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 + SPD8 1980 ($377.31)

Roland R-8 MKII Drum Machine ($1,800)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($442)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer W/ updated power supply and battery ($425)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($377)

Roland R-8 Drum Machine + SN-R8-08 Dry & SN-R8-09 Power drums USA cards ($283.03)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($342.11)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($358.44)

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

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($456.11)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($588.70)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($452.85)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine ($362.28)

Roland R-8 ROM Card Ethnic Percussion SN-R8-06 1980s - blk ($79.99)

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion 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-R8-07 Mallet ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

Roland SN-R8-10 Dance ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($250)

Roland SN-R8-05 JAZZ ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects ROM CARD FOR ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($70)

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

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion rom card for R-8 ($96.23)

Roland SN-R8-11 Metallic Percussion ROM CARD for R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($140)

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums USA rom card for R-8 ($107.55)

Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($111.97)

Roland R-8 OS v2.02 EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip with Service Manual R8 ($19.99)

R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip R8 MKII ($20)

Roland ACH-240 Power Adapter for R-5 R-8 MKll ($109.99)

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($74.99)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($54.99)

Roland SN-R8-04 Electronic (TR-808, CR-78) Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($139.99)

Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($44.99)

Roland R8 drum Machine ($1,200)

Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($16.93)

Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($21.45)

Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update ($16.93)

Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller. 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($21.45)

Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($33.91)

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

Roland R-88 2013 - Black ($500)

Roland ACH-100 R-8 drum machine PSU ($56.61)

Roland R-880 Digital Reverb w/ GC-8 Controller ($1,199)

Roland R8 M 1987 ($264.11)

Roland SN-R8-05 Electronic 1990s - Black ($165)

Power Supply For Roland Ach 120 Us 120 V American Adapter 10 V 500 Ma Uk R5 R8 R8 Mkii ($55.87)

Power Supply For Roland Ach 240 240 E 230 Uk Adapter 10 V 500 Ma Uk R5 R8 R8 Mkii 2 ($55.87)

Roland R-8M 1980s - Black ($264.11)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects ($90.57)