Equipment we would like!

Launched over 15 years ago, and some of them even more, these analogue monsters are still highly in demand and usage. They were expensive enough back then, but nowadays the are gold dust!

The Roland Corporation has vowed never to manufacture these modules again, no matter what. Pity really, ‘cause they would make a fortune! Anyway, here is a little bit of history…

Some numbers:

• Less than 20'000 were made.
• Total manufacturing time: about 18 months.
• Original price: $395!
• Ram chips : Nec's µPD-444C CMOS RAM, 1024 x 4 Bit Static
• CPU type: Nec's µPD-650C-133, 4-bit microcomputer. (133 stands for Roland's identification internal firmware Rom code)

So why is it such a cult machine? Good question! Because it's EASY to use: the sequencer is a random tool and features the unique per-note slide option (portamentto without retrig), and you dont have to get rid of patch cords all around to create something basic ... The sound itself is also a monster: unbeatable 18db filter (some said it was in fact 24db...), from deep bass bangs to crying acid screams ... NASTY !!!

And now it's time for a small story:

The TB-303 (btw. TB stands for Transistor Bass as TR for Transistor Rhythm) was released back in 1982 together with the TR-606 analog drum machine. This pack was intended to emulate a drummer and a bassist (!!!) but the sounds were so poor that none wanted to work with those kid's toys ! 7 years later a guys called DJ PIERRE had the idea to turn the knobs while playing the 303: acid house was born ! 7 years more and this gear is now one of the most wanted synth of the techno production, together with the TR-909 drum machine.

Expect to pay £500-£1500 depending!

Internal sound source:

16 analog drum sounds (BD, SD, Low,Mid,Hi Tom/Conga, Claves,Rim, Maracas, HC, Cow bell, Cymbal, O/C HH.

Inputs:

2xPEDAL (Start/Stop, Fill-In), 1xDin Sync IN/OUT (operation selected via a switch on back of unit)

Outputs:

2xMix, 11xindividual, 3xTrig, Shared Din Sync (see above)

Synchronization possibilities:

Din Sync.

Secondary data storage:

None. (Well, at least the memory is battery-backed so you don't lose your work when the machine is switched off...)

Memory size:

12 patternsx32 steps, 4 fill-in pat, 12 tracksx64 meas.

Physical size:

508x305x105 mm, 5 kg (!)

Data generation/modification/recording:

Internal-only sequencer programmable in step or real time. Trigs it’s own internal sounds, or three external sounds/devices through voltage spikes.

Bugs & Features:

The sequencer is archaic but functional. Instruments are selected with a rotary knob and programmed via 16 multi-colored buttons with built-in LEDs. The "real-time" mode is reminiscent of the TB-303: an instrument is assigned to the dedicated "tap-button" which can be used to trigger and record the sound when the pattern is playing!

The sounds are analog and editable via knobs and for us knob-twiddlers the later SP non-tweakable drum machines seem like a step backwards in evolution. Also the idea of dedicated fill-in patterns that can be automatically trigged every n-th round or manually via a button or pedal is quite neat. Individual outputs are also on the plus side.

Tips & Tricks:

The 'erase' button means other less destructive things when in other modes. Also, the manual fill-in doesn't always fill in in a predictable manner. Beware! This unit is ANALOG and UNPREDICTABLE :-). There exist numerous mods for this machine, allowing it to sync and perform via MIDI. The most noteworthy being the Kenton kit, which allows the drum, sounds to receive MIDI velocity as well.

Internal sound source:

Synthesized drums: (Bass,Snare,L/M/H Tom,Rim Shot) Sampled drums: (Hand Clap,O/C hihat,Cr/Ride Cymbal)

Inputs:

MIDI,Tape Load/Sync in (combined),Start/Stop,Din Sync

Outputs:

2xMIDI,Tape Save/Sync out,Trig out coupled to rim shot sound +14V 20ms pulse, L/R Mix, 10x individualout.

Synchronization possibilities:

MIDI, Tape, Din Sync.

Secondary data storage:

Cassette, RAM cartridge (M-64C)

Memory size:

48 patternsx2 banks, 4 tracks of max 896 measuresx2 banks.

Physical size:

486x105x300 mm, 4.5 kg.

Data generation/modification/recording:

Step or real time recording of MIDI events used to play back internal drum sounds, but also to control an external sound source (see below) The unit does not record velocity nor other controller data. Playback is limited to two velocity levels ("Accent"). A row of 16 buttons are used in conjunction with an instrument selector to program the unit, both in step and in real time (in real time the buttons correspond to the various instruments

Bugs & Features:

Many of the sounds, even the digital ones, are tweakable via knobs to alter tuning, decay, attack transients and so forth. The drums are electronic but with a different character than say, the TR-808.

Many users, have experienced a tendency of instability with the TR-909 causing it to reset itself with regular time intervals (typical after one hour of use). The problem could be heat-related but I don't know for sure and it doesn't occur with all units. This is very irritating as the TR-909 insists on defaulting to track 1, track mode, OMNI ON when powered up!!

The electrical design leaves a lot to be desired with the unit humming a LOT when several of the LEDs are lit at the same time (not a problem when playing a track, thank you very much). The MIDI implementation is stable but with no special frills whatsoever. Sequencer supports the usual copy, insert and erase operations.

Tips & Tricks:

The machine can be destined to drive an external sound device as 16 of the instruments are "external" - they are designated fixed MIDI note numbers over an octave and can be programmed as with the normal sounds. This enables the 909 to be used as a very simple pattern-based on-the-fly sequencer.

• Has anyone got any of these for us????!