Roland Revives Iconic TR-909 Drum Machine, TB-303 Bass Synth

Roland has announced the release of the TR-909 Rhythm Composer, an update of the classic 909 drum machine, and a new TB-03 Bass Line synthesizer, a relaunch of the similarly classic 303. The announcements came as part of Roland’s #909day live stream rollout of 30 new products. (Earlier today, the company unveiled the DJ-808 combination drum machine / DJ controller, a collaboration with DJ software manufacturer Serato.)

This is not the first time 909 or 303 sounds have returned to the market. In 2014, Roland introduced the TR-8, an 808/909 hybrid. The new 909 is just the 909 sounds, in a smaller, more retro package. Roland revived the TB-303 two years ago as well, at that time as the TB-3. Both 2014 reissues were part of Roland’s AIRA line; the TR-909 and new TB-03 are part of its Boutique series.

 

Roland’s live streaming event goes until midnight Eastern time tonight. The initial schedule promised new gear in a range of categories including drums and percussion, amplifiers, effects, synthesizers, on drums, percussion, amplifiers, effects and DJing equipment. There’s also an uncategorized “special session for new products.”  Watch it below.

Check out our interview with TR-909 devotee and techno legend Jeff Mills, revisit the TB-303 in our “Acid Redux” feature, and read about earlier Roland instruments in our feature on the music technology of the 1970s.

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