'How To' Articles, Product Guides

The Ultimate Guide to the TR-8S Rhythm Performer – How to Add Shuffle Feel and Adjust Tempo

In this article we take a look at adjusting tempo and adding a shuffle feel to your Patterns in the Roland TR-8S.

Contributed by Alexander Marlowe for Roland Corporation Australia

Adjusting the Tempo of a Pattern

Press the PTN Select Button then press a Pad to select the desired Pattern.
Turn the Tempo Knob to adjust the Tempo of playback.

You can store the Tempo Setting of a Pattern, so when that Pattern is selected, the TR-8S automatically switches to the set Tempo. Here’s how to do it:

Press the PTN Select Button then press a Pad to select the desired Pattern.
Hold Shift and press the PTN Select Button to view the Pattern Edit Screen.
Turn the Value Knob to select Tempo and press Enter.
Turn the Value Knob to set the desired Tempo.

Adjusting the Shuffle of a Pattern

The Shuffle Function adds a swing feel to your pattern, when the Shuffle Value is a positive number, (from +1 to +127), by delaying the 2nd and 4th sixteenth notes of the beat. The higher the Shuffle Value the more swing effect is applied.

When the Shuffle Value is a negative number, (from -1 to -128), the creates a “stutter” kind of effect, by shifting the 2nd and 4th sixteenth notes of the beat earlier. The lower the Shuffle Value the more of this stutter effect is applied.

A good way to hear Shuffle in action is to record continuous sixteenth notes on the Closed High Hat:

Press the TR-REC Button to enter Step Recording mode.
Hold the CH Button and press the Clear Button to erase any existing High Hats.
Slide your index finger across all 16 Pads to add High Hats to every Step.

You can add Shuffle to the currently playing Pattern just by turning the Shuffle Knob. You can also save a Shuffle Value to any Pattern, here’s how:

First press Utility, turn the Value Knob to select GENERAL: Shuffle and press Enter.
Turn the Value Knob to select PTN, (Pattern Shuffle Value will be applied).
Hold Shift and press the PTN Select Button to view the Pattern Edit Screen.
Turn the Value Knob to select Shuffle and press Enter.
Turn the Value Knob to set a Shuffle Value.

Even when there is a Shuffle Value set in the Pattern Settings, you can always turn the Shuffle Knob to change the amount of Shuffle.

To save your changes to the Pattern:

Press the Write Button.
Turn the Value Knob to select Pattern and press Enter.
Turn the Value Knob to select the Pattern Number of the Pattern you want to save.
Press Enter, the Display shows “Pattern Write?” Press Enter again to confirm.

Pro Tip

The TR-8S can temporarily memorize a Tempo for later recall when you want to instantly go back to that Tempo. Here’s how to do it:

Turn the Tempo Knob to set the desired Tempo.
Hold the Mute Button and press the Utility Button (the Display shows “Tempo Marked!”).
When the Tempo has been changed and you want to recall the Marked Tempo, Hold the Mute Button and press the Copy Button.

Article written by Alex Marlowe

Alex Marlowe is a Composer/Producer, Musician and Consultant based in Melbourne, Australia. Alex has placed music in numerous movies and TV shows, and toured worldwide as a keyboardist with major artists. As a Teacher and Consultant, Alex has worked with platinum songwriters, music editors, producers and composers, and conducted courses in Music Production and Music Software, including at the Songwriting School of Los Angeles. You can find more info, and contact Alex at: www.logicproanswers.com