Roland TR-8S Review and Overview

My review of the TR-8S and overview of some of it's functionality.

[@trevormalcolm4328]

I don’t know how you only have 330 likes, this video is my “go to vid” tutorial!

[@system5guy]

One of the best reviews of this box on the net. The overhead camera was at the right angle. You seemed to give the most detail but very organized-----loved the hidden and not so hidden short cuts.....great Job. Thanks.

[@tarekith]

Awesome, thanks for letting me know you liked the video. Reason to keep doing them!

[@kevinhutchinson302]

One of the best reviews I have seen so faR.

[@paul-78]

I've had my head in the manual and still learnt something from this.... Great video!

[@drKrollspell]

- Fantastic ! Such a meaningful review! You are so good at this !! Thanx 😀 !!

[@rorykhanmohon]

I’m glad you addressed the Elektron thing because while I love the drum machine the transients don’t always punch as hard as the Roland does. That’s why I’m kind of thinking of making the switch as well.

[@johnfraserlongley]

Fellow Tyler owner. Thanks for the review.

[@ManCalledMif]

thank for the very informative video

[@motoboy6666]

Awesome review, really clear and concise. Those speakers are massive btw. :)

[@tarekith]

Love my massive speakers, Tyler D2x's. :)

[@nn99nn99]

@tarekith - Roland heard you and released the Reload function in 2.0!

[@6stringks]

Thanks for your review!! Still making up my mind what "Groovebox" I am buying and it helps me big time to have it reviewed by a musician. Having the Pioneer DJ Squid as Sequencer i would happily run the TR8S via the 8ch out over my console (32ch available, yeah!) and do some external treatment. EQ, Comp, FX etc and sum it to a drum bus going to my tape machine...I believe you use any other, self sampled samples anytime you want. Would you think that could be a decent studio set up? Thx again for your demo! Greetings

[@LovehouseMusicZone]

Hi nice to see you bro

[@sodiumlights]

Excellent, honest insights, as always. OP-Z next? :)

[@tarekith]

the sodium lights sorry, I have no interest in the OP-Z at this moment. :(

[@stevenboldt6489]

Is that 300 seconds of of stereo samples that will play at one time?

[@menclar5476]

When i load samples into my tr8s I have to reset all values in each instruments to 0 every time, is there a way to do that in 1 move?

[@mit136speichenumdiewelt]

Thanks for the detailed review. I always ask myself how you manage your own samples? Did you EQ, Compress etc. in the computer or put the raw sample in the machine and do it here? Thanks for a answer.

[@tarekith]

For the examples here I'm just using raw samples and effecting them in the TR.

[@mit136speichenumdiewelt]

Many thanks. I'm waiting for your up comimg review with the MC-707 ;-)

[@hallowedsound]

Great run through! Having initially been tempted by the Elektron boxes I decided To give them a wide berth after paying a visit to the Roland room at Superbooth this year and generally trying the machine out. I found it very hands-on and easy to use and for sure will keep your video as a guide when I receive mine...hopefully soon. I particularly appreciate the fact that you went through pretty much all the functions that are needed for editing and selecting kits, General operation. Very helpful indeed! Just a quick question-do ‘mixed’ kits automatically load with corresponding samples ie. if you have a custom kit made from internal sounds and samples (residing on the card), or do you have to manually load samples in every time? Thanks again for a really great video and review😊🙏

[@tarekith]

They load automatically.

[@hallowedsound]

tarekith Great! Many thanks👍😊

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

Thanks for this extremely detailed review, much appreciated! Looking at the TR-6S and the TR-8S, along with a couple of other brands. Now, Oct'21, would you still purchase the TR-8S or potentially look elsewhere? Thanks!

[@tarekith]

If you want a straight up drum machine, then I’d definitely still recommend the TR8s. If you want a little more than just a drum machine, the mc707 has a lot of the same sounds and then a LOT more since it’s a Groovebox.

[@LuisTorres-qz5kr]

@@tarekith Thank you for such a quick response, certainly appreciate such. Inputs certainly make sense. Ran into your channel earlier today and have now watched MANY of your videos (plus subscribed). Noticed that you have made the 707 as your "main hub" (within your Trio). I am just starting this journey, so, will think a little longer about it. So many devices out there it is hard to wrap one's mind around such (Deluge, Digitakt, Akai, Maschine...etc...).

[@MadelnMachines]

Really detailed review. It seems like a great machine feature wise. I love the depth of editing but not the implementation. 1 value encoder and endless menus make it seem like a real chore. And I thought the Analog Rytm was bad! Have the improved the kit reload like Elektron style? Given the front panel I thought it was quite an simple device but now I think it's just far to complex and not at all intuitive. I suppose you did explain the entire machine in half an hour though so it seemed overwhelming. I wish there were a lot more dedicated knobs. Have you tried any of the Jomox or MFB drum machines? Elektron model samples looks good from a hands on sample manipulation standpoint. No stereo though which is a shame.

[@FrankManhands]

I replaced my JoMox Xbase 999 with the TR-8s. I'm much happier with the Roland TR-8s, it sounds amazing and programming / sequencing and recalling patterns is much easier than on the JoMox. I love all of the onboard effects because I do not have the hardware to process all of the individual outs. I think the interface is really intuitive and have not felt hindered by it. I was frequently frustrated by saving and recalling kits and the sequencer was very limited. The Alpha Base is probably a huge improvement but its more than double the price of the 8s. JoMoX is great, I would buy again if I had the extra cash but I've been making a lot more music with the Roland, which is the important part.

[@basehead617]

Can you enable ALL the effects you listed or do you have to choose one per sound and kit?

[@tarekith]

bh617 ALL of them, it’s one of the 707s strengths.

[@VJFranzK]

...or stick with the recent classics? B - ) they did do a good job with firmware additions, FM and such

[@michaelbyrne7128]

If you could only have one this or the digitakt what one would you chose?

[@tarekith]

The TR-8S definitely.

[@mbrowne4063]

Thanks for this, very helpful. I'm new to TR8S and still getting oriented. Your 1-04 is a nice pattern. Any chance you'd put it on your site for DL?

[@tarekith]

m browne glad you liked the review, and that pattern too. I’m still working on it for an upcoming live set sink can’t share yet sadly.

[@cronenbergj]

Do you think there's any Advantage the TR8s over the MC 707 ? Or the MC 707 replaces it easily ?

[@tarekith]

I think the 8s is better when you're really after that classic 808/909 drum machine vibe. When you want more control over the individual drum sounds. Otherwise I don't miss it with the 707.

[@cronenbergj]

@@tarekith Thanks !

[@FrankManhands]

I have both! I tend to play the TR8s more, there is something very punchy and lively about it. If drums are what you need I would get the TR8s. If you need something more versatile the MC-707 is probably the better choice.

[@thedrumunkey8582]

It’s too bad they didn’t at least include filters for the modeled voices... But I love the thing for what it is. Analog Rytm to go deep, TR8S to just pick up and play.

[@thedrumunkey8582]

Also would be awesome if all three knobs per channel could be assigned