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Roland TR-909 - Image 1

Roland TR-909

Drum MachineHybridPolyphonic

Launched in 1984 as Roland's bold follow-up to the TR-808, this hybrid drum machine blended analog synthesis for its core drum sounds with digital samples for hi-hats and cymbals, creating a raw, instantly recognizable palette that's shaped entire genres from techno to hip-hop.

Its 11-voice polyphonic engine powers bass drum with tune, decay, attack, and level tweaks; snare featuring tone and snappy noise mix; low/mid/high toms with individual tune, decay, and level; plus rim shot, handclap, open/closed hi-hat, crash, and ride—all adjustable via front-panel knobs and switches for hands-on sound sculpting. The built-in sequencer holds 48 patterns across two banks, chainable into four tracks up to 896 measures total, with step or real-time programming, shuffle, flam, and accent controls for dynamic grooves. MIDI In/Out (dual outs), DIN sync, and individual outs (stereo master plus eight mono) make it a sync hub for rigs, all housed in a compact 486 x 105 x 300 mm metal chassis weighing 4.5 kg.

Decades on, it's a collector's holy grail—players cherish its boomy, imperfect kicks and snappy snares for their organic vibe, though some note the limited hi-hat decay options as a quirk of its era. If you're chasing vintage soul with modern sequencing flexibility, this one's a timeless beatmaker.

Released

1984

Status

Discontinued

Synthesizer
Format
Drum Machine
Type
Analog, Sample-based
Internal Battery
No
Voice
A/D
Hybrid
Polyphony
Polyphonic
Oscillators
-
Oscillator Type
-
Voices
11
Tracks
11
Filter
No
Envelopes
-
LFO
-
Effects
No
Expression
Aftertouch
No
Velocity
Yes
MPE
No
Additional
-
Software
-
I/O
Audio In
-
Audio Out
1x stereo (L/R mono), 9x mono (Bass Drum, Snare, Low Tom, Mid Tom, Rim Shot, Clap, Hi-Hat, Crash, Ride)
Headphone
-
MIDI
In, Out
MIDI Type
DIN (5-pin)
Ports
Tape Interface, Trigger Out, Clock In, Clock Out, Expansion Slot
Wi-Fi
No
Workflow
Arpeggiator
No
Sequencer
Yes
Mod Matrix
No
Memory
-
Measurements
Dimensions
486 x 300 x 105 mm
Weight
4.5 kg
Last updated Mar 21, 2026