Roland TR-707

A 15-voice digital drum machine. Released in 1985.

The TR-707 resembles the hugely popular TR-909 model, with similar hat, cymbal and clap sounds. All 15 sampled instruments have individual outputs, but unfortunately no editable parameters apart from volume and accent. (thanks to sakke for pointing this out)

The sequencer can hold up to 998 events in 64 patterns and 4 songs. External memory cartridges can expand the capacity by three times. Features on the sequencer include flam and shuffle effects plus a big matrix display.

Both MIDI in/out and DIN sync are availalbe for external control.


Sounds:
kick 1
kick 2
snare 1
snare 2
low tom
mid tom
hi tom
rim shot
cow bell
hand clap
tambourine
open hi-hat
closed hi-hat
crash cymbal
ride cymbal


back to Roland

Actually there is one parameter that changes the sound of individual steps of pattern: accent. Accent is used as any other of the sounds of the machine, one taps accents into sequencer, and controls the amount of accent via slider. The amount of accent is always the same for all steps marked as accented.

Also must be noted that the ride cymbal is exactly the same as in TR-909. TR-707 has been used by many rock-groups in studio, as all the sounds are very much rock-like. Anyway, very much used machine in industrial-genre as well as in early house tracks of the eighties.