The AIRA TR-8 drum machine, refreshed with sample playback and more.
A follow up to the AIRA TR-8, the TR-8S is Roland's latest flagship drum machine. The TR8s is loaded with improvements and features added in direct response to artist and customer feedback received since the TR-8's initial release. Some of the most notable added features include eight analog outputs, extended programming capabilities, kit storage and sample import, which includes your own user samples or Roland's custom-made sample library that comes with the TR-8S.
The TR-8S features Roland's latest analog circuit behavior technology which models just about every legendary Roland drum machine including the TR-808, 909, 606, 707 and 727, each modeled down to the circuit level allowing you to tweak parameters with greater detail that you could with a sample-based instrument. The TR-8S has also received some aesthetically pleasing enhancements, including customizable color faders to easily identify and group instruments, backlit buttons and an improved build quality that's more playable and ergonomically designed for enhanced performance.
Design Kits With Authentic TR Drums, Sampled Sounds and Effects
The TR-8S comes loaded with one of the largest, most authentic collection of TR drum machines available. The powerful new processor gives Roland's next-generation ACB models a whole new level of detail and nuance, giving you that classic Roland boom, snap and sizzle. And now you can incorporate preset and custom samples, creating unique hybrid and layered kits, and enhance them 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.
ACB Meets Samples
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 stereo samples or import your own 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.
Drumatic Effects
The right effects can make a drum part stand out by creating depth and space. Whether it’s delay on a rim-shot, overdrive on a kick, filters on toms and cymbals, or just the right amount of reverb on select instruments, the TR-8S has percussion-tuned effects that simply sound great. In addition to the Master FX knob, each channel has a customizable CTRL knob, placing all this sound-shaping power within easy reach. The attack of the kick, the snap of the snare, phaser depth, distortion amount—whatever parameter you need direct and immediate access to—can be assigned to the CTRL knob or Master FX knob and saved with the kit. Both Instrument and Master Effects, along with their precise settings, are also saved with each kit, making your productions always performance-ready.
Create Evolving Patterns with Variations, Fills and Motion
Pattern creation on the TR-8S feels natural and intuitive, thanks to the Roland “TR-REC” step sequencer that’s been the beating heart of electronic music production for decades. And now, it’s been enhanced and modernized to be better than ever.
Fast, Fluid and Fun
You can program on the 16 TR-REC buttons or use the velocity-sensitive performance pad to play live, or record into the sequencer. And you can move seamlessly between either, playing and editing—reshaping your drum parts without ever interrupting your flow. Create intricate grooves and detailed fills using velocity, accents, flams and adjustable sub-steps for modern rolls and ratcheting. Get experimental with unusual polyrhythms and complex meters by adjusting the length or "last step" of each drum part.
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 and variations can be played or chained in any order. 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 kit, knob positions, effect settings and tempo, providing instant recall and enough storage and flexibility to play an entire set without ever repeating a measure in the same way.
Filling In
Well-placed fills can create thrilling moments in a track or a live set. Each pattern in the TR-8S can contain two fills which you can customize or create from scratch. There’s also an adjustable “Scatter” fill which will slice and dice a measure into short bursts of cool and controlled chaos. But at times, your hands may be too busy to trigger every fill manually. That’s where Auto-Fill comes in. Automating fills every 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 measures keeps your hands free, but also adds interesting dynamics to your performances.
In Motion
Professional sounding drum tracks require detailed production techniques. The TR-8S not only makes crafting this detail possible, it makes it fast and fun. Locking parameters to steps or recording motion into patterns can give you everything from subtle movements to dramatic tonal shifts. Automate bass drum tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects … whatever you want. You can create melodies and bass lines, or change the sound of a kit for different song sections. Motion recording is immediate and effortless, and motion playback can be instantly enabled or disabled.
At Home in The Studio, Made for The Stage
For the last four years, Roland heard feedback from enthusiastic TR-8 fans and artists from around the world. It left us with a pretty clear idea of how they could make it even better, both for studio production and live performance. Roland's put these user-requested features—and more—into the TR-8S, while keeping the immediacy and fun factor of the original TR-8 fully intact.
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 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converters.
Trigger Out, External In
The TR-8S has a dedicated trigger output as well as stereo audio inputs for external sources. And its assignable outputs can even be used as additional triggers. This lets you control external instruments and mix them with the TR-8S’s internal sounds, greatly expanding your creative possibilities in the studio and performance possibilities on stage. Each pattern has a dedicated trigger track for access to all kinds of variations with no need to use up an instrument. Rimshots and triggered analog bass patterns? Yes, you can.
Audio and MIDI Interface
Aside from being the most powerful drum machine ever made, the TR-8S is a complete multi-channel audio and MIDI interface. When you connect the TR-8S to a computer or AIRA Link host, you can transfer MIDI and high-resolution audio over a single USB cable. Record each drum instrument to a different channel for individual processing and recording, automate parameter movements from your DAW by CC messages, or sync the TR-8S to your computer or Roland MX-1 Mix Performer for live sets or late-night jam sessions.
Refined Design With a Modern Touch
Aesthetic and ergonomic improvements can be found throughout the TR-8S, giving it a timeless design that fits any creative space. The shape, colors, and overall feel have been refined to be more substantial, elegant and inviting. RGB color faders and TR-REC buttons let you customize the brightness, glow and color of each element. Not only does it look amazing, but it gives crucial visual feedback about what’s playing, what’s muted, which instruments are grouped and so on. And then there’s that lava lamp mode…
Total Recall
The life of a musician can be pretty unpredictable, whether it’s touring mishaps or studio calamities. Take comfort in the fact that every kit, every pattern and every setting for literally everything can be backed up on an SD card. Just pop it into a fresh TR-8S, and you’re back up and running in no time.
Includes Firmware 3.0 Update (as of Sept. 12, 2023)
CR-78 REBORN
The original CR-78 CompuRhythm launched in 1978 as the first mass-produced programmable rhythm machine. And now, your TR captures that magic with pristine ACB CR sounds, including 14 instruments and original preset patterns you know and love, as well as updated advanced patterns to pepper your beats with CR-78 zest.
But it doesn’t stop there. Dive into an array of new parameter controls, using the power of ACB to push the CR-78 into new sonic dimensions. Combine tuning, decay and gain tweaks with motion recording to transform the sounds like never before, coaxing shimmery tails from the metallic instruments and deep resonant boom from the bass drum.
TR-808 CHROMATIC BASS
Tuned 808 basses have been shaking the foundation of modern music since Dynamix II
first did it way back in 1987. While most producers now do this in a DAW, the 808 Chromatic Bass instrument lets you use the TR hardware to program basslines using the step pads and coarse tuning for a hands-on approach. Lay the foundation of your bottom end with this authentic 808 bass sound, perfect for trap, hip-hop, electro and other genres. Then, embellish your rhythms with FX, FM sounds, probability, step loop and more.
TR-EDITOR
Now has Compact Mode for smaller displays.
The TR-8S features Roland's latest analog circuit behavior technology which models just about every legendary Roland drum machine including the TR-808, 909, 606, 707 and 727, each modeled down to the circuit level allowing you to tweak parameters with greater detail that you could with a sample-based instrument. The TR-8S has also received some aesthetically pleasing enhancements, including customizable color faders to easily identify and group instruments, backlit buttons and an improved build quality that's more playable and ergonomically designed for enhanced performance.
Design Kits With Authentic TR Drums, Sampled Sounds and Effects
The TR-8S comes loaded with one of the largest, most authentic collection of TR drum machines available. The powerful new processor gives Roland's next-generation ACB models a whole new level of detail and nuance, giving you that classic Roland boom, snap and sizzle. And now you can incorporate preset and custom samples, creating unique hybrid and layered kits, and enhance them 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.
ACB Meets Samples
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 stereo samples or import your own 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.
Drumatic Effects
The right effects can make a drum part stand out by creating depth and space. Whether it’s delay on a rim-shot, overdrive on a kick, filters on toms and cymbals, or just the right amount of reverb on select instruments, the TR-8S has percussion-tuned effects that simply sound great. In addition to the Master FX knob, each channel has a customizable CTRL knob, placing all this sound-shaping power within easy reach. The attack of the kick, the snap of the snare, phaser depth, distortion amount—whatever parameter you need direct and immediate access to—can be assigned to the CTRL knob or Master FX knob and saved with the kit. Both Instrument and Master Effects, along with their precise settings, are also saved with each kit, making your productions always performance-ready.
Create Evolving Patterns with Variations, Fills and Motion
Pattern creation on the TR-8S feels natural and intuitive, thanks to the Roland “TR-REC” step sequencer that’s been the beating heart of electronic music production for decades. And now, it’s been enhanced and modernized to be better than ever.
Fast, Fluid and Fun
You can program on the 16 TR-REC buttons or use the velocity-sensitive performance pad to play live, or record into the sequencer. And you can move seamlessly between either, playing and editing—reshaping your drum parts without ever interrupting your flow. Create intricate grooves and detailed fills using velocity, accents, flams and adjustable sub-steps for modern rolls and ratcheting. Get experimental with unusual polyrhythms and complex meters by adjusting the length or "last step" of each drum part.
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 and variations can be played or chained in any order. 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 kit, knob positions, effect settings and tempo, providing instant recall and enough storage and flexibility to play an entire set without ever repeating a measure in the same way.
Filling In
Well-placed fills can create thrilling moments in a track or a live set. Each pattern in the TR-8S can contain two fills which you can customize or create from scratch. There’s also an adjustable “Scatter” fill which will slice and dice a measure into short bursts of cool and controlled chaos. But at times, your hands may be too busy to trigger every fill manually. That’s where Auto-Fill comes in. Automating fills every 2, 4, 8, 16 or 32 measures keeps your hands free, but also adds interesting dynamics to your performances.
In Motion
Professional sounding drum tracks require detailed production techniques. The TR-8S not only makes crafting this detail possible, it makes it fast and fun. Locking parameters to steps or recording motion into patterns can give you everything from subtle movements to dramatic tonal shifts. Automate bass drum tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects … whatever you want. You can create melodies and bass lines, or change the sound of a kit for different song sections. Motion recording is immediate and effortless, and motion playback can be instantly enabled or disabled.
At Home in The Studio, Made for The Stage
For the last four years, Roland heard feedback from enthusiastic TR-8 fans and artists from around the world. It left us with a pretty clear idea of how they could make it even better, both for studio production and live performance. Roland's put these user-requested features—and more—into the TR-8S, while keeping the immediacy and fun factor of the original TR-8 fully intact.
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 24-bit/96kHz digital-to-analog converters.
Trigger Out, External In
The TR-8S has a dedicated trigger output as well as stereo audio inputs for external sources. And its assignable outputs can even be used as additional triggers. This lets you control external instruments and mix them with the TR-8S’s internal sounds, greatly expanding your creative possibilities in the studio and performance possibilities on stage. Each pattern has a dedicated trigger track for access to all kinds of variations with no need to use up an instrument. Rimshots and triggered analog bass patterns? Yes, you can.
Audio and MIDI Interface
Aside from being the most powerful drum machine ever made, the TR-8S is a complete multi-channel audio and MIDI interface. When you connect the TR-8S to a computer or AIRA Link host, you can transfer MIDI and high-resolution audio over a single USB cable. Record each drum instrument to a different channel for individual processing and recording, automate parameter movements from your DAW by CC messages, or sync the TR-8S to your computer or Roland MX-1 Mix Performer for live sets or late-night jam sessions.
Refined Design With a Modern Touch
Aesthetic and ergonomic improvements can be found throughout the TR-8S, giving it a timeless design that fits any creative space. The shape, colors, and overall feel have been refined to be more substantial, elegant and inviting. RGB color faders and TR-REC buttons let you customize the brightness, glow and color of each element. Not only does it look amazing, but it gives crucial visual feedback about what’s playing, what’s muted, which instruments are grouped and so on. And then there’s that lava lamp mode…
Total Recall
The life of a musician can be pretty unpredictable, whether it’s touring mishaps or studio calamities. Take comfort in the fact that every kit, every pattern and every setting for literally everything can be backed up on an SD card. Just pop it into a fresh TR-8S, and you’re back up and running in no time.
Includes Firmware 3.0 Update (as of Sept. 12, 2023)
CR-78 REBORN
The original CR-78 CompuRhythm launched in 1978 as the first mass-produced programmable rhythm machine. And now, your TR captures that magic with pristine ACB CR sounds, including 14 instruments and original preset patterns you know and love, as well as updated advanced patterns to pepper your beats with CR-78 zest.
But it doesn’t stop there. Dive into an array of new parameter controls, using the power of ACB to push the CR-78 into new sonic dimensions. Combine tuning, decay and gain tweaks with motion recording to transform the sounds like never before, coaxing shimmery tails from the metallic instruments and deep resonant boom from the bass drum.
TR-808 CHROMATIC BASS
Tuned 808 basses have been shaking the foundation of modern music since Dynamix II
first did it way back in 1987. While most producers now do this in a DAW, the 808 Chromatic Bass instrument lets you use the TR hardware to program basslines using the step pads and coarse tuning for a hands-on approach. Lay the foundation of your bottom end with this authentic 808 bass sound, perfect for trap, hip-hop, electro and other genres. Then, embellish your rhythms with FX, FM sounds, probability, step loop and more.
TR-EDITOR
Now has Compact Mode for smaller displays.
Features
- 128 user drum kits and patterns
- Built-in 16-step sequencer
- Onboard effects including reverb, delay and more
- External SD card storage
- 16-character LCD display