The history of ReBirth begins with the vision of Mr. Ikutaro Kakehashi and his company, the Roland Corporation, creators of the TB-303, TR-808, and TR-909. Mr. Kakehashi began creating electronic music instruments in the 1950s - which include some of the first electronic rhythm devices. The year 1964 marked Mr. Kakehashi's attendance at his first U.S. tradeshow, where he introduced his Ace Electronics line of devices: The Rhythm Ace, a rhythm machine, and the Canary, a solo melody keyboard. This venture led Kakehashi to establish the Roland Corporation in 1972.
Mr. Kakehashi's autobiography, I Believe in Music, recounts his life experiences from surviving tuberculosis as a youth to starting a small radio and television shop in Osaka, Japan, to establishing one of the most recognized music instrument companies in the world. Throughout his book, Mr. Kakehashi carries a captivating modesty with a deep respect for those who touched his life and helped in his company's success. In a distinctively Japanese tone, he is portrayed not as an innovator, but as a conduit between traditional music and contemporary technology, without reference to the impact Roland made on the world of music.
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In the same manner music and technology influenced him, Mr. Kakehashi and Roland have affected generations of artists and performers, who have in turn altered popular culture and made electronic music part of the 21 st century. What began with a passion developed into the globally-renowned Roland Corporation and eventually three devices, now referred to simply by their model numbers:
The 303, The 808, and The 909. |
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Computer Controlled - The Legacy of Roland |
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| The Roland Corporation's long history of electronic rhythm devices carry over from Mr. Kakehashi's Ace Electronics. In the late 70's, emerging computer technology inspired Roland to incorporate the use of microprocessors in their instruments, and Mr. Tadao Kikumoto was recruited to advance this architecture in Roland devices. It allowed a new level of programmability that permitted users to develop rhythm patterns by building up sequences of single measures, and further arrange each of these patterns into complete songs.
The TR-808 features 16 percussion sounds created entirely from analog electronic circuits, ranging from the infamous earthquake-inducing bass drum to the trademark cowbell and hand claps. Not long after its introduction in 1980, the 808 had become the foundation of classic hip-hop and electro tracks such as Run-D.M.C. and Afrika Bambaataa's Planet Rock. The 808 spanned a wide musical spectrum; it was utilized by emerging post punkers Cocteau Twins and New Order, art rockers The Talking Heads, pop stars Duran Duran, and influential new wave artists like Thomas Dolby, Depeche Mode, and Yazoo. A testament to Roland quality, many original TR-808 drum machines are still in use today. The intuitive control interface step programming defined by the 808 was immensely successful and served as a blueprint for successive Roland devices.
 A year later, Roland introduced the TB-303 Bass Line Synthesizer with its companion, the TR-606 drum machine. This pair of devices was encased in silver plastic with a set of control knobs along the unit's top edge. Relatively inexpensive compared to their predecessors, the 303/606 combination was intended as a complete bass and drum rhythm section that could accompany a solo player. The concept wasn't well received, perhaps due to ergonomics. The 303 has smaller buttons than the 808, and lacks the visual cues of the drum machines. The 303 and 606 could be connected using Roland DIN-Sync technology to synchronize the units and other devices like the 808.
Most widely recognized as the rhythmic texture under electric piano chords that introduces Phil Collins' Take me Home, the TR-909 drum machine offers 11 drum sounds generated from a combination of analog electronics and sample playback technology. Introduced in 1983, this hybrid device featured the same step system of the 808 and more tap programming abilities for further real-time programmability. Roland, having worked with Dave Smith and Sequential Circuits to establish the MIDI (Music Instrument Digital Interface) standard, produced the TR-909 with this new communication protocol capability, enabling its interface with future generations of drum machines and sequencers. It also included a DIN-Sync connection to bridge the 909 with the older 303 and 808.
In an interview with Mark Vail in Vintage Synthesizers, Kakehashi indicated that creating the 303, 808 and 909 was a team accomplishment. "Mr. Nakamura designed the analog voice circuits for both the CR-78 and TR-808. Mr. Matsuoka developed the TR-808 software. Mr. Oue designed the TR-909 analog and voice circuits, and Mr. Hoshiai developed its software." These gentlemen changed the nature of composition by making performance controlled by a computer program. The ability to "play" these electronic instruments did not require years of instruction or even good timing. The only prerequisite was a rhythmic sensibility and an understanding of how to construct music using its programming interface. |
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