--- product_id: 46291833 title: "Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08)" brand: "roland" price: "£483.08" currency: GBP in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Roland" url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/46291833-rhythm-composer-10-outputs-tr-08 store_origin: GB region: United Kingdom --- # Classic Step & Tap programmable sequencing Hands-on control: tone, level, tuning, decay 10 precise outputs for rich layering Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08) **Brand:** roland **Price:** £483.08 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🎵 Own the beat that shaped music history — compact, customizable, and ready to perform! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08) by roland - **How much does it cost?** £483.08 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/46291833-rhythm-composer-10-outputs-tr-08) ## 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 - • **Total Sonic Command:** Fine-tune every beat with dedicated controls for compressor, gain, pan, and instrument tuning. - • **Seamless DAW Integration:** Works flawlessly as a MIDI controller with Ableton, Reason, and more for live and studio flow. - • **Dynamic Pattern Variation:** Add flams, shuffle, and fills from 2 to 32 steps to keep your rhythms fresh and alive. - • **Stage-Ready Durability & Style:** Slick black finish with robust build, designed for both studio sessions and live performances. - • **Iconic 808 Sound, Modern Portability:** Ultra-compact design packs legendary TR-808 vibes into a sleek, travel-ready unit. ## Overview The Roland TR-08 Rhythm Composer is a meticulously crafted, ultra-compact replica of the legendary TR-808 drum machine. It faithfully reproduces the original’s iconic sound and interface while adding modern enhancements like compressor, gain, pan controls, and USB MIDI connectivity. Programmable via classic step and tap modes, it offers hands-on control for tone, tuning, and decay across 10 outputs. Perfect for producers and performers seeking authentic 808 vibes with contemporary flexibility. ## Description The TR-08 is an obsessively detailed and faithful replica 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 original 808—with stunning accuracy—to the Roland Boutique format. It blends attention to detail and respect for legacy with modern convenience and reliability. Review: Portable and useful modern update - Played with the real deal back in the 80's and this modernization is a well-rounded update, though NOT analog ---- it's a digital reproduction, but a darn good one. Fun to use and way cheaper than scouting for the original on the used market. Wish, like the rest of the Roland Boutique series, the outputs were ¼" instead instead of 3.5mm. Use with a portable battery bank via USB and save the headache of changing out AA batteries. Highly recommended for creating polka beats and ham sandwiches! Review: Great retro sound - small, tough, great sounding and once you get to know it, easy to program and play with on the fly. Its my favorite drum machine. I do wish it had a power in connector instead of just euro USB. But it can take batteries if the fragile USB connector breaks I will make my own connections. ## Features - Ultra-compact recreation of the legendary TR-808 drum machine - Retains the sound, character, and user interface of the original TR-808 - 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 ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B074PK61ST | | Best Sellers Rank | #27,505 in Musical Instruments ( See Top 100 in Musical Instruments ) #22 in Drum Machines | | Body Material | Plastic | | Brand Name | Roland | | Color | Black | | Connector Type | MIDI | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (130) | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00761294511466 | | Item Dimensions | 14 x 7 x 3.5 inches | | Item Type Name | TR-08 Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08) | | Item Weight | 3 Pounds | | Manufacturer | Roland | | Material | Stainless Steel | | Model Name | TR-08 | | Model Number | TR-08 | | Part Number | TR-08 | | UPC | 632317252096 761294511466 632317250832 | | Unit Count | 1.0 Count | | Warranty Description | Consumer limited warranty: 1 year parts, 90 days labor. | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Roland - **Color:** Black - **Item dimensions L x W x H:** 14 x 7 x 3.5 inches - **Material:** Stainless Steel - **Model Name:** TR-08 ## Images ![Rhythm Composer, 10 Outputs (TR-08) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IXFTBCPrL.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Pattern, Style** options. ## 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 ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Portable and useful modern update *by N***N on April 14, 2018* Played with the real deal back in the 80's and this modernization is a well-rounded update, though NOT analog ---- it's a digital reproduction, but a darn good one. Fun to use and way cheaper than scouting for the original on the used market. Wish, like the rest of the Roland Boutique series, the outputs were ¼" instead instead of 3.5mm. Use with a portable battery bank via USB and save the headache of changing out AA batteries. Highly recommended for creating polka beats and ham sandwiches! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great retro sound *by N***S on July 10, 2020* small, tough, great sounding and once you get to know it, easy to program and play with on the fly. Its my favorite drum machine. I do wish it had a power in connector instead of just euro USB. But it can take batteries if the fragile USB connector breaks I will make my own connections. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great Beats! *by M***J on September 25, 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/46291833-rhythm-composer-10-outputs-tr-08](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/46291833-rhythm-composer-10-outputs-tr-08) --- *Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom* *Store origin: GB* *Last updated: 2026-05-03*