Roland TR-808 · 1980
Roland TR-909 · 1983
Illustration · generated by the Library script
Roland TR-808 vs TR-909
| TR-808 | TR-909 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 19801 | 19832 |
| Sound | Analog synthesis3 | Analog drums, sampled hi-hats and cymbals24 |
| Sequencer | 16 steps5A measure can run to 32 steps | 16 steps61 to 16 steps per measure |
| Place in the line | First of the two2 | The successor2 |
| Voices | 16 instruments5Five pairs share a switch | 11 sounds6Kick, snare, three toms, rim shot, clap, closed and open hi-hat, crash, ride |
| MIDI | None5DIN sync in/out instead | MIDI in and out6Roland's first drum machine with MIDI2 |
| Outputs | Master + 11 individual5Plus 3 trigger outs | Master (L, R/mono) + 9 individual6Plus a rim shot trigger out |
A/B the kick
808 kick909 kick808 clap909 clapSamples recorded by XLR · to be made
Sources
- Our History, Roland CorporationFounded in Osaka, 1972; TR-808, 1980 · checked 2026-10-07
- The TR-909 Story, Roland Corporationsuccessor to the TR-808, 1983; analog drums with digital hi-hats and cymbals; Roland's first drum machine with MIDI; 16-step sequencer · checked 2026-10-07
- The TR-808 Story, Roland Corporation1980; analog synthesis; a row of 16 step buttons · checked 2026-10-07
- TR-909 (Roland Cloud), Roland Corporation1983; analog kick, snare, clap and toms with digital samples for the cymbals · checked 2026-10-07
- TR-808: Technical Specifications, Roland Supportinstruments, step keys, outputs, DIN sync. Read through the Internet Archive copy of 2026-09-03; the live page refuses automated readers · checked 2026-10-07
- TR-909: Technical Specifications, Roland Supportsound sources, steps, outputs, MIDI, sync. Read through the Internet Archive copy of 2025-08-07 · checked 2026-10-07