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 ($499)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($346.30)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980/90s - Grey/Black ($468.63)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($573.55)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($323.57)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine - Highly Versatile Professional Drum Machine w/ Power Supply ($599.99)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($360.36)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($396.08)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($324.65)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($432.87)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($562.73)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($486.98)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($465.34)

Early 1990s Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine w/ Original Accessories ($649)

Roland R8 with Dance, Electronic card and extra FX glitch Device. ($1,082.18)

Roland bk7m BK7 Arranger Module Mixage MP3 SMF USB ($854.92)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM Card for R-8 ($99.99)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound FX ROM Card for R-8 ($99.99)

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion ROM Card for R-8 ($99.99)

Roland R-8 ROM Card Ethnic Percussion SN-R8-06 1980s - blk ($69.99)

Roland R-8 SN Rom Cards ALL 12 of Them ($1,000)

Roland R-8m // R-8 in a box // Near Mint ($324.65)

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion ROM CARD FOR ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ w/ box ($100)

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

Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet Sound Library Sound Data Rom for R-8 ($100)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Sound Library Sound Data Rom for R-8 ($59.99)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($107.03)

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

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion Sound Library Data ROM for R-8 ($89.99)

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

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

Roland R8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine ($399.99)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($227.34)

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

Roland ACH-240 Power Adapter for R-5 R-8 MKll ($97.99)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($44.99)

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($74.99)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($54.99)

Used Roland R-88 8-Channel Portable Field Recorder and Mixer with Bag and AC Adapter Made in Japan ($549)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($21.59)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($16.18)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($16.18)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller. 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($20.51)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($32.41)

Roland R-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,082.18)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($129.86)

Roland ACH-100 R-8 drum machine PSU ($43.29)

Roland R 88 ($1,028.07)

Roland Boss AC Adapter for DR-770/880, SP-505, VF-1, GR-33, GR-20, JS-5, GS-10, GT-3, GT-6, GT-6B, GT-8, GX-700 ($39.99)

Roland GC-8 Graphic Controller for R-880 Present Data Manual #53828 ($15)