The TR-808 can be controlled using various Kenton products in the following ways.
- Fit a Kenton MIDI retrofit kit
- Fit KADI port upgrade to TR-808 connected to a Kenton Pro–KADI mkII
- Use a Kenton Pro–2000 mk1 or mk2
- Use a Kenton Pro–4 (discontinued)
- Use a Kenton Pro–SOLO
- Other relevant information
Fit a Kenton MIDI retrofit kit
This option offers the most comprehensive level of control.
Most of the features of the Kenton MIDI retrofit kit are aimed at controlling the TR-808 using MIDI.
For incoming MIDI
Any MIDI channel can be selected (default 10)
MIDI clock / stop / start
Sounds – any sound can be mapped to any MIDI note number (defaults 36-46)
Velocity control of note volume (default)
Alternatively notes can be played accented or unaccented according to velocity
For outgoing MIDI
Any MIDI channel can be selected (default 10)
MIDI clock / stop / start
Sounds generate MIDI notes according to the mapping table (defaults 36-46)
Notes generated are given velocity 64 or 127 for unaccented and accented notes respectively
Please see the retrofit info pages for more details about the retrofit kit.
Click this link for the kit and for the kit including fitting by Kenton
Fit KADI port upgrade to TR-808 connected to Pro-KADI mkII
If you fit a KADI port upgrade to the TR-808 you can play the internal sounds (with or without accent) by connecting it to the Pro-KADI mkII. This doesn’t provide as much control as a full retrofit but is cheaper.
Click here for the KADI port socket upgrade for TR-808
Click here for the Pro-KADI mkII (supplied with a KADI cable & power supply)
Use a Kenton Pro–2000 mk1 or mk2
If you have a Pro-2000 (mk1 or mk2), then you can use the DIN Sync 24 output of the Pro-2000 to run the internal sequencer of the TR-808 in time with your master MIDI sequencer. See notes below in other relevant information for more information about this.
If you want control of the TR-808 internal sounds then you need to fit a KADI port upgrade to the TR-808 and the optional KADI port to the your Pro-2000. Note that this does not provide as much control as a full retrofit.
Click here for the KADI port socket upgrade for TR-808
Click here for the optional KADI port for the Pro-2000 (supplied with KADI cable)
Use a Kenton Pro–4 (discontinued)
If you already have a Pro-4, then the options are very similar to the Pro-2000 above except that the Pro-2000 came equipped with a KADI port as standard. You will however need a KADI lead if you want to use the KADI port.
Use a Kenton Pro–SOLO
If you don’t need to play the sounds using MIDI, you can clock the internal sequencer of the TR-808 using the Pro-SOLO mkII with the thru socket set to output DIN Sync. You will need a DIN sync lead. See notes below in the other relevant information section.
Other relevant information
If you are running the TR-808 over DIN Sync, ensure you set the sync switch on the back of the TR-808 to Input. Don’t forget to switch it back to Output again when you’ve finished, otherwise the TR-808 won’t run.
For the TR-808 to run correctly from MIDI / DIN sync, you will need to use Pre-Scale setting number 3 (quarter notes). To set Pre-Scale – set pre-scale switch to 3 – set to pattern write 1st part – select the pattern you want to change – press start button – press clear / pre-scale button until change is heard – press stop – reset to pattern play – done.
DIN sync leads use different connections from MIDI leads. If a MIDI lead has all its pins wired, then it will work for DIN sync, but many MIDI cables only have the connections required for MIDI.
If you have any problems with MIDI / DIN Sync, read this item