Description | The Roland TR-707 features 15 digital sounds, sampled at 12 bits, the TR-707 hosts 64 programmable patterns that can be sequenced together to form 4 different songs. It offers external synchronization with MIDI and DIN sync, 4 levels of shuffle that operate globally, and a flam that could be applied to any step. There were also individual volume sliders for each instrument group, which was not common in digital drum machine designs. Its fresh sound and affordability made it a staple in early house and acid house music.
The unit is editable via step-write or tap-write, that can be sequenced together into any of four different tracks. Patterns and tracks can be stored on the device (providing that two AA batteries are inserted) or onto an optional memory cartridge with twice the capacity. In addition to the flam feature the TR-707 provides four levels of shuffle that operate globally on the rhythm.
The TR-707 is particularly sought after by users of Roland gear from the same era because it can synchronize with other hardware via both MIDI and DIN sync, although it cannot do so when controlled by other hardware. There is also an output that allows the Rimshot to trigger hardware that accepts a voltage pulse, such as the SH-101. There are individual volume sliders and output jacks for each instrument group, which is unusual for digital drum machines. |
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | TR-707 |
| Device | Drum |
| Type | Desktop |
| Engine Type | Digital |
| Engine | Sample |
| Engine Detailed | Sample Playback/Acoustic Simulation. Drum sounds are 8-bit, Crash & Ride are 6-bit. |
| FX | Shuffle / Flam |
| Drums | 15 sampled sounds (kick1, kick2, snare1, snare2, low tom, mid tom, high tom, rim shot, cow bell, hand clap, Tambourine, open/closed high hat, crash/ride cymbals). 64 patterns. |
| Recording | 4 Songs |
| Keys | 16 |
| Key type | Pads |
| Velocity | N |
| Aftertouch | N |
| Midi | I-O |
| CV-gate | DIN SYNC I-O, TRIG OUT (outputs Rimshot sound as trigger) |
|
Produced: | 1985 - 1985 |
| Legend: |
Obvious |
Y: Yes, N: No, N/A: Not Applicable |
| VCO |
Voltage Controlled Oscillator |
DCO |
Digital Controlled Oscillator |
| LFO |
Low Frequency Oscillator |
Sub |
Sub Oscillator |
| VCF |
Voltage Controlled Filter |
VCA |
Voltage Controlled Amplifier |
| Velocity |
As with a piano, the harder you hit a key, the louder the sound, unlike most organs which always produce the same loudness no matter how hard you hit a key. |
Aftertouch |
Pressing a key after you activated it. Channel Aftertouch, no matter which key, it will send a Channel message. Poly Aftertouch, sends the pressure per key instead of the whole channel. |
| Values for OSC, LFO, Filter, Envelope are per voice unless stated otherwise. |
