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) ($988.83)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($445.53)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($412.12)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual + 3 ROM cards (Dry, Mallet, Sound Effects) ($711.61)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($358.90)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine NEW INTERNAL BATTERY w/ box ($650)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($371.28)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (1989, vintage, good condition) ($668.30)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1990 Black w/ Power Supply ($629)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($570.44)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine NEW INTERNAL BATTERY w/ power supply ($500)

Roland R-8 mkI with Ethnic Percussion Card ($464.10)

ROLAND R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 16bit Digital Drum Machine ($383.65)

Roland R-8 with Electronic Card ($852.70)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($370.04)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($605)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($412.12)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s + Electronic Card 04 ($556.92)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s ($866.31)

Roland R8 – Classic BAR – Serviced – Warranty ($488.85)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($179.45)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($179.45)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($204.20)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($179.45)

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 | ($179.45)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($204.20)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($303.21)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($179.45)

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)

Roland SN-R8-10 Dance ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($270)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects 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-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion ROM CARD FOR ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Roland SN-R8-05 JAZZ ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Roland SN-R8-04 Electronic ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($170)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($122.40)

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion ROM CARD for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA ROM CARD for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($90)

Roland SN-R8-09 Sound Data ROM for R-8 (Power Drums U.S.A.) ($89.99)

ROLAND R-8 Human Rhythm Composer [CB50815] (01/20) ($628.33)

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-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 M Drum Machine Module ($309.40)

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