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 ($81.12)

ROLAND Expansion Drum card for R-8M, R-8 and R-8M mkII Late 90's - black ($81.12)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module + sound cards1980s - Black ($597.19)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($179.76)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($261.86)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module ($232.31)

Roland R-8M & PM-16 Percussion Sound Kit 1989 ($360.73)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($223.19)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black with SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush Card, SN-R8-04 Electronic Card, SN-R8-10 Dance Card ($600)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($265.42)

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

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($360.73)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($422.26)

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

Roland SN-R8-06 Ethnic Percussion Expansion Card for R-8 / R-8M Drum Machine ($60)

PMVA Display Upgrade - Roland R-8M ($119.64)

Roland R-8M + SN-R8 Bundle ($422.26)

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

Roland R-8M with 3 ROM cards (SN-R8-04 Electronic, SN-R8-02 Jazz Brush, and SN-R8-09 Power Drums) ($399)

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

Roland SN-R8-09 Power Drums U.S.A. Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($72.39)

Roland R-8, R-8M, R-70 Service Notes - First Edition 1989/1989/1992 ($20)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.93)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($199.06)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.93)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.93)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.93)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($199.06)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.93)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($295.58)

Roland SN-R8-08 Dry Sound Card for R-8 / R-8M / R-8mkII – Original Box & Info Sheet ($150.81)

Roland R-8 / R-8M 7 Card Sound Library - Sound Data ROMs ($418)

Roland R8M ($330.57)

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

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($301.61)

Roland R-8m - Version 1.04 Firmware Upgrade Eprom Update for R8M Drum machine ($20.45)

Roland R8M Total percussion sound module - Printed manual - English ($22.92)