The faders are the killer feature for jamming/live. There is a very straightforward purity to the TR-8 that is just fun. However you are stuck with TR sounds (very good ones, and actually rather flexible) and fixed track assignments. The 8S allows you to put any sound on any track, to set up track trigging to layer sounds, and use insert fx on each track to shape the sound further. You can load samples. You have a basic FM percussion engine.
This is all really good. You can do a lot with the 8S! However, I found myself spending a lot of time in the menus on the tiny screen making kits. It does take time. You can make good sounding stuff. But itās not massively enjoyable as a creative process. The Rytm is much nicer in that regard - especially if you get on with the Elektron UI for sound design / editing.
The ARmk2 also has analogue filters and overdrive and actual sampling/resampling capability - this puts it in a different category to the 8S for me.
The Rytm is the most complete machine, no doubt. But all are good. And if you like 808/909/606 sounds you can see the TR-8 as an 808 or 909 with some performance and QOL upgrades at a really nice price.
The TR-8S is a TR-8 with a feature request list thrown at it. Great box but itās down to whether you gel with separating the kit prep work from the jamming/performing.
I have found the ARmk2 to be the deepest and most enjoyable as a creative tool, but given that you are already using OT and A4, that might not be what you need.
I actually completely forgot about the Tr-6s so the baby of the 8s, with its smaller foot print to go with the it is black as well xD it has sequence and param locking, can get chords and other sounds as well as an option for Midi sequencing etc. hmmm new gear choicesā¦
FWIW while the Rytm is now my main drum machine, I ended up buying a TR-06 as an additional simple TR drum machine because I kind of missed that aspect of the TR-8. No faders but much smaller footprint and has a few other features like probability and trigger outs which are useful to me. And cool for just jamming out x0x beats.
I think this shows the capability of the TR8s quiete well, and was the vid that made me interested. From a performance point looks quiet capable. On the RYTM you load often samples anyway. (But they sound good through the filters.) If you would now couple this TR8s thing with a Vermona filter, or any other filter module?
Iāve owned a TR-8 and TR-8S, RYTM unfortunately not. A TR-8 with all the kits is still useful. As some have said, I donāt know how much I would want to pay for one though. I donāt know how esoteric the RYTM is to use, if you already know a few Elektron boxes it shouldnāt be all that unfamiliar.
Point being, if you have a decent Roland X0X sample set and load it on the RYTM I think you are getting more value for your money with the RYTM.
Just to tick of some of the items about Roland.
-I am not a Scatter hater, but in the years I owned the TR-8 and the TR-8S Scatter FX never made it to many of my final productions.
-BPM Sync/BPM control. Iāll be honest, I donāt know what you mean. Those are both fine, simple and normal on all my past/present Elektron and Roland gear. Iāve never found I prefer one over the other. I typically use an Elektron as the MIDI masterā¦but why wouldnāt you with most of Elektronās sequencer ability.
-I think the heavy sidechain kick thing has been done to death so I donāt think you are losing much there with the RYTM (does it have audio input? could you emulate something like this on the RYTM?).
Thinking about picking up a drum machine too but in no rush. Think Iām going to wait and see how the Korg Drumlogue does. I would like a Rytm but donāt think I want or need another Elektron sequencer in the mix (for my workflow at least, 2 is plenty - know others differ). I quite like the look of the AVP Ritmobox and itās big brother too. Have also thought about a 4ms Pod and a Squarp Rample to be honest tooā¦option paralysis so just gonna push what I have!
Those are m thoughts right now, but i really have nothing for basic drums and hi hats unless I want to use Octa tracks for drums. Nothing to Midi control with tho really.
I think this is your most important post thus far. It outlines a clear purpose for the new box, whichever it ends up being.
Seeing that money is capped at $350 (and respecting that), Iād say go with the TR8 or TR6s. Both will fulfill amicably the purpose you have in mind for them. Personally Iād pick the TR6S for the added flexibility and smaller form factor. Just remember that youāre not getting married to your gear, if you donāt like it you can always sell it and if you like it a lot, you can still buy another box down the line
Also a quick note: not sure about US pricing, but a fully loaded TR8 sells for around 200-250ā¬ tops here in Germany. Iāve seen them go for as low as 180ā¬. I doubt this one will be a classic, Rolandās design choices on this one donāt really line it up for that. In any case, I wouldnāt let that sort of speculation affect my purchasing decision unless thatās the sole purpose of the purchase.
What I should do is list some more gear for sale. I definitely have a pedal or 2 , a few euro modules.
I already have my Moog Voyager and a RG J-Craft Ibanez up on FB Marketplace.
