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 R-8M & PM-16 Percussion Sound Kit 1989 ($359.92)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($222.69)

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

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 ($285)

Roland R-8M total percussion sound module 1U-rack module New internal battery ($150)

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

Roland R-8M With Circuit Bending Box ($541.68)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($264.82)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($421.31)

Roland R-8M Total Percussion Sound Module 1980s - Black ($359.92)

Roland SN-R8-10 DANCE Card for R-8 R-8M R-8 Mk2 ($304.55)

PMVA Display Upgrade - Roland R-8M ($118.41)

Roland R-8M + SN-R8 Bundle ($421.31)

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

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-06 ETHNIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($198.62)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-01 CONTEMPORARY PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.54)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.54)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-02 JAZZ BRUSH | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.54)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-04 ELECTRONIC | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($294.92)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-11 METALLIC PERCUSSION | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($198.62)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-05 JAZZ | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.54)

Roland R-8 / R-8m / R-8 MKII | SN-R8-07 MALLET | Waveform ROM Voice Card | ($174.54)

Roland R-8 / R-8M 7 Card Sound Library - Sound Data ROMs ($465)

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

Roland R8M ($329.82)

Roland R 8 M Drum Machine Module ($300.93)

Roland R-8m - Version 1.04 Firmware Upgrade Eprom Update for R8M Drum machine ($20.40)

Roland R-8 / R-8M Waveform ROM card SN-R8-03 Sound Effect // Boxed Complete ($144.45)

Roland R8M Total percussion sound module - Printed manual - English ($24.01)