Roland TR Drum Machine Guide
TR-505 — Light, Bright, Digital Latin/Pop
- Era/Use: Mid-80s PCM digital samples, budget-friendly version of the 707.
- Tone: Crisp, clean, light; thin kick, tight snare, bright hats.
- Strengths:
- Great for pop, indie pop, synthpop.
- Works well in busy mixes where drums shouldn’t dominate.
- Good for layering on top of acoustic drums for extra brightness.
- Artists/Genres:
- Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys, indie pop bands.
- Light pop grooves, Latin-influenced pop.
- Watch out: Kick is small — layer with a sub for modern weight.
TR-606 — Minimal, Snappy, Acid Companion
- Era/Use: Early-80s, often paired with TB-303 in acid house.
- Tone: Tight, dry, snappy; small kick, metallic hats, clicky snare.
- Strengths:
- Perfect for acid house, minimal techno, electro.
- Takes delay, reverb, and distortion very well.
- Great for skeletal, percussive foundations.
- Artists/Genres:
- Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert, early acid house DJs.
- Minimal, experimental electronic.
- Watch out: Lacks big low-end — think of it as a rhythmic skeleton.
TR-707 — Big, Bright, 80s Punch
- Era/Use: Mid-80s PCM digital; staple in synthpop, new wave, early house.
- Tone: Loud, punchy; iconic clap; clear kick and snare; bright open hats.
- Strengths:
- Retro 80s, synthwave, house.
- Cuts through busy arrangements with ease.
- Legendary clap stacks well with other snares.
- Artists/Genres:
- Phil Collins, The Police, Daft Punk (early).
- Synthwave, retro funk.
- Watch out: Can be brittle if pushed too much in the highs.
TR-808 — Deep, Round, Smooth
- Era/Use: Early-80s analog; foundation of hip-hop, trap, electro.
- Tone: Boomy sub kick, soft snare, handclap, tinkly hats, long cowbell.
- Strengths:
- Hip-hop, trap, downtempo, electro.
- Kick can double as a bassline.
- Warm and full; works in slower or bass-heavy jams.
- Artists/Genres:
- Marvin Gaye (“Sexual Healing”), Kanye West, Outkast, Run-DMC.
- Modern trap beats.
- Watch out: Long kick decay can swamp a busy mix.
TR-909 — Punchy, Aggressive, Club King
- Era/Use: Mid-80s hybrid analog/digital; techno/house classic.
- Tone: Snappy, weighty kick; aggressive snare; sizzling hats and rides.
- Strengths:
- Techno, house, club music.
- Relentless drive; perfect for dancefloor energy.
- Hats and ride keep constant motion in a track.
- Artists/Genres:
- Daft Punk, Jeff Mills, Frankie Knuckles, Carl Cox.
- House, techno, big-room club.
- Watch out: Can dominate a mix — give it space.
Live Jam “Intensity Order”
From subtle to intense:
- 505 — light pop / background grooves.
- 606 — minimal, experimental.
- 707 — bright, 80s punch.
- 808 — deep, smooth, bass-heavy.
- 909 — aggressive, club energy.
- Perc/Hybrid — adds unique textures and flavor.
Quick Use-Case Table
| Kit | Mood / Setting | Strengths | Artist Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 505 | Light, breezy, background | Bright, thin, non-intrusive | Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys |
| 606 | Minimal, acid, skeletal groove | Dry, snappy, FX-friendly | Aphex Twin, Luke Vibert |
| 707 | Upbeat retro | Punchy clap, bright hats, mid-kick | Phil Collins, Daft Punk (early) |
| 808 | Slow groove, bass focus | Deep sub, smooth vibe | Marvin Gaye, Kanye West, Outkast |
| 909 | Driving dancefloor | Club kick, sizzle hats | Jeff Mills, Carl Cox, Daft Punk |