Roland SP808 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q.How many Samples can fit on a Zip disk?
A. The maximum number of samples that can fit on a Zip disk is 1024 (16 pads x 64 pad banks).

Q. How much total Recording Time is available on the SP-808?
A. At a sample rate of 44.1kHz: Approximately 46 minutes of mono. At a sample rate of 32kHz: Approximately 64 minutes of mono. Recording in stereo consumes twice as much time as mono.

Q. How do I Format a Zip disk
1. Insert Zip disk in drive.
2. Press the SYSTEM / DISK button.
3. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button until you see Format Disk on the display, then press the ENTER / YES button.
4. Use the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to select Sampling Rate.
5. Rotate the VALUE / TIME dial to select 44.1 or 32.
6. Use the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to select Format type.
7. Rotate the VALUE / TIME dial to select Quick or Full.
8. Press the ENTER / YES button “Erase ALL data, ARE YOU SURE?” appears on the display.
9. Press the ENTER / YES button to execute.

Q. How do I set the sensitivity of the D Beam Controller?
1. Hold down SHIFT and press the PAD TRIG button.
2. Move your hand above the D Beam to make sure the effect is being added.
3. Slowly move your hand away from the Left sensor until you find the point where the effect is no longer added.
4. If the point at which the effect stops is too far from the sensor, then use the VALUE / TIME dial to lower the ‘Sens” value. If the point at which the effect stops is too close then raise the “Sens” value.
5. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to R (C6).
6. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the Right sensor adjustment.
7. Press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button to return to the basic screens.

Q. How do I check how much Memory I have available on a disk?
A. Hold down the SHIFT button and press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button. This will call up the information screen. Under the word Remain the total amount of sample time available will be displayed in minutes and seconds. Under SngData the amount of song data available will be displayed as a percentage.

Q. How do I use the D Beam Controller to play Samples?
A. Press the PAD TRIG button. Now move your hand over the D Beam. To select which samples to be triggered follow the procedure below.
1. Make sure you use a new sample bank because the preset sample banks are protected.
2. Press and hold the SHIFT button then press the PAD TRIG button.
3. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to Trigger type.
4. Select L< >R or HEIGHT by turning the VALUE / TIME dial. If you selected L< >R then you can trigger one sample for the left side of the D Beam and a different sample for the right side. If you selected HEIGHT you can trigger up to two samples based on how close or how far away from the sensor your hand is.
5. Press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button to return to the basic screens.
6. Press and hold the PAD TRIG button.
7. Now press two pads in succession. The pad pressed first is the upper sample the pad pressed second is the lower sample. If the setting is set to L< >R the pad pressed first is assigned to the left sensor and the pad pressed second is assigned to the right.

Q. How do I Delete a Sample?
1. Press the SAMPLE / BANK button.
2. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to Delete and press ENTER.
3. Press a pad or use the VALUE / TIME dial to select the sample you would like to delete.
4. Press the ENTER button. It will ask you ARE YOU SURE? press the ENTER button again.
5. Press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button to return to the basic screens.
**After you delete a sample a sample there is no increase in sample memory. To increase your sample memory you must then perform the Cleanup disk procedure.**
1. Press the SYSTEM / DISK button.
2. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to Cleanup Disk?
3. Press the ENTER button.
4. Use the VALUE / TIME dial to select the type of cleanup you would like to perform ( QUICK or STANDARD). For details on cleanup types see page 46 in the Owner’s Manual.
5. Press the ENTER button. It will ask you ARE YOU SURE? press the ENTER button again.
6. Press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button to return to the basic screens.

Q. Can I Synchronize another MIDI device to the SP-808?
A. Yes. You can play back and record SP-808 songs while synchronized with a MIDI sequencer or other MIDI device by using MTC (MIDI Time Code) or MIDI Clock.
** If using another MIDI device as master and the SP-808 as slave only MTC synchronization is possible**
To synchronize another MIDI device to the SP-808.
1. Plug the MIDI out of the SP-808 to the MIDI in of the external device.
2. Set the external MIDI device as the slave. (See the owners manual of the other device.)
3. Press the SONG / TRACK button on the SP-808.
4. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to SyncSource.
5. Use the VALUE / TIME dial to select INTERNAL.
6. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to Out.
7. Use the VALUE / TIME dial to select MIDI CLK or MTC. If using MTC make sure to match the MTC type, Error level and offset of the external device to the settings of the SP-808. (see page 154-156 in the SP-808 Owners Manual).
8. Put the other device in standby mode.
9. Begin playback of the SP-808. the other device is started in sync with the SP-808.

Q. Can I play the SP-808’s samples from an external keyboard, drum pads or other MIDI devices?
A. Yes the SP-808 will respond to MIDI Note messages on one of the MIDI Channels between 1-10. MIDI Channels 11-16 are used for the mixer section. To set this up follow the procedure below.
1. Plug the MIDI Out of the external device to the MIDI In of the SP-808.
2. Press the SYSTEM / /DISK button.
3. Press the DOWN ARROW (INSERT) button to move the cursor to Set MIDI Param then press ENTER.
4. Use the VALUE / TIME dial to match the Pads RX Ch to the channel you are transmitting MIDI data from on the external unit.
5. Press the PLAY / CONTRAST / INFO button to return to the basic screens.
**You can send Program change Messages 1-64 to switch pad banks**

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