Modern sequencing on vintage drum machines: Roland R-8 meets the Squarp Hapax

I've wanted to do something with the idea of sequencing and automating the sounds on the R8 for a while, so now here we are..! Using an external sequencer makes the R8 a lot more suited to live use, though it isn't without some quirks (thanks Roland)

Apologies to anyone who likes music and synths, these jams are quite jammy and I didn't even squeeze in a Nick Batt gurn...

I've got the MIDI outs on the Hapax going to a (A) Moog Sub37 off screen, (B) a split between a bunch of rack gear (for this video only the JV1080 that provides the Rhodes part in Jam 2 is used) and the R8, and (C) the MIDI clocked sequencers of the RYTM and Roland S1. There's also a (sadly discontinued) iConnectivity mio10 that handles merging and splitting MIDI duties - one day I'll do a walkaround of the studio 🤓

Full disclosure, the Hapax was very generously sent for review by Squarp, though I'm hoping to hang on to it for as long as I can since its opened up so much of the studio and I've now got a million ideas on what to try next...

Thanks so much for watching!!