Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer

there can be a bit of a difference
between what people expect from an
X0X box and what the originals
actually sound like.
Interestingly, with the TR-8S,
Roland seem to be acknowledging
this somewhat by offering multiple
variation on many of the sounds. For
instance, we get a total of 11 ACB
kicks, offering different takes on each
instrument, including two ‘long’
variations of the 808 kick, as well as
punchy ‘attack’ and bass-heavy ‘low’
variants of the 909. Suffi ce to say,
the TR-8S certainly offers sounds that
tick all the important boxes for what
we expect from Roland drum
machine emulations. As with the
original TR-8, I’m sure opinion will
remain divided, but for my money
you’d be hard pressed to fi nd better
sounding emulations of these drum
machines elsewhere.
The ability to mix these up with
sample tracks adds dramatically to
the drum machine’s fl exibility though.
There are over 300 preset samples
onboard and, although the TR-8S
and its associated controls, it’s
possible to go much deeper into the
setting of each sound than on
previous versions.
As well as the front panel
parameters each track also has
editable gain, pan, reverb and delay
send levels as well as an assignable
LFO per-track. Some sounds have
their own unique parameters too:
kicks have an adjustable attack
setting, snares have a ‘snappy’
parameter, and toms have an
adjustable ‘colour’ setting, controlling
the length and ambience of the
sound. Sample tracks have a number
of additional menu parameters too,
allowing users to adjust the base
tuning, rate and envelope shape of
the playback. Samples can also be
shaped with their own high/low-pass
fi lter, which has its own AD envelope,
along with a bit reduction effect, and
spread setting that offsets the left and
right channels to create a stereo
widening effect.
Beyond these parameters, each
track now has an insert effect slot.
can’t act as a sampler itself, users
can import their own sounds via an
SD card (both mono and stereo, in
WAV or AIFF format). Even without
adding any additional samples
though, the TR-8S is generously
packed with an impressive range of
sounds. Roland’s Aira branded gear
has sometimes tended to skew a little
too hard toward the EDM/big room
end of the spectrum when it comes to
preset sounds. Those bases are still
covered, but they’re joined by a broad
range of tones covering analogue
beats, vinyl stabs, retro FX, melodic
one-shots and much more.
It’s not just the range of sounds
that have been upgraded from the
original TR-8, but also the depth of
shaping. As with the original, each
track has its own level fader, along
with front panel controls for the
tuning and decay of the sound. Here
those are also joined by an assignable
CTRL rotary, which can be set to
control one of a list of parameters for
each track accessed via the top right
menu screen. Thanks to this screen
I/O ENHANCEMENTS
O ne of the most signifi cant upgrades for the TR-8S is the addition of six assignable
outputs alongside the main stereo outs. This total of eight jack outs still doesn’t quite
equate to one-out-per-track, but it does feel like a big step up from the original’s four outs.
What’s more, the process of assigning outputs is much easier here; with the original TR-8,
directing an instrument to an auxiliary output involved switching the machine off and on
again to access a boot menu, here assignment can be made from the screen, meaning you
can adjust output assignments without breaking the fl ow of a session or performance.
Each of these outs can also act as trigger out, for routing to external analogue gear and
other hardware. There’s
also an additional mini-jack
trigger out too, in the style
of those on Roland’s recent
Boutique machines. As
before, there’s also a stereo
pair of audio ins. These can
be used as an external
audio sidechain, or to
process audio with the
auxiliary or master effects.
The TR-8S also has a USB
connection. As with the
original, this allows for
MIDI over USB, as well as
allowing the unit to act as
an audio interface with
individual outputs for each.
THE ALTERNATIVES
Roland TR-08/
TR-09
£289/£259
Roland’s Boutique
drum machines are a
little fi ddly and
bogged down by
their heritage. If
authenticity is your
main criteria though,
they’re still worth
a look
www.roland.com
MFB Tanzmaus/
T anzbar Lite
£399/£341
Are you reading this
review and raging at
the lack of analogue?
MFB’s gritty X0X-
style boxes might be
the answer to all
your prayers
http://mfberlin.de
Elektron Analog
RYTM MkII £1499
The RYTM and
TR-8S share a lot of
traits, but with
sampling, layering
and advanced
sequencing,
Elektron’s offering
takes things to the
next level (with a
considerable price
jump to match!)
www.elektron.se
Reviews | Roland TR-8S Rhythm Performer
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FMU331.rev_roland.indd 80 18/04/2018 16:32