Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer

Classic Tones, Sample Support, and Amazing Performance Capabilities

The Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer combines Analog Circuit Modeling with sample support for more sonic versatility than ever before. Create your own custom kits and patterns with any combination of ACB drum sounds and your own samples imported from SD card. The TR-8S also has some new tricks compared to the TR-8, like two automatable fill sections per pattern, and the ability to lock parameter values to individual steps. With access to more sounds and more ways to manipulate them, the Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer is an advanced groove machine for any electronic genre.

Combine your samples with classic TR-8 and TR-9 sounds

Crafting your own signature sound in the modern musical landscape calls for layering individual elements, and the TR-8S Rhythm Performer is ready with support for WAV and AIFF samples. Packing every single sound from Roland's entire range of TR drum machines, plus the ability to use your own samples too, the TR-8S Rhythm Performer offers massive creative potential. Thanks to Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior technology, the AIRA TR-8S drum machine not only delivers all the authentic TR series sounds you know, but it also gives you a level of control and flexibility never before possible. Every channel on the TR-8 includes Tune, Decay, and customizable Control knobs, giving you a massive range of tone and dynamics.

Create fills and pattern variations that set your performance apart

Well-constructed drum fills play a big part in turning predictable loops into memorable grooves. Each pattern on the TR-8S offers three types of fill sections that you can trigger on the fly, or automate to play every 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 measures. Many musicians at Sweetwater like this arrangement much better than switching to a separate pattern that's been constructed as a fill, as we find it keeps us in the groove and helps focus on the performance instead of juggling patterns. In addition to two programmable fill sections, there's a Scatter fill available to slice and dice a measure of the main groove for controlled-chaos transitions. On top of the fill sections, you can create up to eight variations of your pattern and switch between them on the fly for unprecedented performance potential.

Stay ahead of the groove for spontaneous live performances

The TR-8S allows you to keep one pattern playing while you program a different one, allowing you to construct arrangements on the fly without losing the groove. Each pattern stores the kit, knob positions, effect settings, and tempo, and will be instantly recalled when you select that pattern. If you're an improvisational performer and want to be able to create arrangements on the fly, you'll definitely appreciate the flexibility of the TR-8S Rhythm Performer.

Old-school sequencing for the twenty-first century

Modern step sequencing would never have come about if it weren't for the original TR-808 drum machine, and the AIRA TR-8S's bank of 16 backlit, per-step pads instantly conjure up images of this beloved analog classic. In addition to the old-school TR-REC recording method that set the stage for many drum machines to follow, the TR-8S includes intuitive hands-on controls for programming each step with its parameter settings. Choose pattern sizes up to 32 steps long, with A and B parts and simple chaining to create longer progressions. What's more, thanks to its flexible architecture, you can seamlessly switch back and forth between performing and sequencing to create and tweak your grooves on the fly.

rigger outputs and external inputs for sonic expansion

You can use most of the TR-8S Rhythm Performer's audio outputs as triggers to control other instruments, allowing you to expand your rig with other sound modules and sequence them from the TR-8S. It also features external audio inputs to return those sounds and keep them in the TR-8S audio path.

Comprehensive audio, MIDI, and USB interfacing

The TR-8S Rhythm Performer features eight analog audio outputs that you can use to separate your sounds for recording or processing purposes. But if you're recording to your DAW, it's even easier to use the USB connection — you'll be able to record every TR-8S channel to a separate track in your DAW in a single pass. MIDI in and out ports are available too. Whether your focus is on performing, studio production, or both, the TR-8S has the connectivity you need.

Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer Features:

• Equipped with the largest, most authentic collection of TR drum machine sounds available
• Analog Circuit Behavior technology provides component-to-component modeling for unrivaled authenticity
• Supports WAV and AIFF samples via SD card slot for layering your own creations with classic TR sounds
• Contains 81 ACB tones and 150 factory samples
• Supports up to 600 seconds total time for all samples at 44.1kHz, a single sample can be up to 180 seconds
• Step sequencer controls 11 instrument parts and 1 exclusive part for the trigger output (1/8" output)
• Lock parameter values for any sequence step for subtle or extreme variations
• Each pattern offers 3 fill types and 8 pattern variations for big performance potential
• Program a new pattern while the existing one loops for smoother live improvisation
• Built-in audio interface allows you to multitrack directly to your DAW
• 8 analog audio outputs allow you to route your sounds separately for recording or processing
• Control the intensity of the Accent function in real time for dynamic grooves
• Enter steps manually or record your drums in real time to create grooves on the fly
• Original TR-REC behavior provides an authentic TR series programming experience
• 16 backlit per-step pads make pattern creation easy (supports up to 32-step patterns)
• Dedicated Tempo controls and TR-909 Shuffle control lets you create beats that pulse and groove naturally
• Solid MIDI clock sync provides tight timing with external gear, such as the rest of the AIRA series

From the manufacturer

 

TR-8S was literally made to play live

Born of the most famous and influential drum machines ever made, the TR-8S combines the best of its Roland heritage with modern production techniques and professional sound design. The result? A forward-thinking, performance-tuned instrument unlike any other. Build your dream kit from the most iconic drum sounds of all time, plus the finest selection of samples from our vast library—or import your own custom samples. Tap, tune, and tweak with hands-on controls and production tools that make your patterns move and groove. And why keep this kind of percussive power confined to the studio?

Today’s rhythm tracks require a diverse set of sounds and production techniques and it’s harder than ever to sound truly unique. While authentic TR sounds are vital for producing drum tracks mixing and layering sounds opens a world of modern styles and the exciting potential to craft your own signature sound.Pull from the extensive collection of preset samples,stereo sounds using the SD card slot.

Like the TR sounds, you can deeply manipulate samples with immediate hands-on control.Adjust decay and tuning and alter sample start points, speed, and direction. You can create a kit entirely from samples or mix and match with TR sounds for genre-defying drum tracks that demand attention.

• Design Kits with authentic TR drums, sampled sounds, and effects
• The TR-8S comes loaded with the largest, most authentic collection of TR drum machines available
• The powerful new processor gives our next-generation ACB models a whole new level of detail & nuance
• You can incorporate preset and custom samples, creating unique hybrid and layered kits
• Enhance with specialized effects that inject professional sound design into the TR formula

 

Transistor Rhythms The TR-8S has every sound from the most sought-after TR drum machines, with detailed circuit-models of the 808, 606, 909, 707, 727, and even several modified versions. These are not sound-alike sample-packs or mere recordings of TR drum sounds. Each machine is a detailed, down-to-the-circuit-model that sounds and behaves exactly like the original hardware. All these sounds are yours, at your fingertips, and ready to use in your own productions and performances.	Variations on a Theme Keep things fresh and exciting, even during extended live sets. The TR-8S can store 128 patterns-each with eight variations and three kinds of fills-and patterns or variations can be triggered individually or chained together for evolving sequences. In performance situations, you can copy patterns on the fly and even stay ahead of the beat and work on patterns that aren’t currently playing. Each pattern can include the tempo and the kit, along with its knob positions and effect settings.	Eight Analog Outputs Like some of its famous siblings, the TR-8S has eight separate analog outputs, so you can process individual drum sounds through external effects or send them into separate channels of your mixer or DAW. Take control of your sound and decide which instruments or groups are sent to which outputs. And whatever you choose, know that the TR-8S sounds big, punchy, and spacious thanks to its high-resolution 24bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converters.	Audio and MIDI Interface Aside from being the most powerful drum machine ever made, the TR-8S is a multi-channel audio & MIDI interface. When you connect to a computer/AIRA Link host, you can transfer MIDI & high-resolution audio over a single USB cable. Record drum instruments to different channels for individual processing & recording, automate parameter movements from your DAW by CC messages, or sync the TR-8S to your computer/Roland MX-1 Mix Performer for live sets & late-night jam sessions.