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) ($810.39)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($393.28)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($404.01)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer ($767.04)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual + 3 ROM cards (Dry, Mallet, Sound Effects) ($476.70)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($539.25)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine R8 ($449)

Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($1,191.76)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer- Sound Data ROM - Mallet ($65)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($595.88)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine + 5 Sound Cartridges - Serviced ($650)

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

Roland R-8 with Electronic Card ($713.86)

Roland R-8 mkI with Ethnic Percussion Card ($357.53)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($475.51)

Roland R8 Rhythm Composer (Drum Machine) - One Owner - Studio Only - Free Bonus Electronic (SN-R8-04) Card 1980s - Black ($650)

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 | ($172.80)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.80)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.80)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.80)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($196.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($291.98)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($196.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($172.80)

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

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)

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

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

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

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($117.86)

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

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 Human Rhythm Composer 80’s - 90’s - Black ($545)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer MODDED (Electronic Sounds included) + SN-R8 Ethnic ROM ($679.30)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($297.94)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8M 7 Card Sound Library - Sound Data ROMs ($440)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($20.20)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($20.20)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update Chip ($20.20)

Roland R-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,191.76)

Roland R-880 Vintage Digital Reverb Rare 19" Rack Effect R880 ($815)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($22.58)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($35.69)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($143.01)

Roland CY-8 V-Drum V-Cymbal Trigger Pad w/Boom Arm and Clamp - YV77655-R ($95)