Roland Aoutique TR-09 User manual

a users guide to the
roland boutique
tr-09
rhythm composer
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This manual was assembled, illustrated, and written by Sunshine Jones. All of the contents is taken from either his
personal experience, existing documentation, and techniques submitted and found in the public domain. The
document is intended as a companion guide for the Roland Boutique TR-09 Rhythm Composer drum machine. It is in
no way offered as a criticism, or intended to be an authoritative guide to replace the official documentation which
accompanies the commercial purchase of Roland Boutique, or Roland AIRA musical instruments.
Rather, this manual is intended to support the musician, the user of these and other synthesizer modules and inspire
them to create music, share sounds, and fully realize the drum machines in front of them.
In the tradition of owner’s manuals, rarely are they opened until problems arise. We tell you over and over again to
RTFM, but do you listen? No, no you don’t. Manuals should be both tools for reference and instruction, as well as
inspirational guides to possibility. An owner’s manual should be equally a pre purchase discovery, meant to inspire
the curious with capability and possibility, and a post purchase celebration of depth, technique, guidance, and
surprises. But this is by no means the last word. So many people have read and re read a manual only to still have no
idea what the manual was attempting to suggest. This owner’s manual is offered free of charge to anyone curious, or
frustrated by the tiny little leaflet which covers the operations of the TR-09 in several languages, as a legible
alternative to the official documentation.
This manual is not associated in any way, personally or professionally with anyone connected to the Roland
Corporation. The task was initially undertaken in a moment of fury, and assembled, proof read, and then hastily
produced exclusively for love, and pleasure. It has continued mainly because of the pleasure it brings to create
technical drawings, and re write these leaflets in a time when I am very, very busy.
It is our hope that as the result you will begin to explore and discover layers of rhythm and joy which were previously
overlooked. We hope and trust that you will use the pattern worksheets to document your discoveries, and our
extensive encouragement to share, and import patches and patterns of your own into a thriving community of
exploration and delight.
If you wish to correspond with the author of this manual you may do so by navigating your web browser to the
following destination:
http://sunshine-jones.com
The original article and a bank of patterns may be found within the non-fiction section of the site.
While no rights are reserved for the copyrighted materials, nor the registered trademarks discussed or absorbed into
this manual, the assemblage itself and subsequent sound examples, illustrations, and concept are offered exclusively
under the Creative Commons license of share and share alike. This is and shall always be free of charge to the
reader, and user of the Roland TR-09 Rhythm Composer, and must never be offered for sale or barter. This is
freeware, and free information for all.
With Love
Sunshine Jones
October 2017
San Francisco, California
Version 0.01
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CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS …………… 3
BASIC CONNECTIONS …………… 6
INTRODUCTION …………………… 7
I. INSTANT GRATIFICATION ……………… 8
II. GENERAL FUNCTIONS
COMMON SECTION ……………… 10
TRANSPORT ……………… 10
SYNC …… 11
TEMPO …… 11
LAST STEP …… 11
SCALE & BACKBEATS …… 12
SHUFFLE/FLAM …… 12
CLEAR ……. 13
INSTRUMENT SELECT ………….. 13
SHIFT 13
MAIN KEYS 14
MODE 14
USB INTERFACE 15
DATA BACKUP & RESTORE 15
III. FUNCTIONS FOR SOUND CREATION
KNOBS ………………….…… 17
COMPRESSION ………………………. 20
GAIN ………………………. 20
TUNE ………………………. 20
DECAY ………….…………… 20
PAN ……………………. 20
IV. FUNCTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE
SEQUENCER MODE ……….. 21
PATTERN ……. 21
CHAIN ………. 22
PATTERN PLAY ………. 22
PATTERN WRITE ………. 23
TRACK MODE ………. 25
TRACK WRITE 26
V. SYSTEM SETTINGS
ACCESS …………… 29
CHANNEL …………… 29
SYNC ……………. 29
AUTO OFF 29
LED DEMO 29
PrG.N ……………. 29
USB 1-4 29
OUT 30
SCALE LOCK 30
FIRMWARE UPDATE 30
MAIN SPECIFICATIONS ……….. 31
OPTIONS …………………….. 31
VI. MIDI …………… 32
MIDI IMPLEMENTATION CHART ………… 33
PATCH MEMO 34
PATTERN MEMO 35
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BASIC CONNECTIONS
NOTE - the use of the Tandy 1400TL™ for the purposes of illustrating a personal computer in this diagram does not suggest that a
Tandy 1400TL™ will work in this instance. The fact is, the Tandy 1400TL™ doesn’t even have a USB port on it, nor do we know of a
currently produced or functional serial bus to USB adaptation technique. The Tandy 1400TL™ was used in this illustration because it
looks cool, it fit into the graphic nicely, and also perhaps to subconsciously introduce the idea that perhaps a computer is less of an
inspirational musical instrument in the end than we might have originally hoped it would be. The idea of computers and music was
once a thrilling concept - what sequencer isn’t a computer of sorts, right? And yet as the world funnels down into tiny screens, and
distraction it seems that our focus might be better placed into a more diverse and authentically inspirational tools which give back in
a deeper and broader way.
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INTRODUCTION
The TR-09 is a sound module that uses cutting edge modeling technology to faithfully model the Roland TR-909 drum
machine which went on sale in 1983. In addition to its compact size, it allows battery-powered operation and
contains a small speaker. You’ll be able to enjoy full fledged TR-909 sound anywhere.
•"The TR-09 can operate on batteries or on USB power. If you are using batteries, insert four AA batteries, making
sure that the batteries are oriented correctly.
•"If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and fluid leakage. Make sue that you carefully observe all of
the items related to batteries that are listed in the “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” and “IMPORTANT NOTES” leaflet that
came with your machine.
•When turning the unit over, be careful so as to protect the buttons and knobs from damage. Also, handle the unit
carefully. Do not drop it.
•"When the batteries run low, the “btLo” blinks on the display. Replace the batteries as soon as you can and this
message will go away.
From the Roland Web Site regarding the TR-09:
The influence of the TR-909 drum machine is still heard—and felt—more than three decades after it was launched.
Now, the 909 sound is available as part of the Roland Boutique series in the form of the TR-09. Featuring the same
front-panel layout and user interface of the original, the TR-09 is powered by Roland’s ACB technology, delivering the
speaker-pummelling power of the TR-909 in a super-affordable and portable format. Offering precise control over an
array of drum parameters and the ability to keep playing when switching modes, the TR-09 may be compact, but it
still has the power to move people. Studio sessions are well catered for too, with four separate outputs via USB
audio, external instrument control via a trigger output, and USB MIDI.
909 Power via Roland’s ACB Technology
The original TR-909 blended analog kick, snare, and tom drums with six-bit samples for the hi-hats and cymbals. This
hybrid approach to sound generation meant that the 909 sounded like no other drum machine. Accurately recreating
such an influential sound while retaining the ability to edit and tweak the various parameters is only possible via
Roland’s ACB (Analog Circuit Behavior) technology, which is also found in the popular AIRA series.
Connect with External Gear
The TR-09 is designed to easily connect with other gear. The main stereo mini-jack output can also be reconfigured
to send the selected instrument to the right channel, with the other instruments output to the left. A mix input routes
external audio through the main outputs, while the trigger output lets the TR-09 drive vintage analog synths such as
the SH-101 or JX-3P, or modern gear like the current SYSTEM-500 modular series. Sync and control other gear via
standard MIDI ports or USB, and even send the audio of four individual drum parts via USB to continue working in
your favorite DAW.
USB Audio Interface for Direct Recording to Your DAW
Via its USB port, the TR-09 also functions as a high-quality audio interface, providing a simple and reliable way of
recording directly to your DAW application. You can even send individual drums to separate channels, thanks to the
TR-09’s four discrete outputs over USB. Saving your favorite settings and sequencer patterns is easy too via the USB
data backup function.
Classic TR-REC Sequencer with Enhanced Functions
Dedicated TR-909 users will recognise the classic TR-REC style of programming found in the TR-09, with a choice of
Step or Tap write modes. You can even change modes while the pattern continues playing, something not possible on
the original. The TR-09 sequencer has 16 steps, and each has 16 sub-steps so you can fine-tune your performances.
And just like the original TR-909, the Shuffle/Flam parameter can be selected using the buttons—but if you need
greater control, simply use the display and rotary encoder to perfect your pattern.
Battery or USB Bus Power
Some of the best music is made away from the studio, so the Roland Boutique series runs on 4 x AA batteries, ready
for when inspiration strikes. Alternatively, you can power the TR-09 with USB bus power.
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I. INSTANT GRATIFICATION
There’s nothing worse that getting a new thing and then being confronted with questions you didn’t expect and tiny
little instructions in a leaflet that you can never re fold correclty before you get to deeply enjoy, or even just casually
check out your new instrument. Drum machines are more difficult than your average synth, because with
synthesizers there are keys to play, and patches to step through and you can find yourself playing your favorite Mr.
Fingers jam and singing at the top of your lungs in no time. But with a drum machine it’s usually a situation where you
turn it on, and press play and things happen, but you haven’t connected headphones or the speakers yet, so you
pause, and hook up the wires and then press play again. Then you hear some messed up track mode rendition of the
preset patterns and it’s a let down.
To avoid this let’s look at how to make some sounds with your fingers right now, and then how to play a few of the
preset patterns and avoid track mode all together for the moment, shall we?
PLAYING SOUNDS
The TR-09 boots up in TRACK MODE. That’s the song mode we were talking about above. The onyl thing TRACK
MODE is good for besides sequencing your own patterns together into your own song is auditioning sounds.
So no need to look at MODE just yet, have a go and press the BASS DRUM main key. Hear anything?
The TR-09 has a speaker, so you should hear something. If you don’t take a look and check three things:
1. Is the volume up on the back of the TR-09? Turn that black knob at the back and see that it’s at least at 12 o’clock
2. Is the volume up on the BASS DRUM sound knobs? Make sure it’s at least at 12 o’clock
3. Is there a cable connected to the main output? Inserting a cable there will cut off the sound of the spaker. So if
there’s something plugged in, but it isn’t connected to the speakers, or isn’t on yet, then you won’t hear anything.
Play the sounds.
Mess with the knobs.
Sounds like a TR-909 doesn’t it? Isn’t that just completely awesome?
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PLAYING PATTERNS
To play a pattern you need to get into PATTERN PLAY MODE
Look across the MAIN section and just below, and right in between the MID TOM decay button, and the HI TOM tune
button is the PATTERN PLAY section.
Press PATTERN PLAY I
Now press MAIN KEY [1-16] it’s a gambler’s world, so the choice it yours. I would personally start at 1 and then go to
2, and then 3 and so on, but you can choose whichever you like.
Press START
Now a pattern should be playing. If you bought the machine second hand, that means someone may have added
their own patterns, or dutifully erased all the patters so this could explain why
A. there’s no pattern playing, or
B. why it’s a total mess and you hate it. Select a few more patterns and listen.
Mess with the knobs and the volume controls. Sounds like a TR-909 drum machine playing someone else’s patterns
doesn’t it? That is so exciting. Damn.
Ok, now let’s get into this and figure out what things do and how things work and start making out own situation come
together, ok?
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II. GENERAL FUNCTIONS
COMMON SECTION
The common section of the TR-09 Rhythm Composer includes everything you need to program and play rhythm
patterns, pattern chains, tracks, and also access to the system and internal sound sections for extended editing, and
sound creation operations not immediately available on the front panel. In this section there is also the master tempo
knob/data wheel, real time access to the pattern length, shuffle and flam amounts, instrument selection, compression
amounts, gain adjustment, tune, decay, pan, midii channel selection, sync source options, automatic shut off timing,
access to the LED demo settings, a choice of programming modes, USB audio/midi output assignments, output
assignment for the physical 3.5mm output connection, and a scale button lock so the scale doesn’t change in a
performance or during composition by mistake. The common section also features the main start and stop/continue
transport buttons, and a shift button for accessing alternate modes for writing, and editing, and there’s a clear button
for swift and simple erasure of entire tracks and patterns.
TRANSPORT
The transport section of the TR-09 is how we start and stop the instrument’s internal sequencer. It seems basic
enough, but there are some things to know.
START - begins playback when sync is set to AUTO or INT and no other incoming clock is present. If sync is set to
AUTO and another clock is in control, the internal tempo will be ignored and the display will show —- to illustate that
another clock is synchronizing the TR-09. INT sync settings will ignore any other incoming clock source, but then you
must be sure that the TR-09 is the master clock in your particular situation if syncronization between devices is
desired.
STOP/CONT - stops playback of the internal sequencer regardless of the clock source. Pressing CONT will resume
playback from the point at which the squence stopped. To begin again from the beginning after pressing STOP, press
START and you will being the rhythm again from the first beat of the pattern.
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SYNC
To select sync settings, press the MENU button and use the TEMPO knob to scroll through the options. When you
arrive at SYNC, press the ENTER key and select between your options. Once selected, press ENTER again to return
to the MENU. Press Menu again to return to the TR-09 main section.
[MENU] - 1. CH 2. SYNC 3. A.OFF 4. dEMO 5. PrG.n 6. USb1 7. USb2 8. USb3 9. USb4 10. OUT 11. SCAL
[SYNC] 1. AUTO 2. INT
TEMPO
The tempo knob serves two primary purposes:
1. To set and adjust the internal tempo of the drum machine
2. To act as a rotary encoder for various sub functions to make adjustments to settings
LAST STEP
The last step function is a way to set the length of the pattern being played. the choices are 1 - 16 steps and this can
be adjusted during playback. For example the basic sequence length of the TR-09 in the default scale is 16 beats.
Holding down the LAST STEP button allows you to change this length from 1 (a looping first beat only) to 8 (half of
the pattern) to 16 (the entire pattern again) and all stages in between.
To adjust the LAST STEP
Press and hold the [LAST STEP] button.
Either select the length from the [main keys] 1-16
Or scroll the [tempo knob] and choose this way
The change is instant, and these is no benefit to choosing with either the temo knob or the main buttons, but play with
this and see which way makes more sense to you personally. It’s esy to screw up when messing with this, so a little
practice can build confidence. The results are pretty fun in a performance.
NOTE - Last Step is a very nice feature for live improvisations, but it does not stay. This feature does not actually
change the length of the pattern as a saved length. Rather, it only lasts for as long as you are holding down the
[LAST STEP] button. When you release the button, the length returns to 16 at the next [1] beat.
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SCALE & BACKBEATS
SCALE is the method of adressing the timing of the pattern’s rhythm. The TR-09 allows you to choose between 16th
note triplet (where 6 notes will be one beat,) 8th note triplet (where 3 notes will be one beat), 32nd note (where 8
notes will be one beat), and 16th note (where 4 notes will be one beat.)
To adjust the SCALE
First note that unless you are in PATTERN WRITE mode the SCALE button will not do anything.
To enter PATTERN WRITE mode hold the [SHIFT] button and press the [PATTERN PLAY] button. This puts you into
PATTERN WRITE MODE. More about MODE later on.
Press the [SCALE] button and select
O - 16th Note Triplet
O - 8th Note Triplet
O - 32nd Note
O- 16th Note
In standatrd dance, or popular music the 16th note scale is most common, but scale can be used to play with time
and deliver interesting and more complex rhythms. Maybe don’t just stick to 4/4 16th note scale and struggle, why not
play with time a little and see what it feels like?
BACKBEAT is a micro adjustment of any given beat in the 16 step grid. In effect it is a process of applying a different
scale to an individual beat as opposed to the whole pattern.
To apply a BACKBEAT, note that this only works in PATTERN WRITE mode just like the scale function above.
Once in PATTERN WRITE mode, choose the instrument you wish to apply a BACKBEAT to
Hold [INSTRUMENT SELECT] and press the MAIN KEY [1-16] which represents the instrument you wish to work with
Hold the [ENTER] button, and press a MAIN KEY [1-16]
Notice how basically you now have access to the steps surrounding the main SCALE and can create lovely triplets,
and agressing tom rolls and fills and trill the cymbals wihtout having to choose a whole different scale or multiple
patterns to do so. Mess around with this. Don’t blow it off. It’s very cool.
SHUFFLE/FLAM
SHUFFLE is essentiallythe same thing as what we refer to as swing. The higher the number [-50 - 0 - 50] the greater
the amount of positive swing, the lower the number the greater amount of negative swing, and at 0 there is no swing
at all. SHUFFLE is a way of pushing the beat away from the beat and adjusting the rynthm’s time signature in
between the beats. An extreme shuffle is literally swinging the beats from the 1 count. Subtle amounts can deliver a
feel or a little bit of softness to an otherwise stiff and computer sounding rhythm.
Setting the SHUFFLE amount
This can only be done in PATTERN WRITE mode.
Hold the [SHUFFLE/FLAM] button and perform one of two options
1 - Select between MAIN KEYS [1-7] to choose preset amounts
2 - Rotate the TEMPO knob and manually dial in a value which feel right [-50-0-50]
MAIN KEY [8] turns SHUFFLE OFF
FLAM is the rhythmic effect of a double hit. Two beats so close together they create an interesting, driving rhythmic
result. FLAM is made with two hands, and the settings here allow you to adjust the space between each hit.
Setting the FLAM amount
This can only be done in PATTERN WRITE mode.
Hold the [SHUFFLE/FLAM] button and perform one of two options
1 - Select between MAIN KEYS [9-16] to choose preset amounts
2 - Rotate the TEMPO knob and manually dial in a value which feel right [0-50]
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PROGRAMMING A FLAM
FLAM may be entered only for BASS DRUM, SNARE DRUM, LOW TOM, MID TOM, and HI TOM.
This operation is best when applied in STEP WRITE MODE.
1. Hold down [INSTRUMENT SELECT] and press one of the MAIN KEYS which reflect the intstrument you wish to
FLAM. Press BOTH of the instrument’s MAIN Keys in order to define the FLAM entry. So for example if you were
going to FLAM the bass drum, when selecting the instrument you would choose both MAIN KEY 1 and MAIN KEY
2 at the same time. In effect you then have selected a FLAMMED BASS DRUM as the instrument.
2. In PATTERN WRITE mode, wiht the sequencer running select which step the FLAM will happen on
3. Hold down the [SHUFFLE/FLAM] button and press the FLAM keys [9-16] and select the spacing you like best.
Higher numbers produce greater spacing, and you can also use the TEMPO knob to refine the details.
CLEAR
The clear button is used for clearing the current pattern or track. Doesn’t do anything when you are in PATTERN or
TRACK PLAY mode.
To clear a pattern enter PATTERN WRITE mode
Hold [SHIFT] and press the PATTERN or TRACK bank you want to erase in. The bank button blinks, indicating that
you are in WRITE mode.
Clearing a pattern
Hold down the [CLEAR] button and press one of the main keys [1]–[16] to select the pattern that you
want to clear.
Holding down [CLEAR] and pressing all of the patterns you want to clear is a fast way of preparing a bank for new
patterns.
INSTRUMENT SELECT
This is how you select which sound the current grid is programming.
Hold down the [INSTRUMENT SELECT] button and press one of the main keys [1]–[16] to select the sound that you
want to record.
NOTE - To select the Open Hi Hat press both [13] and [14] (similar to how we program the FLAM.)
SHIFT
The SHIFT key actis as a modifier key so that some of the keys may perform secondary functions.
[SHIFT] + [TRACK PLAY] = TRACK WRITE MODE
[SHIFT] + [PATTERN PLAY] = PATTERN WRITE MODE
[SHIFT] + [COMP] = EDIT MODE
[SHIFT] + [TEMPO] = PATTERN WRITE MODE STEP
[SHIFT] + [BACK] = PATTERN WRITE MODE TAP
[SHIFT] + [FWD] = BANK I
[SHIFT] + [AVAILABLE MEASURE] = BANK II
[SHIFT] + [CYCLE/GUIDE] = LAST MEASURE
[SHIFT] + [INSTRUMENT SELECT] + [ENTER] = SOLO/MUTE
[CLEAR] + [SHIFT] + [INSTRUMENT SELECT] = CLEAR ALL MUTE/SOLO
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MAIN KEYS
The main keys are the keys which present the instruments to select between, illustrate the shuffle/flam timing, and
display the grid for step sequencing on the TR-09.
MODE
There are two main modes for the TR-09
PLAY
You can playback, chain, mute, solo, and adjust your patterns and track and edit your sounds in PLAY MODE
WRITE
You can clear and write patterns and tracks in WRITE MODE
Switching between banks is also a function of MODE
[TRACK PLAY] + [1-4] selects between the available tracks
[SHIFT] + [TRACK PLAY] + [1-4] sets the TR-09 into WRITE MODE and selects between the available tracks
[PATTERN PLAY] + [1-3] select between the three banks of pattern memory available
[SHIFT] + [PATTERN PLAY] + [1-3] sets the TR-09 into WRITE MODE and selects between the three banks of
pattern memory available
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USB INTERFACE
In the past many synthesizers came equipped with various interfaces. Connection methods like CV and Gate, Din
Sync, S Trig, DCB, Tape I/O allowed synthesizers to connect to clocks, tape machines, sequencers and drum tracks.
Thanks to the universal serial bus with which most personal computers are equipped today we have a number of
interesting ways to handle these once complicated and tedious operations.
The USB connection port can be used to:
•"Pass midi as well as audio data to and from a computer based DAW
•"Mount the Drum Machine to the desktop of a computer and backup and/or restore and share your patterns.
•"Mount the Drum Machine to the desktop for software updates.
DATA BACKUP & RESTORE
One of the coolest things about the boutique line of modules is their ability to mount onto the desktop of any USB
enabled computer and you can drag and drop your patches in order to save them. This is much handier than the old
fashioned midi librarian software, or the ancient and rarely reliable tape backup interface (although that actually is a
thrill and you might want to try it sometime.)
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To mount the TR-09 to your desktop follow this procedure:
1. Use a micro USB cable with a standard USB connector on the end.
2. Connect the micro end to the TR-09 and restart the synth holding down the [START] button.
3. All the lights come on, and this means the TR-09 is awaiting connection to the computer.
4. Connect the USB cable to the computer and a drive icon named TR-09 will appear on the desktop. It takes a
second, but it does its thing.
To create a backup of your patterns:
1. Follow the above procedure for mounting the TR-09
2. Copy the backup files from the TR-09 drive into an appropriately named folder on your computer
3. Once you’re done, eject the TR-09 drive, disconnect the USB cable.
4. Once noted you may power cycle the TR-09 and you’re done.
To bring patterns from your computer into the TR-09:
1. Follow the above procedure for mounting the TR-09
2. Copy the backup files, or the new patches you’d like to check out into the appropriate “BACKUP” folder on the
TR-09 drive
3. When copying is completed, press the [ENTER] button.
4. Once the lights stop doing their thing, you may eject the TR-09 drive.
5. Once confirmed you may power cycle the TR-09 and disconnect the USB cable and you’re done.
What’s so big about that? Any system exclusive file utility can do the same thing, why is this important?
Well, the simplicity and visual aspect of this process is so novel that really anyone with basic computer skills can do
it. This makes the process of file/patch sharing very easy. It’s surprising that there aren’t many amazing TR-09
patterns or other Roland Boutique patches out there for the sharing and contributing to isn’t it? It’s possible that this
process is just so easy, and painless to do that people still believe they need to connect a cassette deck, and record
the sysex audio to tapes and then ship them to friends in order to share their files. Or many people are afraid to give
away their precious patches? I’m not sure, but I think it’s pretty cool, and I plan to come up with a bank of patches or
two and offer them up for anyone interested in them. I’d also be very keen to see how others have undertaken the
TR-09 in their own situations. Can you tell I think that patch and pattern exchanges are awesome? I do. And while I
rarely use patches or patterns from other sound designers, I love to explore what synthesizers are capable of, and
sometimes the best way to do that is by seeing how Arthur Baker, or someone I’ve never heard of does it.
Restore the TR-09 to factory settings:
This is the procedure for resetting your TR-09 back to it’s factory state. Remember that if you do this, all your settings
and all your sounds will be overwritten with the out of the box, factory fresh programming.
1. While holding down the [2] button, turn on the power.
2. To execute the reset press the ENTER button
3. When all the buttons blink, restart the TR-09 and it’ll be just the way it was the day you got it.
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III. FUNCTIONS FOR SOUND CREATION
KNOBS
For the most part the knobs on the front panel of the TR-09 are how you access the sound controls. The TR-09 is not
completely one knob per function, but it’s pretty close. There are some extra tricks, and also some missing knobs for
certain sounds, andI’ll show you how to access these, but first let’s talk about the knobs we do have. Don’t be afraid
to mess around with knobs. Different settings sound differently in different situations. What sounds amazing in
headphones could be mellow and chill in a speaker. What just crushes it in a nightclub could sound distorted and
amateurish in a studio. It becomes vital to know what you’re after so that apprehensive techs, or people who see
things differently than you do don’t discourage you. What sounds sick in a club needs adjustment for sure, but what
sounds great at home may also require attention. Only you know what you’re after, and only by getting your hands on
these knobs (small as they are) can you dial it in to exactly what you’re after.
BASS DRUM
TUNE - Set the tuning of the kick drum
LEVEL - Set the volume of the kick drum
ATTACK - Set the amount of attack you want for the kick drum
DECAY - Set how long the Kick drum sounds after it’s been kicked
SNARE DRUM
TUNE - Set the tuning of the snare drum
LEVEL - Set the volume of the snare drum
TONE - Set the tone of the snare drum
SNAPPY - Set the snap of the snare drum
TOW TOM - MID TOM - HI TOM
TUNE - Adjust the tuning of the toms
LEVEL - Adjust the level of the toms
DECAY - Set the amount of decay for the toms
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RIM
LEVEL - Adjust the volume of the rim shot
NOTE - Additional features for sound creation are available
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
TUNE
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see TUNE
Select MAIN KEY [11]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the tune parameter of the Rim Shot sound
DECAY
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see dECy
Select MAIN KEY [11]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the DECAY parameter of the Rim Shot sound
CLAP
LEVEL - Adjust the volume of the hand clap
NOTE - Additional features for sound creation are available
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
TUNE
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see TUNE
Select MAIN KEY [12]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the tune parameter of the Hand Clap sound
DECAY
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see dECy
Select MAIN KEY [12]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the DECAY parameter of the Hand Clap sound
HI HAT
LEVEL - Adjust the volume of the hi hats
CH DECAY - Set the closed hi hat decay amount
OH DECAY - Set the open hi hat decay amount
NOTE - Additional features for sound creation are available
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
TUNE
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see TUNE
Select MAIN KEY [13-14]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the tune parameter of the Hi Hat sound
CYMBAL
CRASH LEVEL - Adjust the crash cymbal volume
CRASH TUNE - Adjust the tuning of the crash
RIDE LEVEL - Set the volume of the ride cymbal
RIDE TUNE - adjust the tuning of the ride
NOTE - Additional features for sound creation are available
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
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DECAY
[SHIFT] + [COMP] bring up the EDIT menu
Scroll with the TEMPO knob until you see dECy
Select MAIN KEY [15] or [16]
Now rotate the tempo knob. The value reflected in the display is the DECAY parameter of the Crash [15] or Ride [16]
sound
TOTAL ACCENT
LEVEL - Increase or decrease the impact of the accent track programmed into any given pattern
TRIGGER OUT
The TRIGGER OUT jack outputs a trigger pulse. You can use a mini-plug (mono) cable to connect this jack to an
external device and control that device from the TR-09. The trigger output sequences and plays back just like any
other instrument on the drum machine. [INSTRUMENT SELECT] + [TRIGGER OUT] and proceed.
I love using this output to sequence one of the trigger inputs of my Erica Synths Pico Drum module, but really
anything that receives a trigger input works great. It’s also a fantastic was to send out a manually sequenced clock to
drive a sequencer or an arpeggiator.
NOTE - This is a mono jack. For best results connect a mono 3.5mm cable to the destination.
A stereo cable won’t work.
Using step write to specify trigger out
* Perform this operation in STEP WRITE mode
1. Hold down the [INSTRUMENT SELECT] button and press the [TRIGGER OUT] (MENU) button.
2. Use the main keys [1]–[16] to specify the steps at which a trigger is output.
Using tap write to specify trigger out
*Perform this operation in tap write mode
1. Hold down the [INSTRUMENT SELECT] button and press the [TRIGGER OUT] (MENU) button as the MAIN
BUTTON for inputting the rhythm programming.
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COMPRESSION
Compression is the process of lessening the dynamic range between the loudest and quietest parts of an audio
signal. This is done by boosting the quieter signals and attenuating the louder signals. The TR-09 features a
compression tool which allows us to apply an amount of compression to the BASS DRUM and the SNARE DRUM
(respectively.) The amounts are set uniquely to each sound, and effect all patterns and tracks.
To adjust the Compression
Press the [COMP] button
Select either the Bass Drum [1-2] or the Snare Drum [3-4] and use the TEMPO knob to attenuate the amount.
The display shows the setting
COMPRESION EXPERIMENT
I have a love/hate releationship with compressors. I need them, I love them, they’re awesome. I hate them, they ruin
everything, they’re horrible. So the idea is to learn when compression is wanted or perhaps needed to produce the
results we want, yes?
Write a pattern with just a kick. Press the [COMP] button and select the kick
Now rotate the amount up really high, and play around with the tune, level, decay, and attack knobs
Do you see how we can get some different and interesting sounds doing this? Interesting right?
Now try it with the snare.
EDIT MENU
The EDIT menu offers a few good tools for sound designing. You access the menu by pressing [SHIFT] + [COMP]
And then use the Tempo knob to srcroll through the available options
GAIN
This is a method of setting up a gain structure for your drum kits.
The value extends from 0 (silence) to 200 (wildly distorted) and can aid in making some viscious little sounds.
I use these in a fairly practical way to set up the basic sound of the TR-09 that I want, and then adjust the GAIN to
give me the maximum amount of headroom in a sound system. This is because what I usually think is going to be
perfect turns out to be all kick and nothing else. So the gain allows me to gainstage the sounds and get a great mix
pretty fast so that the knobs on the front of the drum machine are then enough to give a great performance without
saying things like “I can’t hear the clap!” in the middle of the set to myself.
TUNE
As described in the KNOBS section, here you can address the tuning for the sounds which don’t have a tuning knob
on the front of the machine.
DECAY
Also described in the KNOBS section, here you can set the decay values for the sounds which don’t have a decay
knob on the front panel
PAN
Here’s a cool way of doing a couple of things
1. Using a stereo output cable (stereo 3.5mm to Left and Righ for the mixer) you can set up a pannorama and get
your tom fills ripping from left to right, and image your cymbals into the stereo field.
2. You can set up the outs to be hard left for the kick, and hard right for everything else and get some separation for
mixing on the mixer.
PAN VALUES - L64 - C0 - R63
NOTE - This functionality Added to the TR-09 (Ver. 1.04)
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