MC-808

Sampling Groovebox

MC-808
Discontinued

New-Generation Groovebox with Motorized Faders

From the company that made “groovebox” a household name comes a remarkable addition to the famous Roland groovebox family: the MC-808. Optimized for realtime performance, the sleek, silver powerstation features eight motorized faders on its surface — a groovebox first! With Roland’s most sophisticated processor at its core, the MC-808 possesses top-of-the-line sampling, sequencing, and synthesizer features yet it comes in at a new, low price point.

Flagship Features

The MC-808 shares two key attributes with its elder sibling, the flagship MC-909: The same top-of-the-line sampling and sequencing features that made the MC-909 so famous are built into the MC-808, making it a serious tool for sampling, editing, track building, and mixing. Performers are in for an extra treat with the MC-808, however, as it has a remarkable feature that no other groovebox has....

Motorized Faders

Motorized faders on an affordable groovebox?! You’re not dreaming. The MC-808 is the world’s first groovebox with this feature! Sure, the motorized faders look cool, but they also provide serious power for live performers. No matter what pattern you call up, the faders will snap to the proper position. As a result, the parameter values and position of the faders always correspond, allowing you to see the values instantly and make changes directly. No more unexpected jumps in values when you grab a fader in mid-performance. It’s always in the right position. Plus, from the fader movements you can see automations such as filter, pan, and part levels changes. If you want to cancel and control the faders manually, simply move the touch-sensitive faders.

New Sounds & Patterns

The MC-808’s internal sounds and patterns have been created fresh by top international artists. These slammin’ new dance and hip-hop grooves are instantly ready for primetime, but playing and manipulating the internal patterns is only half the fun. The MC-808 allows any sounds to be sampled, edited, and added to the song WAV and AIF files can also be imported from computer via USB. A few “must have” sounds from the MC-909 are also included.

Editing Software

The MC-808 ships with a free Mac/PC (Mac OS X, Win XP/2000) editor for serious sample and patch editing and part mixing tasks on the luxury of a large computer monitor, and for shuttling the files effortlessly back and forth via USB.

Sound Generator
Maximum Polyphony
128 voices (shared with the sampling section)
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz
Parts
16 (Main) + 16 (RPS)
Waves
622
Patches
User: 1,024 (pre-load: 896), Card: 1,024
Rhythm Set
User: 256 (pre-load: 128), Card: 256
Sampling Section
Data Format
16-bit linear (File Type WAV/AIFF)
Maximum Polyphony
shared with the sound generator section
Sampling Frequency
44.1 kHz (fixed)
Maximum Sampling Time
When sampling memory isn't expanded (4MB) mono: 47 sec. approx., stereo: 23.5 sec. approx.
When sampling memory is expanded with DIMM (516 MB) mono: 102 min. approx., stereo: 51 min. approx.
Samples
User: 2,000, Card: 7,000
Sequencer Section
Parts
16 + Tempo/Mute Control
Resolution
480 ticks per quarter note
Tempo
5 - 300
Maximum Note Storage
approx. 1,300,000 notes
Patterns
User: 800, Card: 800
Recording Mode
Realtime, TR-REC, Step
Songs
50
Arpeggio Style
128
Chord Memory
128
RPS Set
50
Pattern Set
50
Effects Section
Reverb
1 (4 types)
Compressor
1 (1 type)
Multi-effects (MFX)
2 (MFX1, 2: 47 types)
Pitch Shifter (for external input)
1 (1 type)
Mastering Section
3-bands Compressor
1 (1 type)
Expansion Slot
Sampling Memory Expansion
DIMM 1 slot, Number of pins: 168-pin, Speed: 100 MHz (PC100 CL=2), 133 MHz (PC133 CL=3), Voltage: 3.3 V, Capacity: 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, Board height: 38 mm or less
External Memory
For saving Pattern/Patch/Sample, CompactFlash card: 1 slot, Compatible up to 1 GB (3.3 V)
Controllers, Display
Display
20x2 character Type LCD (with Back lit.), Pattern Number Display: 7 segment 3 character x 2 (LED), BPM Diplay: 7 segment 4 character (LED)
Control Knob
OUTPUT Volume: 1, INPUT Volume: 1
Control Slider
Motorized Fader (60mm) x 8 (touch sensitive)
Other Controller
D Beam Controller
Connectors
MIX OUTPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), DIRECT 1 OUTPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), INPUT Jack (L (MONO), R), Headphones Jack, MIDI Connectors (IN/OUT), USB Connector (USB MIDI, Mass Storage Class), DC IN
Power Supply
DC 12 V (AC adaptor)
Current Draw
1500 mA
Accessories
Owner's Manual, Sound
Size and Weight
Width
431 mm
17 inches
Depth
327 mm
12-7/8 inches
Height
104 mm
4-1/8 inches
Weight
3.4 kg
7 lbs. 8 oz.
*The specifications are subject to change without notice.

Downloads

Brochures & Catalogs

Updates & Drivers

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals

Support Documents

  • MC-808 Q&A

    A collection of popular articles from the MC-808 knowledge base.