Drum Machines ⇝ Roland ⇝ Roland R-8M

Marketed as the "Total Percussion Sound Module", the R-8M has 3 card slots for SN-R8 PCM expansion cards and one RAM card slot (for an M-256D or M-256E).

It is the rackmount form of the Roland R-8, but without sequencing capabilities and with only 12 notes of polyphony. Since it lacks the "Human" (variation) and "rhythm composer" (sequencing) capabilities of the R-8, a used R-8M costs far less than a used R-8.

Specifications

Year Released: 1989

Polyphony: 32 notes

User Drumkits: 32

ROM Size: 68 sampled waveforms at 16-bit, 44.1 kHz resolution

Outputs: 8 individual 1/4" outputs

Screen: 16 x 2 character backlit LCD

Power Consumption: 15 watts

Weight: 4.5 kg

Dimensions: 482 mm x 358 mm x 45 mm

User Demo Videos

Rating

Sound Samples

WAV samples are available on freewavesamples.com.

File Downloads

Roland R-8M Manual

Items for Sale on Reverb

Roland R-8M 1980s - Black ($263.98)

Vintage Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module Drum Machine Made in Japan MIJ w/ Sound Card ($200)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module [Three Wave Music] ($299.95)

[Excellent] Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module - Black ($150)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($229.04)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module MIDI Drum Machine #48381 ($145)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module - Iconic Digital Drum Sounds ($259.99)

[SALE Ends May 12] Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module Rack Mount R8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine ($159.99)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($249.99)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($270.46)

Roland R-8M Package with/WaveRex+Audio Destruction Patchbay ($725)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Module Rack Drum Machine 1989 ($186)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($413.36)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($353.13)

PMVA Display Upgrade - Roland R-8M ($118.29)

Roland R-8M OS v1.04 EPROM Firmware Upgrade KIT / Brand New ROM Update Chip R8M ($24.95)

[SALE Ends May 12] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

[SALE Ends May 12] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($69.99)

[SALE Ends May 12] Roland SN-R8-03 Sound Effects Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($49.99)

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

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($248.11)

Roland R-8m - Version 1.04 Firmware Upgrade Eprom Update for R8M Drum machine ($17.66)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($141.72)

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