Roland TR-909 User manual

RHYTHM COMPOSER
TAR-909
ОЛ» MANUAL

Contents
Panel Description
Connection
Operation
> Basic Course
Sound Check ..............
1. Manual РІау .............
2. Rhythm Pattern Рјау .......
Pattern Write and Play ........
1. бтер\/гпе..............
2. Some more useful Information
for Pattern Write... .......
3. Тар\/гтїе‚..............
4, Pattern Рау.............
Track Program and Play .......
1. Track Program ысы аа алға
2. Editing Rhythm Ттаск......
3. Additional Information .....
4. Track Play .,............
Tape Interface .............
> Advanced Course
Variations of Writing Rhythm
Pattefns: oou EEG Sq .. 24
1. Selecting a 5сае.......... 24
2. Setting Last бїер.......... 24
S ACCENT eri cras a ea tus MI Te LA 25
4. Shuffle EC" 26
SC ea ли а и 26
[5] Edit Еипсїїопз............. 27
iE tno ате rn 27
2. Chain Еипсїїоп........... 28
ЖЕ СС: а ОКТ 28
4, Insert ................. 30
Sc (UO Ms О i & Ses 31
Other Functions ,........... 32
1. Tempo Memory .......... 32
2e Münt ае аи ор. 32
3. Memory Сагігісде......... 33
4. Synce ЁЕипсїїоп$........... 34
5. External Instrument Mode ... 37
* MIB Lus oe Weed Ық 38
6. Trigger Out Stop/Start...... 38

Panel Description
External Instrument Button
Tempo Button | Step Write Button
Pattern Group Selector Buttons (Play/ mode) Back Button | Tap Write Button
Foward Button
Bank Selector Button
I/11
Track Selector Buttons (Play/ [Write | mode)
TAR-909
TOTAL ACCENT
Available Measure Button
Cycle Key/Guide Button
HYT ZTOMPoser
RIM SHOT НАМО CLAP 1 Tape Sync Button
TUNE LEVEL TUNE LEVEL LEVEL LEVÉL Tempo Mode Button
>
Controls іп the Sound Section
TONE SNAPPY DECAY DECAY OH DECAY Enter Key / Total Accent Key
Tempo Knob
Display Window
TEMPO Vi
START STOP/CONT MEAS/TEMPO TRACK PLAY PATTERN PLAY TEMPO BACK 2А = ОКШМЕ
tart
Ke
EXE
ие
Шш
ЕЕ
ЕЕ
Start
Key
Volume
Knob
А
3
STEP
ТАР
l
аш cu ИЗ
SLOW FAST TOTAL ACCENT MIN MAX
Last Step Button } . 2 2
2 І 2 2
| J
z
Scale Button
Shuffle/Flam Button
Main Keys
|
е: рт ГІ [7 ГІ ШЫЛЫ kin H Д Е ін e ГТ
Instrument Selecter Button Ngee ТАЙ ГТ! "m [7]
VERIFY —
Shift
Button
BASS
DRUM
SNARE
DRUM
те
те
(
|
MDTOM
|
|___нтом
—
RHET
Copy Key Load Key
Verify Key
The Keys and Buttons enclosed with ЕК should be always pushed while the {Shift Button} is being held down.

RHYTHM COMPOSER
TAR-903
The Roland TR-909 rhythm composer is
a fully programmable rhythm machine
with various attractive functions.
Features
eBy using up to 48 kinds of Rhythm
Patterns, you can program 4 Rhythm
Tracks (altogether 896 measures) in a
Bank, and there are two separate Banks,
which doubles the capacity of the TR-
909.
e|t is possible to write accent data indi-
pendently to Bass Drum, Snare Drum,
Low, Mid, and Hi Toms and Closed Hi-
hat, as well as Total accent to all the
voices within each step.
eEach sound source includes Control
knobs of Level, Decay, Tune, etc, allow-
ing spontaneous timber setting accord-
ing to the tempo of the rhythm.
@Flam and Shuffle functions are featured
enabling richer expressing of rhythms.
eThe Tape Interface makes it possible to
save the programmed data in the TR-
909's Memory onto an ordinary audio
tape.
eThe Memory Cartridge is optional for
instantaneous saving and loading.
eThe Display Window allows quick visual
grasp of the tempo, measure number,
etc.
eMIDI BUS Interface on the back panel
enables setting up with other- MIDI
devices, therefore, external sound
source and Sync with external devices
are now available.
Important Notes
e
Using
the
TR-909
near
a
neon
or
fluorescent
lamp
may
cause
noise
interference.
If
so,
change
the
angle
or
posi-
tion
of
the
TR-909.
eAvoid
using
the
TR-909
in
extreme
heat
or
humidity
or
where
it
may
be
affected
by
dust.
e
Use
a
soft
cloth
and
clean
only
with
mild
detergent.
eDo
not
use
solvents
such
as
paint
thinner.
= Memory Back-up
The
TR-909
features
memory
back-up
system
that
retains
Rhythm
Patterns
and
Track
compositions
even
when
switched
off.
The
TR-909
relies
on
its
batteries
for
its
back-up
circuit.
Be
sure
to
keep
the
battery
securely
connected
even
while
using
the
AC
Adaptor.
Also,
al-
ways
replace
with
a
complete
set
of
the
new
batteries
once
a
year.
If
you
have
changed
the
batteries
with
the
TR-909
switched
on,
the
memory
can
retain
the
data.
eif
the
TR-909
is
not
to
be
used
for
long
periods
of
time,
please
be
sure
to
switch
the
power
off
and
re-
move
the
batteries,
or
various
troubles
may
be
caused
by battery leakage.
ePlease
observe
"Battery
Replacement"
on
the
next
page.
ePlease
be
sure
that
the
polarities
of
the
batteries
are
correct.
= Battery Replacement
Use two 1.5V (UM-3) batteries.
© Remove the battery cover оп the bottom of the unit.
© Take out the battery case.
©
Remove
the
batteries
from
the
battery
case.
€ Place a new set of batteries taking care of the polari-
ties.
© Return the battery case into the housing.
© Return the battery cover.
ePlease be sure to do the entire battery replacing pro-
cedure with the unit switched on. Then the data in
memory will be retained.
ePlease do not pull the cord hard.
|

Connection
i| CARTRIDGE MASTER OUT MULTI OUT
| M-64C МОМО) t RIDE CRASH HI HAT CLAP RIMSHOT HITOM мотом — LOW ТОМ
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3YNC
IN
"i
|
О
START/STOP
nim
Guo!
SAVE/OUT
^
LOAD/IN
(3
О
E
Т
CONTROL
TAPE
MEMORY/SYNC
MIDI
.
bz
Mor
LP
ы
сс
ышын
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bb
НИВОИ
НЕЗНА
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Amplifier
muU A Rll CE ah Taal «жиы с= сво em aw си» ow өл ae oom
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РА Mixer

Operation
> Basic Course
[1]Sound Check
|
1.
Manual
Play
|
Hitting the Main Key, you will hear the (9 Set the Level Control of each sound
corresponding sound source. source to its middle.
[Operation] (à) Tap each Main Key, and the corre-
(D Set up the TR-909 as shown in “Соп- sponding voice will be heard. Here,
nection" on p. 6. adjust the overall volume to pleasant
level.
@ Turn the ТВ-909 on.
Note: Please try handling the Power
Switch as gently as possible.
2. Rhythm Pattern Play
Simple demonstration data is рге- (2 Turn the TR-909 on.
programmed into the TR-909 (Bank 1, Note: Please try handling the power
Track 1, Rhythm Patterns 1 to 8). You switch as gently as possible.
can erase it and write your own data.
(3) Set the Level Control of each sound
[Operation] source to its middle.
(D Set up the TR-909 as shown in "Con- (D Press the Start Key. (13°
nection” on p. 6.
Sound Sources
BASS DRUM .. .1 — With accent FIEBAT s sen 13 — Closed hi-hat with
accent
2 — Without accent
(Normal volume) 14 — Closed hi-hat
without accent
SNARE DRUM. .3 — With accent Pressing both 13 and 14
at the same time will
4 — Without accent make Open Hi-hat (in
normal volume).
LOW TOM
5, 7,9 — With accent CRASH... 15
MID TOM ... 6,8, 10 — Without
accent RIDE ........ 16
HI TOM
RIM SHOT. .... 11
HAND CLAP... 12
oF

E Controls in the Sound Section
e Level knob
This is provided for every sound source
and controls each volume. Rotating this
clockwise (C2) will increase the volume.
[BASS DRUM]
e@ Attack
This is to contro! the attack sound.
Rotating this knob clockwise (Q) in-
creases it.
е Decay
This adjusts the decay time. If you wish
to mute the kick drum sound, rotate
this knob counterclockwise (©).
eTune
This is to control the pitch. Whatever
the position this knob is set, the Decay
knob works at its set time.
[SNARE DRUM]
eTone
This is to change timber of the sound.
As you rotate this knob, the sound will
become brighter.
eTune
This is to contro! the pitch of the Snare
Drum sound.
eSnappy
This corresponds to the snappiness of
the Snare Drum. At its fully counter-
clockwise ( © ) position, Snare Drum
sound with snappy removed will be ob-
tained.
[LOW TOM/MID TOM/HI TOM]
eTune
Rotating the knob clockwise (Q) in-
creases the pitch. Controling the pitch
of these three Tom sounds, you can use
them as Melody Tom.
eDecay
This adjusts the decay time. || you wish
to mute the Tom sound, rotate this
knob counterclockwise (O).
[HI-HAT]
ө Decay
This knob controls the Decay time of
Hi-hat sound. If you wish to mute the
Hi-hat sound, rotate this knob counter-
clockwise (O).
[CRASH/RIDE]
eTone
This is to adjust the pitch of the Cymbal
sound.

i2]Pattern Write and Play
To store a measure of Rhythm Pattern
into the TR-909 is called '"Write" in this
manual.
There are two main methods of writing,
Step Write and Tap Write.
In either mode, you will hear the Rhythm
you are writing.
1. Step Write
Let us write an example pattern.
[Operation]
(D Make sure that the TR-909 is turned
on but not running. (The TR-909's
Main Keys's indicators flash from the
left to right showing that it is now in
the running mode. So, it is easily
recognized whether the TR-909 is run-
ning or not.)
(à While holding the Shift Button down,
press the Pattern Group Selector But-
ton 2, and it will start flashing. [27^
®© While holding the Clear Button, press
the Main Key 1. This procedure will
erase the Rhythm Pattern previously
written there (Bank 1, Pattern Group
2, Pattern Number 1). Even if there is
no Rhythm Pattern written there, this
procedure does you no harm.
(à) Press the Start Key. You will see the
Indicator on the Main Key flashing
from the left end to the right (from 1
to 16). >
Step No.
12846678 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
atm б) біне ooi d
ERR IRE ЖЕШ РЕ ЫШ ИЕЫ ДШ
ы АП а tee
CH
SD
BD
T.ACC
(5) To select a Voice you like, press the
appropriate Sound Key (= Main Key).
For instance, if you want the Snare
Drum, simply press either the Main
Key 3 or 4, while holding the Instru-
ment Selector Button.
3 4
52
aca
m
Y
\ SNARE DRUM
==
\ X 1
\
CF
PATTERN 2
өте
(57

10
eSelecting Sound Source
[Choosing]
| Total
| Accent
Chosing
Snare
|
Hi
Rim
Hand
Closed
Bass
Drum
Drum
Low
Tom
Mid
Tom
Tom
Shot
Clap
Hi-hat
Crash
Ride
(1 or
2)
(3
or
4)
|| | -
SELECT
*Be sure to press the Main Key while
holding the Instrument Selector Button
down.
* You may notice that the indicators on
the left of the Bass Drum, Snare Drum,
Tom (Hi, Mid, Low) and Closed Hi-hat
light dimmer than the right ones. There
is a reason for it; the left ones give
sounds with accents and the right ones
in normal volume. This allows you to
select either of normal or accent sound
depending which you prefer. (Refer to
Advanced Cource for the details.)
(& Now press the relevant Main Key ac-
cording to the Rhythm Chart shown
on the next page.
eThis operation will cause the indicator
on the pressed Main Key to light up.
The corresponding sound source will be
heard. when the flashing of the indi-
cators (moving through the row of the
Main Keys from right to left) reaches
that Main Key.
e|f you find the tempo too slow or fast,
adjust it to the comfortable speed.
ө |f you have pressed an irrelevant key by
mistake, you need to cancel it by pres-
sing the same key once (or twice de-
pending on the keys as follows).
nooo
ІЗІ
Open Hi-hat
(To select Open Hi-hat, press both
13and 14 at the same time.)
жауы
nooo
*|n selecting Bass Drum, Snare Drum
or Tom (Hi, Mid, Low), if you happen
to press both of the two keys simultane-
ously by mistake (e. g. 1 and 2 in case
selecting Bass Drum), the TR-908 will
turn to the Flam Write mode. (This
mode will be explained later in ''Ad-
vanced Course"). To leave this mode,
simply press the appropriate key (1 or 2
in case selecting Bass Drum).
*BASS DRUM
SNARE DRUM
LOW TOM
MID TOM
HI-TOM
C. HI-HAT
Press the Key twice.
RIM SHOT
HAND CLAP
О. HI-HAT
CRASH
RIDE
Press the Key just
once.
* The flashing indicator on the key will
go out to show that the relevant sound
source is cancelled.

11
eRhythm Chart
we ма а а а а а а и и а || а
24
5з;
6
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7
a
9.
0
copy
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БАЈЕ
VERIFY
LOAD
:
2
3
i
а
. И К
| | | |
Rhythm
Chart
--ф—
+
—@—
+
----%-5---
-
*Press
the
Main
Key
corresponding
to
€
position
on
the
Rhythm
Chart
one
after
another.
_______________________----
нв
аон-—--
eHow
the
Main
Keys
work
in
writing
The
Indicator
on
the
Main
key
changes
by
pressing
the
key
as
shown
below.
*
|f
writing
Bass
Drum,
Snare
Drum,
Tom
*|f
writing
the
other
sound
sources
e.
g.
(Low/Mid/Hi),
or
C.
Hi-hat.
Rim
Shot,
etc.
Naor,
Nothing
is
written
|
Written in normal
volume
TANN
Written with accent
| 3
(D
Write
other
sound
sources
and
accent
(Total
accent)
in
the
same
way
as
pro-
-
cedures
©
and
©.
(B
If
writing
has
been
completed,
press
the
Stop/Continue
Key,
and
it
will
CF
stop
playing
the
Rhythm.
(р62Р