking at the manual and you can't find what you want, look in the patches and effects book. Also print yourself out the editor manual.

[tuanjamz2]

Well still reading it .Two book's of info !! And have time today to turn it on or hook it up to the cpu . Roland got back to me about the ram and they said that it's okay for me to install it and I also got the pc133 @ 512 for $60.00 which I thought was a good deal . I might try to install it tomorrow or Friday .But I've read that everyone is having trouble of the sound quality from this ram ?? That after installing it the sample's dont' have clear sound ?? Beside of ordering over sea's is there another way ?? ( crossing my fingers ) . Well thanks for the reply doombilly

tuanjamz2

[dr_boehm]

Hi tuanjamz,

dont panic! If the ram is faulty you will hear
dropouts or something similar. First test: put it
in and see if your mc-808 recognizes it. If so
you have a very great chance that everything
is o.k.

All the messages about pure sound quality are from
the first shipped units or caused by wrong usage (e.g.
having an effect on the samples part or the mastering
effect on)

If any new problems arise just replace the ram.

Ciao, Dirk.

[dr_boehm]

Hi tuanjamz,

dont panic! If the ram is faulty you will hear
dropouts or something similar. First test: put it
in and see if your mc-808 recognizes it. If so
you have a very great chance that everything
is o.k.

All the messages about pure sound quality are from
the first shipped units or caused by wrong usage (e.g.
having an effect on the samples part or the mastering
effect on)

If any new problems arise just replace the ram.

Ciao, Dirk.

[tuanjamz2]

Thanks for the reply , I've gotten 512 ram in the system and it tell's me it has 514ram . I've allso updated the sytem to 1.3v. And the sp-606 cf works I'd had to refromat it : ) .I saved it to a 128 cf. I tried the software also but , I can't use the unit after it's connect to the cpu . The 808 is in pc mode . ( perhaps I need to turn off the soft on the unit ??) And I can't understand the software enough to make anything out of it . Meaning what is the software supposed to do ? Is it only to chop samples ?? I can't controll anything in pc mode . I'm lost on that one .But as far as the ram goe's i've haven't saved any sample's on it or use it yet . So I'm gonna test it out and see if it works . ( crossing fingers ) )

[dr_boehm]

Hi tuanjamz2,

software is needed for programming own patches and
rhythm sets anf for sample editing. When in pc mode
all interactions must be done through the computer until
you leave sample mode.

Ciao, Dirk.

[tuanjamz2]

thnks for the reply but i'm not sure I understand completely on what you are saying. I've tried to import wav files and aiff file's into the editor but it only take a editor file ( . But the editor has the wave editor to it ? You can't pull sample's from the computer to use ? I press any button's on the 808 and no sound ( it's in pc mode ) . Ohh don't tell I've got to import sample's from my computer then load them to the 808 just to reload them to the cpu to use in the editor ???? ( I hope not thats what you are telling me) . Because that's alot of work to do . Thanks

tuanjamz2

[dr_boehm]

Hi tuanjamz,

you have to import the samples first. If you have many
samples to import read the mc-808-faq there a hint how
to speed up the procedure.

The editor software is only a frontend for data input and
display. All audio procesding is done in the mc-808.

Ciao, Dirk.