Roland is releasing new versions of its iconic 808 drum machine and 101 synth

Happy 808 day to us all!

Roland have announced the release of two new, lower-priced versions of their iconic 808 drum machine and 101 synth, plus a standalone sampler based on their SP-404.

Read more: Drum patterns and memories: 12 artists reflect on iconic drum machines

The three products, an update on the legendary TR-808 and SH-101A, plus a new portable sampler based on the SP-404A, are the latest in Roland’s relatively new ’boutique line’ which merges the company’s instruments, many of which have been discontinued, with a more affordable price point.

The TR-08 is modelled after their TR-808 drum machine, and comes in the classic 808 colour way. New features include a sequencer with 16 steps, and 16 sub-steps, indepndent trigger out track, compression/gain/tune for instruments and a selectable modified “long decay” bass drum.

Watch Juan Atkins, Jimmy Jam, Egyptian Lover, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more take it for a spin:

The SH-01A is modelled after their SH-101 monosynth, and comes in three colours: silver, plus a limited edition blue and red version. The sounds of the 101 have been recreated with ‘Analog Circuit Behaviour technology’. New features include four-voice polyphonic mode, 64 preset patches and 64 sequencer patters.

Finally the SP-40A is an update on their SP-404 sampler, featuring 16-bit linear sampling, a pattern sequencer with new shuffle feature and SD-card compatibility.

The TR-08 and SH-01A will retail for $349 each, no word on pricing of the SP-404A yet.

Head to Roland’s site for more info, and check out a full rundown of specs for each product below.

(Via Resident Advisor.)

TR-08:

User Memory:
Pattern, Intro/Fill-In: 16 Bank (12×16 Pattern, 4×16 Intro/Fill-In)

Steps:
16 steps with 16 sub steps

Instruments:
BD: BASS DRUM
SD: SNARE DRUM
LC: LOW CONGA, LT: LOW TOM
MC: MID CONGA, MT: MID TOM
HC: HI CONGA, HT: HI TOM
CL: CLAVES, RS: RIM SHOT
MA: MARACAS, CP: HAND CLAP
CB: COW BELL
CY: CYMBAL
OH: OPEN HI HAT
CH: CLOSED HI HAT

Controllers:
VOLUME knob
START/STOP button
TEMPO knob
BANK/TEMPO/SHUFFLE button
FINE/VALUE knob
mode selector knob (PATTERN CLEAR, PATTERN WRITE 1st PART/2nd PART, MANUAL PLAY, RHYTHM TRACK PLAY, COMPOSE)
INSTRUMENT/TRACK selector knob
CLEAR button
BASIC VARIATION selector switch and indicator
AUTO FILL IN selector knob
TRIGGER OUT track select button
ACCENT LEVEL knob
Instrument LEVEL knob (all instruments)
TONE control knob (BD, SD, CY)
DECAY control knob (BD, CY, OH)
SNAPPY control knob (SD)
TUNING control knob (LC/LT, MC/MT, HC/HT)
Voice selector switch (LC/LT, MC/MT, HC/HT, CL/RS, MA/CP)
PRE-SCALE selector switch
STEP button (1-16) and indicator
I/F VARIATION switch
TAP button
MENU/SUB STEP button
1st PART/2nd PART indicator

Effects:
Compressor

Indicators:
7 segments, 4 characters (LED)

Connectors:
TRIGGER OUT jack: mono miniature phone type
PHONES jack: stereo miniature phone type
OUTPUT jack: stereo miniature phone type
MIX IN jack: stereo miniature phone type
MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
USB port: Micro-B type (Audio, MIDI)

Power Supply:
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4
Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
USB bus power

Current Draw:
500 mA (USB bus power)
Expected battery life under continuous use
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery: Approx. 6 hours
* This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, and the conditions of use.

Size:
Width
308 mm
Depth
130 mm
Height
51 mm

Weight (including batteries and Boutique Dock):
1.3 kg

SH-01A

Sound Generator Section:
Maximum Polyphony: 4 voices
Assign Mode: MONO/UNISON/POLY/CHORD

User Memory:
Sound Patch: 64
Sequencer Pattern: 64

Controllers:
VOLUME knob
Ribbon controllers C1, C2

LFO section:
RATE indicator and slider
WAVE FORM select knob

VCO section:
MOD depth slider
RANGE select knob
PULSE WIDTH slider
LFO/MAN/ENV select switch

SOURCE MIXER section:
PULSE level slider
SAW level slider
SUB OSC level slider
SUB OSC select slider
NOISE level slider

VCF section:
FREQ: cutoff frequency slider
RES: resonance slider
ENV: envelope depth slider
MOD: modulation depth slider
KYBD: key follow slider

VCA section:
ENV/GATE select switch

ENV section:
GATE+TRIG/GATE/LFO select switch
A: attack time slider
D: decay time slider
S: sustain level slider
R: release time slider

Controller section:
TRANSPOSE switch (L/M/H)
VCO BENDER sens slider
VCF BENDER sens slider
LFO MOD slider
PORTAMENTO select switch (AUTO/OFF/ON)
PORTAMENTO time knob
MENU switch and indicator

SEQUENCER/ARPEGGIO section:
1/LOAD switch and indicator
2/PLAY switch and indicator
3/DOWN switch and indicator
4/U&D switch and indicator
5/UP switch and indicator
6/HOLD switch and indicator
7/KEY TRANSPOSE switch and indicator
8 switch and indicator

Power switch

Step Sequencer:
100 steps
4 notes (Polyphonic)
Arpeggio:
DOWN/U&D/UP
1 OCT/2 OCT

Display:
7 segments, 4 characters (LED)

Connectors:
CV OUT jack: mono miniature phone type
GATE OUT jack: mono miniature phone type
EXT CLK IN jack: mono miniature phone type
PHONES jack: stereo miniature phone type
OUTPUT jack: stereo miniature phone type
MIX IN jack: stereo miniature phone type
MIDI (IN, OUT) connectors
USB port: Micro-B type (Audio, MIDI)

Power Supply:
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4
Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4
USB bus power

Current Draw:
500 mA (USB bus power)

Expected battery life under continuous use:
Rechargeable Ni-MH battery: Approx. 6 hours
* This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, and the conditions of use.

Size:
Width 300 mm
Depth 128 mm
Height 46 mm

Weight (including batteries):
965 g