Roland - TR-727 | Software Rhythm Composer

Get back in the groove.

In 1985 Roland released the TR-727 Rhythm Composer—the Latin percussion packed sibling of the now-famous TR-707. Lesser known but no less loved, the TR-727 found its way into a wide range of styles over the decades, from tribal and acid house to pop and techno. And it’s perfect for afrobeat, reggaeton, and other more exotic contemporary styles. Thanks to our Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology, you can now have the authentic sound and experience of this classic percussion machine right inside your DAW— with modern upgrades that take it into all-new territory.

+ Features

Analog Circuit Behavior technology captures every detail of the original hardware
Uses the original TR-727 sample ROM
Includes all 15 original sounds and 64 original patterns
43 new patterns and kits for modern styles
Get modern sounds with tuning, decay, gain, sample rate adjustment, and more
Powerful sequencer with flams, sub-steps, last step, and per-instrument shuffle
Drag and drop audio or MIDI patterns directly to DAW tracks or cells
Original and aged skins along with LCD-style sequencer windows
Multiple outputs for flexible effects processing with plugins like ZENOLOGY FX
VST3, AU, and AAX support for popular DAWs
Native support for Apple silicon

707 / 727 Software Rhythm Composers Overview Video

Digital transition.

Before the TR-727, Roland released the now-legendary TR-909, which was developed as an analog-digital hybrid rather than a fully digital device. Memory chips and digital-to-analog converters were costly at the time, so there was concern that an all-digital design would make the product unaffordable for many musicians and would have limited sound shaping options. However, after the TR-909’s release, Roland embraced the trend towards digital technology with a Latin percussion machine that combined sampled sounds with the user-friendly TR interface—newly enhanced with the hands-on immediacy of individual faders.

Percussion powerhouse.

The blue-highlighted TR-727 could take any track to new heights with its 15 Latin percussion-inspired sounds and powerful sequencer. It’s a classic to this day because even with its limited palette and no sound editing capabilities, it’s one of those things that “just works.” And while this software recreation nails that vintage vibe, it introduces tuning, decay, and other manipulations that make the creative possibilities bloom.

The sound of vintage digital.

Developed in the mid-1980s, the TR-727 had a 25 kHz, 8-bit (or 6-bit for some tones) sample playback engine that was primitive by today’s standards. These low bit rates caused quantization noise during the sound’s decay, so non-decaying PCM waveforms were used, with decay introduced later in the analog circuitry. Furthermore, deviations in the clock and the analog circuitry downstream of the D/A converter caused variances in the pitch and decay characteristics. And though the TR-727 lacked the ability to edit sounds, the combination of these factors ultimately led to it being highly sought after for its iconic sound and infectious groove.

100% authenticity and realism.

Even though the TR-727 was primarily a digital device, it’s impossible to perfectly capture its unique sound using samples. To replicate its sound in software, we started with the original PCM wave data found on the classic machine, then used our advanced circuit modeling to completely recreate the PCM output stage, carefully including all of its quirks and instabilities. Modeling the analog envelope and amplifier stages that came after the D/A converter allowed us to implement tuning, decay, PCM clock adjustment, and other parameters available in the plugin but not present on the original unit.

The full experience. And more.

Great care has gone into making the TR-727 feel special to use, just like the original hardware. Realistic new and aged skins match your vibe, and all 15 original sounds and 64 original patterns are included. But these recreations go way beyond vintage with 43 kits and patterns for modern genres, wicked sound-shaping options, powerful sequencing, drag and drop audio/MIDI to your DAW, multi-out, and more. The TR-727 even works right alongside the available TR-707, with matching kits and patterns that complement each other perfectly. Load a kit, load a pattern, and let the magic happen.

Sound that goes from vintage to radical.

Taking inspiration from aftermarket modifications, our advanced circuit modeling offers parameters that let you dig under the hood and modify the sound in all manner of ways. Every sound has ultra-smooth tuning and decay, and you can even overdrive the internal circuitry, tweak how each PCM waveform behaves, and adjust the PCM clock from 6.25 kHz to 100 kHz for some serious sonic mischief. This kind of sound-shaping capability makes the TR-727 feel new and exciting, with endless creative possibilities for today’s music.

Ultra-powerful sequencing.

While the sequencer on the original TR-727 was the most advanced we’d ever made, the updated sequencer here goes much further, incorporating features that let you add detail and nuance to your grooves. Opening the sequencer’s expanded edit panel reveals individual sequencer lanes with mute, solo, and adjustable shuffle for each instrument. Per-step accent is included, and each step can trigger hard or weak hits, alternate sounds, three types of sub-steps, and nine types of flams.

From 1985 straight to your DAW.

The TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer brings the totally authentic experience of using this classic machine direct to your studio. And while it captures the percussive power of the original instrument, it’s thoroughly modern in its support for today’s workflow. The detailed user interface is fully resizable for any display setup, and you can drag and drop MIDI and audio patterns directly to tracks or cells. In addition, the TR-727 plugin is VST3, AAX, and AU compatible and has native support for Apple silicon.

Try the TR-727 today.

Try the TR-727 for free as part of a 30-day trial of Roland Cloud Ultimate membership.

Get Started

Specifications
Maximum Polyphony: 11 voices
Sampling Frequency: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz
Step Sequencer: 11 instrument parts
16 steps per 1 measure
8 (A - H) variations per 1 pattern
INST tone: BONGO (HI/LOW)
HI CONGA (MUTE/OPEN)
LOW CONGA
HI TIMBALE
LOW TIMBALE
AGOGO (HI/LOW)
CABASA/MARACAS
SHORT WHISTLE
LONG WHISTLE
QUIJADA
STAR CHIME

* Slashed instruments are selectable.
Memories per bank: 128 patterns
128 memories

* User can make new user banks.
Plug-In Formats: VSTi 3.6 (64 bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements Mac OS
Minimum Operating System: macOS 11
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: V2 Audio Units compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
Apple M1 Chip
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors: 1,280 x 800 dots or higher, 16.7 million colors or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
System Requirements Windows
Minimum Operating System: Microsoft® Windows® 10 (64-bit)

* This does not work with the Windows(R) RT.
* This does not work with the Windows(R) Phone.
* This does not work on the virtual machines such as Hyper-V, Virtual PC, or Boot Camp.
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 or better
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display resolution and Colors: 1,280 x 800 dots or higher, 24 bits Full Color or more
Other: You'll need Internet connectivity to Authenticate this software.
* Although Roland has tested numerous configurations, and has determined that on average, a computer system similar to that described above will permit normal operation of the TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer based solely on the fact that it meets the above requirements. This is because there are too many other variables that may influence the processing environment, including differences in motherboard design and the particular combination of other devices involved. Microsoft Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

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Downloads

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.
If you require further assistance, all Product Support questions are handled via BACKSTAGE which can be accessed via www.rolandeurope.com

Owner's Manuals

[English] TR-727 Software Rhythm Composer Owner's Manual [PDF]