Roland - TR-909 | Software Rhythm Composer

THE BEATING HEART OF DANCE MUSIC.

The influence of the TR-909 drum machine is still heard—and felt—nearly four decades after it was launched. Now, the 909 is available as a software plug-in, delivering the speaker-pummeling power of the original with new features that extend its sonic capabilities and make programming faster and more fluid.

+ Highlights

Authentic recreation of the TR-909 Rhythm Performer using ACB technology
Detailed interface gives the feel of working with the vintage hardware
Individual gain lets you overdrive the internal circuitry for different flavors and styles
Expanded TR-REC sequencer with lanes for each drum instrument for more fluid sequencing
Adjustable flams, sub-steps, and soft hits create detailed fills and ratcheted sequences
Per-instrument last step and shuffle settings for intricate timing and complex meters
Eight variations per pattern for interesting sequences and easy arranging
Drag and drop audio or MIDI patterns directly from the plug-in to your DAW
VST3, AU, and AAX compatibility and native support for Apple silicon
Included with Roland Cloud Pro (via Pro Selector) and Ultimate memberships
Also available as a Lifetime Key purchase

Analog/digital hybrid—before it was even a thing.

In 1983, Roland followed the groundbreaking TR-808 with the more advanced TR-909. Around this time, machines with digital samples of acoustic drums were first starting to appear. But they were expensive and typically offered limited (if any) ability to adjust the sounds. For more expression and control, Roland engineers adopted a hybrid approach with the TR-909, combining tweakable analog circuitry for the kick, snare, clap, and toms with digital samples for the cymbals. Its unique voice and inspiring TR-REC sequencer eventually catapulted it to iconic status, with original units demanding huge sums on the used market.

1983

Sibling rivalry.

Less than 10,000 TR-909s were made during its short production run, but the machine’s lasting impact is apparent on dance floors to this day. Much like the TR-808’s dominance in rap and hip-hop, the TR-909 left an indelible mark on electronic music styles like techno, house, acid, and industrial. From the “uhn tiss” of its thumpy kick and chunky hihats to the snappy snare rolls used in dramatic builds, it’s the sound you hear in your head when you think of hard-driving, floor-shaking dance music.

Classic tracks featuring the TR-909 ▼

TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer - Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB)

Our proprietary circuit modeling technology brings the complete TR-909 sound experience to life in your DAW. The ACB process involves carefully analyzing original hardware units, circuit diagrams, and other historical data. We then use this information to recreate the unique architecture and authentic circuit behaviors of the vintage instrument. This gives the TR-909 plug-in its ultrarealistic sound that leaps from the speakers.

Authentic experience. And more.

While developing the TR-909 plug-in, we took the opportunity to improve on the original hardware while keeping the authentic experience intact. Our software version takes the sonic powers of the TR-909 to new levels with an advanced multi-lane sequencer, adjustable panning, and individual instrument gain controls that allow you to overdrive the circuits for in-your-face punch.

A step forward.

Opening the sophisticated Edit view gives you independent step sequencer lanes per drum instrument, each with its own mute, solo, shuffle, and last-step settings. There are also per-step articulations, including weak hits, nine types of flams, and three types of sub steps for super-intricate patterns.

Modern living.

While the TR-909 plug-in carefully models an instrument from the past, the implementation is thoroughly modern. The sequencer conveniently syncs to tempo, and you can drag and drop patterns as MIDI or audio directly to your DAW timeline. And it fits perfectly into your production environment with a freely resizable UI, support for VST3, AAX, and AU formats, and native compatibility with Apple silicon.

Feed your creativity.

The TR-909 plug-in comes with classic kits and patterns to get you started, and it’s incredibly easy to program custom beats and tweak your own kits. But that’s only the beginning. Roland Cloud offers a wealth of new patches and patterns from artists and expert sound designers to inspire your music.

Hardware integration.

The TR-909 software instrument integrates seamlessly with our TR-8S Rhythm Performer and TR-09 Roland Boutique hardware. Transfer TR-8S patterns directly into the TR-909 plug-in, create beats on the go and send them back to the hardware, or use the TR-8S or TR-09 for direct hands-on control of the plug-in.

Try the TR-909 today.

The TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer is available with Roland Cloud Pro (via Pro Selector) and Ultimate memberships or a Lifetime Key purchase. Roland Cloud is also home to software versions of other vintage Roland instruments plus ZENOLOGY, ZENOLOGY FX, Zenbeats, and other inspiring music tools to back your creative journeys.

Join Roland Cloud

Try the TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer for free with a Roland Cloud 30-day trial membership.

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
Memories per bank: 128 memories
User can make new user banks
INST tone: BASS DRUM
SNARE DRUM
LOW TOM
MID TOM
HI TOM
RIM SHOT
HAND CLAP
CLOSED HI-HAT
OPEN HI-HAT
CRASH CYMBAL
RIDE CYMBAL
Plug-In Formats: VSTi 2.4(64bit)* Windows only
VSTi 3.6(64bit)
AU
AAX
System Requirements (macOS™)
Minimum Operating System: macOS 11
Host Application: VST instruments (VSTi) version: VST 3.6 compatible
Audio Units (AU) version: Audio Units V2 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better
Apple M1 chip
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 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® RT.
*This does not work with the Windows® 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 2.4/3.6 compatible
AAX Compatible
CPU: Intel® Core™ i5 or better
RAM: 2 GB or more
Hard Disk: 400 MB or more
Display/Colors: 1280 x 800 or higher, 24 bit 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-909 Software Rhythm Composer, Roland cannot guarantee that a given computer can be used satisfactorily with the TR-909 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.
You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage.
In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals

[English] TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer Owner's Manual [PDF]