Roland TR-707 Rhythm Composer
A very underrated drum machine! It resembles the popular TR-909, and better yet, its hi-hat, cymbals, and clap sound almost identical to the TR-909! The TR-707 is a great source for cheap 909 samples. It has some other cool features too such as its Matrix display which clearly maps out your pattern for you in an easy to read display panel. It also features both MIDI in/out and DIN sync control - the best of both worlds. Why this unit even has individual outputs for each of its drum tones!
For programming, it features a shuffle and flam effect and its programming abilities are very impressive. But it does have its limitations, the only adjustment you can make to each drum tone is volume. And all of its other drum tones are boring (especially ride, kick and snare). It's used by Aphex Twin, Laurent Garnier, Squarepusher, Luke Vibert, Freddy Fresh, Phil Collins, Marshall Jefferson and Plastikman.
- Specifications
- Effects - Shuffle / Flam
- Oscillators - Sample Playback/Acoustic Simulation. Drum sounds are 8-bit, Crash & Ride are 6-bit.
- Tones - 15 sampled sounds (kick1, kick2, snare1, snare2, low tom, mid tom, high tom, rim shot, cow bell, hand clap, Tambourine, open/closed high hat, crash/ride cymbals)
- Patterns - 64
- Songs - 4
- Arpeg/Seq - Sequencer
- Keyboard - none
- Control - MIDI IN/OUT & DIN SYNC IN/OUT & TRIG OUT (outputs Rimshot sound as trigger)
- Date Produced - 1985
- Websites of Interest
- Resources & Credits
Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.
Thanks to James Malcolm for adding info.
Errors or Corrections? Send them here.
http://www.rolandus.com/support/owners_manuals/?group=7
@everyone: I keep almost selling this, but then bring it out to play one last time and just can't bring myself to do it! The separate audio outs and mixer section are the real killer features, makes it infinitely flexible. Really clever interface too, so easy to use. A keeper.