Musical instrument manufacturer Roland have announced new versions of the 808 and 909 drum machines, as well as an update of the 303 bass synth, bringing three iconic instruments into the 21st century.
The 808 and 909 are now blended into one machine, the TR-8, while the 303 has become the TB-3. They come under the new umbrella product name of Aira, and feature a futuristic new look complete with illuminated Tron-like edging.
The 808, with its monumental bass drum sound and melodious cowbell, became the drum machine of choice for hip-hop producers after Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force used it on their 1982 electro-rap classic Planet Rock. Rather than accurately sampled drums, it created a strange, futuristic percussion that became hugely popular on dancefloors. One of its most famous and commercially successful uses is for the slick backbeat to Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing.
It was also extensively used by techno and house music producers in the mid to late-80s, underpinning their new pounding tracks. But it was the punchy hi-hats and midrange percussion of its follow-up the 909 that really galvanised these styles, giving them a frenetic energy. The 303 meanwhile, originally designed as an artificial bass for guitarists to practice with, was used by acid house producers to create their signature sinewy, serpentine basslines – it now features a touchpad, making it far more user-friendly.
The new instruments replicate the sounds of the original analogue instruments by modelling their sounds, and transposing them into digital formats. As well as all the original features, new ones like the Scatter function on the TR-8 allow the beats to be chopped up and reversed on the fly. "What we didn't want to do was make a complete replica of the old machines," says Roland's product manager Sean Montgomery. "We've sought to build something that reproduces the sound of the old instrument, but today's musicians can use live."
The new instruments come as dance musicians are increasingly returning to hardware to perform live sets, rather than relying on laptop-based software. Companies like Korg have also updated their instruments and created popular new ones like the Kaoss Pad, as well as making virtual versions in app form for the iPad. Roland talk up the "obsessive attention to detail" in recreating the machines, right down to the tonal idiosyncracies that came with the analogue equipment.
As well as the two new instruments, Roland are also releasing the System-1, a synthesiser that can host plugin versions of old modular synths: the System 100, System 100M and System 700, used by the likes of the Human League and Depeche Mode. There is also the VT-3, a voice transformation instrument.
The Aira instruments go on sale in March, with pre-orders starting now. The TR-8 is priced at £419 and the TB-3 at £249. For those wanting to see them in action, they go on show at the Brighton Music Conference on April 11.
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