The Roland T-8 is a portable beat machine from the AIRA Compact range that combines six rhythm tracks loaded with TR-808, TR-909, and TR-606 drum sounds alongside a TB-303-style bass synthesizer. Powered by Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, it delivers genuine Roland drum machine character and acid bass in a battery-powered, palm-sized instrument.

ACB Rhythm Engine

The T-8 distills Roland's most iconic rhythm and bass machines into a single ultra-portable device. Six drum tracks provide kick, snare, clap, tom, closed hi-hat, and open hi-hat voices modeled after the TR-808, TR-909, and TR-606, each with tuning and decay controls. The dedicated bass track offers sawtooth and square waveforms with hands-on filter cutoff, resonance, envelope mod, decay, and accent controls derived from the TB-303, delivering authentic squelching acid lines. Programming happens through the classic TR-REC step sequencer with 64 user patterns of up to 32 steps each, plus real-time recording for capturing live performances. Advanced features include probability per step, sub-steps for complex rhythms, velocity control, step loop for on-the-fly variations, pattern shift, fill, and mute. Onboard effects include delay, reverb, overdrive, and sidechain compression, with per-part send levels for mixing wet and dry signals. The T-8 connects to other AIRA Compacts via AIRA Link, supports TRS MIDI in/out, and provides class-compliant USB-C audio/MIDI for integration with DAWs and mobile devices.

Specifications

• Sound Engine: ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior)
• Tracks: 6 rhythm (Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Hand Clap, Tom, Closed Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat) + 1 bass
• User Patterns: 64
• Step Sequencer: 32 steps per pattern
• Effects: Delay, Reverb, Overdrive, Sidechain Compression
• Display: 7-segment, 4-character LED
• Connectors: Sync in/out (1/8"), Mix in/out / headphones (1/8" stereo), MIDI in/out (1/8" TRS), USB-C (audio/MIDI)
• Power: Rechargeable lithium-ion battery (approx. 4.5 hrs, 3 hr charge time) or USB bus power
• Dimensions: 7-7/16" x 4-3/16" x 1-7/16" (188 x 106 x 36.2 mm)
• Weight: 11 oz (310 g, including battery)

In the Box

• Roland T-8
• USB Type-C to USB Type-A cable
• "Read Me First" leaflet