Captain Pikant

Roland TR-8S Cheat Sheet

Added 2024-06-25 13:31:30 +0000 UTC

We had the chance to loan a TR-8S for a few days especially to make a Cheat Sheet :) This one was frequently requested, so we hope it's useful to you!

We won't be making a review on it because basically everything said in our TR-6S review also applies to its bigger sibling. As an addendum to that here are my thoughts on the topic TR-8S vs. TR-6S:

Advantages TR-8S

11 instead of 6 tracks
Easier, more straightforward operation simply due to the higher number of controls (most importantly dedicated buttons for variations A-H and performance controls for every track)
Better build quality
Mixer screen which gives you a convenient overview and control of a parameter across all tracks (e.g. panning or reverb send level)
You can adjust step velocities directly by holding a step and turning the ACCENT LEVEL knob
Individual outs
External audio inputs which can be sidechained to the internal instruments
One velocity sensitive pad for playing and recording (though I'm not a fan of the sensitivity curve)

Advantages TR-6S

Compact, portable, battery-powered
The VALUE knob is a push-encoder, which is really comfortable to use because you don't need the TR-8S's additional ENTER button, you just press the knob to confirm
It has an EXIT button which allows you to leave menus and for example also cancel editing a pattern or kit name
More affordable

If anything in the Cheat Sheet should be unclear, if you find an error or you feel like something is missing just drop us a line - either here in the comments or via PM. Click here to see a list of all Captain Pikant Cheat Sheets.