Drum Machines ⇝ Roland ⇝ Roland R-8

Marketed as the "Human Rhythm Composer", the R-8 has one card slot for SN-R8 PCM expansion cards and one RAM card slot (for an M-256D or M-256E).

It was released in module form with the same sound set but without pattern sequencing capabilities as the Roland R-8M. An upgraded version with more sounds was released as the Roland R-8 Mk II

Specifications

Year Released: 1989

Number of Pads: 16

Polyphony: 32 notes

Multitimbral: 4 parts

Preset Patterns: 32

User Patterns: 100

User Songs: 10

User Drumkits: 32

Tempo Range: 20 - 250 BPM

Sequencer Resolution: 96 PPQN

ROM Size: 68 sampled waveforms at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz resolution

Outputs: 8 individual 1/4" outputs

Screen: 20 x 2 character LCD

Power Consumption: 7 watts

Weight: 3.1 kg

Dimensions: 410 mm x 290 mm x 70 mm

User Demo Videos

Rating

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Roland R-8 Manual

Items for Sale on Reverb

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($360.45)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual + 3 ROM cards (Dry, Mallet, Sound Effects) ($702.57)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($406.88)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($439.87)

ROLAND R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 16bit Digital Drum Machine ($378.78)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer, with a Sound Library ROM Card (Used) ($771.99)

As-Is For Parts Set of Two Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($325)

Roland R-8 w/ SN-R8-10 Dance Rom Card ($700)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($365.34)

Roland R-8 MKII - Human Rhythm Composer with original power supply ($1,338.69)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($488.74)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer + 3 Cards: Power Drums, Electronic & M256E ($870)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($580.38)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($401.99)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM Card for R-8 ($79.99)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM Card for R-8 ($79.99)

Roland SN-R8-02 Sound Data ROM for R-8 (Jazz Brush) ($20)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($201.61)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($299.36)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($201.61)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.17)

Roland SN-R8-05 Jazz Sound Library Data ROM Card for R-8 VINTAGE GEAR DEALER ($69.99)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer w/ Power Supply – Classic Drum Machine with Authentic Feel ($559.99)

Roland R-8 MK2 + memory card Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black 100% fully working order ($1,098.45)

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion ROM CARD FOR ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Lot of 3 Roland Sound Library R-8 Sound Data Rom Cartridges SN-R8-01 SN-R8-02 SN ($195)

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums USA for R8 R8M R-8 R-8M ($95)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA ROM CARD w/ box for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($120)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($120.84)

Roland R-8 sound card mid 90s - very good ($75)

Roland R-8 OS v2.02 EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip with Service Manual R8 ($24.95)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip R8 MKII ($24.95)

6 Roland R-8 Sound Library Sound ROM Electronic Percussion Sound FX Cards #57166 ($395)

Roland R-88 8-Channel Recorder/Mixer/Interface 2000´s - Good condition ($1,099.67)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($256.69)

Roland R-88 8-Channel Recorder and Mixer ($899.99)

Roland ACH-240 Power Adapter for R-5 R-8 MKll ($99.99)

[SALE Ends Oct 17] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($69.99)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($109)

[SALE Ends Oct 17] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

Roland R8 Human Rhythm Drum Machine 1990’s - Black ($550)

Original English Owner's Manual Roland R-8 ($54.98)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($18.27)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($24.38)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($18.27)