The TR-8 is a performance rhythm machine that melds the legendary sound and vibe of the TR-808 and TR-909 with features and functions for the modern age. Genre-defining sounds, classic effects, unprecedented live pattern manipulation, and solid, intuitive performance controls. It’s the TR…evolved.
Capturing the Originals
- Full reproduction of the classic TR-808 and TR-909 rhythm machines, based on original design spec sheets and detailed analog circuit analysis of many original TR machines, including Roland’s own pristine units
- Newly developed Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology allows part-by-part analyses and faithful recreation of tonality and behavior, including the smooth variations of tone that occur when you work the controls of each instrument
- Obsessive attention to detail, such as reproducing the original TR’s unique variations in tone that occur when multiple instruments are entered in accented steps
- Authentic 16-step sequencer with faithful TR-REC behavior, including A and B pattern variations and the ability to play instruments and record to steps in real time
Tr Evolved
- 16 stunning kits made up of 11 instrument types, including custom dream kits that use both TR-808 and TR-909 sounds
- Large Tempo knob with Tap Tempo button and continuous Fine and Shuffle adjustment knobs
- Control the intensity of the Accent function with a dedicated knob
- Per-step reverb and delay effects with dedicated knobs
- Mix sources connected to the External In jacks with built-in per-step Side Chain function for rhythmic ducking and gating effects
- Scatter lets you freak and tweak your grooves with real-time control and perfect sync
- 7 segment, 4 character LED display and 16 per-step pads with bold, full-color LEDs
- Real-time pattern creation up to 32 steps with on-the-fly step count adjustment
- Rec/Play modes have been eliminated, enabling seamless switching between step input and real-time pattern making and performance
- Real-time play of 4 different types of rolls (8th, 16th, VARI 1, VARI 2) and per-instrument mutes
- Pattern copy and pattern randomization for rapid, spontaneous creativity
- Two assignable analog outputs and full parallel outputs via USB for total mixing flexibility
The Lineage
Unleashed upon an unsuspecting world in the 1980s, the TR-808 and TR-909 produce arguably the most influential drum sounds in modern music. Not only have they appeared on thousands of dance tracks over the course of three decades, they’ve helped define the sound of entire musical genres. From rap and house to techno and trance, the TR-808 and TR-909 have left an indelible mark on the art and culture of music. Roll the drums…
The Sound
In developing the TR-8, we’ve obsessively analyzed and faithfully recreated every detail and nuance of the analog circuitry of these legendary rhythm machines—the boom and snap of the 808; the thud of the 909; the robotic click of an 808 rim shot or a classic 909 snare roll. It’s all here. But not content with mere recreations, we’ve enhanced these classic instruments with capabilities that go far beyond the original units.
Tune and Decay knobs are now present on every instrument, and the Bass Drum and Snare Drum have additional controls such as Attack, Snappy, and Comp. This allows for a wide variety of tones, from subtle ambient percussion to pounding dance grooves. Per-step effects and the massively addictive Scatter function take things into entirely new territory.
With the authentic tone and character of the original units and new sound-tweaking capabilities inspired by legions of users, the TR-8 breathes new life into the sounds we all know and love.
The Feel
Make no mistake—the TR-8 has been carefully designed from the ground up as an instrument to be played. Every control has a solid, predictable feel, with each drum instrument having robust, “playable” faders. Numerous lighted knobs and RGB buttons give both real-time performance feedback and a striking appearance on stage.
Pattern creation is creative and intuitive using an evolved version of the TR-REC method, which originated in the TR-808 and eventually became the standard for electronic rhythm programming. Based on detailed analysis of the original TR-808, the TR-REC behavior has been faithfully modeled in the TR-8. But the TR-8 goes well beyond the original, allowing you to seamlessly switch between programming and performance modes, and to introduce lots of groovy rhythmic variations from subtle snare fills to total glitch meltdowns.
What Is Scatter?
Scatter is a unique performance function that gives you detailed real-time control over variations in your patterns and any incoming external input signal.
- Scatter can reverse, glitch, gate, truncate, stutter, and perform all manner of rhythmic variations from subtle to extreme, and all in perfect sync
- Pick from 10 different types of Scatter and smoothly adjust the intensity—or “Scatter Depth”—with the large, comfortable dial
- Seamlessly switch between Scatter patterns and quickly toggle Scatter on/off for cool variations when and where you want them
Try it…you’ll like it!
A Few More Things
The TR-8 looks great and is designed to work seamlessly with other products in the AIRA series. In addition, you can connect the TR-8 to your computer via USB to send and receive both audio and MIDI data, including MIDI clock information for syncing with external devices and other AIRA units.
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (4) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (4)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/products/tr-8/features/images/gallery01.jpg)
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (5) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (5)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/products/tr-8/features/images/gallery02.jpg)
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (6) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (6)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/products/tr-8/features/images/gallery03.jpg)
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (7) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (7)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/products/tr-8/features/images/gallery04.jpg)
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (8) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (8)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/products/tr-8/features/images/gallery05.jpg)
TR-8 Version 1.1 New Features
Backup and Restore
- Manage your kit and pattern library with easy backup and restore over USB.
Improved Playability
- Instrument Levels — Customize kits by adjusting the gain of each instrument to suit your individual style.
- Better Rolls — Rolls are now easier to engage, offer more control, and sound better overall.
- Scatter Latch On/Off — Alternate unlatched trigger mode engages only while “On” button is held down.
- Scatter Cycle — Scatter will enable for one cycle and then automatically disengage.
- Sync Reset — Get back in the groove by instantly starting a pattern from the top.
Improved Editing
- Pattern Lock — Lock the contents of a pattern so you can experiment without losing your original groove.
- Nonstop A/B Pattern Editing — Now you can edit both A and B parts of a pattern without stopping the sequencer.
Improved MIDI
- Modes — Local On/Off and MIDI Controller modes determine how MIDI data is sent and received.
- Accent Velocity — MIDI velocity is variable by the accent setting.
- Kit Select — Select kits using MIDI control change messages.
- Scatter — Scatter On/Off, Type and Depth can be controlled via MIDI control change.
- External Record — Record patterns in real-time from external MIDI devices.
- MIDI Off — Disable sending of all MIDI messages.
- Ignore Play/Stop — Toggle whether or not TR-8 responds to PLAY/STOP messages.
- Effect Control — Control effects using MIDI control change messages.
- User Drum Kits
- 16
- User Patterns
- 16
- Steps per 1 measure
- 1 – 16 steps x 2 (Variation A/B)
- Tempo
- 40 – 300
- Instruments & Controls
- BASS DRUM: LEVEL, TUNE, ATTACK, COMP, DECAY, INST SELECT
SNARE DRUM: LEVEL, TUNE, SNAPPY, COMP, DECAY, INST SELECT
LOW TOM, MID TOM, HIGH TOM, RIM SHOT, HAND CLAP, CLOSED HIHAT, OPEN HIHAT, CRASH CYMBAL, RIDE CYMBAL: LEVEL, TUNE, DECAY, INST SELECT - Effects and Controls
- ACCENT: LEVEL, STEP
REVERB: LEVEL, TIME, GATE, STEP
DELAY: LEVEL, TIME, FEEDBACK, STEP
EXTERNAL IN: LEVEL, SIDE CHAIN, STEP - Mode
- TR-REC, PATTERN SELECT, INST PLAY, INST REC, DRUM KIT SEL, DRUM INST SEL
- Controllers
- VOLUME knob
SCATTER knob
TEMPO knob
FINE knob
SHUFFLE knob
PADS: 16
MODE buttons: 6
CLEAR button
VARIATION buttons: A, B
SCALE button
LAST STEP button
START/STOP button
SCATTER ON button
SCATTER DEPTH button
TAP button
Power Switch (Rear) - Display
- 7 segments, 4 characters (LED)
- Effects
- REVERB, DELAY, SIDE CHAIN
- Scatter
- Types: 10
- Nominal Input Level
- -10 dBu
- Input Impedance
- 100 k ohms
- Nominal Output Level
- -10/+4 dBu (Selectable)
- Output Impedance
- MIX OUT, ASSIGNABLE OUT: 1 k ohm
PHONES: 130 ohms - Connectors
- PHONES jack: 1/4-inch stereo phone type
MIX OUT (L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
ASSIGNABLE OUT (A, B) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
EXTERNAL IN (L, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
USB port: USB type B (Audio, MIDI)
DC IN jack - USB
- Audio, MIDI
- Power Supply
- AC adaptor
- Current Draw
- 1,000 mA
- Accessories
- Owner's manual
Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
AC adaptor - Size and Weight
- Width
- 400 mm
15-3/4 inches - Depth
- 260 mm
10-1/4 inches - Height
- 65 mm
2-9/16 inches - Weight
- 1.9 kg
4 lbs. 4 oz. - * 0 dBu = 0.775 Vrms
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Video Library
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SP-404A & TR-8 Performance
Watch the powerful combination of sampling and rhythm synthesis with the Roland SP-404A and Roland AIRA TR-08 Rhythm Performer in this video.
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AIRA Introduction
With roots in the very origins of electronic music, AIRA is the new series of products designed to meet the evolving needs of today's electronic musicians.
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TR-8 Tutorial
A short tutorial on the TR-8 Rhythm Performer.
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Movement Detroit 2015
The Roland AIRA crew headed to Movement in Detroit - a city integral to the history of electronic music and to our history as a company.
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AIRA in Miami
The Roland crew hit Miami Music Week with AIRA, and we thought we’d show you some of what happened. We shared AIRA with a lot of big artists, and, as you can see, it caused quite a stir and blew a lot of minds.
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Movement Detroit 2014
The Roland AIRA crew headed to Movement in Detroit—a city integral to the history of electronic music and to our history as a company. AIRA gear was in lots of the performance rigs, keeping the music thumping and the crowds jumping.
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On Stage with Example
Roland caught up with Kai Smith and Andy Sheldrake of Example during Ultra Festival in Croatia.
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Analog Circuit Behavior
Go behind the scenes and learn how Roland's newly developed Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) faithfully captures the sound and feel of some our most revered classics.
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Artists First Contact
Groundbreaking artists talk about their experiences with Roland instruments and make first contact with the AIRA gear.
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Artist Interviews
Artists Arthur Baker, Ricardo Villalobos, Hardfloor, Netsky, Dr Meaker, A Guy Called Gerald and Boys Noize talk about their experiences with Roland instruments and discuss the joys and challenges of performing electronic music live.
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TR-909 Rhythm Composer
Roland engineers discuss the technologies involved in getting the right sounds for the successor to the TR-808. The TR-909 Rhythm Composer evolved from the TR-808, adding digital samples and MIDI. House and Techno were born. Now the next step begins.
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TR-808 Rhythm Machine
Roland Engineers discuss the initial concept of the TR-808 which was conceived and built in 1980. Although it was designed to create “backing tracks,” creative musicians started to use the Rhythm Machine as an instrument and music changed forever. Now the evolution begins again.
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MX-1 with Ableton Live and TR-8
Armed with only a few sustained sounds from Ableton Live and a TR-8, KiNK shows how the MX-1 takes electronic music performance to the next level.
Mathew Jonson Interview
Mathew Jonson interview and exclusive content.Read more…
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (20) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (20)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/assets/images/articles/thumbnails/tr-8_part3_tn.jpg)
[Blog] TR-8 and Effects – Part 3: Modular Effects
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (21) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (21)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/assets/images/articles/thumbnails/tr-8_part2_tn.jpg)
[Blog] TR-8 and Effects – Part 2: Pedals
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (22) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (22)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/assets/images/articles/thumbnails/tr-8_part1_tn.jpg)
[Blog] TR-8 and Effects – Part 1: Onboard Effects
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (23) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (23)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/assets/images/articles/thumbnails/ultimate_tr-8_tn.jpg)
[Blog] The Ultimate Guide to the AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer
![Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (24) Roland - TR-8 | Rhythm Performer (24)](https://i0.wp.com/static.roland.com/assets/images/articles/thumbnails/tr-8_v-drums_tn.jpg)
[Blog] Nate Morton: My TR-8 Setup for the Voice
- CB-BTRMX Black Series Instrument BagCustom carrying bag for the TR-8S, TR-8, and MX-1. View Product
- RH-A7 Open-Air HeadphonesEnjoy All the Dynamics of Your Digital Piano, Day or Night. View Product
- RH-A30 Open-Air HeadphonesPremium Open-Air Headphones with a Wide Range of Applications. View Product
- RH-200 Monitor HeadphonesClear, Accurate and Comfortable for Studio-Quality Monitoring. View Product
- RH-200S Monitor HeadphonesClear, Accurate and Comfortable for Studio-Quality Monitoring. View Product
- RH-300 Monitor HeadphonesPremium Closed-Back Studio Headphones for Pro Level Monitoring. View Product
- RH-5 HeadphonesHeadphones for Everyday Music Making and Audio Playback. View Product
- RH-iE3 In-Ear HeadphonesAttractive in-ear headphones with deeper bass and extended frequency performance. View Product
- 7X7-TR8 Drum Machine Expansion for TR-8Every sound of the TR-707 and TR-727 Rhythm Composers, faithfully reproduced using the original PCM wave data and detailed models of the original circuitry. View Product
- M-100 AIRA HeadphonesDesigned and built by V-MODA in collaboration with Roland, the Crossfade M-100 AIRA is an audiophile-quality headphone for users of Roland’s AIRA range of electronic instruments and effects. View Product
Downloads
Updates & Drivers
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TR-8 System Program (Ver.1.61)
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.1 for Windows 10/11
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.0 for Windows 8.1 / 7
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.5 for macOS Sonoma 14.x
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.4 for macOS Big Sur 11.x / Monterey 12.x / Ventura 13.x
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.3 for macOS 10.15
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.2 for macOS 10.13 / 10.14
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.5.1 for macOS / OS X
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.0.1 for Windows 8.1/8/7/Vista
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TR-8 Driver Ver.1.0.0 for Mac OS X
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Mathew Jonson Drum Kits and Patterns
Support
If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.
Owner's Manuals
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TR-8 Owner's Manual
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[English] TR-8 Update
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[English] Roland TR / Serato DJ Pro Connection Guide
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TR-8 MIDI Implementation Chart