MORE ARTICLE WITH Roland TR-8S

25. May 2026

Woody Piano Shack’s Gear Bloodbath: Tier Rankings, Regrets, and $1,000 Down the Drain

Think your GAS is wild? Woody Piano Shack just did the unthinkable: tier-ranked every synth, groovebox, and drum machine from his three-year gear binge – and tallied the financial carnage. Expect honesty, sarcasm, and a brutal breakdown of what slaps, what flops, and how much cash went up in smoke. Woody’s style is all about no-nonsense keyboard fun, and here he spills the beans on workflow disasters, surprise legends, and the harsh sting of gear guilt. If you want to know which box is a secret rave weapon and which is just a plastic regret, this is your new gospel

Akai MPC One, Arturia MicroFreak, Behringer Model D, Behringer TD-3, Boss FS6, Boss RC 500, Boss RC-1, Boss RC-10R, Boss RC-202, Korg Minilogue, Korg Minilogue XD, Korg Monologue, Korg Wavestate, Novation Bass Station 2, Roland Aira Compact J-6, Roland AIRA Compact S-1, Roland Aira Compact T-8, Roland Boutique SH-01, Roland D05, Roland JD-08, Roland K-25M, Roland MC-101, Roland SE-02, Roland TB-03, Roland TR-8S, Soundcraft Mix 8, Teenage Engineering EP-133 KO II, Teenage Engineering OP-1, Teenage Engineering OP-Z

3. March 2026

SPARKY

Liam Killen

Liam Killen Throws Down: TR-1000 vs TR-8S – Which Drum Machine Rules the Rave Bunker?

Liam Killen, Montreal’s groovebox guru, is back in the lab with a head-to-head drum machine brawl: the mighty TR-1000 versus the tried-and-tested TR-8S. This isn’t your average spec-sheet snooze fest—Killen slices through the hype, showing where each box slaps, where it stumbles, and why your wallet might cry. Expect sharp insights, hands-on demos, and a few curveballs as he puts both Roland beasts through their paces. If you’re torn between flagship firepower and portable punch, strap in—this one’s for the serious beat freaks.

Roland TR-1000, Roland TR-8S

23. February 2026

LUMINA

Voltage Labs

Voltage Labs Illuminates Jennifer Loveless: A Studio of Sonic Migration

Step into the liminal space where analog warmth meets digital clarity, as Voltage Labs invites us into the creative nebula of Jennifer Loveless. In this studio visit, sound is not just crafted—it’s unearthed, coaxed from machines both storied and new. Loveless’s process is a dance of intuition and experiment, her gear collection a constellation reflecting years of movement and reinvention. Voltage Labs, ever the chronicler of musical storytelling, captures not only the tactile details of her setup but the emotional undercurrents that shape her music. Prepare to drift through a world where each note is a memory, and every machine

Akai Professional MPC Live III, Roland TR-8S, Soma The Pipe Black

8. December 2025

TAS

Defmod Network

Defmod Network’s Hybrid Rig: Where Synths Meet Six Strings and Chaos Ensues

Ever wondered what happens when you throw a sampler, a classic Telecaster, and a synth beast into a blender, then hand it to a livewire like Defmod Network? Mate, you get a hybrid setup that’s as unpredictable as Melbourne weather and twice as fun. In this wild tour, Ted Reyes (aka Defmod Network) walks us through his live performance rig—a mad scientist’s concoction of electronic and rock gear, all primed for on-the-fly jams and spontaneous sonic detours. If you’re keen on setups that can handle both a sweaty mosh pit and a synth nerd’s living room, strap in. This one’s

Behringer UB-Xa, Fender '52 Telecaster, Novation 49SL MKIII, Positive Grid Spark 40, Roland TR-8S, Teenage Engineering EP-133 KO II

19. September 2025

SPARKY

Liam Killen

Why LiamKillen Thinks the TR-8S Still Reigns Supreme

Dive into LiamKillen’s rhythmic exploration of the Roland TR-8S. With his expert touch in electronic music, he dissects why this piece of gear continues to be a favourite among producers. Expect sharp insights, some hard truths about its shortcomings, and a celebration of its strengths. It’s about beats, limitations, and why the TR-8S still stands tall.

Roland TR-8S

2. August 2025

JET

Starsky Carr

StarskyCarr Takes on the TR-808 Legend

In a dazzling synth battle, StarskyCarr pits the legendary Roland TR-808 against its modern counterparts, the TR-8S and Behringer RD-8. With his trademark detailed style, Starsky reveals whether these new kids on the block can truly capture the magic of the original 808. Will they stand the test or fall flat on their circuit boards?

Behringer RD-8, Roland TR-808, Roland TR-8S