Enter to Win a $8000 PA System!

Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer

TR Series Drum Machine with Sample Support
$749.99

Earn $38 back in Bonus Bucks OR pay $16/month with 48 month financing*

2 demos available starting at $674.99 !
In Stock!

Add to Cart
Notify me about deals

Ask An Expert

Our expertly trained Sales Engineers are ready to help!

What is a Sales Engineer?
Sweetwater Gear Exchange

Have one to sell?
Check out Sweetwater's Gear Exchange!
Learn More

Most Popular Accessories & Related Items

Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer
In Stock!
$749.99
Add to Cart
Add to list
Back to navigation

This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

Get to know them!

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.

Trigger 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

Warranty Info

Sweetwater's FREE 2-Year Total Confidence Coverage Warranty

Extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

  • Save money with FREE parts and labor
  • Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time
  • Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department
Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage

Free 2-year Warranty

Sweetwater's 2-year Total Confidence Coverage™ Warranty gives you extra peace of mind at no extra cost.

Learn More about Total Confidence Coverage
Tools Icon

Save money with free parts & labor!

Fast Icon

Get back to making music with the industry's fastest turnaround time.

Award Icon

Fix it the first time with our award-winning, factory-certified Service Department.

Back to navigation

Tech Specs

  • Type: Drum Machine/Step Sequencer with Sample import
  • Pads: 1 x Velocity-sensitive Performance Pad, 16 x TR-REC Buttons
  • Sounds: TR drum machine collection, ACB drum modeling tones, 300 preset sample tones, User samples
  • Kits: 128 user kits
  • Patterns: 128 patterns, 8 variations per pattern
  • Sequencer: 16 step sequencer, 11 instrument parts, 1 trigger out part
  • Sampling: Sample playback (WAV, AIFF)
  • Effects: Reverb, Delay, Compressor, Phaser, Flanger, Overdrive, Distortion, HPF, LPF
  • Analog Inputs: 2 x 1/4" (line)
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (mix out), 6 x 1/4" (assignable out/trigger out)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4"
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • Other I/O: 1 x 1/8" (trigger out)
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Storage: SD/SDHC card slot (backup, restore, import)
  • Power Source: Roland PSD AC adapter power supply (included)
  • Height: 2.31"
  • Width: 16.12"
  • Depth: 10.37"
  • Weight: 4.68 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: TR-8S

What Makes Our Sales Engineers Great?

Sweetwater Sales Engineers are a world-class team of experts dedicated to you. Hand selected from across the globe, each brings a wealth of experience and expertise in the world of music gear to provide you with unparalleled service completely free of charge. Friendly relationships, real trust, and the right gear are only a call or a click away!

Back to navigation

Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Get ya one

I have three synths in my rig, and bought the TR8S to add some rhythm, and it works well for that as it's really easy to find a preset or put together a fresh kit and lay down beats without loosing your momentum. If I want to polish, the light weight and layout make it fantastic for lap top use. But what has amazed me about this machine is it's potential for creating great music all on its own. The ability to include samples and abundance of knobs and variations… I loose myself for hours in this thing. If I had to live with just one piece of gear, this would definitely be it, and as much as I love my synths, I doubt I would miss them.
There are a few nit picks, however. First is the mute mode. Each of the 12 tracks can be color coded which is brilliant. I've got a color scheme down that makes it easy to know where my hats are, kicks, percussion and tones. But when you're jamming and want to drop tracks for a verse, you switch over to mute mode and all the track colors turn to green. In the heat of the jam, you lose that reference. The mute button lights when engaged, so I don't know why Roland felt the green track lights would be needed.
Secondly, when you're blissfully morphing sounds with those wonderful knobs, you want to be able to snap back to original state. You can do this, but it requires a two button press. As good as the layout is, this is a fail. It sucks to come out of a break and blow it because you fat fingered a shift. Reset should be a nice fat single button.
Third, two words: battery power.
Lastly, I love being able to include samples. It's what takes this from just a rhythm machine to a full instrument. But tuning samples is done via numeric value instead of pitch. When you load in a sample, you should have the option to assign the pitch of it. Then, it should be easy to change the sample loaded in, say, A to an E as opposed to 57 or whatever the numeric equivalent is. Granted not all samples would have a pitch, but you should be able to go either way.
Again, these are nit picks. It would be great to have addressed, but I can't take away any stars over them. The only worry I have with the TR8S is my other gear feeling neglected. I love this machine.
Music background: https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/L3VreQTSU8nsbDek8
Rated 5/5

5 star excellent

Perfect machine. So easy to work with. Keep sounds take out sounds modify easy to change an existing pattern to a beat you want of course perfect in timing which is my purpose because I am not a drummer. My beats were sufferring with a timing problem. This is the perfect fix.
Music background: Singer song writer and learning producing
Rated 5/5

Versatile

Whether you want classic sounds or new, this machine has endless possibilities. It combines ease of use and tweakable parameters; that means you can start making great beats out of the box and keep building on them as you learn the settings. It also offers lots of plugin and plugout options to sync with other gear. A truly flexible and fun machine!
Music background: Computer and Electronic Music
Rated 5/5

So fun and intuitive

So much fun straight out of the box. Helps me generate a sense of playfulness in my creation process. Well worth the cost.
Rated 5/5

Fab piece of machine.

Was on a hunt for this piece and Finally got my hands on it thanks to Sweetwater
Music background: Dj

Simply put, modern electronic music wouldn't exist without Roland. Many of the electronic musicians here at Sweetwater cut our teeth on TR Rhythm machines and fondly remember programming our first TB-303s. We owe a good part of our careers to this amazing and innovative company. It's been fun to watch and grow right alongside Roland, as they've introduced wave after wave of revolutionary keyboards, digital pianos, and more. For example, Roland's V-Drum Kits continuously redefine the possibilities of electronic drums, beginning with SuperNATURAL technology to the latest Prismatic Sound Modeling. We're huge fans, and we'd love to tell you all about them. Whether you want a pocket-sized synth or a cutting-edge video mixer, if Roland makes it, then Sweetwater is 100% behind it.

Close Close $8,000 PA System Giveaway -- input your email address below to enter or click here to learn more.

See giveaway details & rules or check out our past winners!

Success!

Your email, test has been entered to win this giveaway. Good Luck!