Roland has released a free firmware updated for the TR-1000 drum machine, expanding its sound design and performance capabilities.
Here’s what’s new in Roland TR-1000 version 1.20:
New MFX include SP-303 and SP-404 Vinyl Sims, Cassette Sim, and DJFX Delay, adding new ways to shape and texture your patterns.
LFO functionality has also been enhanced, with new modes for more controlled, rhythmic modulation.
Version 1.20 introduces new ACB sound generators for powerful 808 and 909 bass tones, alongside workflow improvements like independent layer panning, updated gain staging, and expanded MIDI control.
The video covers the key updates:
00:00 Intro
00:21 New MFX
03:10 Locked-In LFOs
05:55 Kit LFO
07:25 LFO Sample and Hold
08:42 808 and 909 Bass Lines
09:56 Independent Panning and IFX Switch
11:19 Gain Staging and MIDI
12:06 Final Thoughts
Synthesist Starsky Carr – in his latest video – shares a head-to-head comparison between the classic Roland TR-909 and the new TR-1000 drum machine.
“I put the Roland TR-1000 head-to-head with my original Roland TR-909 to see how close we can actually get”, notes Carr, “and more importantly, where the differences really matter.”
Topics covered:
Kick, snare, clap, rim & tom comparisons
Analogue voices vs ACB models (and why that’s ironic…)
The real difference between main outputs and individual outs
Why the 909 sounds more “band-limited” and less hi-fi
Frequency analysis & Match EQ deep dive in Logic
The exact EQ curve to give your 909 samples that crusty main-out character
Why obsessing over 1:1 matching might be missing the point
Carr argues that the key to recreating the classic 909 sound isn’t tweaking the TR-1000, but band-limiting the output. He demonstrates to how to recreate this, using Logic’s Match EQ.
Is the Roland TR-1000 close enough to replace the TR-909? Check out the comparison and share your thoughts in the comments!
The TR-1000 is the first Roland drum machine in over 40 years with true analog voices, and it goes far beyond the 808 and 909 with digital sound and sampling technologies.
Piecora digs into the TR-1000’s production workflow, compares it to recent Elektron boxes, and connects it to an OP-XY and builds some grooves.
Video Summary:
“The TR-1000 is a strange and wonderful machine that constantly has me returning to the manual to see if it can do “this or that” and often finding out it can do most things you throw at it. How does it compare to an Elektron machine? How does it sound? Is the workflow clunky or is it smooth? Could this be an addition to your setup or a stand alone machine? All this and more, this time on 120 minutes. Additionally we will talk smack about the OP-XY while also drooling on it at the same time.
Check it out and share your thoughts on the Roland TR-1000 in the comments!
