Techno Music’s Most Famous Symbols
A look at some of the most famous symbols in techno music and what they represent.
The Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 is one of the most iconic pieces of music equipment in the world. It’s a synthesizer that was released in 1982 and was originally meant to be a bass guitar. However, it quickly gained popularity in the Acid House and techno scenes in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The TB-303 has a distinctive sound that is instantly recognizable.
What is the Roland TB-303?
The Roland TB-303 is a bass synthesizer that was released in 1982. It quickly gained popularity among electronic musicians for its unique sound, which was unlike anything else at the time. TheTB-303 has become one of the most iconic symbols of techno music and has been used on countless tracks over the past few decades.
The history of the Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 Bass Line is a bass synthesizer with built-in sequencer manufactured by the Japanese corporation Roland Corporation in 1982. It functions as both a bass synthesizer and a sub oscillator, producing its characteristic growling sound when overdriven, which became a key element of the acid house genre.
The 303 was designed to be used with Roland’s TR-606 drum machine, as part of their “Boutique” line of instruments. It was also bundled with their Boss DR-55 Dr. Rhythm drum machine. Its sounds are created bydistorting and filtering an analogue signal created by an onboard VCO ( Voltage Controlled Oscillator), VCF ( Voltage Controlled Filter) and VCA( Voltage Controlled Amplifier). The signal is then sequenced by an onboard 16 step analogue sequencer, which can be programmed to play basslines, melodies or arpeggios.
The TB-303 has been used in countless acid house and techno tracks, most notably the 1985 track “Acid Trax” by Phuture. It has also been used in other genres such as hip hop(“Why U Still Callin’ Me?” by Cypress Hill), indie rock (“All Right Now” by Free) and even heavy metal (“Enter Sandman” by Metallica).
Why is the Roland TB-303 so important to techno music?
The Roland TB-303 is a bass synthesizer that was released by the Roland Corporation in 1982. It was designed to give bass guitarists an easy way to create synthesized bass lines, but it found its way into the hands of electronic musicians and quickly became one of the most iconic symbols of techno music.
The TB-303 has a very simple design: it has just a few knobs and buttons that control its sound. But despite its simplicity, it is capable of creating a wide range of sounds, from high-pitched squeals to deep, growling bass lines. The unique character of its sound has made it one of the most popular synthesizers in electronic music.
Techno music would not be the same without the TB-303. The idiosyncratic character of its sound is essential to the genre. Many techno producers have made entire tracks using nothing but the TB-303, and its influence can be heard in almost all techno music.
The TR-808
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine designed by the Roland Corporation in 1980. The name derives from the fact that it was the eighth Roland drum machine to be manufactured. It was one of the earliest programmable drum machines, with which users could create their own drum kits.
What is the TR-808?
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a drum machine manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the earliest programmable drum machines, with which users could create their own rhythms instead of being limited to preset patterns. Unlike its predecessors, the 808 generates sounds using analog synthesis rather than recorded samples.
The history of the TR-808
The TR-808 is one of the most iconic and influential pieces of music equipment ever made. Released in 1980, it was one of the first programmable drum machines on the market and went on to have a huge impact on the development of electronic music.
The 808 was used on a number of early hip hop and techno tracks, including Afrika Bambaataa’s “Planet Rock” and Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing”. It was also featured prominently in movies like Blade Runner and The Terminator.
In recent years, the 808 has been embraced by a new generation of producers and musicians, who have used it to create a wide range of unique sounds.
Why is the TR-808 so important to techno music?
The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer, commonly known as the 808, is a programmable drum machine manufactured by the Roland Corporation between 1980 and 1983. It was one of the earliest drum machines to allow users to create and save their own patterns. Its debut coincided with the advent of hip hop and the rise of the genre’s popularity in the early 1980s.
The 808 is primarily known for its bass drum sound, which has been used on countless recordings over the past three decades. It is also capable of producing a wide variety of other sounds, including snares, hi-hats, and percussion instruments. Despite its relatively primitive design, it remains one of the most popular drum machines among electronic musicians due to its versatile sound palette and easy-to-use interface.
The TR-909
The Roland TR-909 is a drum machine released by the Japanese company Roland in 1984. It was one of the first drum machines to use digital samples of acoustic drums, and was also notable for its use of MIDI. The TR-909 was used on many famous techno tracks, and is considered one of the most important symbols of the genre.
What is the TR-909?
The TR-909 is a drum machine that was created by Roland in 1984. It was one of the first drum machines to use digital samples of real drums, and it quickly became synonymous with the sound of techno music. While the TR-909 was not the first digital drum machine, it was by far the most popular, and it remains one of the most iconic symbols of techno music today.
The history of the TR-909
The Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer is a drum machine that was produced by the Roland Corporation in 1983. It was one of the first drum machines to use samples of real drums, and was also one of the first to allow users to program their own rhythms. The 909 was used on many early techno, house, and acid tracks, and its distinctive sound is still sought-after by producers today.
The 909 was released in two versions: the original TR-909, which had 16 sounds, and the TR-909 CompuRhythm, which had 32 sounds and could be programmed with up to 64 steps. The machine was equipped with 12 analog voices: six for drums, four for cymbals, and two for hi-hats. Each voice could be tuned, panned, and given its own level and decay controls.
The 909’s most famous feature is its hi-hat sound, which is achieved by outputting a noise signal through a low-pass filter. This gives the 909 its characteristic “chunky” sound.
The machine was discontinued in 1985, but its legacy continues on in the form of software instruments that emulate its sound.
Why is the TR-909 so important to techno music?
The Roland TR-909 is one of the most iconic drum machines ever made, and it has had a huge influence on the sound of techno music. The TR-909 was released in 1984, and it quickly became a popular choice for dance music producers due to its unique sound and affordability. The TR-909 features 16-bit, 24-voice drum samples, which give it a distinct sound that is often imitated but never duplicated. The machine also features MIDI connectivity, which allows it to be used with other MIDI-compatible devices. The TR-909 has been used on countless techno tracks over the years, and it is often considered to be one of the most important instruments in the genre.
