Roland TR-909 User manual

Copyright © 2018 ROLAND CORPORATION 01
Owner’s Manual
Software Rhythm Composer
TR-909

2
Introduction
For details on the settings for the DAW software that you’re using, refer to the DAW’s help or
manuals.
About Trademarks
• VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
• Roland is a registered trademark or trademark of Roland Corporation in the United States and/or other
countries.
• Company names and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of
their respective owners.

3
Screen Structure
Main window
This area shows various knobs and sliders that you can use to
edit the sound.
Use the [PANEL] button to switch
[GAIN] knob
Adjusts the gain of each instrument.
[PAN] knob
Adjusts the pan (left/right position) of each instrument.
[PANEL] button
Instrument pads
Sound is produced when you click these.
[START/STOP] button
Plays or stops the pattern.
[EDIT] button
Displays the pattern edit area.
[VOLUME] knob
Adjusts the volume.
[SHUFFLE] knob
Adjusts the amount of shuffle (swing).
* This is multiplied with each instrument’s shuffle setting in
Pattern Edit. If the instrument’s shuffle setting is 0, shuffle is
not applied even if you turn this knob.
[OPTION] button
Lets you make various settings, or
authorize the software.
[HELP] button
Displays help.
[ABOUT] button
Displays information about
TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer.
[PANEL] button
Switches the instrument edit section’s
display to GAIN, PAN, and TUNE (Bass
Drum only).
[A]–[H] buttons
Switch the variation (A–H) that plays.
To make a multiple selection, hold down the [Shift] key.
The currently playing variation button blinks.
[LIST] button
Displays the Memory Select window.
Display (upper line)
Shows the bank name.
Level meter
Shows the output level.
Display (center line / lower line)
Shows the selected pattern name and kit name.
[ ] [ ] buttons
Recall the previous or next pattern or kit.
[WRITE] button
Saves the pattern or kit.
Instrument edit section
Here you can edit the tonal character of the instruments. You can use 11 different instruments (BD–CH) in a pattern.
TOTAL ACCENT
Specifies the strength of accents.
[LEVEL] knob
Adjusts the volume of the instrument.
For the hi-hat or cymbal, this can be
adjusted individually for each sound.
[TONE] knob
For the snare drum, this adjusts the
tension of the head. For the cymbal, this
adjusts the tonal character.
[TUNE] knob
Adjusts the pitch of each instrument.
[ATTACK] knob
Specifies the attack of the bass drum
sound.
[SNAPPY] knob
Adjusts the decay of the sound.
Turning the knob toward the left makes
the sound crisper, and turning it toward
the right extends the decay.
[DECAY] knob
Adjusts the decay of the sound.
Turning the knob toward the left makes
the sound more crisp, and turning it
toward the right produces a longer decay.
For the hi-hat and cymbal, this can be
adjusted individually for each sound.

4
Sound Engine Structure
What Is a“PATTERN”?
The performance data that you
record is called a“pattern.”
The TR-909 Software Rhythm
Composer has 128 patterns (16
patterns x 8 banks); each pattern
has eight variations (A–H).
What Is a“KIT”?
The 11 instruments are collectively
called a “kit.”
The TR-909 Software Rhythm
Composer has 128 kits.
The pattern plays the instruments
of the currently selected kit.
Variation
Pattern 1–128
ACB D
E GF H
Kit 1–128
Instrument x 11
BASS
DRUM
A pattern plays the inst of
the kit.
Variation
Pattern 1–128
ACB D
E GF H
PATTERN 128
PATTERN 3
PATTERN 2
PATTERN 1
KIT 128
KIT 3
KIT 2
KIT 1
INST
INST
Parameter
BD
INST
Parameter
SD
INST
Parameter
RC
KIT
Parameter
128 kits128 patterns KITPATTERN
BANK
BSTEP data
HSTEP data
ASTEP data
VARIATION
Pattern
Setting
TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer
BANK 1
Patterns Kits
Pattern 1
Pattern 2
Pattern 3
•
•
Pattern 128
Kit 1
Kit 2
Kit 3
•
•
Kit 128
128 patterns 128 kits
BANK 2
Patterns Kits
Pattern 1
Pattern 2
Pattern 3
•
•
Pattern 128
Kit 1
Kit 2
Kit 3
•
•
Kit 128
128 patterns 128 kits
There is no limit on the number of banks

5
Edit Window
Parameter Value/Explanation
EDIT VARIATION SELECT buttons A–H: Select the variation that you want to edit.
CURRENT: Select the currently playing variation.
[SCALE] button Selects the scale. The scale changes each time you press the button.
The vertical stripes that are the background of the step buttons are spaced at quarter-note intervals.
[LAST STEP] button Specifies the length of the pattern. You can set this individually for each instrument.
[WEAK] button Turn this on to enter weak beats.
[FLAM] button Turn this on to enter a flam.
FlAM TYPE
Specifies the spacing of the flam. Click the text “TYPE.”
TYPE1: 0msec
TYPE2–9: Specify a spacing of 20–48 msec in 4 msec units.
[SUB STEP] button Turn this on to enter sub steps.
SUB STEP TYPE
Specifies the type of sub step. Click the text“TYPE.”
TYPE1: Duplets
TYPE2: Triplets
TYPE3: Quadruplets
TOTAL ACCENT
Illuminate the steps that you want to accent.
The strength of the accent is specified by the ACCENT [LEVEL] knob in the main window. (Accents
apply to the same step of all instruments.)
Instrument selection Select the instruments for which the variation/step is shown in the main window or edit window.
Parameter Value/Explanation
Variation indicator
This indicates the variation A–H that is playing for each instrument.
Even if different instruments have a different LAST STEP setting, and the variations being played do
not match, this shows the currently playing variation for each instrument.
[M] (mute) / [S] (solo) button Specify mute/solo settings for each instrument (solo has priority).
[SHUFFLE] slider Specifies the amount of shuffle (rhythmic bounce) for each instrument.
If the shuffle setting in the main window is set to “0,” this has no effect.
Step sequencer area This is a step sequencer that shows all instruments as a list.
Specifying the Pattern Length (LAST STEP)
1. Click the [LAST STEP] button
The [LAST STEP] button blinks purple.
The default is 16 steps.
2. For each instrument, press the button that you want to specify as the last step;
the button blinks.
Inputting Steps
1. For each instrument, input steps by making the step buttons lit or unlit.
Lit steps produce sound; unlit steps are silent.
Inputting the Total Accent (TOTAL ACCENT)
The top row of step buttons are for inputting the total accent.
1. Make the button light for each step at which you want to apply an accent.
An accented note is heard for all instruments that sound at a step whose total accent button
is lit.