Roland R-8mk2 vs R-70 vs ?

[Oli]

Hi folk,

Just wondering if anyone could compare the Roland R-8 mk2 to the R-70. It seems that the R-70 is a successor in the same line, with more samples, more editability, and rubber pads. There was some mention online that the sounds are very similar, and perhaps the same samples from the R-8 line in the R-70.

However, the R-8 seems more popular, and I'm not sure why.

Are there any other similar machines worth considering?

My main interest in these things is playing with the on board sequencer. I've quite enjoyed some demos of programming an R-8.

[wwjd]

R8 has separate outs... GREAT for recording/mixing
r70 does not

[aeonlux]

They are similar in many ways. In contrast, the R-70 lacks the multiple outs, has somewhat lesser build quality (good vs. tank-like), and is missing something some people would consider essential in a Roland sample-based drumbox, namely, the TR-909 open and closed hi-hat. Also, the sound selection is fixed on the R-70, whereas it is expandable with the R-8mkII via ROM cards.


cheers,
Ian

[ignatius]

the R8MKII is the top tier roland drum machine of that era. does the R7o have the feel patches? those are so useful. really makes things come to life.

[Acid Hazard]

I always liked the R-70 better. It sounds great when run through some distortion. Would trade my 660 for one any day =o]

[Space Station]

Originally Posted by wwjd

R8 has separate outs... GREAT for recording/mixing
r70 does not

R-70 does have 4 separate outs that are user assignable...so you do have a bit to work with there...it has a lot more sounds built in..the effects are pretty cool in a nasty grungy way..lots of editing and sequencer features...it's nice.

[Oli]

Thanks for all the responses, folk.

Originally Posted by ignatius

does the R7o have the feel patches? those are so useful. really makes things come to life.

I just checked the R-70 manual. I'm not sure if it's the same implementation, but listed in the features is "The Feel function are provided to create more realistic performances."

[Oli]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I always liked the R-70 better. It sounds great when run through some distortion. Would trade my 660 for one any day =o]

So, what was it you liked more about the R-70? Was it mainly the pads?

[aeonlux]

Originally Posted by Space Station

R-70...it has a lot more sounds built in..

not true.

R-8mkII = 226 samples
R-70 = 209 samples


cheers,
Ian

[Space Station]

Originally Posted by aeonlux

not true.

R-8mkII = 226 samples
R-70 = 209 samples


cheers,
Ian

Strange..mine has about half of that..

[Mr Arkadin]

According to the R-8 MkII manual there are 200 sounds plus and extra 26 from using the ROM cards.

I have a CR-80 which has a toyish quality to it, it's just a fun box to mess about with. The R-70 looks a little too like it to be in the same class as the R-8 and R-8 MkII.

I think the feel function on my R-8M is implemented differently than the drum machine versions (the CR-80 just has a "Feel" slider).

[Acid Hazard]

Originally Posted by Oli

So, what was it you liked more about the R-70? Was it mainly the pads?

The sounds mostly. Dunno, just never gelled with the R-8. But it was a long time ago, so i may think differently now. But some of my fave Techno records were put out by a guy named Paul Birken who worked the hell out of the R-70. So i may be a bit biased =o]

[Meriphew]

Originally Posted by Space Station

Strange..mine has about half of that..

Is yours the R8, or R8 mkII? I have a Roland R8 mkII with a few expansion cards. Great drum machine, though I'll probably end up selling it (I haven't been using it over the last couple of years).

[Oli]

Originally Posted by Meriphew

Is yours the R8, or R8 mkII? I have a Roland R8 mkII with a few expansion cards. Great drum machine, though I'll probably end up selling it (I haven't been using it over the last couple of years).

Did you map out which samples from the expansion cards are already included in the Mk 2 ROM? There are a few cards which look pretty interesting.

[aeonlux]

Originally Posted by Mr Arkadin

According to the R-8 MkII manual there are 200 sounds plus and extra 26 from using the ROM cards.

Yep, correct - my bad for not noticing the last 26 are those copy instruments.


cheers,
Ian

[dialectic]

I own an R-70 which I find to be a great machine but have always been curious about the R-8 (mkii). In the R8 manual it discusses how both volume and tone are affected by the strength at which the pads are struck and I wondered if someone here could provide me with more info on this please. How exactly is the tone affected? Is this variation in tone simply a change to the drums 'Nuance' parameter?

On my R-70 only volume appears to be affected by the velocity and not any type of notible tone variation. Is this possible to achieve on the pads of the R-70 other than the 'position' pad?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[dialectic]

Hey, where have all the R8 and R70 users gone?

[Space Station]

I have an R70 but I only remember the tone changing on the position pad. Have you read the manual?

http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/R-70_OM.pdf

[Oli]

Originally Posted by dialectic

In the R8 manual it discusses how both volume and tone are affected by the strength at which the pads are struck and I wondered if someone here could provide me with more info on this please.

I have an R8 Mk2 now. Not sure how I can answer exactly how the tone is affected by velocity. One thing I can say is that my pads are worn, and I don't have great control over velocity anyway. Look out for this if you want to buy one for that feature.

I think these days, it is worth also considering alternatives, such as sampler solutions. Do you really want the on board sequencer?

I like using my R8. The sequencer can be quite involving. Some samples can sound good an weird when detuned. I don't like the manual though.

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by Space Station

I have an R70 but I only remember the tone changing on the position pad. Have you read the manual?

http://media.rolandus.com/manuals/R-70_OM.pdf

Yes, have had a flick through the manual but cant seem to find any details. I was just curious to know if i had overlooked something as it seems that its predecessor, the R8, has this feature and it seems strange for this feature to be omitted from the R70. in addition to this, I have read various reports on the net that the the R70 does alter both volume and tone with velocity?

Originally Posted by Oli

I have an R8 Mk2 now. Not sure how I can answer exactly how the tone is affected by velocity. One thing I can say is that my pads are worn, and I don't have great control over velocity anyway. Look out for this if you want to buy one for that feature.

I think these days, it is worth also considering alternatives, such as sampler solutions. Do you really want the on board sequencer?

I already have an R70, have had it some time now and is like part of the family. I have often read comparisons between the R8 and R70 and although there are small differences they do appear to be very similar beasts which is why I was always curious about the velocity/tone function of the R8.

Apart from offering fewer output than the R8, the R70 always appealed to me more due to the bright backlight, rubber pads, position pad, internal FX (basic i know) and additional editing functions to the drums that seem to be absent from the R8 such as Attack Damp, Velocity pitch, Brightness and the Layer function (If I'm wrong on this I'm sure that an R8 user will set me straight).

Consequently I was curious to know if the R8 offered something greater other than the 8 outputs and optional cards? Are the sounds in the R8 multi sampled and therefore offering greater variation of tone according to the dynamics or does the velocity merly affect the 'Nuance' parameter?

Is the tone variation on the R8 related to the pitch of the sound and if so then perhaps the R70 replaced this with its 'Velocity Pitch' function?

[dialectic]

I have seen clips of the R8 in use where its parameters (pitch, decay etc) were being adjusted and recorded in real time to its internal sequencer and I was curious to know if this was at all possible on the R-70? When I have attempted to it appears that accessing 'sound' > 'edit' to change the parameters disables record mode.

[Necron 99]

I used to own the R-8. It's not a bad drum machine but I ended up trading it for a Crumar T1 (then it died). If I had to choose one over the other it would be the R70. The sounds are more detailed and refined while most of the sounds on the R-8 sounded muddy to me. I will say the Electronic 808 Card for the R-8 had the best 808 samples out of any other drum machine.

[dlmorley]

R8 (especially MKII) my favorite. Much fuller. Full set of outputs. MUCH better sequencer. Sounds are a question of taste I guess, but I find them fuller and fatter. The R70 was a bit more real sounding but a bit weedy, but much less oomph..
Certainly for electronic music, the R8 is IMHO way better.

[dialectic]

Originally Posted by Necron 99

If I had to choose one over the other it would be the R70. The sounds are more detailed and refined while most of the sounds on the R-8 sounded muddy to me. I will say the Electronic 808 Card for the R-8 had the best 808 samples out of any other drum machine.

Originally Posted by dlmorley

R8 (especially MKII) my favorite. Much fuller. Full set of outputs. MUCH better sequencer. Sounds are a question of taste I guess, but I find them fuller and fatter. The R70 was a bit more real sounding but a bit weedy, but much less oomph..
Certainly for electronic music, the R8 is IMHO way better.

Is there really that much difference, sonically speaking, between the R8/R8II and the R70? Are there any sound clips available where these 2 drum machines are compared with the same set of sounds with the same parameter settings? If so, please provide details as I would be very keen to hear this, especially with the 808 & 909 kits.

[Space Station]

R70 has a built in flanger!

[dlmorley]

Originally Posted by dialectic

Is there really that much difference, sonically speaking, between the R8/R8II and the R70? Are there any sound clips available where these 2 drum machines are compared with the same set of sounds with the same parameter settings? If so, please provide details as I would be very keen to hear this, especially with the 808 & 909 kits.

Very different. Not sure why. I guess the R70 was more modern and had higher quality. It's certainly cleaner. It doesn't seem to use the same samples anyway.

[dialectic]

Is there anyone here that currently owns both of these machines and that wouldn't mind posting a few sound clips of the 808 set from each (with the parameters matching as close as possible)?

[dialectic]

Have just found this site which contains sound clips of all the R8 mkII's 199 sounds:

Roland R-8MKII

I have compared some of the sounds such as the TR808 kick to those in my R70 and yes, they do sound quite different.

[djugel]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

The sounds mostly. Dunno, just never gelled with the R-8. But it was a long time ago, so i may think differently now. But some of my fave Techno records were put out by a guy named Paul Birken who worked the hell out of the R-70. So i may be a bit biased =o]

hell yes... wish more techno heads would make bandcamp sites like his.. .

Paul Birken

[djugel]

weird.. I always found the R8 more crisp and shrill to my ears..

but I have a "tin ear" and can't handle certain high freqs.

Much prefer the R70.