The TR-808 drum machine help crafted many classics records, to celebrate the device’s 40th anniversary, Roland decided to bless beat junkies with some freebies. There is also a very insightful ...

Released in 1980, the Roland TR-808 was designed as an alternative to an acoustic drum kit for musicians to record with, but took on a new life in hip-hop, pop, R&B, techno, house and electro, as ...

The Roland TR-808 flopped commercially. So how did this drum machine become a defining sound in dance music, pop and rock, asks Tom de Castella. You may not recognise the name. But you'll have heard ...

Every generation has an instrument which defines its sound, and for those whose formative musical years lie in the 1980s, a very strong contender to the crown is the Roland TR-808 percussion ...

That headline sounds suspect, but it is the most succinct way to explain why the Roland TR-808 drum machine has a very distinct, and difficult to replicate noise circuit. The drum machine was borne of ...

Roland has given two of its most iconic electronic musical instruments, the TR-808 drum machine and SH-101 synthesizers, a 21st century reboot. The Roland TR-08 and Roland SH-01A promise the same ...

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is credited with more musical innovations than you can wave a plug socket at – even after its rocky start. After flopping commercially upon release in 1980, because ...

Ikutaro Kakehashi, the founder of pioneering electronic instrument company Roland, has died aged 87. Kakehashi’s influence on both the development of electronic music and the pop charts is enduring.

Following on from the original Roland TR-808 which launched back in 1980, Roland has today announced the launch of a new Roland TR-808 to become part of its Boutique line, bringing back the look, ...

The Roland TR-808 drum machine was one of the most influential electronic instruments of all time, and now it's got a worthy successor in the shape of the TR-1000. The Roland TR-1000 is the first ...