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 + Ethnic Cartridge SN-R8-06 + Data cartridge (for Settings) ($981.26)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($367.21)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($408.96)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($598.53)

ROLAND R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 16bit Digital Drum Machine ($380.71)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($442.12)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual + 3 ROM cards (Dry, Mallet, Sound Effects) ($706.16)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($408.96)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($356.15)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($410)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($552.65)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($662.07)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($202.64)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (1989, vintage, good condition) ($663.18)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s + Electronic Card 04 ($552.65)

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 | ($178.08)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($300.89)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($202.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($178.08)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($178.08)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($178.08)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($178.08)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($202.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($178.08)

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 ($529.99)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer w/ Power Supply – Classic Drum Machine with Authentic Feel ($529.99)

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 U.S.A. for R-8 ($121.46)

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 Owner's Manual ($29.99)

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

Roland R-88 8-Channel Recorder/Mixer/Interface 2000´s - Good condition ($859.68)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($307.03)

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

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

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

Original English Owner's Manual Roland R-8 ($55.26)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($18.36)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($24.50)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($18.36)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller. 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($23.27)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($36.78)

Roland R-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,228.11)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($147.37)

Roland R 88 ($1,166.71)