Yamaha RX8
Digital Rhythm Programmer

The RX8 is a typical PCM-based, late '80s digital drum machine - that followed the footsteps of the granddaddy RX5.  The RX8 features 43 PCM voices in its ROM, sampled at an impressive - for the time - 16bit, and a generous amount of buttons for programming it.

There are 12 rubberized pads on the front panel, and even though they don't respond to velocity, they are pleasantly comfortably to play.  There are also some (basic) effects, such as detune, expand, and reverse.

The character of this drum machine is typical of the 1980s, with the obligatory "big" snares, DX7 brass hits and slap bass, quirky percussion, "cannon" toms, etc.

These are the two factory song demos on the Yamaha RX8:

00 PIRATES. ....... a very happy tune, expertly programmed

01 DOWNBEAT .... powerful number, with cool bass action

And this is the factory pattern demo of a few classic pop, rock and Latin patterns obtainable on this machine:

00 SAMPLPTN ..... a selection of powerful rock, pop, Latin and funk patterns.

Here's a list of all 43 waveforms available in the RX8's ROM:

Available at www.yamaha.com

Power up while keeping the "STOP/CONTINUE", the "-1/NO" and the "+1/YES" buttons pressed at the same time:  the display will show "Initialize R X 8!"  - release the buttons.

You can also load the factory song and pattern demos by pressing the "ACCENT" button while powering up.