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 ROM Sound Card "Power Drums USA" SN-R8-09 ($85)

ROLAND Jazz Brush Drum Expansion card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII ($82.37)

ROLAND Expansion Drum card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII Late 90's - black ($82.37)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine – Made in Japan – Original Roland ($421.47)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($460.23)

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

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer + power adaptor + manual ($490.51)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer - Non-Functional ($150)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer (vintage digital drum-machine, Japan, 1989) ($387.56)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($450)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($399)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s ($410.57)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($430.45)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer and SN R8 04 Electronic Card ($620.48)

Roland R-8 Red Display MOD ($543.84)

Roland R-8 Human Rhythm Composer 1980s - Black ($488.98)

Roland R-8 with Electronic Card ($725.47)

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 ($605.57)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.61)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($199.84)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.61)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($199.84)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.61)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($296.73)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.61)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($175.61)

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)

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

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

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-R8-05 JAZZ ROM CARD for ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects ROM CARD FOR ROLAND R8 R-8 MKⅡ ($80)

Roland SN-R8-08 Dry Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($71.46)

Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Card ( Sound Data ROM for R-8 Drum Machine) ($90)

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 ($119.78)

Roland SN-R8-07 Mallet Sound Library Card for R-8 Drum Machine ($80)

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

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

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

Roland R-8 Owner's Manual + Quick Operation card ($25)

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 Original Manuals ($24.99)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($300.36)

Roland R 8 M [Za90769] (08/31) ($360.29)