Roland TR-727 (1985)
Rhythm Composer

Digital drum machine based on samples and step sequencer with advanced (for the time) time synching options.

Percussive ethnic latino version of the TR-707 with same characteristics but it comes up with a different sample soundset.

DRUM MACHINE (weight: 1,5Kg / dimensions: 380 x 250x 73 mm).
The main panel features 1 knob, 16 buttons, 16 non-dynamic pads and a central volume mixer for each instruments.

Back panel terminal connectors:
- 11 separate outputs
- main out
- headphones
- footswitch input for start/stop
- trigger out (+5V)
- tape interface
- Midi interface
- sync at 24 PPQ (5-dins).

Power supply PSU Roland Boss 12V DC (-

 

 

VOICE main core is a Hitachi HD6303X 8- bits CPU manages 10 channels polyphony.

STRUCTURE: each voice has one or different assigned samples from a sampled wavetable, sounds cannot be edited in anyway but the volume mixing.

 

WAVETABLE there are 4 x HN61256P MASK ROMs (each 32kb) contains 15 samples at 6 bits resolution.Here's the sample full list, note that some instruments are channel-shared:

Name:	Channel n:
bongo snare hi conga low conga hi timbale low timbale agogo maracas cabasa whistle quijada chime	1 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 10

 

SEQUENCER notes can be entered by either:
1- real-time with internal metronome
2- step mode with a 16 steps grid (can be defined)

Some recording functions:
- shuffle adjustment
- swing option
- variable quantisation resolution
- 3 accent velocities off / mid / strong.

SYNC the TR-727 is also very appreciated as Sync / Midi communication bridge.
It can be synchronized to other units in 3 different manners:
1- Midi clock
2- tape sync
3- sync at 24 PPQ.
The trigger out signal generates pulses at +5V (controlled by rimshot) and syncs arpeggiators or sequencer like Juno-60 or SH-101.

 

 

MIDI the implementation is basic with just velocity, in addition pads transmit assignable Midi notes (not the lenght) using speciacl Midi mode 2 setting.

MEMORY:
- RAM 64 patterns
- RAM 4 songs
RAM system works with 2 X 1.5V stilo batteries. Data can be saved in 2 different ways:
1- memory cartridges 64 Kb model "M64C"
2- tape interface dump.

 

 

FAMILY RELATED:

	TR-707 is exactly the same machine, the only differences are the orange prints and the internal wavetable
	Roland TR-626 successive digital model, no more sync, plain Midi
	7X7-TR8 Drum machine expansion (2014) new sample set for the versatile TR-8 drumbox

VST PLUGIN & SAMPLED there are some free and commercial samples set:

	name	price	link	demo
	keplero	free		N/A
	machines hyperreal	free		N/A
	wiretotheear	free		N/A

AUDIO DEMO

pattern 1 pattern 2

VIDEO CLIP SELECTION TR-707 + TR-727 demo TR 707 & TR 727 LATIN