Owner’s Manual Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (the leaflet “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and the Owner’s Manual (p. 2)). After reading, keep the document(s) where it will be available for immediate reference. Copyright © 2018 ROLAND CORPORATION Owner’s Manual (this document) Read this first. It explains the basic things you need to know in order to use the TR-8S.
USING THE UNIT SAFELY WARNING Use only the supplied AC adaptor and the correct voltage Be sure to use only the AC adaptor supplied with the unit. Also, make sure the line voltage at the installation matches the input voltage specified on the AC adaptor’s body. Other AC adaptors may use a different polarity, or be designed for a different voltage, so their use could result in damage, malfunction, or electric shock.
Contents USING THE UNIT SAFELY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 IMPORTANT NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Panel Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Top Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 6 Introduction. . . . . . . . . .
Panel Descriptions Top Panel 1 2 3 4 5 6 9 7 8 10 MOTION [ON] button 1 Common section 1 If this is ON, knob operation data (MOTION) is played back for each instrument. [VOLUME] knob Adjusts the MIX OUT jack, PHONES jack’s volume. * This does not affect the volume of the ASSIGNABLE OUT jack (p. 7). MOTION [REC] button [EXT IN] knob If REC is selected, knob operation data (MOTION) is recorded for each instrument. Adjusts the input volume from the EXT IN jacks.
Panel Descriptions 3 REVERB section page 10 9 Common section 2 [LEVEL] knob Display Adjusts the volume of the reverb. Shows pattern names and various settings. 4 DELAY section page 10 Saves the pattern/kit/system settings. [LEVEL] knob [TIME] knob Adjusts the length of the delay. [FEEDBACK] knob Adjusts the amount of delay sound that is returned to the input. page 15 [ON] button [ENTER] button Use this button mainly to confirm a value or execute an operation.
Panel Descriptions 10 Pad [1]–[16] Mode Mode Explanation TR-REC For each step, specify whether the instrument’s tone will sound. PTN SELECT Select a pattern. Hold down the [PTN SELECT] button and use pads [1]–[8] to select a bank. Release the [PTN SELECT] button and use pads [1]–[16] to select a number. Explanation INST PLAY 55 Pads [1]–[11](INST) play instrument’s tones. 55 If you hold down either the [12] or [13] (ROLL) pad (or both) and press a [1]–[11] pad, the instrument’s tone plays a roll.
Introduction F TRIGGER OUT jack A trigger pulse is output from this jack at the timing that is specified in the dedicated trigger out track ([CC] + [RC] button). G EXT IN (L/MONO, R) jacks These are audio input jacks. You can apply a side-chain effect at the pattern of the specified track. & For details, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF). I MIX OUT (L/MONO, R) jacks Connect these jacks to your amp or monitor speakers. J PHONES jack A set of headphones can be connected to this jack.
Overview of the TR-8S TR-8S 128 patterns PATTERN KIT (16 x 8 banks) PATTERN No. 8-16 128 KITs KIT No. 128 KIT No. 3 KIT No. 2 KIT No. 1 PATTERN No. 1-3 PATTERN No. 1-2 PATTERN No.
Playing Patterns Playing Patterns Changing the Length of the Variation 1. Press the [START/STOP] button. 2. Use the controllers of the instrument edit section to (Setting the Variation’s Last Step) modify the sound. MEMO To return to the beginning of the pattern, hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [START/STOP] button. The overall number of steps used by a variation (the variation’s last step) can be specified individually for each variation. 1. Press the [LAST] button. 2.
Playing Patterns Generating a Random Pattern Pattern number You can automatically generate a random pattern. This modifies the selected pattern. 1. Hold down the [PTN SELECT] button and press the [SAMPLE] button. A random pattern is provisionally generated for the variation. The [TR-REC] button blinks. 2. When you press the [TR-REC] button, the provisionally generated random pattern changes to the current pattern. In this state, the pattern is not yet saved.
TR-REC (Step Recording) In this method of recording, you create a pattern by specifying the steps at which each track will sound. You can even play back the pattern while you’re creating it. * If you want to keep the edits that you made to a pattern or kit, you must save that pattern or kit (p. 18). 1. Press the [TR-REC] button. 2. Use the variation buttons to select A–H. 3. Press the [START/STOP] button to start recording. 4.
INST-REC (Realtime Recording) In this method of recording, you create a pattern by realtimerecording your performance on pads [1] (BD)–[11] (RC). This modifies the selected pattern. * If you want to keep the edits that you made to a pattern or kit, you must save that pattern or kit (p. 18). 1. Press the [INST REC] button. 2. Press the [START/STOP] button to start recording. 3. Use the variation buttons [A]–[H] to select the variation that you want to record. 4. Perform using pads [1] (BD)–[11] (RC).
INST-PLAY (Performing) You can use pads [1] (BD)–[11] (RC) to perform in real time. Your performance does not modify the pattern. 1. Press the [INST PLAY] button. 2. Perform using pads [1] (BD)–[11] (RC). Playing Sub Steps Here’s how to play sub steps. This lets you play duplets, triplets, and quadruplets. 1. Press the [SUB] button. 2. Press the pad [1]–[16] that will play sub steps.
Editing a Kit or Instrument Selecting Kits (KIT) Here’s how to select kits. 1. Press the [KIT] button to make it light. Category Explanation COLOR Specifies the color of the level fader LEDs. NAME Rename the kit. & “Entering a Kit Name or Other Characters” (p. 18) The KIT screen appears. & For details, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF). MEMO If the kit is being edited, an “*” is shown at the left side of the kit number. 2. Use the [VALUE] knob to select a kit. 3.
Editing a Kit or Instrument Master Effect (MASTER FX) Playing Multiple Instruments Layered Here’s how to apply the master effect to the kit. (GROUPING for Layer) 1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the You can create a group of multiple instruments and play their layered sound with a single note. MASTER FX [ON] button. The KIT EDIT screen’s MASTER EFX items are shown. You can use grouped master instruments in the following ways. The slave instrument follows the master instrument.
Editing a Kit or Instrument Editing an Instrument’s Sound (INST Edit) Copying a Kit (KIT COPY) 1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [INST] 1. Hold down the [COPY] button and press the [KIT] button. The INST Edit screen appears. 2. Select a parameter. 2-1. Use the [VALUE] knob to select a parameter. 2-2. Press the [ENTER] button. 3. Modify values. 3-1. Use the [VALUE] knob to edit the parameter value. 3-2. Press the [ENTER] button. Return to the parameter selection (step 2). 4.
Assigning an Imported User Sample to an Instrument Importing a User Sample (SAMPLE Import) Editing a User Sample’s Settings (SAMPLE Edit) Here’s how an audio file saved on an SD card can be imported as a user sample. 1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the * Use the TR-8S to format the SD card. * The maximum length of a single audio file that can be imported is approximately 180 seconds (in the case of 44.1 kHz/MONO). Depending on the state of memory usage, the maximum time might be shorter. 1.
Various Operations Jumping to the Beginning of a Parameter Group Saving the Pattern, Kit, or System Settings (WRITE) In each of the edit screens, you can jump to the beginning of a parameter group (category). Here’s how to save a pattern or kit. 1. When selecting a parameter, hold down the [SHIFT] button and turn the [VALUE] knob. 1. Press the [WRITE] button. The WRITE screen appears. Entering a Kit Name or Other Characters Here’s how to enter characters such as when naming a kit or pattern. 1.
Various Operations Copying a Pattern or Kit (COPY) Here’s how to copy a pattern or kit. Erasing Motion Erasing all MOTION 1. Press the [COPY] button. Here’s how to erase all MOTION recorded in the variation that is selected for playback. The COPY screen appears. 1. Hold down the MOTION [ON] button and press the [CLEAR] button. 2. Use the [VALUE] knob to select what you want to copy, and press the [ENTER] button.
Various Operations Muting a Track (MUTE) Finely Adjusting the Timing of Notes 1. Press the [MUTE] button. 2. Use the instrument select buttons to turn each (Nudge Function) instrument’s mute on (unlit) or off (lit). The [MUTE] button works in any state: “TR-REC,” “PTN SELECT,” “INST REC,” or “INST PLAY.” The “nudge” function lets you adjust the timing of notes forward or backward. Using the nudge function changes the playback timing of the entire pattern. Alternate method Operation Explanation 1.
Synchronizing/Recording with Other Devices The TR-8S can receive MIDI Clock (F8) data to synchronize its tempo. It can also receive MIDI Start (FA) and MIDI Stop (FC) to start/stop itself. Synchronizing with a TB-3 You can synchronize the TR-8 with a TB-3 by using a commercially available MIDI cable to make connections. Assigning an Instrument to the ASSIGNABLE OUT/TRIGGER OUT jacks 1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [KIT] button. The setting screen appears. 2.
Various Settings Returning to the Factory Settings (FACTORY RESET) Here’s how to return the TR-8S to its factory-set state. 1. Press the [UTILITY] button. The UTILITY screen appears. 2. Use the [VALUE] knob to select “UTILITY: Factory Reset.” Backing Up Data to SD Card (BACKUP) * If you want to make a backup, save the data (patterns, kits, system settings) before you proceed.
Various Settings Restoring Data That Was Backed Up to SD Card Convenient Functions (UTILITY) (RESTORE) Here you can make system settings for the TR-8S unit itself, or backup and restore data. 1. Press the [UTILITY] button. The UTILITY screen appears. 2. Use the [VALUE] knob to select “UTILITY: Restore.” 3. Press the [ENTER] button. The RESTORE screen appears. 1. Press the [UTILITY] button. The setting screen appears. 2. Select a parameter. 2-1. Use the [VALUE] knob to select a parameter. 2-2.
Error Messages Message Meaning The SD card is not inserted, or is inserted incompletely. SDCard NotReady! Read Error! Write Error! SD Card Full! Sys Mem Damaged! The SD card was removed after you selected data that was on the SD card. Action Turn off the unit, firmly insert the SD card, and then turn on the unit once again. The format of the SD card is invalid. Use the TR-8S to format the SD card (p. 7). Data could not be read from the SD card. Make sure that the SD card is correctly inserted.
