Roland AIRA TR-8 & TB-3 First Look

In this set of videos, Paul Crossman, of Point Blank Music School, explores the just-announced Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer drum machine and the AIRA TB-3 Touch Bassline synthesizer.

Above, he takes a look at the AIRA TR-8, and below, using the individual outputs on the TR-8:

Finally, Crossman takes a look at the AIRA TB-3 synthesizer:

Check out the demos and let us know what you think of this pair of AIRA boxes!

14 thoughts on “Roland AIRA TR-8 & TB-3 First Look

  1. These boxes sound crap not helped by the smug presenter.
    Roland prove to be no longer relevant which is a shame.
    I live in fear of the rubbish to be produced with these.

    1. Smug? This is Paul Crossman, AKA General Midi and Starecase. The man has sold an absolute ton or records and I’ve never detected even the slightest hint of ego or smugness – I think maybe your obvious disdain for the subject matter is clouding your view. As for “no longer relevant,” I think you’ll find these boxes sell very well and keep Roland as one of the biggest makers of electronic instruments.

  2. I’m not impressed.
    Personally,I choose any sampler,maschine,or akai stuff.
    I can put the 808 sound into that and can do much more with it.

    1. The man in the video liked that it was a hands-on instrument that was fun experience to play and program in the spirit of the original Roland TR classics. Many people prefer this way of drum programming compared to using Maschine and samples, but I say they’re all affordable so why choose just one or the other, why not use both?

      I think this thing is 10 times better than the Volca Beats for about 3 times the price so I’m impressed.

    1. … And an expensive laptop. And to constantly keep up with software changes. And to be mortally terrified about whether an update will break everything.
      So much software out there today has so many hidden glitches, time-wasters, added expenses, and incompatibilities; I’m not surprised at the backlash and return to trusty hardware boxes.

      1. I hear THAT! The problem is, you’re either in or you’re out. Its entirely possible and legit to do it all within a workstation and a couple of outboard goodies. You can also be defiantly all-analog to the bone, but you can’t totally avoid a computer being involved, even if its only used to share your work. I’ve been on a Mac for years and its been almost supernaturally stable, just like my 30-year-old workstation. With all of our whining and doom-crying, it gets missed that the majority of this stuff actually works. Its a First-World privilege to even argue over such things. I’ve built complex pieces at home and then played over them live with no apology. Its Computerworld now. Its the solution to crap like unshielded MiniMoogs picking up radio stations during a concert. 😛 I’ve eaten some s**t over it, but I’ve gained to a surreal degree, too. If you want to have the same impact as a fully-produced LP of yore, you have to walk the high-wire of it.

  3. I like it cause it is hardware. Real knobs and editing. The sound i good for me. Disadvantage is the design colors but thats a minor detail.

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