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 (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($441.22)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($410.58)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($391.01)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($408.13)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($919.21)

ROLAND R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 16bit Digital Drum Machine ($379.94)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($367.68)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980/90s - Grey/Black ($405.23)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($400)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($637.32)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($366.46)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($550.05)

Roland R-8 MKII - Human Rhythm Composer with original power supply ($1,375.12)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Includes 2 ROM cards and Original Power Supply ($749.99)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($465.73)

Roland R-8 w/ SN-R8-10 Dance Rom Card ($769)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($465.73)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($401.08)

Roland R8 with Dance, Electronic card and extra FX glitch Device. ($1,225.61)

Roland bk7m BK7 Arranger Module Mixage MP3 SMF USB ($968.23)

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion ROM Card for R-8 ($79.99)

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

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion ROM Card for R-8 ($79.99)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($202.23)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-10 DANCE | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($300.27)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($202.23)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($300.27)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($177.71)

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

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

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

Roland SN-R8-10 Dance ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($250)

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

Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet PCM Sound Data ROM Card for R-8 & R-8M , #2 ($76.90)

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

Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet PCM Sound Data ROM Card for R-8 & R-8M , #1 ($76.90)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($121.21)

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

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Data ROM for R-8 ($45)

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

Roland R-8 Owner's Manual ($30.64)

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 R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($257.48)