Roland TR-909
TR-909 | |
---|---|
Monophonic | |
Oscillator | 2 |
LFO | 1 |
Synthesis type | Analog subtractive and digital sample-based subtractive |
Filter | 12/24dB resonant lowpass filter |
Aftertouch expression | No |
Velocity expression | Yes |
Storage memory | 96 patterns, 8 songs |
Effects | Individual level, tuning, attack, decay, and tone controls for some sounds |
Input/output | |
Keyboard | 16 pattern keys |
External control | MIDI in/out & DIN sync in |
Audio sample | 11 |
The Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 909, is a drum machine introduced by Roland Corporation in 1983, succeeding the TR-808. It was the first Roland drum machine to use samples for some sounds, and the first with MIDI functionality, allowing it to synchronize with other devices. Though a commercial failure, it influenced the development of electronic dance music genres such as techno, house and acid house.
Development
The TR-909 succeeded the previous Roland drum machine, the
The 909 was the first Roland drum machine to use
Other sounds are generated with analog synthesis.[5] According to a Roland representative, the engineers felt that samples had some disadvantages and so opted for a combination of sampled and analog sounds.[6]
Sounds and features
Whereas the 808 is known for its "boomy" bass, the 909 sounds aggressive and "punchy". The 909 features a
Release
The 909 was released in 1983[5] and retailed for $1,195 USD, equivalent to $3,656 in 2023.[5] It attracted interest in the industry as the first Roland instrument to use digital sounds.[10]
In its review, Electronics & Music Maker found the 909 easier to use than the 808 and felt it offered the best analog drum sounds on the market. It concluded that it offered a good combination of analog and sampled sounds and that the addition of MIDI brought the 909 "as up to date as it needs to be".[8] One Two Testing found the 909 "gloriously easy to use", but felt it was overpriced and "still sounds like a drum machine, instead of a machine playing drums ... It lacks the authenticity of real sounds for studio work."[10]
The 909 was a commercial failure, as users preferred the more realistic sampled sounds of competing products such as the LinnDrum.[3] Roland ceased production after one year,[3] having built 10,000 units.[11] Roland changed elements of the 909 in later revisions, correcting problems and adjusting sounds. Some users modify their machines to match sounds from earlier revisions.[9]
Legacy
Whereas the TR-808 was important in the development of hip hop, the 909, alongside the 303 synthesizer, influenced dance music such as techno, house and acid.[7][12] According to Gordon Reid of Sound on Sound, "Like the TR-808 before it, nobody could have predicted the reverence in which the TR-909 would eventually come to be held."[5]
The first known commercial use of a 909 is on the EP Remission by the industrial band Skinny Puppy, released months after the 909.[5][13] In the late 1980s, the 909 was popularized by Chicago house and Detroit techno producers such as Derrick May, Frankie Knuckles and Jeff Mills, who bought second-hand units.[1] DJ Sneak said that "every Chicago producer was using the 909".[13] Mixmag described Mills as the "master" of the 909.[14] Mills said its design made it possible to "play" the 909 rather than just program it, using the tuning controls to imitate the feel of a live drummer.[14]
The 909 was used on hip-hop records by acts including
The 909 was succeeded in 1984 by the TR-707, which uses samples for all its sounds.[3] In 2017, Roland released the TR-09, a smaller version of the 909 with additional features.[9]
References
- ^ a b c Wilson, Scott (2016-09-09). "Listen to an exclusive playlist of TR-909 classics". Fact. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
- ^ Hsieh, Christine. "Electronic Musician: Tadao Kikumoto". Retrieved 2010-10-02.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-61713-446-3.
- ^ a b c Tsuboi, Kaori (2020-09-04). "Roland Engineering: Atsushi Hoshiai and the TR-909". Roland Articles. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Reid, Gordon (December 2014). "The history of Roland". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
- ^ Lewin, Jon (April 1984). "Roland TR-909". One Two Testing (Apr 1984): 60–61.
- ^ Complex. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
- ^ a b c d e Goldstein, Dan; Twigg, Geoff (April 1984). "Roland TR909 and MSQ-700". Electronics & Music Maker. 4 (2). Glidecastle Publishing: 52–54.
- ^ MusicRadar. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
- ^ IPC Magazines: 60–61.
- ISBN 0-2533-4662-2. p. 64
- ^ Williams, Harrison (30 August 2016). "9 of the best 909 tracks using the TR-909". Mixmag. Retrieved 2018-03-26.
- ^ a b c d e Jenkins, Dave (2019-02-01). "Roland TR-909: The history of the influential drum machine". DJ Mag. Retrieved 2023-06-03.
- ^ a b c "Jeff Mills celebrates the iconic Roland TR-909 through his history and cherished secrets". Mixmag. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 2022-02-08.
- ^ Dwyer, Nick (25 September 2014). "Interview: Streets of Rage Composer Yuzo Koshiro". Red Bull Music Academy. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ISBN 978-1550225563. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
- ^ Greer, Jim (August 1998). "Björk in progress". Sweater.
- ISBN 0-385-33393-5.
Further reading
- "Roland TR-909". Electronics & Music Maker. March 1984. p. 38. OCLC 317187644.