Kevin Saunderson teaches a free 909 workshop, online and in Detroit

The best 909 Day reveal yesterday was this: on Saturday, Kevin Saunderson, techno originator and one of the Belleville Three, teaches a free workshop on the 909 with Roland (with Dustin Good). You can tune in online, and until tomorrow, there are in-person slots in Detroit, at Waajeed’s Underground Music Academy.

Jordan Czamanski with his treasured Yamaha CS-30

Jordan GCZ, Mei Honeycomb, magic synths, and the jazz/techno divide

Timed with the release of Clairvoyant Dimensions, his new album with saxophonist Jeff Hollie, the JuJu & Jordash and Magic Mountain High mainstay talked at length about pressing record and jamming, the lesser-known synths behind the album’s shimmer, and the hilarious origin of the group’s name.

David Abravanel - June 30, 2026

What to know about the Roland TR-1000, from voices to slicing to samples

Roland’s new flagship drum machine leaked everywhere. But we’ve got details on what’s new under the hood, including specifics on analog voices, expanded ACB modeling and other digital features, and new sampling powers, direct from the source. You wanted a new monster from Japan? You got it.

Peter Kirn - October 1, 2025

909 Day: freebies, sales, and celebrations

Peter Kirn - September 9, 2025

MD1: classic drum machine kits for Ableton Move, Note, and more

Peter Kirn - May 28, 2025

D16’s Drumazon 2 review: a must-have 909-inspired drum machine plug-in

Peter Kirn - November 2, 2023

Roland’s AIRA Compact: bite-sized versions of TR drum machine, JUNO-60 synth, vocal FX

Peter Kirn - May 10, 2022

VCV Rack adds Drums right now – analog-modeled modular drum machine for $30

Peter Kirn - September 14, 2021

Roland TR-909: the hat, the shirt, a nearly-free sound pack

Peter Kirn - September 10, 2021