I picked up a TR-8S last week. It is so nearly there, but its limitations are making me consider jumping to MC-707. If anyone owns the MC-707, can you please chime in about whether the MC-707 shares or does not, the limitations of the TR-8S I’m listing below which are making me consider making the jump.
Nudge: TR-8S has nudge but it nudges the entire pattern (all tracks) together, and there is no display to indicate where in the grid the notes are nudged to, and there is also no reset to grid function.
Sampling: TR-8S is not a sampler. Worse, the SD card import feature is average at best. Only 256 max audio files can be imported at once, and they are all dumped into the same ‘IMPORT’ folder/category. So sorting them becomes very difficult. Does the MC-707 maintain categories/folders as the folder structure from the SD card?
Recalling projects: You can’t save project data in TR-8S, only pattern data. I love love love the variations set up and chaining them together is a breeze, but it’s difficult to keep track of since the pattern data is not categorized into distinct projects.
Finally, below are features the TR-8s has which I would be disappointed if the MC-707 was missing.
Fills/scatter: I read something about the MC also having these features, so I assume nothing would be lost here?
Motion data/automation recording: Does the MC have this capability?
Substep and rolls: I’ve read the MC can do substeps, but what about rolls?
Variation chaining: as I said above, I love this workflow on the TR-8S. But I assume here that the MC would either match or improve this in terms of workflow and ease of chaining patterns together via its clip/scene architecture?
I have both. I think you can nudge per track and the samples on the 707 are saved by folders on the SD. I don’t know about chaining, but the MC707 does scenes.
TR-8S allows for sub folders for your samples, so actually quite easy to organise. its literally drag and drop.
No, TR-8S is not a sampler, and it doesnt claim to be. it can play samples. I havent had any issues loading samples from my laptop to the SC card.
TR-8S has ACB synthesis. MC707 does not, for me thats huge.
No it’s not a sampler, and Roland doesn’t claim it to be either.
Drag and drop ease it may have, but all the samples default to the Import folder. Then you would have to edit each sample dropped into its own category if you wanted to keep your imported files organized on the machine. Too demanding in my opinion.
I definitely prefer TR-8S effects, MC-101/707 efx are kinda boring imo. Also ACB on TR-8S as mentioned is pretty awesome. OTOH scatter is way deeper on the MC boxes, looper tracks are powerfully cool, plus there’s a few different kits (CR-78!!) that TR-8S doesn’t have.
What you are wanting is step shift, or specifically, step shift per track, which would move the programmed steps forward or backward on the grid as a step programming change.
I’ve always seen the nudge feature on the TR8S as a global timing shift meant more for someone trying to beat match to other gear not connected to the same clocking source.
Thanks. I’ve seen this to be the case as I’m going through the manual. Any idea how many ‘values’ equate to 1 step? Or is it 1 step per increment of the value shifted?
I don’t know the exact amount but it seems like a shift of 1 beat or so.
I did read that you can set the nudge behavior so that if the TR8S is the master clock you can have it nudge the actual tempo. I’m guessing useful when your clocking a few devices that you need to nudge against another independently clocked setup. Useful for DJing I would imagine.
It’s funny how some time ago everyone was bashing ACB as “not analog” etc. and as soon as Roland jumped ship towards 90’s PCM engine, it became sought-after “classic” feature.
Bit of a disclaimer: I really enjoy my TR-8S and I bought the MC-707 thinking it would be the perfect pair. But it wasn’t. I sold the MC-707 while the TR-8S is here to stay. Also, I haven’t tried he last update.
Only 256 max audio files can be imported at once, and they are all dumped into the same ‘IMPORT’ folder/category. So sorting them becomes very difficult.
Once imported you can change the category.
Fills/scatter: I read something about the MC also having these features, so I assume nothing would be lost here?
Yes, and very editable
Motion data/automation recording: Does the MC have this capability?
Yes
Variation chaining: as I said above, I love this workflow on the TR-8S. But I assume here that the MC would either match or improve this in terms of workflow and ease of chaining patterns together via its clip/scene architecture?
Not sure how this fit with the “clip” principle…
End note: I was one of the early adopters of the 707. It had lots of nasty bugs and the overall ergonomic was disappointing to say the least. On paper, the clip loading from other projects is a great feature. In practice it’s so convoluted and slow that it’s killing all the fun.
Since the TR09 came out, Ive really enjoyed the ACB sounds. My TR-8S sounds incredible.
Even though the 909 kits on it dont sound as good to my ears as my TR-09…
I swapped the TR-8S for the MC-707 yesterday and spent time learning it. I’m happy with my decision, for me. I definitely am more inclined to go to my own sample library for sounds, so it’s a perfect fit. But it also comes with tons of great internal sounds. The drum tracks are pure genius, and the workflow is quick and intuitive.
I can see how the TR-8S / MC-707 would complement each other well. But then, that could be said about thousands of gear.
Re clip vs variations… the reason that is relevant is basically the question ‘how does the MC-707 chain patterns compared with the TR-8S’?
And that’s where clips fit in - because this is how the MC-707 chains “patterns” together. Not as quick as the variations on TR8S, but more flexible. Now that they’ve added chaining settings you can build entire songs.
I do miss the auto and manual ‘fill’ feature on the TR-8S. Very immediate.
TR8-S has side-chain compression. Also, the individual level control for each part of the drum kit is a big deal for me. I love the 707. I’ll use the drum tracks on it for sample slicing. The 707 is a sampler. The TR8-S is not.
To be fair to the TR8S…it isn’t meant to be a “sampler.” It will play samples to expand on the classic sounds and ACB voices.
Also the “nudge” feature is intended to help DJs sync up the pattern on the TR8S with CDJs or turntables, afaik, so it makes sense it nudges the whole pattern. You’d then beat match by ear.
Just my two cents as a previous owner. I think it is a very capable drum machine, sounds good and can be make full techno/house tracks if you are clever. Given unlimited space and money, I’d own one again.
