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 Roland R8 R-8 SN-R8-04 Electronic Data ROM Card 90s ($165.69)

ROLAND Expansion Drum card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII Late 90's - black ($80.37)

ROLAND Jazz Brush Drum Expansion card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII ($80.37)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer ($767.15)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($403.26)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($392.56)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($584.80)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($799.99)

Roland R-8 + Dance, Electronic, Jazz Brushes & Power USA Rom Cards ($650)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($951.66)

Roland R-8 with Electronic Card ($712.55)

Roland R-8 mkI with Ethnic Percussion Card ($356.87)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer | Boxed | Original PSU | SN-R8-04 Electronic ROM Card | Tested ($653.07)

Roland R-8 Red Display MOD ($510.27)

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

Roland R-8mkII R-8mk2 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine w/ power supply ($750)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black with adapter ($330)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($594.78)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.49)

Roland SN-R8-04 R-8 Jazz Brush Sound Card ($129.99)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.49)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.49)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($196.28)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($291.44)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.49)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($196.28)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.49)

Roland SN-R8-05 Jazz Sound Library Data ROM Card for R-8 VINTAGE GEAR DEALER ($69.99)

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($71.37)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer with SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion Card ($600)

Roland Human Rhythm Composer R-8 Drum Machine *Untested/Sold As-Is* ($544.99)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects 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-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

Roland SN-R8-08 Dry Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($148.70)

Roland SN-R8-04 Electronic Sound Data Card for R-8 / R-8M – Original Box & Info Sheet ($196.28)

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

Roland SN-R8-01 Contemporary Percussion ROM CARD for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

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

Roland R-8 SN-R8-08 Dry Drums w/ Plastic Holder ($64.99)

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

Roland SN-R8-04 Electronic ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($160)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($117.65)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Sound Library PCM Expansion Card for R-8 ($68.99)

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

Roland R-8 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 ($297.39)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8M 7 Card Sound Library - Sound Data ROMs ($418)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($20.16)