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Deal.ai › Roland
Roland
Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer

Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer

5(13 ratings)

Best price now

$387.65at eBayChecked 7 h ago

22% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 3 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission.

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Price facts

  • Lowest price today: $387.65 at eBay (checked Nov 15, 2026).
  • Checked at 3 stores.

Our take on the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer

The TR-08 is a compact recreation of the TR-808 drum machine, built with Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior modeling rather than real analog circuits. It keeps the 808's 16 pads and hands-on controls for tone, level, tuning and decay, and adds a compressor, gain, tune and pan per instrument. A 16-step sequencer with 16 sub-steps handles rolls and detailed patterns, and it runs on USB power or four AA batteries with a small built-in speaker. Buyers rate it highly for its sound and portability; the main gripes are a thin-sounding speaker and a learning curve at the start.

Best forProducers wanting 808 sounds without a vintage unitBeatmakers who work away from a deskFans of hands-on step sequencingAnyone adding 808 drums to a DAW setup
Pros
  • Authentic 808-style drum voices with real weight
  • Hands-on tone, level, tuning and decay per instrument
  • 16-step sequencer with 16 sub-steps for rolls
  • Runs on AA batteries or USB power
  • Built-in speaker for sketching patterns anywhere
  • Metal front panel and included DK-01 dock
Cons
  • Built-in speaker sounds thin
  • Step and tap write modes take time to learn
  • Only one factory drum kit onboard
  • Small 1/8-inch audio connections need adapters
  • No individual analog outputs; separate outs go through USB audio

Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer prices at every store

  • Guitar CenterNew

    In stock

    $494.99Free shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit Guitar Center
  • Musician's FriendNew

    In stock

    $494.99Checked 7 h ago
    Visit Musician's Friend
  • eBayPre-owned

    Availability unknownSold by jonathankempo (0% positive, 196 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $380.00+ $16.58 shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by abstractgoodies (94.6% positive, 282 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $387.65+ $15.00 shippingChecked 7 h ago
    Visit eBay

Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer price history

Lowest price we've seen: $494.99 on Nov 15 at Guitar Center. Tracked across 2 stores since Nov 15.

What reviewers say

  • 5 / 513 ratings

Buyers give it top marks for sound quality and ease of use once learned, and several say its drums have more weight than software emulations. The built-in speaker is the most common complaint, along with a tricky first few sessions.

What people mention
  • SoundPraisedOwners say the drum voices have real weight and beat software emulations.
  • BuildPraisedBuyers describe the unit as good quality with a solid metal front panel.
  • Ease of useMixedUsers find it easy once learned but tricky in the beginning.
  • SpeakerCriticisedThe built-in speaker is handy for portability but sounds thin.
  • SequencingPraisedThe 16-step sequencer with sub-steps is valued for rolls and detailed patterns.

From Guitar Center

  • Ultracompact recreation of the legendary TR-808 drum machine
  • Hands-on control including tone, level, tuning and decay
  • Added Compressor, Gain, Tune and Pan for selected instruments
  • Programmable via classic Step and Tap write modes
  • Sequencer has 16 steps with 16 sub-steps for detailed patterns and rolls
  • LED display for easier navigation and fine control of tempo and shuffle
Sizing
It's tricky in the beginning, but don't give up (reviewer note on learning curve).
Returns
45 Day Returns
In the box
DK-01 Boutique Dock

About the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer

It has a metal front panel and 16 pads.

It runs on four AA batteries or USB power and has a built-in powered mini-speaker. The DK-01 Boutique Dock is included.

Sound generation
Analog
Sequencer
16 steps with 16 sub-steps
Pads
16
Drum kits
1 factory drum kit
Construction
Metal front panel
Power
4 x AA batteries or USB power
Speaker
Built-in powered mini-speaker
Separate outputs
Ten separate outputs via USB audio
MIDI
1 x 5-pin DIN input, 1 x 5-pin DIN output
USB
1 x Micro-USB (host connection, MIDI)
Audio
1/8" (3.5 mm) headphone
In the box
DK-01 Boutique Dock

What buyers say

Buyers like
  • Good quality
  • Easy to use
  • Functional
  • Improves sound
  • Onboard speaker adds portability
  • Sounds have real weight compared to software
Buyers complain about
  • Onboard speaker doesn't have the greatest sound quality
  • Tricky to learn in the beginning

Specifications

Sequencer steps
16 steps with 16 sub-stepsSource
Separate outputs
Ten separate outputs via USB audioSource
Power source
Battery-operated (4 x AA) or USB poweredSource
Built-in speaker
Built-in powered mini-speakerSource
Construction

Questions and answers

Is the TR-08 analog like the original 808?
No. It uses Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior modeling to recreate the 808 circuits digitally. The sound is close, but it is not a true analog machine.
Can I use it without a computer?
Yes. It runs on four AA batteries or USB power, has a built-in speaker, and sequences patterns on its own. A computer is only needed for USB audio and MIDI work.
Does it have separate outputs for each drum?
It has ten separate outputs, but they are carried over USB audio, not physical jacks. The hardware itself has a stereo 1/8-inch output and a headphone jack.
How does it compare with the TR-09 or a software 808?
It is the 808 counterpart to Roland's TR-09, which recreates the 909. Against software, owners say the hardware has more weight and hands-on control, but software offers more kits and no speaker limitations.
What comes in the box?
The unit ships with the DK-01 Boutique Dock. Batteries and cables are not listed as included.
Can I connect it to other gear?
Yes. It has 5-pin MIDI in and out plus micro-USB for MIDI and audio. The 1/8-inch audio jacks may need adapters for standard 1/4-inch gear.
Where is the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer cheapest?
At eBay, for $387.65, 22% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
What do buyers say about the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer?
Rated 5 out of 5 from 13 ratings. Buyers like: Good quality; Easy to use; Functional. Common complaints: Onboard speaker doesn't have the greatest sound quality; Tricky to learn in the beginning.
Where can I buy the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer?
3 stores we checked sell it, including Guitar Center, Musician's Friend, eBay.

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Stores we've priced the Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer at

  • Guitar Center deals and prices

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metal front panelSource
Included dock
DK-01 Boutique DockSource
MIDI I/O
1x DIN 5-Pin Input, 1x DIN 5-Pin OutputSource
USB I/O
1x Micro-USB (Host Connection, MIDI)Source
Audio I/O
1/8" (3.5 mm) / 1/8" (3.5 mm) HeadphoneSource
Number of pads
16x PadSource
Sound generation
AnalogSource
Factory drum kits
1x Factory Drum KitSource
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