Yahoo

"It sounds like a drum machine instead of a machine playing drums - a sore disappointment": What critics said about the iconic Roland TR-909 drum machine on its release (and ...

The Roland TR-909 drum machine, like other pieces of now iconic Roland gear, was not embraced by the masses when it came out. It received mixed reviews, and like the TB-303 before it, Roland scrapped ...
Engadget

Roland's TR-8S mashes all your favorite 80s drum machines together

In the 80s, Roland drum machines were at the epicenter of hip hop, house, techno, acid house and other music genres. The 808, 909, 707, and 606 helped create the beats of some of your favorite songs.
MusicRadar

“Much like its predecessor, the 909 was also a commercial flop, and arguably more so than the 808”: How the drum machine grew into a viable alternative to real drummers

DRUMS WEEK 2025: In the early days of the drum machine, real human drummers could sit comfortably on their stools, as their drum machine rivals harboured a reputation for rigidity and inflexibility in ...
New Atlas

Roland crams classic 80s drum machines into more playable flagship

After a brief teaser campaign, Roland has revealed a new addition to the company's iconic digital drum machine portfolio – the Aira TR-8S Rhythm Performer. As well as emulating classic 80s drum ...
Engadget

Roland TR-6S review: An impressively small and powerful drum machine

In 2018 Roland introduced the TR-8S drum machine and instantly won the heart of my colleague Roberto Baldwin. Then, last year it resurrected its MC line of grooveboxes, and launched the portable, ...
Pitchfork

Roland and Serato Launch the DJ-808 Combination Drum Machine / DJ Controller

Electronic music instrument maker Roland has branded today, September 9, as #909day. To celebrate, the company behind pioneering synths and drum machines such as the TR-808 and, most appropriately, ...
Digital Trends

Roland reissues legendary TR-808 drum machine in a pint-sized package

Acclaimed instrument manufacturer Roland announced plans to reissue its iconic TR-808 drum machine in a new, smaller form factor as the TR-08, a move that has musicians and producers across the globe ...
The Verge

Roland teases successor to legendary TR-808 drum machine

Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. is The Verge’s executive editor. He has covered tech, policy, and online creators for over a decade. The sound ...
Pitchfork

The Roland 808 Drum Machine Is Coming Back

The classic Roland 808 drum machine will seemingly be available soon, in some form, once again. As FACT reports, yesterday, the Roland Corporation uploaded a video to its YouTube page about the sought ...
The Verge

Roland’s new rhythm performer is also five classic drum machines in one

Today Roland announced its new flagship drum machine, the TR-8S. Succeeding the Aria TR-8, which came out in 2014, the TR-8S brings sound libraries from five classic machines — the 808, 606, 909, 707, ...
Wired

Early Hip-Hop's Greatest Drum Machine Just Got Resurrected

The TR-808 is the Fender Stratocaster of electronic music. The programmable drum machine was heavily used by pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa, the Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, and Derrick May, and its ...