Model

Roland TR-909

Drum machine

The Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer, introduced in 1983, is a drum machine that combined analog-synthesized drum voices with sampled cymbals and hi-hats. It added MIDI and a refined step sequencer, and its punchy kick, snappy snare, and bright hats became foundational to house and techno.

Technical line drawing of Roland TR-909
Technical line drawing of Roland TR-909

Sources

Category

  • Drum Machines

    Programmable rhythm machines, drum synthesizers, and related beat-making instruments.

Made by

  • Roland

    Roland is a Japanese maker of electronic musical instruments, including synthesizers, drum machines such as the TR-808, and the JC-120 Jazz Chorus, a benchmark solid-state guitar amplifier known for its built-in stereo chorus and produced since 1975.

Part of series

  • Roland TR

    Japan

    The TR (Transistor Rhythm) series is Roland's long-running line of drum machines, several of which became foundational to electronic music. It includes the analog TR-808 and TR-909 along with the compact TR-606 and the sample-based TR-707.

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