Roland TR-09
Rhythm Composer Drum Machine

Roland released the Roland TR-8 in 2014 as a modern version of their classic drum machine. The TR-8 was quickly embraced by the electronic community because this drum machine incorporated the classic drum kits from the Roland TR-808, Roland TR-909, Roland TR-606, Roland TR-707 and Roland TR-727).  This instrument used a technology Roland called Analogue Circuitry Behaviour (ACB) modelling to recreate the original instrument drum kit tones.

Shortly after the launch of the TR-8 Roland then introduced the Roland Boutique series in October 2014.  These boutique instruments used the same ACB technology that was developed for the AIRA range. Each boutique instrument that was launched mimicked a classic Roland instrument.  All the boutiques that have been released are desktop sound modules.  Most require either the optional keyboard or a MIDI connection to work correctly.

The TR-09 drum machine was released in September 2016 as a boutique emulation of the classic Roland TR-909.  The boutique version of the TR-909 could be used stand-alone as it could be programmed from the front panel in the same way as the original drum machine.

The TR-09 was styled after the original drum machine.  Using the classic lettering and cream colour scheme.  The original instrument sported MIDI and SYNC In together with multiple outputs for each instrument sound included in the TR-909 drum kit.

The re-imagined TR-09 added MIDI and audio connections via a USB connection but did not replicate the SYNC connection or the multiple outputs via a physical connector.  

When I tested the new drum machine against the original most artists would struggle to distinguish between the new Roland TR-09 and original Roland TR-909.