I’ve got a TR6S and editing it is like performing minor keyhole surgery. Hopefully the 1k isn’t like this.
3 Likes
I’ve only played with mine last night a bit, but it is definitely much nicer for editing parameters.
So, I came to the the 1000 from an 8s, SP404mk2 (really need to decide on an abbreviation for that one) , a DN1, RD-9, and various other synths. I ended up spending the most time with the 8s and 404, primarily because of how fast I was able to jam and perform.
Now, I cut my teach over 25 years ago as a house and techno dj, on Technics and Rane mixers. I actually started out with a rotary MP2016 but immediately gravitated toward the Empath. Man I loved that mixer. Anyway, the faders and workflow of the 8s won me over. Yes, I had to spend sometime to learn how to make the drums punch the way I wanted. Yes, I would have loved some deeper synthesis options, but the FM engine actually really impressed me and I came to LOVE the simple morphable FM kit. I miss it on the 1000 and that’s why I’m not ditching my 8s, amongst other reasons (I don’t want to lug around a 2.5k drum machine).
I love the deep engine of the Digitone, but I love the performative aspect of the 8s more. So, for me, the 1000 was an immediate draw because I already love its fundamental premise. Its foundation. The addition of the SP inspired sampling engine pushed it over the edge for me. To me, the 1000 also sounds better than the 8a, but I already tweaked the 8s to sound good. Once I program, I want to be able to perform.
So, my recommendation is to get the 8s if you can for cheap and spend some time with it, let it teach you how it needs to be tuned and programmed and then play. If you like it, you will love the 1000. If you don’t you won’t. Simple as that.
Alternatively, you could get a controller like a launchcontrol XL, map it to your Elektron and see if you like that interface as well.
My point is to make sure you dig the Roland way which is based on the real time performative mode. Before dropping all that cash on the machine. You can buy a lot of synth for that money.
7 Likes
Man, I was flying around the 8s. Shift jumps between categories. Ctrl knob to map to the parameters. Record motion. Tweak steps. Rinse.
2 Likes
I understood all of those references. Tacit and informed. Spiced to a palette of experience.
Sounds like I need to try the Camry over the Cadillac.
2 Likes
I still have an empath at home actually, really nice mixer.
But you could only map a select group of parameters, correct? I don’t remember being able to open a settings menu category and selecting from there.
Oof. Didn’t need to read this.
1 Like
Yes and also it was misery to gainstage and tweak effects on the tr8s because of how they laid it out. You had to scroll to each parameter and change it and it just got tedious for me. The TR1000 does not feel tedious although I still don’t have muscle memory for the shift button for some odd reason.
1 Like
You just need to press the ctrl button and then all the parameters you could map to the knob were there. You couldn’t map every parameter no. But it still was fast and easy. On the 1000 you can map 4 parameters to one knob, and every knob is mappable.
I wouldn’t call it misery at all. Set kit to 10db. I also almost always used the saturator block as well. I felt it was pretty fast.
That’s cool but I don’t use the same settings each time I start a track. So it was tedious for me compared to the tr1000.
Well my man, I think you have more liquid gear options than me. I just spent a few days building beats from scratch and got pretty fast at it. But I could imagine if you have more and better choices you would just move on.
1 Like
I’ve been wondering if they plan on basically doing an updated version of their Aira line. Not the compacts, but the OGs. System-8000, TB-3000, etc.
2 Likes
Well in my defense I did use it for years but it was just not the most enjoyable. When I first got this machine I was tentative because it’s the same architecture, but all the knobs and buttons plus the detailed screen really helps a lot.
But yeah I was more adept on the octatrack of all things. Some things just click faster.
1 Like
It’s very personal. I don’t dislike it, but I don’t shiver with pleasure from tweaking the oscillators and filters either, whereas I can get lost in the Rytm for hours. Some synths sing to you and some don’t.
3 Likes
If Roland decides to add more virtual synth engines into the TR-1000, all of the potentiometers/encoders of the machine could be set to alter the synth-parameters, i think. So in theory there are enough knobs for tweaking.
2 Likes
any update from Roland support?
Here’s someone who explores a bit of deeper sound design with the TR-1000.
It’s a long video but it will begin at the point where the programming starts.
8 Likes