Roland’s TR-1000 is its first analog drum machine in over 40 years

01/10/2025

Entertainment

It’s a premium instrument that harkens back to the 808 and 909.Oct 1, 2025, 7:00 AM UTCTerrence O’Brien is the Verge’s weekend editor. He has over 18 years of experience, including 10 years as managing editor at Engadget.Roland has largely decided sit out the analog synth renaissance of the last decade. But it’s (belatedly) making amends for that error with the launch of the TR-1000 Rhythm Generator. Unlike previous instruments that tried to cash in on Roland’s long legacy through digital technologies like its Zen-Core engine, Analogue Circuit Behavior (ACB) modeling, and Roland Cloud subscription service, the TR-1000 embraces the true analog sound of iconic Roland machines like the TR-808 and TR-909,Unlike other TR instruments from Roland over the last several years that simply invoke the branding, the TR-1000 actually recreates 16 analog sound circuits from the 808 and the 909 while adding plenty of modern sound-shaping and sequencing conveniences. It pairs those authentic analog voices with digital ACB sound, FM percussion, PCM samples, and more. The TR-1000 even has extensive sampling tools for time stretching loops and chopping up drum breaks. In short, if there is a way to make a percussive sound, Roland has crammed it into this very serious looking (and very expensive) gray box.Roland decided to lean even further into the analog world here, by including a stereo analog filter and drive section for adding grit and creating buildups. There are also a ton of knobs, buttons, and faders on the front that suggest made the TR-1000 will require less diving through arcane menus than your typical modern Roland instrument. While it does have some performance-friendly features, its substantial bulk seems best suited to a desk in a recording studio.All of these luxuries will set you back quite a bit — $2,699.99 to be exact, which means the TR-1000 isn’t for casual hobbyists. Still, that’s about half of what a functioning TR-808 or TR-909 will cost you on the vintage market so, maybe the TR-1000 is actually a bargain?Most Popular
Source: theverge.com

3 ways I make NotebookLM my personal sidekick

NotebookLM is marketed as a research and notes companion, but honestly, I don’t quite use it the way Google had intended. The “official” pitch is that you upload documents, and it helps you pull insights and keep track of sources. This is undoubtedly useful for things like academic work, but it can also get boring if that’s all you use it for. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]

I didn't know the Obsidian Reminder plugin existed, but it's exactly what I needed

I run my entire life out of my Obsidian vault, but until now, something has been missing. I've tried multiple to-do apps, but none of those really checked all the boxes — and then I stumbled across the Obsidian Reminder plugin. This small, simple plugin has become an essential part of my workflow. I already struggle to remember things — if it isn't written down, it doesn't exist — but with a … [Read More...]

Opera is bringing a huge wave of free AI tools to its browsers

A few days ago, Opera broke the news that my favorite AI browser was getting a general release. It was fantastic news for me, because when I gave their test build out and used it to remake the classic game of Snake, I had a blast experimenting with all the different things I could ask it to do. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]

All the quotes from Borderlands 4 CEO about the game that missed the mark

For a lot of years now, Randy Pitchford, the CEO of Gearbox Entertainment, has been one of the more... interesting personalities in the gaming space. The man certainly has a flair for dramatics, an unfiltered way of talking, and a knack for making headlines for the strangest reasons. Source: xda-developers.com … [Read More...]

4 cheap PC parts I’ll never buy again

Building a PC is an exciting rite of passage for any tech enthusiast. There's an overwhelming breadth of options available at every budget. However, this low barrier to entry is a double-edged sword. It’s incredibly tempting for a novice or first-time PC builder to look at a compatibility list and pair an upper-mid tier CPU and gaming GPU with an affordable $80 motherboard. I've been tempted too, … [Read More...]

I replaced WSL with a full Linux VM, and here’s why it's actually better

Windows Subsystem for Linux, or WSL, has been an incredibly welcome addition to Windows for those who enjoy developing and tinkering with Linux distributions. The lightweight, easy-to-setup nature of these instances is perfect for anyone looking to run Linux tools without needing to leave their primary OS. Once I started to use non-native packages and stepped outside of basic command-line tasks, I … [Read More...]

RGB is secretly the worst bloatware on your PC

If your PC features a lot of RGB lighting, chances are you've got software to manage it. While proprietary RGB software will give you complete control over your lighting, most RGB control software consumes hardware resources to run on a consistent basis. This is especially true of most OEMs' proprietary RGB management software, like Asus Armoury Crate, MSI Center, or Razer Synapse. Source: … [Read More...]

This cute open-source notes app killed Google Keep for me

Google Keep has been my go-to for jotting down quick ideas and making lists. It’s minimal, dead easy to navigate, and also just a tap away on my phone. I love it for its simplicity which allows me to quickly dump half-formed notes. But over time, I started to hit a ceiling. My notes became a messy scroll of colorful squares without folders or real structure. I also wasn’t a fan of my notes being … [Read More...]

The best smart rings for 2025

It’s getting increasingly difficult to say smart rings are just a niche inside the broader world of wearable technology. The raft of celebrities who are seen wearing them, the NBA’s use of Oura rings as an early warning system against COVID-19 and, last year, Samsung’s entry into the market has made them far more prominent in the minds of mainstream consumers. We’ve tested plenty of smart … [Read More...]

The clock is ticking: Savings of up to 20% on group passes end tonight for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025

The Founder and Investor bundle sale for TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 is live — but only until tonight at 11:59 p.m. PT. This is your only chance this year to lock in group bundle savings on Founder Passes and an even bigger discount on group Investor Passes. After today, these deals are gone. Disrupt 2025 brings together over 10,000 founders, investors, and operators from around the world to tackle … [Read More...]