Roland TR-09 Drum Machine In-Depth Demo

This video, via Kosmic, takes an in-depth look at the new Roland TR-09 drum machine.

The Roland TR-09 (Street $399) is designed to offer the power of Roland’s iconic TR-909 drum machine in a compact and affordable format.

Topics covered:

0:29 A little bit of history
0:54 The tech inside
1:14 Comparison to the TR-8
1:55 Front controls
2:50 Back of the unit
3:32 Upgrades from the TR-909
4:10 Let’s play something
5:39 Pattern demo
5:55 New built-in compressor
6:30 Instrument sounds
8:24 Comparison to TR-8
9:09 Tuning instruments
9:56 Delay on the ride
10:35 Sequencing a pattern
12:50 Sequencing – Dynamic in the steps
13:33 Sequencing – Controlling the hihat
14:43 Sequencing – Changing pitch
15:57 Sequencing – Bass lines with toms
18:05 Sequencing – Creating a build up
19:58 Crash cymbal
20:48 Controlling shuffle
21:20 Flam
22:15 Alternate ways to enter a pattern
23:14 Copying one pattern to another
24:52 Cycling and grouping patterns
25:11 Creating a track
27:00 Total Accent control
27:49 Computer integration with the TR-09
29:57 Built-in stand

19 thoughts on “Roland TR-09 Drum Machine In-Depth Demo

  1. I thought Roland were introducing 33 products, not just 6 (tb-03, tr-09, 909 turntable, system-8, vp-03, and DJ-808 controller).
    *shrug
    Oh well.

    1. Don’t worry. Synthtopia will be covering all of Roland’s new v-accordion releases in depth next week, along with Kenny G demoing the Aerophone wind instrument.

  2. Although j appreciate the time it takes to make and edits video like this. I would have loved to see him try to find the limits of the machine, point out its weaknesses, explore some crazy things you can d with it etc.

    Using a 909 for techno has been done to death hasn’t it?

  3. Are there really that many people still making 909 techno? Are there really that many people who want hardware over a virtual instrument/sampler but don’t care about it being digital and not having separate outs? I don’t really understand the target market for this (or most of what Roland puts out these days).

  4. He didn’t demo the swivel base up and down bit? . Im really miffed. That was the feature I had been waiting for most! Click…up…click….down…Click…up…click….down.
    Also, only 2 out of the 33 products released has a swivel base. Missed opportunity if you ask me.

  5. Roland should start producing pudding.
    Their synthesizer department doesn’t seem to have a proper vision regarding all: usability, originality and sound quality. It’s mostly generic, and that’s not what people actually want. The boutique synths they released in the beginning (jupiter and jx) were probably the worst sounding synths I’ve heard in the past couple of years.

  6. These Kosmic videos have been really good for noobs like me, and I almost wish I lived in Oz so I could shop there. Then I realize that the TR-09 MSRP down under is AUD649, which is almost USD500, and I’m over it đŸ™‚ But good on ya, Leonard!

  7. I think the thing that I realized is that I am just clearly not Roland’s target market. That’s okay. Korg, Moog, Make Noise, Arturia, and (evidently) Behringer all have more than enough products to keep me and my wallet occupied.

    Hopefully who ever Roland’s target market is will use this stuff to make interesting music that they enjoy.

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