Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer

ACB Meets Samples

Modern rhythm tracks rely on a wide variety of sounds and production techniques. It’s getting harder to sound truly unique. While authentic TR sounds are essential for producing drum tracks, mixing and layering sounds opens up a whole universe of modern styles and gives you all the tools to craft your own distinctive sound. Tap into our extensive preset sample collection or import your own mono and stereo sounds via the built-in SD card slot. Just like with TR sounds, you can edit samples in detail using intuitive hands-on controllers. Adjust decay and tuning, set start points, speed, or playback direction. Create pure sample kits or blend them with TR sounds to produce groundbreaking drum tracks for any genre that stand out from the crowd.

Dramatic Effects

The right effects add depth and space to your drum parts. From delay on the rim shot to overdrive on the kick drum, filters on toms and cymbals, to precise reverb on individual instruments—the TR-8S offers specialized percussion effects that sound simply amazing. Besides the master FX knob, each channel has a customizable CTRL knob giving you quick access to a wide range of sound-shaping options.

Whether you want to adjust the kick’s attack, the snare’s snap, phaser intensity, or distortion level—you can assign any effect parameter to the CTRL or master FX knob and save it per kit. Plus, both instrument and master effects with all settings are saved per kit, so you can use your productions live anytime.

Fast and Fluid Is Fun

To program patterns, you can use either the 16 TR-REC buttons or the velocity-sensitive performance pads to play live or record in the sequencer. You can seamlessly switch between playing and editing, so you stay in the flow while shaping your drum parts. Work with velocity, accents, flams, and precise sub-steps for modern rolls and ratches to create complex grooves and detailed fills. Experiment with unusual polyrhythms and complex time signatures by changing the length or "last step" of each drum part.

Vary Your Themes and Sounds

A key challenge for performers is keeping live sets fresh and exciting. The TR-8S offers storage for up to 128 patterns, each with eight variations and three different types of fills. You can trigger patterns or variations individually or chain them together to create dynamic sequences. You can also quickly copy patterns during live performances and adjust running patterns without missing a beat. Tempo, kit, knob positions, and effect settings are saved per pattern as needed. This gives you plenty of storage and flexibility to play a full set without repeating yourself.

Using Fills

Thoughtfully placed fills can enrich a track or live set with unique moments. Each TR-8S pattern can contain up to two fills that you can customize or program from scratch. Additionally, there’s an adjustable "scatter" fill that breaks a bar into short sections to add controlled chaos to your tracks and sets. Sometimes your hands are full, and you can’t trigger every fill manually. That’s where the auto-fill function steps in. By automatically placing fills every 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 bars, you free your hands for other actions without losing interesting dynamic changes in your performance.

In Motion

Professionally sounding drum tracks usually rely on detailed production techniques. With the TR-8S, you can not only tweak these details but also work efficiently and have fun. By setting parameters for individual steps or programming pattern progressions, you can create a wide range of effects—from subtle dynamic adjustments to extreme tonal transitions. Automate the kick drum’s tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects... whatever you imagine. Create melodies and basslines or swap kit sounds for individual song sections. Motion recording happens instantly and effortlessly, while motion playback can be toggled on or off anytime.

Eight Analog Outputs

Like some of its famous siblings, the TR-8S features eight separate analog outputs, letting you process individual drum sounds with external effects or route them to separate channels on your mixer or DAW. By assigning which instrument or group goes to which output, you maintain full control over your sound at all times. No matter what you do, thanks to integrated 24-bit/96 kHz D/A converters, the TR-8S’s sound remains big, punchy, and spacious.

Trigger Output and External Input

The TR-8S has a dedicated trigger output and stereo audio inputs for external sources. You can also use the assignable outputs as additional trigger outputs. This lets you control external instruments and mix them with the TR-8S’s internal sounds, massively expanding your creative possibilities live and in the studio. Each pattern offers a fixed trigger track, allowing you to realize all kinds of variations without using an extra instrument. Rim shots and triggered analog bass patterns? No problem.

Audio and MIDI Interface

Besides being the most powerful drum machine ever, the TR-8S also functions as a complete multichannel audio and MIDI interface. Once connected to a computer or AIRA Link host, you can transfer MIDI data and high-resolution audio over a single USB cable. This lets you record each drum instrument on a separate channel and edit individually, automate parameter moves via CC messages in your DAW, or sync your TR-8S with your computer or the Roland MX-1 Mix Performer for live sets and jam sessions.

Improved Design with Modern Appeal

Looking at the TR-8S, you’ll notice many aesthetic and ergonomic improvements. The result is a timeless design that fits into any creative environment. We revamped the shape, color scheme, and overall feel to make the TR-8S more distinctive, elegant, and inviting. Through RGB color faders and TR-REC buttons, you can adjust the brightness and color of each element to your needs. Besides great looks, this provides crucial visual feedback on play and mute status, instrument grouping, and more. And then there’s the lava lamp mode...

Complete Recall

Life as a musician can be unpredictable, with plenty of pitfalls on tour and in the studio. But don’t worry. Sit back and relax knowing that every kit, pattern, and imaginable setting can be saved on an SD card. Simply insert it into a new or freshly reset TR-8S, and you’re ready to play again.