Back in 1978, this box kicked off Roland's programmable rhythm machine era as the very first to harness a microprocessor, blending analog drum tones with a digital step sequencer that felt revolutionary at the time.
Its analog synthesis delivers 14 distinct percussion voices—bass drum, snare, rim shot, hi-hat, cymbal, maracas, claves, cowbell, high/low bongo, low conga, tambourine, and guiro—across four polyphonic tracks with 34 factory presets like 8-beat, 16-beat, waltz, and samba variations. Hands-on controls include knobs for tempo, balance, level, and accent, plus selectors for measure length (2, 4, 8, 12, or 16 bars), fill-ins, breaks, and A/B rhythms; buttons handle start/stop, fade in/out, auto/manual modes, and individual voice cancels. Program your own 30 presets via optional WS-1 or TS-1 switches in step-time mode, with track indicators, trigger pulse I/O for sync at 12 PPQN, and dual mono outputs from its compact metal chassis measuring about 12x11x8 inches.
Over the decades, it's earned a cult following for those warm, lo-fi beats that defined early synth-pop and new wave tracks by bands like OMD and Ultravox—players love the organic swing and easy muting for builds, though some note the programming takes patience without the optional gear.
