Roland DJ-808 User manual

Tame the drum machine within: TR-S DJ-505 + DJ-808 Cheat Sheet
cdm.link rev 1.0 16 February (covers firmware 1.0 –1.1)
1-16 correspond to the TR-S drum pads on the top of the unit.
Patterns
Choose a pattern [PATTERN] + 1-16
Copy [PATTERN], [SHIFT] + 1-16 (copy), 1-16 (paste)
Clear whole pattern [PATTERN], [CLEAR] + 1-16
Clear a part [INST], [CLEAR] + 1-16
Change length (1.10) [SHIFT] + [SCALE], [VALUE] to select last step
Timing
Adjust shuffle [SHUFFLE], then [VALUE]
(less shuffle to more shuffle, or from leading to dragging)
Nudge (earlier to later) [SHIFT] + [SHUFFLE], then [VALUE]
Synchronize to Serato SYNC (repeat to “grab” the current BPM)
Toggle sync on and off SYNC / SYNC OFF (PC mode only)
Note: shuffle and nudge work in reverse of one another. That makes some sense: increasing
shuffle means that the notes fall later; “nudge” moves them forward or backward in time
directly. Nudge and tap tempo were added on the DJ-808 in the 1.10 firmware.
Sounds
Choose kit [SHIFT] + [INST], 1-12 (last four slots work with Serato Sampler)
Change part sound in a kit (808, 909, 707, 606) [INST], 1-8 + [VALUE]
Level Volume
Attack BD attack, SD snare rattle only
Tune Adjusts pitch or filter
Decay Adjusts decay envelope
You can now choose up to four sounds from the TR-S’ twelve kits, which show up as 60, 70,
80, and 90. (1.0 firmware had just 8 kits and 808/909 sounds.)

Tame the drum machine within: TR-S DJ-505 + DJ-808 Cheat Sheet
cdm.link rev 1.0 16 February (covers firmware 1.0 –1.1)
Percussion parts
BD = Bass drum (80.b1 for long decay 808)
SD = Snare drum
CH Closed hi-hat
OH Open hi-hat (choked by CH)
LT Low tom
HC Clap
RS Rim shot
RC 808 cowbell / 909 and 707 ride / 606 cymbal
TR-S Kit Effects, Copy
Added in 1.1 firmware, TR-S effects per kit.
[SHIFT] + [INST] or [SHIFT] + [PATT] to activate kit, then:
Compressor ATTACK knob increases compression
Drive TUNE knob increases distortion (try combining with compression)
Transient DECAY knob sharpens transients (boosts attack, decreases decay)
Each time you select a new kit, your settings are saved, and recalled each time you load a
kit.
And you can copy kits:
[SHIFT] + [INST], [SHIFT] + 1 –12 selects source, 1 –12 selects destination

Tame the drum machine within: TR-S DJ-505 + DJ-808 Cheat Sheet
cdm.link rev 1.0 16 February (covers firmware 1.0 –1.1)
Recording
Live recording (quantized) With sequence playing, [SHIFT] + [TR-REC], press performance
pads at bottom
Exit live recording In live mode, [TR-REC]
Toggle step entry [TR-REC] (downbeats highlight light blue)
Choose instrument for steps [INST], 1-16
With instrument selected:
Add quiet step (unaccented) [SHIFT] + 1-16
Velocity per step 1-16, [VALUE] 0-127
Rolls per step Hold 1-16 for the step on which to roll, press [TR-REC]
repeatedly to choose 1/16 (no roll at default), 1/32, 1/48,
or 1/64 roll
Accents (impacts all parts)
Add accents to steps [SHIFT] + [PATTERN], 1-16
Adjust level of accent [SHIFT] + [PATTERN], [LEVEL] knob