The CMU-800 is a little four-channel mixer with internal preset voices and sequencer software for an Apple II or PC. There is a ribbon cable out the back with a card attached. It features analog synthesis with fixed sounds. Four note polyphony in the chord section, monophonic bass and melody synth sections, and an analog drum section.

The Chord/Melody section has only 1 sound. The drum section is similar to the TR-606 Drumatix, and the bass section is similar to the TB-303 Bassline (some limited adjustments in sound were possible via software). It has separate melody, bass, chord, rhythm, mix outputs. There's also 8 cv/gate outs to run external analog equipment by control voltages, and there's a click in/out. On the face it has knobs for portamento, Melody sustain & decay, Bass decay, and Chord decay. It also has volume level sliders for each of the instruments and a master volume slider. The software uses a similar music programming method as the MC-8 or MC-4.

It's definitely a limited instrument today, but it's unique, quirky and capable of some nice analog Roland sounds for cheap. If you have an old Apple or PC lying around, and access to the correct software you're in luck! Otherwise the CMU-800 is just a fancy paper-weight. It has been used by Astral Projection.

smoinync

May 3, 2013 @ 11:20 am

oh btw, u won't get the tb303 or tr606 from this unit, but a classic Nintendo-ish style. So keep in mind, that its a no no to spend over $150. Tho, the 800 doesnt offer a 606 but I personally like the rhythm part tho'.

smoinync

May 3, 2013 @ 11:05 am

I'm neither disappointed nor satisfied by the 800's sounds. I kinda like its cv/gate outs. With the Midi if, you can use your midi sequencer to controller multiple mono synths & this is the interesting part of the 800. IMO, it's very handy item but not that nescessary. Score one, if u could it for cheap.

guru

June 30, 2012 @ 6:30 pm

The real power of this unit is being able to control 8 CV/Gate machines at once ! Once retrofitting it with a DIY Midi board it becomes a very powerful and rare midi-to-cv converter.

buctario

June 9, 2012 @ 9:19 am

if anyone is thinking of selling one of them please contact with me!
dristeas@gmail.com

cyllall

June 17, 2011 @ 10:58 am

The bass section couldn't dream of sounding like a TB-303, and you can't alter sounds in the software at all,it's just not possible.There are knobs on the front for sustain and decay and that's all you can change. Only useful for the drum sounds, really.

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