Roland AIRA TR-8

The rhythm machine has evolved. The Roland AIRA TR-8 melds the legendary sound and vibe of the TR-808 and TR-909 with features and functions for modern performers, like the ability to switch between 808 and 909 sounds on the fly and USB connection to get individual outs straight to your DAW.

Since the TR-808 and TR-909 machines were first released in the '80s, they've become some of the most influential drum sounds in modern music. Used not just in dance tracks but across genres from Rap, House, Techno and Trance, they have earned their place in music culture. 

Elevating that standard with genre-defining sounds and classic effects, triggered by solid, intuitive performance controls, the TR-8 Rhythm Performer presents unprecedented live pattern manipulation, ready to make its mark on the next 30 years.

The Roland technicians have obsessively recreated every detail and nuance of the analog circuitry of their legendary rhythm machines. The AIRA TR-8 contains the boom and snap of the 808, the thud of the 909 and the robotic click of an 808 rim shot or a classic 909 snare roll. It's all here, fully reproduced based on the original design specification sheets, using newly-developed Analog Circuit Behaviour technology.

It's not just the familiar sounds that are there. Evolved for today's players, the Roland TR-8 features Tune and Decay knobs, with dedicated Attack and Comp knobs for the Bass and Snare drum modules, providing you with a greater variety of tone whether you want subtle, ambient percussion to pounding dance grooves.

There are 16 kits and 11 instrument types and the ability to mix sources connected to the external inputs. Two assignable analog outputs and full parallel outputs via USB provide total mixing flexibility.

While the new, unique Scatter function and per-step effects take the TR-8 into uncharted territory, the tweaking capabilities breathe new life into the sounds you know and love, inspired by an army of users.

Carefully designed from the ground up, the TR-8 is an instrument to be played. Every control has a solid, predictable feel, with each drum instrument having robust and, most importantly, playable faders.

When performing, lit knobs and RGB-lit buttons give real-time performance feedback and a striking on-stage presence.

Intuitive and creative pattern creation is at your fingertips, using the evolved version of the TR-REC method which originated in the TR-808 and became the standard for electronic rhythm programming. The TR-8 goes well beyond the original, seamlessly switch between programming and performance modes and introduce groovy rhythmic variations, from subtle snare fills to total glitch meltdowns.