Expand the sonic capabilities of your TR-8S with additional sound libraries, available to download FREE from the Roland website. These additional sounds and effects have been specifically crafted for the instruments in the AIRA range and cover a number of genres and styles. To view and download the sound libraries for the TR-8S
click here.
The TR-8S combines the best of its Roland heritage with modern production techniques and professional sound design. The result? A forward-thinking, performance-tuned instrument unlike any other. Build your dream kit from the most iconic drum sounds of all time, plus the finest selection of samples from our vast library—or import your own custom samples.
The TR-8S comes loaded with 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.
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.
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 samples, or import your own mono or stereo sounds 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.
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.
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. 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. Get experimental with unusual polyrhythms and complex meters by adjusting the length or “last step” of each drum part.
The TR-8S can store 128 patterns—each with eight variations and three kinds of fills—and patterns or variations can be triggered individually or chained together for evolving sequences. 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.
Firmware Update: Available as free downloads, TR-8S Version 3.0 and TR-6S Version 2.0 feature an authentic ACB model of the CR-78 CompuRhythm—an influential Roland rhythm machine from the late 1970s—plus a new TR-808 Chromatic Bass instrument for creating basslines. The companion TR-EDITOR app has also been updated with a compact UI option for more efficient operation on smaller displays. Download the free update from the Roland website.
Features
- Design kits with authentic TR drums, sampled sounds, and effects
- LAST STEP controls the number of steps per instrument, or per pattern
- Record live instrument and master knob movements with MOTION REC
- Eight VARIATIONS for evolving patterns or fills
- Full or weak variable beat ACCENT for all instruments in a pattern
- Independent stereo REVERB and DELAY send per instrument
- Effect all instruments simultaneously with MASTER FX
- Each instrument channel has variable TUNE, DECAY and assignable CTRL
- Organize channels and groups by customizable colour per fader
- Velocity-sensitive INST PAD for live expressive performance
- 6 x Assignable or trigger outs
- External input (1 x stereo or 2 x mono)
- Independent trigger out
- SD Card slot for Backup / Restore, Sample import, etc…