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 ($261.39)

[SALE Ends Nov 19] Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module Rack Mount R8 Human Rhythm Composer Drum Machine ($169.99)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($230)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($221.64)

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

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($200)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($170)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module - Iconic Digital Drum Sounds ($339.99)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module MIDI Drum Machine #54848 ($185)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($632.55)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($330.52)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module R8M ($221.08)

Roland R-8M manual ANG ($6.63)

Dojoe Vintage Roland Synth MRAM Card Roland A-90, D-5, D-20, D-50, D-550, D-10, D-110, D-70, U-20, JD-800, JD-990, JV-880, JV-1000, JV-1080, JV-2080, R-880 (GC-8), R-8M, GR-1, GR-50, PM-16, TR-626, Akai MX-1000, VX600 - Purple ($125)

[SALE Ends Nov 19] Roland SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($39.99)

[SALE Ends Nov 19] Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Expansion Card for R-8, R-8mk2, R-8M ($69.99)

[SALE Ends Nov 19] 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 ($232.22)

Roland R8 M 1987 ($261.39)

Roland R-8m - Version 1.04 Firmware Upgrade Eprom Update for R8M Drum machine ($16.53)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($132.65)