TR-909 FIRMWARE VERSION 5
Demonstration 5
EXTERNAL INSTRUMENT
// I’ve been using the EXT INST function of the Roland TR-909 since the day I got it. I love triggering samples, basslines, and other drum machines from the stately TR-909’s main panel. The hassle has always been that the notes it generates can’t be changed. So you get an octave or so of fixed notes and that’s all. I’ve spent a lot of time messing with samplers and getting the sounds I want to trigger from the notes I have to offer, and while it’s fun, and useful, it can be a drag. Fact is, a lot of people never even explored it.
Fig.1 CENTRAL CONTROL WITH TR-727
The TR-727 doesn’t allow us to control its midi notes either, but the Addictive Instruments firmware v.5 update has presets and it has a user mode (fig.2). So we can play any note we want on any channel we want at any velocity we want now.
My 727 is upgraded with Harry Axten‘s perfect sound rom upgrade, and this is my own custom rom, and here it is being beautifully programmed by my beloved TR-909!
Fig.3 BASSLINE
This is an example of using the user template to create a chromatic keyboard and programming a bassline which is saved with my drums, and subject to all the new and original functions of the 909.
So much fun!
Clearly I was already in love with my TR-909, but I’ve fallen all over again here.
The external instrument mode is expanded, and it much more powerful now, it’s also nicely documented (at last) in the manual. It is more complicated than plug it in and go if you want to make the most of it, and it’s worth it. This is something wonderful.
Learn more about this amazing upgrade at revolution909.fr
I don’t work for them, I’m not being paid to tell you all this, I just lucked out and got one of the first of them, installed it in my own TR-909 and I absolutely love it!
I hope this series has been helpful to everyone.
I had a lot of fun making these clips, and showing you why I am so down for this bad ass, much needed, long awaited firmware update for the TR-909.
Thanks!