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 Jazz Brush Drum Expansion card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII ($81.67)

ROLAND Expansion Drum card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII Late 90's - black ($81.67)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module + sound cards1980s - Black ($533.62)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($178.47)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($350)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($246.75)

Roland R-8M & PM-16 Percussion Sound Kit 1989 ($358.14)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($233.89)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($358.14)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1U Rack Drum Module Tested Japan ($168)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($419.23)

Roland R 8 M [Za90769] (08/31) ($355.45)

PMVA Display Upgrade - Roland R-8M ($118.74)

Roland R-8M Owner's Manual 1990 ($20)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($173.68)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($173.68)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($173.68)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($293.46)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($197.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($173.68)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($197.64)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($173.68)

Roland SN-R8-08 Dry Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($70.67)

Roland R8M Total Percussion Sound Module Vintage Rare + 10 cards electronic power dance dry mallet ethnic jazz ($1,299)

Roland R8M ($328.20)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($297.05)

Roland R-8m - Version 1.04 Firmware Upgrade Eprom Update for R8M Drum machine ($20.30)

Roland R8M Total percussion sound module - Printed manual - English ($29.89)