--- product_id: 147977614 title: "Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer" brand: "roland" price: "£36.19" currency: GBP in_stock: false reviews_count: 5 url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/147977614-roland-tr-08-rhythm-composer store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Battery-powered for true portability Compact 35.56 x 17.78 x 8.89 cm Authentic TR-808 sound engine Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer **Brand:** roland **Price:** £36.19 **Availability:** ❌ Out of Stock ## Summary > 🎶 Take the legendary TR-08 beats wherever your hustle goes! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer by roland - **How much does it cost?** £36.19 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Currently out of stock - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/147977614-roland-tr-08-rhythm-composer) ## Best For - roland enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted roland brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Compact Yet Mighty:** Sleek dimensions fit perfectly in your workspace or backpack for spontaneous sessions. - • **Seamless Connectivity:** Auxiliary connector lets you integrate effortlessly with your existing gear. - • **Iconic Sound, Anywhere:** Experience legendary TR-808 beats on the go with a lightweight, portable design. - • **Built for the Beatmakers:** Authentic Roland craftsmanship packed into a modern, travel-ready package. - • **Power Up Your Creativity:** Runs on 2 AA batteries—no outlet needed, so your rhythm never stops. ## Overview The Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer is a portable, battery-powered drum machine that faithfully recreates the iconic TR-808 sound. Compact and lightweight at just 1.36 kg, it features an auxiliary connector for easy integration with other audio equipment, making it the perfect tool for producers and performers who demand classic beats on the move. ## Description The TR-08 is an obsessively detailed and faithful of the legendary TR-808-easily the most famous and influential drum machine ever made. After creating a monumental shift in the sound of music, the "808" has continued to shape and define entire genres. Beloved by musicians and producers the world over, it's one of the most revered and sought-after electronic musical instruments of all time. The TR-08 brings the look, sound, and feel of the 808-with stunning accuracy-to the Boutique format. It blends attention to detail and respect for legacy with modern convenience and reliability. Review: Accessible and Professional - Just about anybody can learn the basics of the Roland TR-08 drum machine. The functions are vast but operating this awesome little drum machine is easy. It should be easy to learn most of the functions with just a few short video tutorials online. There are plenty of storage segments and an A & B 16 beat drum line (each) on every storage number (12 total plus 4 fills) makes for a useful and easily accessible array of customizable patterns. I hooked up the rig via auxiliary jack to a bass guitar amp and it sounded great! This is an awesome jam tool and creative device. While it is easy to operate, it is complicated enough that you probably cannot play this very effectively at the same time as another instrument. If you pre-program your beats, dual instrument use may be possible but you may find you need a dedicated musician (or aspiring musician) to make the most of the TR-08 in context of a band. The rhythm always being perfect with a customizable exact tempo is a valuable aspect of the device. I can imagine that even young kids can figure this out and jam along with you. The unit itself has some weight and feels very well-built. Regardless of genre (I'm a rock/indie/alt guitar player), I think this is a great piece for creative fun and professional sounds. The easy-to-master user interface is a key selling point and the quality sound makes the TR-08 a great little instrument. Review: Sonido clásico es una maravilla - Excelente ## Features - Portable ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B074PK61ST | | Best Sellers Rank | #39,413 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #44 in Electronic Drum Sets | | Body Material | Plastic | | Brand | Roland | | Brand Name | Roland | | Colour | black | | Connector Type | Auxiliary | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 124 Reviews | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00761294511466 | | Item Dimensions | 35.6 x 17.8 x 8.9 Centimeters | | Item Weight | 3 Pounds | | Item dimensions L x W x H | 35.6 x 17.8 x 8.9 Centimeters | | Material | Metal | | Material Type | Metal | | Model Name | TR 8 | | Model Number | TR-08 | | Part Number | TR-08 | | Set Name | TR | | UPC | 632317252096 761294511466 632317250832 | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Roland - **Model Name:** TR 8 - **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 35.6 x 17.8 x 8.9 Centimeters - **Item Weight:** 1.36 kg - **Body Material:** Plastic ## Images ![Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IXFTBCPrL.jpg) ![Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61WwJSuGMOL.jpg) ![Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31iOc-NHEXL.jpg) ![Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613rrKt6GIL.jpg) ![Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IIPf80R4L.jpg) ## Questions & Answers **Q: Does it need anything else out of the box to get started and is it easy enough for a beginner to use and enjoy?** A: You will need headphones or a powered speaker of some type. But everything else is built in and ready for the road. **Q: What is the 808 sound? Which bands/artists used it?** A: The 808 also saw extensive use beyond hip hop, such as on Whitney Houston's 1987 pop hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)".28 In the 1984 Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense, singer David Byrne performs "Psycho Killer" on acoustic guitar accompanied by an 808,29 stumbling against its "gunshot"-like sounds.30 Songwriter Phil Collins found the machine useful for looping rhythms for long periods, since human drummers would be tempted to add variations and fills.26 Chris Norris of The New Yorker wrote that "the introduction of Roland's magic box was indisputably the big bang of pop's great age of disruption, from 1983 to 1986. The 808's defiantly inorganic timbres ... sketched out the domain of a new world of music."8 In the United Kingdom, the 808 was popularized by the electronic group 808 State, who took their name from the machine9 and used it extensively. 808 State's Graham Massey said, "The Roland gear began to be a kind of Esperanto in music. The whole world began to be less separated through this technology, and there was a classiness to it—you could transcend your provincial music with this equipment."2 With the rise of rave culture, a precursor to acid house, the 808 became a staple sound on British radio.3 Rapper Kanye West working in a studio The 808 continues to be used in popular music; rapper Kanye West (front) used it on every track on his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak. Rapper Kanye West used the 808 on every track on his 2008 album 808s & Heartbreak,31 which Slate described as "an explicit love letter to the device".7 Other artists who have used the 808 include Bassnectar, Damon Albarn, Diplo, Fatboy Slim, David Guetta,32 and New Order.3 It has been referenced in lyrics by artists including the Beastie Boys, Outkast, Kelis, TI, Lil Wayne, Britney Spears, Beyoncé, R Kelly,3 and Robbie Williams.9 Its bass drum has been used as a metaphor for a heartbeat in songs by artists including Madonna, Rihanna, and Kesha. **Q: is it midi compatible with any brand of keyboard or synthesizer?** A: The unit does have 5pin MIDI out and MIDI in. Any keyboard or synthesizer with 5pin MIDI connections should be compatible. **Q: howcome the price just dropped like 100 dollars. and how long will it stay at this price?** A: More than likely because Barringer just came out with an 808 knock off as well ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Accessible and Professional *by A***N on 6 December 2023* Just about anybody can learn the basics of the Roland TR-08 drum machine. The functions are vast but operating this awesome little drum machine is easy. It should be easy to learn most of the functions with just a few short video tutorials online. There are plenty of storage segments and an A & B 16 beat drum line (each) on every storage number (12 total plus 4 fills) makes for a useful and easily accessible array of customizable patterns. I hooked up the rig via auxiliary jack to a bass guitar amp and it sounded great! This is an awesome jam tool and creative device. While it is easy to operate, it is complicated enough that you probably cannot play this very effectively at the same time as another instrument. If you pre-program your beats, dual instrument use may be possible but you may find you need a dedicated musician (or aspiring musician) to make the most of the TR-08 in context of a band. The rhythm always being perfect with a customizable exact tempo is a valuable aspect of the device. I can imagine that even young kids can figure this out and jam along with you. The unit itself has some weight and feels very well-built. Regardless of genre (I'm a rock/indie/alt guitar player), I think this is a great piece for creative fun and professional sounds. The easy-to-master user interface is a key selling point and the quality sound makes the TR-08 a great little instrument. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sonido clásico es una maravilla *by R***X on 29 September 2021* Excelente ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Beats! *by M***J on 25 September 2020* A little pricey but worth it... I heard stories growing up how amazing the 808 drum machine. I was a DJ as a hobby. Now I have some free time and I want to expand my music. Very simple.... view you tube for tutorial. Now I purchased the SE-02 to sync a keyboard with the TR-08. ## Frequently Bought Together - Roland Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08), Black - Roland TB-03 Bass Line Boutique Synthesizer - Roland K-25M Boutique Module Dock USB MIDI Keyboard, 12-Inch --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/147977614-roland-tr-08-rhythm-composer](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/147977614-roland-tr-08-rhythm-composer) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-06-26*