Launching with 3 initial drum machines on the 18th of April 1972 in Osaka, Japan - Roland has since created machines that have forged the sounds we listen to everyday and that have soundtracked generations growing up. Many might be familiar with the Roland name through learning a basic tune on the keys of a digital piano in your school music room but their biggest musical impact has been the 808. Released in 1980 by music machine makers Roland, the TR-808 was initially a flop due to its sounds being too robotic and not close enough to a true drum sound. In 1982 the machine was discontinued as the sound relied on a small component that Roland had managed to buy only a limited supply of. Although off the shelves the drum machine was gaining popularity in the underground, among bedroom producers of genres ranging from Hip-Hop to Techno, the 808 was creating some of the biggest records to come over the following years. Following in the style of the 808 Roland launched the TB-303 in 1981, a bass synthesizer that would sound nothing like a real bass and get discontinued just three years later. But in 1985, Chicago it began to be used by young producers picking it up for cheap and loving the futuristic sound that brought to mind spaceships and videogames. Mix in the 808 and you could create a track that was exciting and trippy enough to be blasted on repeat at parties lasting all night.

Young people were interested in the new sound, up for experimenting and breaking with ideas of what a drum ‘should’ sound like. The different sounds being created found their homes in underground warehouses and clubs across different scenes and seas, with everybody who loved the sounds also loving the way it made them move. Both the 808 and 303 have become synonymous with electronic music and partying. Because they were so open to experimentation it encouraged creativity and broke down ideas of their being a rule book to creating music. This would lead to much more than a new sound of drum, but also new melodies, beats and collaborations. With music being so important to young people in their journey to growing and learning, the new beats had an impact on young people that has gone on to change culture and politics.

The legacy of Rolands machine is unmeasurable; it is the basis of some of today’s biggest genres such as Trap and Grime. Everyday 60,000 new songs are uploaded to Spotfiy and it is almost certain a percentage of them will have some sound or influence from the TR-808 Rhythm Composer.