Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer Overview
The Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer marries the iconic drum sounds of Roland’s legacy with cutting-edge production tools, offering a comprehensive and performance-tuned drum machine for the modern musician. Designed for both studio wizardry and live performance, it lets you build your dream kit from classic Roland sounds, FM tones, and your own custom samples, all while providing intuitive hands-on controls for dynamic pattern creation.
Blending heritage with innovation, the Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is beyond your ordinary drum machine. Standing tall in the lineage of iconic Roland TR series drum machines, the TR-8S boasts an intuitive interface that incorporates both classic ACB drum sounds, FM drum sounds and samples. With a foundation in acclaimed Analog Circuit Behaviour (ACB) technology, the TR-8S manifests classic drum sounds with a high degree of authenticity.
TR-8S v3.0 - CR-78 and Chromatic 808
As of September 2023, Roland have launched a free software update for the TR-8S that takes this acclaimed drum machine to a whole new level.
This software adds the highly requested CR-78, a coveted unit used by Blondie, Phil Collins, Hall & Oates, Roxy Music and more, to the roster of onboard ACB drum machines. With 14 new instruments and the original preset patterns, adding these vintage analogue drum sounds to your music has never been easier. You can also go further with a host of additional parameter controls, including tuning, decay, gain tweaks and motion recording.
As well as the ACB CR-78, TR-8S v3.0 introduced TR-808 Chromatic Bass, a staple of trap, hip-hop and electro music. Finally, you can program TR-808 basslines using tactile TR hardware, the onboard step pads, probability, step loop and more. Designing powerful 808 basslines has never been more immediate and inspiring.
Click here to visit the Roland website and update your TR-8S firmware to v3.0 now.
The Past and the Future
The Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer offers an extensive library featuring Roland’s iconic TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, TR-707, TR-727 and CR-78 drum sounds. With a single drum machine, you can access the very same drum sounds that shaped music history. These are more than emulations or samples; they’re circuit-accurate models that deliver the authentic sound and behavioural nuance of the original units.
FM Drum Sounds
Looking to diversify your sonic palette? The TR-8S doesn’t just stop at traditional sounds. It provides FM drum models that deliver unheard tones to layer with your classic Roland beats, allowing for boundless creativity. You can manually design six editable FM drum models, each with its own parameter set for ultimate customisation.
Sample Playback and Detailed Customisation
Today’s musical landscape demands unique and versatile sound profiles. With the TR-8S, not only can you mix and match iconic Roland tones, but you can also incorporate your own samples to develop your signature sound. Whether it’s your custom snare sample or a unique textural layer, you have the control to fine-tune decay, tuning, speed, and more.
Craft Your Sound with Specialised Effects
Stand out with built-in, percussion-focused effects that range from delay and overdrive to filters and reverb. Tailor these effects to individual channels and save them to your custom kits, ensuring that you’re always performance-ready.
Intuitive Pattern Creation
Pattern creation feels intuitive thanks to the enhanced Roland “TR-REC” step sequencer. Work your way through complex polyrhythms, detailed fills, and intricate grooves using an array of tools like velocity, accents, flams, and adjustable sub-steps.
Performance-Ready Versatility
Made for the stage but equally at home in the studio, the TR-8S comes equipped with eight analogue outputs and high-resolution 24-bit/96 kHz digital-to-analogue converters. It serves as a complete multi-channel audio and MIDI interface, offering seamless integration with your existing setup.
Total Recall for the Busy Musician
Life on the road or in the studio is unpredictable. With the TR-8S, every kit, pattern, and setting can be backed up on an SD card. Your work is always safe, allowing you to focus on what matters most - the music.
- Comprehensive collection of iconic Roland drum machines including TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, TR-707, and CR-78.
- Advanced ACB modeling for nuanced and detailed drum sounds.
- Stellar FM sounds with deep editing parameters, including Morph control.
- Import your own samples for unique and layered drum kits.
- Hands-on controls for tuning, decay, and other sound parameters.
- Percussion-tuned effects for each channel and Master FX knob for overall sound shaping.
- Intuitive "TR-REC" step sequencer for pattern creation and editing.
- Real-time velocity-sensitive performance pad.
- 128 storable patterns with fills and variations, and automatic fill options.
- Eight analogue outputs for individual drum sound processing.
- Trigger output and stereo audio inputs for external instrument control.
- High-resolution 24-bit/96 kHz digital-to-analogue converters.
- USB interface for MIDI and high-res audio transfer.
- TR-EDITOR software for deeper editing and library management.
- All settings can be backed up on an SD card.
- User Customization:
- - User Drum Kits: 128
- - User Patterns: 128
- Step Sequencer:
- - Instrument Parts: 6
- - Steps per Variation: 16
- - Variations per Pattern: 8 (A-H)
- - Fill-in Patterns per Pattern: 2
- Instrument Tones:
- - (Tone can be assigned to each of the 6 instrument parts freely)
- - Bass Drum: 11 ACB tones
- - Snare Drum: 8 ACB tones
- - Tom: 19 ACB tones
- - Rim Shot: 3 ACB tones
- - Hand Clap: 5 ACB tones
- - Hi Hat: 8 ACB tones
- - Cymbal: 8 ACB tones
- - Percussion: 24 ACB tones
- - FM: 66 tones
- - Preset Sample: 300+ tones
- - User Sample: Supports WAV, AIFF
- - Total Time for All Samples: ~600 sec (at 44.1 kHz, mono)
- - Max length of a single audio file: ~180 sec (at 44.1 kHz)
- - Supported Sample Formats: WAV up to 96 kHz; AIFF up to 96 kHz
- Effects:
- - Instrument FX: THRU, HPF, LPF, etc.
- - Reverb: AMBI, ROOM, HALL1, etc.
- - Delay: DLY, PAN, TAPE ECHO
- - Master FX: HPF, LPF, H BOOST, etc.
- - Other: SCATTER (as AUTO FILL IN), SIDE CHAIN
- Display:
- - Screen: 16 characters, 2-line backlit LCD
- External Storage:
- - Supported: SD Card (SDHC supported)
- Connectors:
- - Phones Jack: Stereo miniature phone type
- - Out Jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
- - MIDI: IN, OUT connectors
- - USB: USB B type (Audio, MIDI)
- Power Supply:
- - Battery Types: Ni-MH (AA, HR6 x 4), Alkaline (AA, LR6 x 4)
- - USB Bus Power: Supported
- Current Draw:
- - Current: 500 mA
- Expected Battery Life:
- - Alkaline: ~4.5 hrs
- - Ni-MH: ~5.5 hrs (1,900 mAh capacity)
- - (Varies depending on battery specs and conditions)
- Dimensions:
- - W x D x H: 224 x 132 x 60.1 mm
- - Inches: 8-13/16 x 5-3/16 x 2-3/8
- Weight:
- - Including Batteries: 705 g (1 lb 9 oz)
- Accessories:
- - Included: "Read Me First" leaflet, 4 Alkaline batteries (AA, LR6)
