Roland today have announced an update of their TR-8 , the new machine takes the same nomenclature and adds the S - its the TR-8S.

TR-8S features the voicing of the TR-808, TR-909, 707, 727 and 606. It also allows you to import your own samples via the SD card slot - so you'll be able to customize the sounds to suit your needs.  Roland incudes 300 preset samples as it comes.

About those user samples:

600 secs total sample time - 44.1kHz mono, individual samples up to 180 secs.

In addition, the TR-8S adds  three sets of additional stereo outputs (in addition to the USB Audio interface), which can be set to be individual trigger outs for interfacing to external gear.  A pair of external inputs can also be routed to instrument tracks, allowing you to incorporate external sound sources, process with FX and sequence the parameters in the pattern, all these individual routings and setups can be stored in the 128 kit memories. 

This could mean that the assignable outputs, give you more options for using the TR-8S as a live audio interface - assigning playback tracks alongside the physical outputs. You also get a two row LCD display for making programming the extra features.

Each of the 128 patterns has 8 variations allowing pattern variations to be chained and programed in real-time, sub steps, individual track length, motion control and motion recording - automate parameters. You also get 2 auto fill-in patterns, the TR-8S also adds more FX, with individual instrument FX and master FX. Here's the full list:

• INST FX: THRU, HPF, LPF, LPF/HPF, H BOOST, L BOOST, L/H BOOST, ISOLATOR, TRANSIENT, COMPRESSOR, DRIVE, COMP+DRV, CRUSHER
• REVERB: AMBI, ROOM, HALL1, HALL2, PLATE, MOD
• DELAY: DLY, PAN, TAPE ECHO
• MASTER FX: HPF, LPF, LPF/HPF, H BOOST, L BOOST, L/H BOOST, ISOLATOR, TRANSIENT, TRANSIENT2, COMPRESSOR, DRIVE, OVERDRIVE, DISTORTION, FUZZ, CRUSHER, PHASER, FLANGER, SBF, NOISE
• Other: SIDE CHAIN (for EXT IN), SCATTER (as one of AUTO FILL IN function)

Oh, and its not green..

Price expected to be $699/€699  availability TBC

More Information

• https://www.roland.com/global/products/tr-8s/

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