Roland R8 vs R-70

[Skillet]

These look really similar but I've never used either. What kinds of features make the difference? Why does vse value the R-70 so much more but ebay value them the same? How do they compare to other drum machines, or an mpc? Compare me up!

[devetron]

I have an R-70.
R-70 benefits over the R8:
Rubber pads instead of plastic, the positional pad (you can assign different parameters to the position on the pad, like pitch, etc.), backlit display, more available ROM samples (R8 needs cartridges to expand the sound set.)

R8 over the R-70
8 Individual outs (R-70 has stereo outs and two assignable outs), larger graphic pattern display (x0x style).
The R8 Mk II has more sounds available than the original.

R-70s pattern sequencer in step mode can sequence different parameters for each step, creating really varied and unique patterns -- I don't know if the R8 can do that or not.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Both are considered to be among the best rompler drum machines ever made. They were Roland's flagship models at the time (early 90s?). Neither has any sampling capabilities, like the MPCs.
I sequence my E-Mu rack sampler with my R-70 to solve that though.

[wiss]

never owned an R-70 would've liked too, I had an R-8mkII and R-5, I loved them them to death....

There really is no comparing them to an MPC, the MPC is the MPC.

I think the R8 is the best ROM drum machine ever built. It's a shame that you can not have more ROM sounds via the ROM CARDS(making new cards somehow), or someone hasn't figured how to do it, my god that would be f**k awesome.

If you get an R8(mkII) make sure you get all the ROM disk and RAM card to save sequences.

[Z]

I think the R8 is the best ROM drum machine ever built. It's a shame that you can not have more ROM sounds via the ROM CARDS(making new cards somehow), or someone hasn't figured how to do it, my god that would be f**k awesome.

Same goes for thr R-8M. If someone could figure out how to expand the ROM sounds, we could breathe new life into these (once) great machines.

I just scored a couple more ROM cards today (Dry & Contemporary Percussion) and I'll try to make a video of their demo songs. Here's a video I made a few months ago of the R-8M's demo song and those of 6 PCM cards:

[Skillet]

this is some useful info, didn't know about the need for ram cards to save things. also xox style would be appealing to have in addition to step/realtime. I read some stuff about sloppy timing with midi, is that true, or is it just people turning on the random timing/human feel stuff by accident?

my mpc question was just because both have an assignable slider and the ability to sequence parameters like pitch, decay, etc, thought there might be some similarities in how it feels to sequence.

spaghett!