I Returned My Roland T-8 After 1 Month | Here's Why 

A software update that allows you to change drum sounds would be awesome and make this thing much better

I have had my T-8 about a month. Probably one of the easiest music making machines I have ever used. I haven't even downloaded the instructions manual, just read the bit about saving new patterns. Easy to do 'live' bass lines. I actually love the compact size. I also have Roland TR-8, TR-06 , TB-03, Behringer TD-3, but the T-8 is my go to machine when I fancy making a tune. I sometimes then transfer the rhythm and bass lines to these machines. I will probably enjoy the T-8 even more when I do download the instructions.

Fair enough! I love my T-8 as a portable drum machine. I admit, I use it mostly for playing the same patterns for comping when I am jamming on synths. My main critizism is that the sidechain is not applied to the line-in. This would have made it perfect for me!

As an absolute synth beginner, it’s much different for me. The value proposition of a drum machine and a 303 in one little, mobile box, with minimal controls, and jacks for wires that I already have, is a helluva gateway drug. And due to my inexperience, the sound flaws and missing instruments don’t bother me as much. I call VCV Rack “my Time Machine” because I can open it and suddenly I’m three hours into the future. The same thing happens when I turn the T-8 on… so from my perspective even the anemic battery life is a net positive 😅

Despite being a modular junkie with a monster system, i love the t8 and s1. They cost nothing and I Play with them on the go and enjoy them. Couple of days ago I had a dj gig and added the t8 and it was lots of fun. I synced the t8 to minifreack and that alone was enough to get some fat tunes. I agree that the tuning knobs are doing not that much, but what to expect from a 166 euro device? I really enjoy these series more than the volcas. And let’s not forget these are new devices, there will be tons of updates and improvements.

I would have kept it just for the 303 alone! The fact that its ALSO a hybrid TR drum machine makes this thing a no brainer! Go get one! (just my humble opinion of course)

Hi, it's now almost two months since I bought my T-8 and I still haven't bothered to print out the manual. I just watch RU-vid videos or randomly press buttons and go "Wow" when something wonderful happens. Still the easiest sequencer I have ever used. So much easier and instant compared to my TB-03. Yes, it is limited as to what it can do with regards to sounds, but those sounds are pretty good. I still mostly use it for the bass synth and sequencer. Sync it with my other machines, Roland TR-8 and Korg Volca Drum. I just wish Roland would bring out an Aira bass machine (not the T-3 touchscreen) with more knobs to adjust the sounds and with exactly the same simple sequencer function.

Great honest review. Thank you so much!

Good video on this thank you for sharing your opinions

had it quite a while - it's pretty impressive overall .. done a few tracks with it now. also got the S-1 recently.. i'd lie to see a firmware update for the t-8 to bring it inline with the s-1 hopes: 64 step sequencer - same as S-1 probability steps for the bass section like the s-1 has. automation lanes for the bass section - would be fantastic

Like the S-1, this is also excellent. Between the 2, you can make entire tracks that sound pretty dope, with no outboard effects.

Ground loop isolator when powering from mains might eliminate the noise.

Hi …So nice of you to have made this video! My question around comparing T8 with volcas for a guitarist. So I recently got the T8 as my first drum machine. I am a guitarist trying to create a lofi jazz music (where previously I will take drums samples from splice and then compose jazz chords and solo on top of it). I wanted to get away from the DAW and got this box. I also have the SP404MK2. I played around with the T8 for a day learning and creating and within 24 hours I felt I could not use this for my regular music production because the sounds felt very acid/techno focussed. I was trying to create jazz and bossanova drum patterns. Also, I felt I can’t time-stretch the same note say over the (e,&,a) like I could on a DAW. I was struggling to understand how to do this and could not find a way. It felt like each beat tightly snaps to the pads and they can’t be extended or clubbed. If I want the same best on both 1 and e, and I place them on both then they are separate best and not the same beat over both of them. Which makes the beats very rigid. I tried decay and ascent on the notes but they are not able to solve the problem. Was there something I missed here? Anyway, I have now scheduled a return for the T8 because I felt limited with the sound. Instead I ordered, the volca drums and the volca sample 2, because I did not know which one will solve my problem (I will return one of them) I basically want to create rock/blues/jazz type on drums on this. Or even if that’s not fully possible, create beats which are not fully acid like the T8, but something where I can play ambient, post rock/indie rock type of guitar on top of it. Will you have any recommendations on how I should approach this ? And also among the T8, drum and sample2, which one will be the ideal one for me to pair with my sp404mk2 ? BTW, I had a lot of fun with the T8 for the 24 hours it was with me. I was pretty productive and also did a acid/techno ish live set :) So returning it felt bad in way. But I felt it was not going to help me create the type of sound I was chasing.

Ground Loops are a Huge problem interfacing through USB, especially to a laptop with no Earth Ground. Arturia packs Ground Loop Interruptor with their Beatstep Pro.

I fixed the humming issue with my MC 101. I did have the MC 101 coneected this way ....L&R stereo outputs to Mixer with USB powering it is where i had the humming issues. After disconnecting the L&R outputs to my mixer & just using the USB audio from the MC 101 & certain settings in Windows fixed this.

I say this with kindness. You look a tad like the lovechild of me and Jorb here. Haha.

If you are looking for a nice, portable drum machine, look at the Roland TR6S. It has most of the sounds and functionality of the TR8S (one of the best drum machines on the market), but is more compact and considerably cheaper. Also, while it is USB powered, Roland has apparently licked the ground loop problems that plague other USB powered devices. As a bonus, in a pinch it can run on a set of AA batteries (but not for long).

I don't have ( and won't get ) T-8 as I already have a MC-101 which, for the price of 3 compacts, is leagues ahead of the game. I did buy a S-1 and while disappointed at first, it has become useful to my set-up. I think the other compacts have quite a limited use and even a beginner will get bored of it and quickly out grow them. I have always found it best to buy something to allow margin for person growth in sound design. I did this with my Blofeld ( bought around 10 years ago ) and it still amazes and surprises me.

I think speakers would be useless. Small speakers typically have bad sound which is case of Volca. External speaker or headphones sounds better and eats less battery.

Thanks for letting us know.

I bought a used one on Reverb. Should be here Thursday. I got it so that I can whip it out on my lunchbreak at work, or maybe the coffee shop.

Greetings from France.😉 I think that this instrument has its real usefulness when traveling, to associate with the Roland S1 and to make music in unlikely places like on the edge of the Ocean, in the mountains, in a prehistoric cave,where there is no electricity,but where there is inspiration. And maybe also, to go back to the origin of House Music in Detroit, "making music in your kitchen" with the minimum of instruments.......! and also for inventive people who don’t have much money.....! No...?🤔 😉

Thank you for an good and honest review! 👍

I had fun with the keys one, but ultimately got rid of it for the same reasons. I think paired up they would work great though.

You would probably enjoy the S-1 more, or the SH-4d, IMHO. Maybe TR-6S if you want a small drum machine.

Been looking into the T-8 I really love my E4 (more than my VT-4 - and cheaper) thanks for the review/overview!

Wait, you used it extensilvely for a month, how can you return it?

yeah think your more an advanced user than who that's being pitched at but for that beginner trying to work out are synths something they want to get into.... i think it looks pretty good, its like you could get that on its own and already start making simple acid-ish tunes, and thats pretty cool

The T8 can be linked up to anything as a side drum and its a lil beast. You might of got a bad battery? never record with them being USB powered its groundloop noise. The 303 is super cool on board FX. You should of sat it on a shelf then pulled it out 6 months later. Look into the TR 6s it does exactly what you described you wished it did, Cheers anyways different strokes for different folks nah mean stay up and keep jamming ✌

I almost not bought it because of the noise you experienced! Mine was totally silent... I also dont use the cable in the box. Used a super short c to c on a powerbar with c output, maybe your circuit was noisy? Anyways, the rest of you review convinced me to get it but I would totally returned it if i experienced the same noise! Thanks for the review! 😎

great video, thank you! earned my sub :)

Good review very honest

There are things missing that wouldn’t be fully apparent until buying it … like being able to tweak the accent

sent it after 1 month. the manufacturers are being taken for a ride

s1 sounds good I'm currently really liking the Roland SH-4D

USB noise is the scourge of current music tech

I was so tempted to buy this when I first heard about it, but having watched a few more reviews I decided it's just too limited to be really useful. I want more of a choice of drum sounds, a bigger pitch range on the samples, and pitchable hats. There's also something off about the acid. Can't quite put my finger on it but it just seems rather flat-sounding and uninspiring. It doesn't quite sing the way it should. Such a shame - the concept of a tiny one-box acid&drums machine is an absolute dream come true, but seems like they cut too many corners to bring the price down. I'd happily pay more for a better one.

I sampled mine before I sold it.

I have the J-6 CHORD SYNTH & cant say i have any probs with noise humming from it, however i have a MC 101 which does cause humming over USB ..this seems to be a grounding issue.

Interesting review. Im about to get one soon (tomorrow). I love to give it a spin. Run it with a mobile setup.

Dank U 4 opinion

Thanx TA. I agree about the choice of drum voices. Not a fan of that 606 snare sound. Compared to say the Behringer 606 clone, which is a cheaper, at least the Roland has swing even if it has no individual outs and trs midi. It's all compromise at this price point. If portability (and a bonus bass sequencer) is not an absolute must, then I would advise paying double and getting tr 6s, the RD 9 or even the dbi. If price is the factor, what about a Volca Drum or Sample 2? Keep posting.

You would be a better fit for the TR-6s or the TR-8s.

I'm considering buying one just for the 303 sound with the modern sequencer. I need more acid in my breakbeats, and the TB-3 is getting harder to find. The drum sounds are just a bonus to jam with, but won't be used in recording.

A lot of music equipment can be seen and is often marketed as one trick ponies. Far enough they want to pitch gear to what ever the current trend in music is, but all too often they fail to demonstrate it can have applications for other styles or genres which leads to the conclusion these devices are limited in what they can do.

I have a problem with people returning things that work as advertised and are not defective. You used it for a month and thought, meh, not for me. People like this cause the price to go up for the rest of us. Sell your meh items second hand from now on.

If it had more drum kits to choose from it would be awesome

If it costs less than 100 US DOLLARS, then it seems worth getting. Wish it had a silver case though.

Hi, which instrument would you recommend instead of the t8? Thanks!

The noise seems to be a thing with Roland. I returned my MC101 for that same reason

When you left it connected after charging and experienced noise, was it connected to a computer or to an AC adapter? Where was the noise heard from, the MIX OUT or USB Audio?

I love the t8 its not perfect but its pretty handy but extremely easy to use i don't like the hihats really and it sucks theres no pattern chaining but its fun iv got the j6 coming and hopefully the s1 too

I bought the J-6 as soon as it came out, quickly added a T-8, and when the S-1 dropped I was quick to get that as well. After spending some time playing with them, I began to get irritated with their shortcomings. I recently got a TD-3, TD-3-MO and RD-6 and find the sounds to be much beefier and more satisfying. Things I didn't like about the Aira Compacts include the labeling being insanely hard to read, the 303 sounding thin and weak, the sequencer not being able to chain patterns, the self-noise and the TRS MIDI being the opposite standard of just about every other TRS MIDI device on the market. I may hold on to the S-1 just as a synth engine, but the T-8 and J-6 are going away for sure.

If it is good for a 'beginner', i'd expect you would like it ;)

Damn I just ordered it before seeing this. I have a PO-33 and J-6 and I wanted some drum machine under 200 usd and I hate changing batteries so I pick T-8 and not Volca. I am little scared about the T-8 having only one kick. Will I be able to connect it as a midi controller to FL Studio and use drum sounds from my PC ? I know I can easily controll synths with my J-6 but could I do somethin similiar with T-8 ? (J-6 is controlling only one instrument in FL Studio, so my question is if I can controll multiple sounds (drum/hat/snare etc.) sounds with my T-8 as a midi)

it may be usefull if you take the bus & you try to make some marks, inspired by the vieuw of a city or nature, it's like a small paper notebook to write an idea, but to finish something on 2 hours with a lot of limits, i could be better the you let yourselfs inspire on those short trips by people, the vieuw & use those things when you are at home a tr8s is small & has it all; I think the t8 would end up in a drwawer after you used it. Same thing with the mini versions of the gear they have. If you are sitting on the beach with overear headphone sweating like hell. A batterie that last for very small time, it should be better to enjoy the beach, go swimming & put the emotions of the day in music at home.

I'm looking for a simple drum plus bass synth. This one seems to hit the mark. Can the Volcas run two tracks like this one?

where are you returning it to?

would this preclude you from getting the s-1? people seem to like that one....

Mines as quite as a door mouse!

I hear ya friend . It still amazes me that someone can’t just come up with something cool and new

Volcas>Rolcas, imo.

I don't know exactly why but I dislike that pard too. It sound not good.

Seems like you didn't really knew what you've bought, don't understand what you're complaining about, not talking about the price ....(around 100€ used).

i got one a few days ago. 1st. the echo/reverb are HORRID! 2nd. Can you live/real-time record rhythms or bass lines in, for when you don't want step-sequencing to get in the way of an on-the-fly? I'd rather be able to tap notes into it's bass section, live, like playing simple piano basslines. And I can always tweak it later via what's saved on the step srquencer. Is there any romote controller for it? Like a desktop interface? The 303 sound that it hits me with by default seems nice enough. Though I haven't noticed how or if it changes voice. Yet. The case feels a little too toy-like maybe. But it's just not as instinctive (for me) to get into the guts of, like tr-8, and tb-3. Within a week or two, i knew the tb-3's ''on-the-surface'' basics inside out. And didn't take me too long to get into more ''under-the-hood'' techniques with it, or the tr-8, with just the odd glance at their online bumph. So, for me, the t8's ways of being operated look as if they could be a but slow for me. So far. I

Stop putting gear down if you’re not going to use it and waste everyone time. Is your life so empty. This little machine fits in so many different workflows including my modular. These YT characters like you are disappearing slowly… but not fast enough.

I wish Volcas had lithium batteries and they get rid of their speaker because it is shit. Richer sounds yes.

Absolutely hate gear using batteries,,,always feel the battery on way out from the start! lol...much prefer mains power.