Digitakt 2 and Roland TR-8S

[JohnWilhelm]

Hi folks

anybody successful with pattern-switching initiated from Digitakt 2?

I can manage the switch but it’s few steps delayed. Very annoying because it was such a great combo.

Best

John

[shigginpit]

Try micro-timing the pattern change message to right before the bar. As long as digitakt is the master, I assume that will do it. The TR-8S is probably just slow to react and so the PC message needs to reach it sooner.

Though if you slave elektron gear, just be aware that you can expect this:

Pattern change one bar late issue

Hey, Am I the only one who think it is absolutely shameful that Elektron gear as slave still has the problem of one bar late when syncing with other gear on pattern change ? This bug is known since a lot of time but nothing has been done for such an important feature which is syncing machines. I am writing this post to let know Elektron that this issue is still very handicapping and I hope they’ll fixed it and if not I’ll be selling some Elektron gear as it doesn’t fit my workflow with such a…

[JohnWilhelm]

Thanks… but it’s between 3 and 5 steps… don’t think that much of a delay can be compensated this way.

[shigginpit]

hmm… I think that’s how people have been known to do it, but I’ll do a little searcheroo and see what turns up.

[JohnWilhelm]

wow very cool of you thanks a lot!!!

[shigginpit]

I’m still looking, but sounds like wonky things were afoot right from the get-go…

Roland TR-8S

I posted this on GS. Bad news. I made a variation of a kit. Put it on another pattern. Now when I switch between patterns that have slightly different kits, there’s a slight pause. I only changed 1 sound.

Roland TR-8S

Such a bummer. This is kind of a deal breaker for me. How would you even play a live set with multiple kits if there’s no seamless transition between patterns…let alone switch up sounds from pattern to pattern.

Roland TR-8S

Whattt? This box has the electribe sampler curse? I am quite sure Roland will fix it

I realize this is a different issue, just noting.

[shigginpit]

Can you confirm you’re changing pattern at the bar and the delay is not leading up to the bar? I do see that the PC behavior doesn’t allow for switches mid-progression. Have you successfully sequenced it as slave from any other device in the past and not experienced the delay?

Ah, ok well if this is accurate (gearspace) then it’s a bug which Roland has probably been aware of for some time, but this is what I found:

" Nope, only pgm messages to patterns, not variations.

Also there is a really annoying bug with external sequencers sending pgm messages …
The first beat in TR8S skips when receiving pgm change.
You can not start a new pattern via an external DAW / sequencer smoothly or change a pattern smoothly, it will skip the first beat, which is mostly a kick.

I have filed in a repair ticket and got in touch with a support assistent who forwarded the bug report. But i am pretty sure Roland is aware of this bug, but no news or info has been shared.

Really frigging annoying"

TR8S: Is anyone controlling the patterns from another sequencer? - Gearspace

It’s the last post in the thread, something like january of 2023.

[Microtribe]

@shigginpit

You can not start a new pattern via an external DAW / sequencer smoothly or change a pattern smoothly, it will skip the first beat, which is mostly a kick

Not true at all.

I have octatrack and or Digitone changing patterns, TR8S follows. Perfect sync all the time.

TR8S V.2.0 this is the way.

[shigginpit]

Is that an OS update? What does this dude need to make it work then? Because I don’t have this one to test.

[Microtribe]

@shigginpit

Is that an OS update?

Actually its a previous OS, the new one, with the editor and new synth modes etc is the one that introduced the timing bug. Sthoopid roland.

Search the forum for TR8S V.2 firmware, its on here somewhere. Failing that, PM me and I’ll see if I can find my file.

[shigginpit]

@Microtribe

the new one, with the editor and new synth modes etc is the one that introduced the timing bug.

words of wisdom right here, OP.

[JohnWilhelm]

Thanks a lot guys for your help. It totally worked with FW 2.0:
Digitakt 2 and Roland TR-8S (youtube.com)

Soooo cool… I love it… of course the content from FW 3.0 was great but this is far better than nothing

[Microtribe]

You’re welcome.

[JohnWilhelm]

oh nooo now the next issue arrives. the editor software is absolutely crucial and of course it’s not working with 2.0 and needs to update to 3.0.

I know opened a ticket at Roland. let’s see if I can wake them up

[Microtribe]

@JohnWilhelm

absolutely crucial

Really? Ive done multiple EPs and on album number 3 with my TR8S. I never changed OS since V2. I make all my own kits, have no problem with the UI at all. Its really not that hard.

Quadraverb is worse. Think of all the page hopping and parameter tweaking you do on your average elektron box…