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808 Day: free Roland e-Bjook, NTS Radio jams, animation
We could all use an 808 kick in our soul about now, so let’s get straight to the 808 Day goodness. Today’s a day to browse through Roland history with Bjooks, turn up NTS Radio, and immerse ourselves in a new animation featuring Mannie Fresh.
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909 Day: freebies, sales, and celebrations
It’s 909 Day again, and a moment to reflect on the beauty of Tadao Kikumoto’s rhythm composer masterpiece. HAND CLAP. Let’s RIDE.
Peter Kirn - September 9, 2025
Deals Gear Music tech Tech
Roland’s Tadeo Kikumoto on 808, part by part: the ukiyo-e drum machine
You think you know the 808? Listen to how Mr. Tadeo Kikumoto, Roland’s lead developer at the time, talks about what went into the machine. That walks through origins, from kick to claps, in this excerpt from the book Inspire the Music: 50 Years of Roland History, thanks to publisher Bjooks.
