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 ($355.62)

Roland R-8 human composer vintage ($354.44)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + WaveRex WaveR8 chip /// ORIGINAL AC ADAPTER INCLUDED ($500)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($394.74)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer with all 11 ROM cards! ($1,200)

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

Roland R-8 *LEGENDARY* Human Rhythm Composer ($607.13)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($474.16)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($616.41)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black w/Sound Card ($397.49)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($426.75)

Roland R-8 MKII - Human Rhythm Composer with original power supply ($1,362.83)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980/90s - Grey/Black ($446.63)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($365)

Roland R-8 MKII drum machine refurbished ($700)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer ($431.07)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($450.45)

Roland R8 with Dance, Electronic card and extra FX glitch Device. ($1,185.40)

Roland bk7m BK7 Arranger Module Mixage MP3 SMF USB ($936.47)

Roland R-8 ROM Card Ethnic Percussion SN-R8-06 1980s - blk ($60)

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

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound FX ROM Card for R-8 ($79.99)

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

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer w/ Power Supply – Classic Drum Machine with Authentic Feel ($625)

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 w/ box ($100)

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

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 ($117.24)

Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet Sound Library Sound Data Rom for R-8 ($85)

Roland R-8 sound card mid 90s - very good ($75)

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 ($249.03)

Roland R8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine ($399.99)

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

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

[SALE Ends May 7] Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($49.99)

[SALE Ends May 7] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($69.99)

[SALE Ends May 7] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

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

Roland M-256E RAM Card, m256 memory D-50 / 550, R-8 / 8m / 70, JV, JD ($77.55)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($23.65)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($17.72)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($17.72)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller. 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($22.46)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($35.50)

Roland R-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,185.40)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($142.25)

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