Back in 1997, this rackmount gem dropped as one of the first to nail those iconic TR-808 and TR-909 drum tones using Novation's clever Analogue Sound Modelling tech, blending digital precision with that raw analog vibe rave producers still chase.
It's a compact 1U unit weighing just 2kg, with a hands-on front panel packing 21 knobs for tweaking tune, level, decay, attack, tone, and snappy on individual drums, plus a 3-position switch for grouping toms or congas. Select from two kits via buttons, audition sounds easily, and dive into utilities for routing—stereo main outs plus six assignable individual outs let you EQ and effect each hit separately. Distortion per drum cranks up the hardcore edge especially on 909s, while Front Cut shaves up to 99ms off the attack for thudding kicks or muted snaps; velocity and controller mapping add nuance when triggered from pads or sequencers. Polyphonic across 5 voices for 8 tracks, it holds 20 factory and 20 user programs, all MIDI-controllable with full parameter automation.
Over the years, it's earned a loyal following for authentic Roland recreations that hold up in modern mixes—folks love the tweakability and output flexibility, though some note the shared controls can slow fine-tuning similar sounds. A solid pick if you're hunting vintage digital punch.
