Review: Roland TR-8S V2.0 // How does it compete? // 10 performance ideas and tricks (Roland TR8S)

The TR-8S jam and project discussed in this video is available for download on my Patreon, as is my constantly expanding book of synth and electronic music ideas, tips and tricks:


Check out prices (affiliate links help the channel):

Scopes used:

Here's a link to the firmware 2.0 update:

Here's a link to the site I mentioned that lets you convert Tune values to notes:

Other places I hang out:

My music:

TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
1:15 What’s new?
1:30 FM synths
2:50 How Morph works
4:20 Sound demos of FM drum synths and synths
10:40 Cowbell...
11:05 New effects
12:45 New shortcuts
14:25 OVERVIEW
17:50 Connectivity
18:40 Key features
19:50 Sequencing
20:20 Automation
21:25 Sample controls
23:15 IDEAS & TIPS
23:25 Mixer view
23:50 Gain vs faders
24:20 Send defaults
24:45 Weak & accent
24:55 Compressor
25:15 Tune melodies
25:50 FM sweet spots
26:10 Filter harsh FM
26:40 S&H LFO
27:40 Easy polyphony
28:35 Pros & cons
32:10 FM Jam

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NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.

[atom]

I just bought the TR8s last week - this is a nice surprise - had no idea it was coming!

[provence]

waaaahw - just when you don't expect any more updates, Roland releases this beast! Fantastic overview as always loopop! I will open a beer now, remove the dust from my TR8s, and update it!

[nikispaintingsilence]

I love my tr8s and use it heavily on my live minimal techno jams. this machine plays like an instrument for its many knobs and faders, super intuitive and hands on.. cannot wait for the new update. thank you for this comprehensive review, super appreciated!!

[ActualKaktus]

I primarily use it as a sound design module, and it gives me the chills.

My kit creation workflow involves the TR-8S, Wavelab, Cubase, Backbone, the occasional use of Spectralayers, and Groove Agent 5.

I design the samples using the TR-8S, sample them into Wavelab, and export them to Cubase. I then load the samples into Backbone for layering, further editing, and Resynthesis. Finally, I build the kit and sequence in Groove Agent 5. I can also reload them into the TR if I want to go on the road.

It's absolute madness.

[powermix]

Love your reviews and you've sold me 5 synths from Hydrasynth to Wavestate, Deepmind 12, etc But It's hard for me to justify a TR- 8s when the MPC one is the same price! Great update though!

Edit: Bought a TR-8S and I highly recommend it! It's such a joy to play with, I underestimated it until I tried it in person! The 2.0 update is such a great addition! 10/10 for me, Excuse my comment on top, I didn't know what I was talking about!

[jesset]

Well gosh... this might have just pushed me over the edge. I’ve been on the fence for the tr8s since it came out. Thanks for another great review!

[aikighost]

It was already THE techno live jam drum machine, this update cements that.

[levin]

You have no idea how good this review has been, I have made my decision and will be waiting for the black Friday sale to buy this as my main dawlesss workstation/groovebox device ( primarily for acid and techno ). Hopefully there are no new product releases, but hey, even if there are any, your reviews will surely influence my decision. Thanks loopop.

[neurokinetikES]

I picked one of these up as my main drum machine in a new studio setup just for the old 606/707/808/909 sounds alone, and I've seen some of the other possibilities from the presets, but this thing is way more versatile than I thought.

[dmares]

I just bought one yesterday! This was god sent🤯 thank you loopop!

[ProfessorSaibertin]

Thank you for the awesome video. Bravos to Roland for developing the machine. I hope they gonna continue following this path.

[saoirsepup]

Just got this last week and it already has an awesome new update? Nice!

[mrCharlesG]

Great review. Was on the fence but the in-depth look at the controls won me over.

[eyesintheskies]

Thanks for letting me know about the update it has finally affirmed my decision that this is a must.👍
It’s the sheer playability of this thing that is it highlight for me.

[marc.lepage]

Been trying to decide on a drum machine for years, think I'm gonna pull the trigger on this one.

[gavinpeters]

Glad I checked back on this, thought I had learnt everything after owning a tr8s for a while, realised I'd forgotten completely about mixer view, which is awesome

[JustinUrban]

Sold my 8-S a long time ago, but just reordered one because of these updates.

[SeverityOne]

"Mad cow bell". That made me chuckle. 🙂 The TR-8S recently got on my attention radar, so thank you for this video.

[isaac.anthony]

WOW, FM drums from Roland, can't wait to load the new OS!

[manned]

Great to see Roland is still working on refining current products! I hope some of this will trickle down to the MC707 coz this is high on my 2buy list.