ROLAND MC808 Sampling Groovebox

ROLAND MC808 Details ^top

From the company that made “groovebox” a household name comes a remarkable addition to the famous Roland groovebox family: the MC-808. Optimized for realtime performance, the sleek, silver powerstation features eight motorized faders on its surface — a groovebox first! With Roland’s most sophisticated processor at its core, the MC-808 has top-of-the-line sampling, sequencing, and synthesizer functions, yet it comes in at a new, low price point. For beat-makers, producers, remixers, live performers, and DJs, no sampling groovebox offers more bang for the buck than the MC-808.

128-voice polyphony synthesizer engine
8 motorized faders — a groovebox first!

Brand new sounds and patterns
Powerful sampling & sequencing features
Editor software included (PC/Mac) for editing samples, patches, and parts
CompactFlash slot for memory backup
USB for MIDI and storage to import and export AIF/WAV file
16-step pad bank, D Beam controller

Flagship Features

The MC-808 shares two key attributes with its elder sibling, the flagship MC-909: The same top-of-the-line sampling and sequencing features that made the MC-909 so famous are built into the MC-808, making it a serious tool for sampling, editing, track building, and mixing. Performers are in for an extra treat with the MC-808, however, as it has a remarkable feature that no other groovebox has....

Motorized Faders

The MC-808 shares two key attributes with its elder sibling, the flagship MC-909: The same top-of-the-line sampling and sequencing features that made the MC-909 so famous are built into the MC-808, making it a serious tool for sampling, editing, track building, and mixing. Performers are in for an extra treat with the MC-808, however, as it has a remarkable feature that no other groovebox has....

New Sounds & Patterns

MC-808's internal sounds and patterns have been created fresh by artists around the world. Make no mistake — these slammin’ new dance and hip-hop grooves are instantly ready for primetime. A few "must have" sounds from the MC-909 are also included. But playing and manipulating the internal patterns is only half the fun. The MC-808 allows you to sample any sounds you like, edit them, and add them to your productions. You can even import WAV and AIFF files from your computer into the MC-808 via USB.

Editing Software

Live performance with the MC-808, and fine edits on your computer. The MC-808 ships with an editor software (Mac OS X, Win XP/2000) that lets you perform serious sample editing tasks on the luxury of your large computer monitor. Use the patch editor to tweek sounds and work on the part editor for part mixing to finish up your patterns.

ROLAND MC808 Specs ^top

Maximum Polyphony 128 voices (shared with the sampling section)

Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz

Parts 16 (Main) + 16 (RPS)

Waves 622

Patches User: 1,024 (pre-load: TBA), Card: 256

Rhythm Set User: 128 (pre-load: TBA), Card: 128
Sampling Section
Data Format 16-bit linear (File Type WAV/AIFF)

Maximum Polyphony shared with the sound generator section

Sampling Frequency 44.1 kHz (fixed)

Maximum Sampling Time Internal Memory (4 MB) only: mono: 45 sec. approx. (stereo 22.5 sec. approx.), Fully expanded with DIMM (516 MB): mono: 97 min. approx. (stereo 48 min. approx.)

Samples User: 2,000, Card: 7,000
Sequencer Section
Parts 16 + Tempo/Mute Control

Resolution 480 ticks per quarter note

Tempo 5 - 300

Maximum Note Storage approx. 1,300,000 notes

Patterns User: 800, Card: 800

Recording Mode Realtime, TR-REC, Step

Songs 50

Arpeggio Style 128

Chord Memory 128

RPS Set 50

Pattern Set 50
Effects Section
Reverb 1 (4 types)

Compressor 1 (1 type)

Pitch Shifter (for external input) 1 (1 type)
Mastering Section
3-bands Compressor 1 (1 type)
Expansion Slot
Sampling Memory Expansion DIMM 1 slot, Number of pins: 168-pin, Speed: 100 MHz (PC100 CL=2), 133 MHz (PC133 CL=3), Voltage: 3.3 V, Capacity: 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, Board height: 38 mm or less

External Memory Save Pattern/Patch/Sample, CompactFlash card: 1 slot, Compatible up to 1 GB (3.3 V)
Controllers, Display
Display Pattern Number Display: 7 segment 3 character (LED) x 2, BPM Display: 7 segment 4 character (LED) x 1, 20 x 2 character type LCD (with backlit)

Control Knob OUTPUT Volume: 1, INPUT Volume: 1

Control Slider Motorized Fader x 8 (touch sensitive)

Other Controller D Beam Controller

Connectors MIX OUTPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), DIRECT 1 OUTPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), INPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), Headphones Jack, MIDI Connectors (IN/OUT), USB Connector (USB MIDI, Mass Storage Class), DC IN

Power Supply AC 117 V, AC 230 V, AC 240 V

Power Consumption Approx. 40 W

Accessories Owner's Manual/Quick Start, Contents List, AC Adaptor (PSB-3U, AC Cord), Card Protector