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) ($437.50)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($568.74)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($317.24)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($437.50)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($327.03)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($364.21)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($400.31)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($350)

Roland R-8 MKII Drum Machine ($950)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($251.56)

Roland R-8 includes Rare ELECTRONIC card TR808 sounds ($485.19)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s *Serviced, Upgraded* ($550)

Roland R-8 MKII Drum Machine ($800)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($656.24)

Roland R8 with Dance, Electronic card and extra FX glitch Device. ($1,050)

Roland bk7m BK7 Arranger Module Mixage MP3 SMF USB ($951.55)

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

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums USA ROM Card for R-8 ($99.99)

Roland R-8 ROM Card Ethnic Percussion SN-R8-06 1980s - blk ($79.99)

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)

Sound Data ROM Card SN-R8-04 (TR-808) electronic card ($185.94)

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

Roland SN-R8-05 JAZZ ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

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

Roland SN-R8-11 Metallic Percussion ROM CARD for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($140)

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion Sound Library ROM Card For R-8 Used From Japan ($84.44)

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 ($108.17)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine Rhythm Machine ($399.99)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($229.77)

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

[SALE Ends Nov 25] Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($49.99)

[SALE Ends Nov 25] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

[SALE Ends Nov 25] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($59.99)

Dojoe Vintage Roland Synth MRAM Card Roland A-90, D-5, D-20, D-50, D-550, D-10, D-110, D-70, U-20, JD-800, JD-990, JV-880, JV-1000, JV-1080, JV-2080, R-880 (GC-8), R-8M, GR-1, GR-50, PM-16, TR-626, Akai MX-1000, VX600 - Purple ($125)

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

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($16.35)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($16.35)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller. 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($20.73)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($32.76)

Roland Rolad r-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,093.74)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($131.25)

Replacement Backup Battery for Roland Percussion SPD-8 SPD-11 SPD-20 R-70 ($9.49)

Roland R 88 ($1,039.05)

Roland ACH-100 R-8 drum machine PSU ($54.69)

Roland R-880 Digital Reverb w/ GC-8 Controller ($1,099)

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)

Roland R8 M 1987 ($261.25)