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
Items for Sale on Reverb
Roland SN-R8-10 DANCE Card for R-8 R-8M R-8 Mk2 ($310.19)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($412.37)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($437.92)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual + 3 ROM cards (Dry, Mallet, Sound Effects) ($608.22)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer ($790.56)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($560.70)
Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($1,216.44)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($632.55)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer- Sound Data ROM - Mallet ($70)
Roland R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer 1990s - Black ($799.99)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($425.76)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine + 5 Sound Cartridges - Serviced ($650)
Roland R-8 mkI with Ethnic Percussion Card ($364.93)
Roland R-8 with Electronic Card ($728.65)
Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer ($527.04)
Roland R-8mkII R-8mk2 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine w/ power supply ($750)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($176.38)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($176.38)
Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM Card for R-8 ($69.99)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($176.38)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($200.71)
Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush ROM Card for R-8 ($69.99)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($176.38)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($176.38)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($200.71)
Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($298.03)
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 R8 Sound Effects SN-R8-03 Sound data rom pcm card for R-8 R-8m ($54.74)
Lot of 3 Roland Sound Library R-8 Sound Data Rom Cartridges SN-R8-01 SN-R8-02 SN ($195)
Roland SN-R8-09 POWER DRUMS U.S.A. for R-8 ($120.31)
Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Sound Library PCM Expansion Card for R-8 ($68.99)
Roland SN-R8-05 JAZZ ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)
Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet Sound Data Card for R-8 R8 or R-8m R8m ($96.10)
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 MODDED (Electronic Sounds included) + SN-R8 Ethnic ROM ($693.37)
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 M Drum Machine Module ($304.11)
Roland R-88 8-Channel Recorder and Mixer ($899.99)
Roland R-8 firmware Version 2.02 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($20.62)
Roland R-8 latest firmware version 2.12 firmware OS update EPROM R8 drum machine eprom ($20.62)
Roland R-8 MK2 OS v1.03 Final EPROM Firmware Upgrade Kit Update Chip ($20.62)
Roland R-880 Mitte der 80er - Black ($1,216.44)
Cable for Roland R880 R-880 to GC-8 Remote Controller 6 pin DIN, male to male 1MT ($23.05)
Roland R-880 R880 and GC-8 Latest Os Firmware 2.0 Update Upgrade Rom Eproms ($36.43)
Roland R-880 / GC-8 Custom-built OS v2.00 Card ($273.70)
Roland R-880 Vintage Digital Reverb Rare 19" Rack Effect R880 ($815)
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