The added AI-Variation switch is an intuitive step randomizer; paired with the timing shuffle knob it can lead to some unique arrangements. When the perfect beat is achieved on 808303.studio, a “Record” option allows you to export the entire creation. To top it off, British DJ and producer A Guy Called Gerald has provided a video tutorial on the entire site’s features.

Innovation Through Sound

Roland, founded in 1972, is a staple in the electronic music world. The TB-303 Bass Line synthesizer and TR-808 drum machine have both played key roles in the rise of modern music styles from hip-hop to techno.

808303.studio is provided as a learning resource for London-based Design Museum‘s current exhibit, Electronic: From Kraftwerk to the Chemical Brothers. The audio-driven exhibit showcases innovation in music technology and its impact on the electronic music world.

Yuri Suzuki is a Japanese artist, designer and musician living in London, known for creating sound-based experiences. In 2013 Suzuki created Ototo, a circuit board that turns conductive items into musical instruments. Other clients of his include the Swedish synth maker Teenage Engineering, and techno icon Jeff Mills.

It may seem strange to some to dedicate an entire day every year to a simple drum synthesizer. But to lovers of electronic music the world over, 909 Day represents so much more than that. On the 37th anniversary of the TR-909, many are looking back at the monumental impact the drum machine has had on electronic music’s past, present, and future.

REVOLUTION 909

Built as the successor to 1980’s wildly popular TR-808 (another staple in music production, celebrated yearly on August 8), Japan’s Roland team set out to revolutionize the drum machine with integration of both analogue and digital elements. This meant expanding on the 808 to include not only analogue synth sounds like the kick drum and toms, but recordings of actual instruments like cymbals to provide a more well-rounded sound.

With the addition of MIDI, a new feature which allowed connectivity between machines in the studio, Roland foresaw that the TR-909 would be a game changer for producers, heralding an era where musicians could step out of the shadows of major record companies to craft and program new sounds all their own. The Roland team didn’t likely anticipate that those very sounds would give rise to new genres altogether.

THE SOUND OF HOUSE AND TECHNO

Before long, Roland’s TR-909 stood at the forefront of the fledgling house and techno genres, laying the groove and groundwork out for many anthems that still stand the test of time. Some instantly-recognizable tracks that the TR-909’s drum sounds were present on throughout the years: Joey Beltram‘s acid house classic “Energy Flash,” Daft Punk‘s “Revolution 909” (obviously), Jeff Mills‘ techno anthem “The Bells,” and, ironically enough, 808 State‘s dreamy house number, “Pacific State.”

NO SUCCESSORS

While Roland’s TR-808 stands as popular as ever within the realm of pop and hip-hop to this day, the TR-909’s influence over the sound of house and techno remains omnipresent. The 909’s drum sounds and programming are still constantly used in new tracks, cementing it as perhaps the single most influential piece of equipment in electronic music, not to be replaced or succeeded by virtually any drum machine thereafter.

“Within the realms of house and techno, it’s almost certain that the Roland TR-909 has powered more tracks and live performances than any other drum machine.” – Roland

As a rhythm composer, the TR-909 has been used not only to produce and sequence its own synthesized sounds and recorded samples, but to sequence sounds from outside sources, via the MIDI connectivity it boasts. With so many budding genres in electronic music and beyond, there’s no telling how producers will use the legendary TR-909 (or it’s updated miniature version, the TR-09) next.

“There’s still no boundaries to electronic music; it’s still undefinable… The future of electronic music will be shaped by how we use technology.” – Jeff Mills on the TR-909

Roland is celebrating the 37th anniversary of the TR-909 on this year’s 909 Day by encouraging fans to use the hashtag #909DAY on social posts. They’ll feature their favorites on Roland’s official website to honor the Rhythm Composer’s legacy.

The Roland website’s dedicated TR-808 page now features an animated infographic on the history of the device split into four parts: “The Origin,” “Production,” “Crossover” and “Made On 808.” They have also tapped artists like Carl Craig, Arthur Baker, A Guy Called Gerald, Cozmo D, Jimmy Jam, Jermaine Dupri, Terry Lewis, and the Avila Brothers to speak for a YouTube video titled “Building the Beat: Inside Legendary Roland TR-808 Tracks.”

Roland has also published an exclusive interview with Tadao Kikumoto, who oversaw the team of engineers who developed the TR-808.

Humble Origins

The TR-808’s predecessor was a piece of equipment called the CompuRhythm CR-78. As its name suggests, it was released in 1978 and was the first drum machine to allow users to program their own rhythms.

Under Kikumoto was Hiro Nakamura, whom was tasked with designing the analogue “voice circuits” of the product. Originally intended for use in musicians’ demos, the synthesizer’s 2SC828-R transistors gave the sounds produced by it a patina of white noise that became its calling card. Its programming keyboard also provided a template for music sequencers in the years that followed.

Following its 1980 release, the TR-808 was not an instant success. For producers on a budget, however, it put a then-cutting-edge style within reach. Afrika Bambaataa‘s “Planet Rock” arguably popularized the sound, and such superstars as Whitney Houston, Public Enemy and Usher have been instrumental in its ongoing ubiquity. Electronic music singles like “Clear” by Cybotron, “Xtal” by Aphex Twin, and “Spastik” by Richie Hawtin as Plastikman would not have been possible without the drum machine.

Roland has invited music fans to post stories about the TR-808 Rhythm Composer with the hashtag #808day, promising to share the best ones on their website.