Poor SP-808

jsrockit · Post by **jsrockit** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:10 pm

I felt sorry for the 808, so I made a thread. I wanted one of these when they came out... but now it's just to big and limited.

Olby · Post by **Olby** » Wed Apr 04, 2007 10:23 pm

Yeah I red that working with extra short samples on this machine was a real pain in the arse, because of the ZIP-Drive's nature - it can't read files from the disks that quickly.

tape smoke · Post by **tape smoke** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 8:48 pm

and the zip is loud as shit. chka chk chk chka chk chk chk chk chka chk

Jason13 · Post by **Jason13** » Fri Jul 27, 2007 11:33 pm

Yeah I got rid of my SP808ex a few months ago now, shame to see it go but it's time had come. I hate Zip Disks as well, much prefer Compact Flash or even Smart Media (no moving parts) as they are more reliable.

blast1 · Post by **blast1** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:14 pm

the thing i dig about the sp-808/ex were the 99 different FX's, 4 recordable audio tracks, just like the VS series & the built in step modular synth... imo it's a good compliment to an mpc... it's a good tool...

Euclid Ov Oåklånd · Post by **Euclid Ov Oåklånd** » Wed Aug 15, 2007 1:05 am

The only thing I liked about the 808 was the bass drum, but now you can find it and drum pack or sample it off a track an eq it yourself, but it was a legend in its own time. If I'm lookin' for limited I would use a emu sp-1200, it has the fattest sound of any sampler.

tape smoke · Post by **tape smoke** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 2:36 am

my sp 808 didnt have a kick you shure you dont mean tr808?

606man · Post by **606man** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 3:43 am

How good are the effects, really?

I've heard they kick arse... I would get one *just* for the FX if they are as good as peeps say.

How good are the filters? Any 'stepping'?

How good is the vocoder?

With so many effects, it might be a viable alternative to a Kaoss Pad (way cheaper too!)

jbl · Post by **jbl** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 10:42 am

i would love an sp808 and really think if i could find a way to upgrade from the zip to cf cards; even downgrade to floppy, that would make this a desirable peice of gear.

blast1 · Post by **blast1** » Wed Nov 14, 2007 5:22 pm

606man wrote:How good are the effects, really?

I've heard they kick arse... I would get one *just* for the FX if they are as good as peeps say.

How good are the filters? Any 'stepping'?

How good is the vocoder?

With so many effects, it might be a viable alternative to a Kaoss Pad (way cheaper too!)

good tips for the SP-808 right here:
http://www.loopers-delight.com/tools/sp ... ruser.html

come to think about it, i want one again...

SP-808EX:
http://www.throbbing-gristle.com/CHRISC ... p808ex.htm

GAMMACHILD · Post by **GAMMACHILD** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 2:15 pm

I don't know about poor, but it is what it is. I have had numerous sp 808 and EX's over the years, and what I find it best for me is its use as a live tool to play your tracks back. I mean before the sp 555 this unit had the longest sample time available except for hard drive samplers but they really are not the same to me. Yea I have spent many nights trying to figure out new ways to use the sp 808, so yes she was limited from the inception in my opinion. Never the less it has many good features especially as a live machine. O by the way I never had a disk fail and or get a drive busy, once I switched to a 250 drive. I might try the card reader idea though... :wink:

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:19 pm

I dont know if you noticed but you brought back this thread from exactly one year ago

GAMMACHILD · Post by **GAMMACHILD** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:36 pm

No didn't realize, just wanted to talk about the machine..I figured some of the posts are dated, but I know there are users still...PZ :wink:

blast1 · Post by **blast1** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 10:01 pm

[quote="GAMMACHILD"]No didn't realize, just wanted to talk about the machine..I figured some of the posts are dated, but I know there are users still...PZ :wink:

[/quote]

it's all good, need some 808 headz up in here, i think there still is a yahoo sp users group as well... post some isht up about the 808 or post up some tracks that you did using the 808... i had an 808 myself but i had to sell it cause i needed cash to some bills.... i never had a problem with my disk drive when i had mines, plus they're easy to change out & you can always find someone selling them... not to much catz know about the 808 & what it can do...peace..

matty b · Post by **matty b** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:59 pm

I just stumbled upon this site while trying to find a manual for my 808ex (Roland doesn't have them online anymore.) About ayear ago or so I traded a DR-202 and a Sp-303 for the 808ex. I program the beats for my band in Reason 4 then import them to the 808 for playback. So far we just use it for song playback but we are hoping to do a lot more with it.