Drum MachinesRoland ⇝ 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


4.8
(5 votes)

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Roland R-8 Manual

Items for Sale on Reverb

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Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - BlackRoland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($845.68)

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Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - BlackRoland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($368.90)

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

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Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - BlackRoland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($397.41)

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

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Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.18)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.18)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.18)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($295.99)

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

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Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS USA | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.18)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($199.34)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card |Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.18)

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

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Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip R8 MKIIRoland 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 R8Roland R-8 OS v2.02 EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip with Service Manual R8 ($24.95)

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Roland ACH-240 Power Adapter for R-5 R-8 MKllRoland ACH-240 Power Adapter for R-5 R-8 MKll ($89.99)

[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($49.99)

[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M[SALE Ends Aug 5] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($69.99)