Or...
x0x refers
collectively to a bunch of
synths and
drum machines made by
Roland in the late-70s to the mid 80s. (roughly). It includes:
SH-101 -
analog Monosynth, 32 key
keyboard.
MC-202 -
analog synthesizer/
sequencer.
303 programming with
101 style synth controls.
TB-303 -
monophonic bass synth. THE synth defining the
acid/
techno sound. Really just a stupid silver box, with a bad interface, some guys from
detroit made it famous.
There is no
404.
TR-505 - Really basic and uninspiring
digital sample-based
drum machine. Has
Midi
TR-606 -
analog drum machine counterpart to the
303, they both have the same size and design, and were marketed as a pair. Sounds not as tweakable as the
808 or the
909. Uses "X0X" style grid-based sequencing.
TR-707 -
digital sample based drum machine. Supports
midi. Uses "X0X" style grid-based sequencing. Has individual outputs for each voice. Not known for it's great sounds. There was a variant called the 727, packed full of Latin sounds.
TR-808 -
analog drum machine. No
midi. "X0X" style grid-based sequencing. Fully tunable sound on each voice. This is THE drum machine that defines
hip-hop,
rap, and
r&b. Think
low riders with big stereos going buh-oooooooom. That's the
808's kick drum. Need I say more?
TR-909 -
analog drum machine. Good
MIDI support . "X0X" style grid-based sequencing. Fully tunable sounds on each voice. This is THE drum machine for
house and
techno. The
909's kick doesn't have the long, low, resonance of the
808, it's got a much punchier sound.