TR-909

A Roland TR-909 built the way the original was. The kick, snare, toms and rimshot are analog-style synthesis; the hi-hats, crash, ride and clap play back real samples, exactly as the hardware did. That split is why the 909's metallic hats and crashing cymbals sound the way they do on countless house and techno records, and it is why synthesis alone cannot reach them.

The synthesized voices are tuned for the 909's punchier, brighter character: the kick has more beater snap and less sub, and the snare has a sharper crack. Notes are mapped to standard GM drum positions.

The closed and open hi-hat share one sample, so triggering the closed hat cuts off a ringing open hat, the same single hat voice the original had. The closed hat is the open-hat sample gated short.

Shaping a drum

Open the Sound panel below the editor and pick a drum from the dropdown. Two knobs shape it.

Tune. Pitches the drum up or down, by up to an octave either way. The centre is the stock 909 pitch. Tuning the kick down gives a deeper, heavier thud, and pitching the crash or ride is a classic 909 move.

Length. Shortens the drum's decay. Turned all the way up it is the natural tail; turn it down to tighten. This is the knob for a short, punchy techno kick or a clipped open hat.

Each drum keeps its own settings, so you can tune the kick without touching the snare. Anything you leave alone stays at the stock sound, and the settings are saved with the project.

TR-808 or TR-909

Both cover the same kit and they sound nothing alike. Reach for the 808 when you want deep, booming and laid back: hip-hop, trap, classic electro. Reach for the 909 when you want tight, driving and energetic: house, techno, dance music in general.

Drum map