Roland TR-8 Rhythm Performer system settings

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To access the system settings for the Roland TR-8 Rhythm Performer, hold the [PTN SELECT] button while powering the unit on.

Press the [START/STOP] button to save your settings and restart the TR-8.

Parameter Controller Explanation
MIDI channel [TEMPO] knob OFF, C1-C16 Specifies the MIDI transmit/receive channel.
The display indicates the channel (default: C10).
ONn (OMNI) MIDI messages of all channels are received.
The MIDI transmit channel will be 10.
MIDI clock source [1] Lit (AUTO) If MIDI clock is being input to the MIDI IN connector or the USB port, the TR-8’s tempo will automatically synchronize to MIDI clock (default).
If MIDI clock is being simultaneously input from the MIDI IN connector and from the USB port, the USB port takes priority.
Unlit (INTERNAL) The TR-8 operates at the tempo specified on the unit itself. Choose the “INTERNAL” setting if you don’t want to synchronize to an external device.
MIDI through [2] Lit (ON) Specifies whether data received from the MIDI IN connector will be retransmitted from the MIDI OUT connector (ON: default) or will not be retransmitted (OFF).
Unlit (OFF)
BOOST mode [3] Lit (ON) Boosts the output level of the MIX OUT jacks and the ASSIGNABLE OUT jacks (default: ON).
Unlit (OFF)
EXTERNAL IN select [4] Lit (STEREO) Specifies whether the audio input from the EXTERNAL IN jacks will be stereo (default setting) or mono x 2.
Unlit (MONO)
SCATTER [ON] button1 [5] Lit (ON) Enabled only while you hold down the button
Unlit (OFF) Alternates between enabled/disabled each time you press the button (default setting).
MIDI realtime message reception1 [6] Lit (ON) Only MIDI clock is received.
Unlit (OFF) MIDI clock and START/STOP are received (default setting).
Pattern sequencer’s operating mode1 [7] Lit (ON) The pattern sequencer operates with precise timing.
Unlit (OFF) The pattern sequencer operates with timing that models the TR-808 (default setting).
HIHAT link1 [8] Lit (ON) Use the CH [TUNE] knob to simultaneously adjust the tuning of CH and OH. The CH [LEVEL] fader simultaneously adjusts the volume of CH and OH. The OH [TUNE] knob adjusts the master tuning of cymbal-type sounds (TR-606/TR-808 sounds only).
Unlit (OFF) The CH/OH tuning and volume are adjusted by each controller (default setting).
SCALE operations1 [SCALE] Lit (ON) Hold down the [SCALE] button and use the [TEMPO] knob to select the scale.
Unlit (OFF) The scale switches each time you press the [SCALE] button (default setting)
ASSIGNABLE OUT A Hold down variation [A] If the INST select button or the EXTERNAL IN section’s [STEP] button is lit,
that instrument is output to ASSIGNABLE OUT A.
ASSIGNABLE OUT B Hold down variation [B] If the INST select button or the EXTERNAL IN section’s [STEP] button is lit,
that instrument is output to ASSIGNABLE OUT B.
Screen-saver Hold town [TAP] and turn the [TEMPO] knob Specifies the time until the screen saver is shown. If this is OFF, the screen saver is not shown (default: 5 min).
PROGRAMMING mode [TR-REC] Lit (PAD) Each time you press the pad, the setting is switched in the order of Strong > Weak > Off.
Unlit (INST) By holding down the INST select button and pressing a pad, you can enter a weak note (default value).
EFFECT mode [KIT] Lit (KIT) The effect type is saved in the kit.
Unlit (SYSTEM) All kits use the same effect type (default value).

MIDI Local On/Off and MIDI Controller mode

This setting is available during normal operation while the sequencer is stopped.

Turn the [SCATTER] knob while holding down the [LAST STEP] button.

Mode Explanation
LOCAL ON It produces sound through any operation including external MIDI message.
LOCAL OFF It produces sound only through external MIDI message.
MIDI CONTROLLER It doesn’t produce sound through any operation, only outputs MIDI message.
  1. This setting is available when the 7x7-TR8 Drum Machine Expansion has been installed.  2 3 4 5