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Average Price: $800
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$150
$601+
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Description
Step into the world of rhythmic creation with the Roland R8 MKII, a standout choice for DJs and producers seeking versatile and powerful drum patterns. This iconic drum machine builds on its predecessor's reputation with enhanced features that cater to both studio and live performance needs. With its vast library of sounds, from classic to contemporary, the R8 MKII empowers you to craft complex beats that resonate with any musical genre.
The R8 MKII stands out with its Human Feel feature, which allows users to infuse a naturally expressive touch to their rhythms, simulating the subtle nuances of a live drummer. It also supports external card expansion, offering an impressive range of additional sounds and patterns, ensuring your creativity is never limited. The user-friendly interface and durable design make this drum machine a reliable companion for any musician, whether you're just starting or are a seasoned professional.
Designed with both traditional and cutting-edge production techniques in mind, the Roland R8 MKII delivers a rich sound palette that’s perfect for crafting everything from ambient soundscapes to pounding dance tracks.
Key Features:
- Human Feel function for dynamic and realistic rhythm expression
- Extensive sound library with classic and modern drum sounds
- Supports external card expansion for additional sounds and patterns
- User-friendly interface for easy navigation and quick adjustments
- Ideal for both studio work and live performances
- Durable construction designed for long-term use
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | R-8 MKII Human Rhythm Composer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1990s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Drum Machines |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through |
| Polyphony | 32 Voices |
FAQs
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What type of sounds can I expect from the Roland R8 MKII drum machine?
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The Roland R8 MKII offers a wide range of realistic drum sounds and percussion samples, including acoustic kits and electronic sounds, ideal for various music genres like rock, pop, and electronic.
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Does the Roland R8 MKII support MIDI connectivity?
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Yes, the Roland R8 MKII features MIDI Input, Output, and Through, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with other MIDI-compatible gear and DAWs for synchronized performances and recordings.
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How many voices of polyphony does the Roland R8 MKII have?
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The Roland R8 MKII provides 32 voices of polyphony, enabling complex and layered drum patterns without cutting off sounds prematurely.
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Is the Roland R8 MKII suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Roland R8 MKII is well-suited for live performances due to its robust build, intuitive interface, and versatile sound capabilities that allow for dynamic and expressive rhythm compositions.
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What makes the Roland R8 MKII different from other drum machines?
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The Roland R8 MKII stands out due to its "Human Rhythm Composer" feature, which allows for more natural-sounding rhythms by incorporating subtle variations in timing and dynamics.
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Can the Roland R8 MKII be used for creating electronic music?
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Absolutely, the Roland R8 MKII is ideal for electronic music production, offering a variety of digital drum sounds and the flexibility to program intricate patterns and sequences.
Videos
David Morley
Roland R8 MKII pattern editing R-8 drum machine
Roland R8 MKII pattern editing R-8 drum machine
David Morley
Roland R-8 mkII Demo Song and Preset Drum Kits
zibbybone
Roland R-8 MKII - The last great Roland drum machine? Comparison, features, info & programming tips
David Morley
Roland R8 MKII in action
Bill Bax Music and Audio
Roland R8 MKII With Backlight
Bill Bax Music and Audio
Reviews
PROS
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Used on records by top artists, showcasing its wide acceptance in professional music production.
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Offers a broad palette of highly modifiable sounds from the Roland R-8 Percussion Card Collection.
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Simple navigation and excellent editing capabilities enhance user experience.
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Superior sound quality compared to plugin drum sounds, providing a classic audio experience.
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Unique "human factor" feature introduces slight variations for more realistic drum tracks.
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Hard to find, indicating its value and desirability among enthusiasts and professionals alike.
CONS
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High cost may not justify the value for some, with feelings of it being overpriced for a "vintage" item.
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The perception of a limited market with exaggerated prices by some sellers.
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland R8 MKII.
Features and functionality
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The Roland R8 MKII includes the 808 and 909 samples internally, eliminating the need for external sample cards for these sounds.
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The R8 MkII features enhanced pattern memory, useful for complex compositions, though memory cards are recommended for extensive use.
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The R8 offers 10 separate outputs, allowing for flexible mixing setups, making it ideal for complex productions needing individual channel processing.
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The R8's interface combines a parameter-slider with 16 hard plastic pads, offering a tactile, yet simple control experience.
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Use cases and applications
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The R8 MKII is favored for glitchy and experimental music due to its extensive modulation options and sample blending capabilities.
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The R8 is known for its "human feel" feature, adjusting microtiming and velocity for a more organic sound, reminiscent of 90s Warp records.
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The R8 excels in jungle music, particularly thanks to its effective 808 kick sample.
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Comparisons
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Consider the Roland TR8 with the 7x7 expansion for a broader x0x family sound palette.
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The R8M rack module can hold three ROM cards, unlike the R8 MkII, which holds one but includes expanded internal sounds.
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Some users prefer the Nord Drum 2 over the R8 for its modern features, though the R8's classic Roland sounds remain a draw.
Source
Value and pricing
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The 909 sample card is rare, making the MKII a preferable choice for those seeking these sounds without additional purchases.
Source
User experience
Setup and maintenance
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings
105
One of the best drum machines
I think the R-8 is maybe the best drum machine of all time, at least in terms of feature set. It is lacking compared to others in terms of live performance tweakability, since you have to stop playback to edit patterns, but if you put in the time to program sequences and thoroughly learn the machine, it's incredibly deep and rewarding. Additionally, getting the expansion card from Waverex allows you to load your own samples, opening up worlds of possibility.
People have made entire albums with the R-8, and it's a genre-defining piece of kit for early IDM.
Artist usage
Add artist
"What happened was, for 12 years I always used a keyboard player and a drum programmer for my Roland R-8 MKII, which is a bitchin’ drum machine! The keyboard player and I had a falling out and I wound up sitting in my studio all alone. I was writing songs like “Stronghold” and “Attack” — good riffs if I may say so. But I felt there was something missing, so I went to the store and what did I do? I bought a guitar synth because I just wanted to hear what it would sound like if a keyboard player like Derek Sherinian or someone who could play some interesting stuff on there. Reason being, I didn’t have somebody with me. I just wanted to add something that would help me come up with vocals and lyrics. I write all that stuff. I write every thing, you know? So that is how I use the GR-33."
Eric Persing has had a unique and influential relationship with Roland Corp for two decades. He started as a product demonstrator in 1984, showing some of Roland's first MIDI instruments. He quickly became involved in the R&D side with Roland Japan, earning the title "Chief Sound Designer", and began contributing his design ideas, real-world studio experience and sound design expertise. Persing's skills have left their mark on countless classic Roland instruments.
He is the originator of many legendary Roland sounds that have become part of the vocabulary and lexicon of musical sound. These include the Factory D-50 sounds such as Fantasia, Soundtrack and Digital Native Dance, a majority of the JV/XP/XV series Classics, all the Factory JD-800 sounds, the original Juno "Hoover" sound and thousands of others.
Here is a partial list of the Roland instruments that Eric has contributed his sound design, sampling and design consulting skills:
Juno-106 Alpha Juno 1&2 JX-3P JX-8P JX-10 Jupiter 6 Super Jupiter D-50 D-550 D-110 D-10 D-20 D-70 MT-32 U-110 U-20 U-220 Sound Canvas JD-800 JD-990 JV-80 JV-90 JV-1000 JV-1080 JV-2080 XP-10 XP-50 XP-60 XP-80 XV-3080 XV-5050 XV-5080 Fantom JP-8000 JP-8080 S-10 S-220 S-50 S-550 S-770 S-760 S-750 MC-303 MC-500 MC-505 VP-9000 MSQ-700 MSQ-100 MKS-20 MKS-30 MKS-50 MKS-70 MKS-80 R-8 R-5 DR-660 DR-770 R-70 V-Drums V-Drums expansion board SRV-2000 DEP-5 RSP-550 R-880 SRV-330 SE-50 SE-70 VS-880 VS-1680 SR-JV series expansion boards SRX series expansion boards Sound Canvas Project series CD-ROM libraries Archives series CD-ROM libraries Composers series CD-ROM libraries
According to his official website, Kenji Kawai utilizes the Roland R8 MKII drum machine.
Album Usage
The Roland R8 MKII has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland R8 MKII, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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