Roland overhaul the TR-8

The TR-8S adds sample playback, individual outputs, variation modes and more!

It might not be perfect, but Roland’s x0x-aping TR-8 remains one of our favourite drum machines of recent times. While naysayers still bemoan the digital technology at its heart, there’s no question that the AIRA beatmaker does a solid job of replicating the sound, feel and immediacy that made the original 808 and 909 iconic. Now Roland are offering up a sequel, the TR-8S, which not only addresses the pitfalls of the original, but also expands on the feature set.

The biggest change here is the ability to import and play user samples, loaded in via SD card. The TR-8S can play samples in mono or stereo WAV or AIFF format. It has a maximum sample memory of roughly 600 secs, with a max length per sample of 180 secs – meaning it can trigger full loops as well as one shots. Front panel controls allow users to tweak decay, tuning, start point, speed, and direction of playback. The drum machine will also come pre-loaded with a library of more than 300 samples.

Alongside this sample playback capability, the TR-8S still features ACB-powered emulations of the TR-808, TR-909, TR-707, TR-727 and TR-606 – all of which come as standard, rather than requiring an upgrade to unlock the latter three, as with the original. Each sound has multiple variations too, including emulations of modified versions of the original hardware.

The effects section has been significantly upgraded too. The vague, occasionally cheesy Scatter effects of the original have been sidelined in favour of an expanded range of instrument and master effects, covering filtering, drive, delay, reverb and modulation effects.

There’s a new variation system too, allowing each pattern to be saved alongside up to eight variations and two fills, all of which can be triggered easily from the front panel. What’s more, the controls on the TR-8S can now be recorded and automated as parameters locks, which are also saved alongside patterns.

The hardware itself has been enhanced too. The most exciting element is the addition of eight analogue outputs, alongside the master stereo out, meaning users can now get proper individual outputs for each drum or sample track. These outputs can double up as trigger outputs for controlling external analogue hardware. As before, the TR-8S also features a stereo input as well as a USB connection, letting it function as an audio interface offering individual digital track outputs. On the visual front too, the instrument benefits from a sleek new look, ditching the garish green border of the original for a slightly smarter black chassis.

This all comes at a cost though; at £609, the TR-8S costs roughly £200 more than its predecessor. We’ll bring you a full review next issue.