The history of drum machines according to Roland.
This brief summary also includes the affiliated Roland companies of Acetone & Boss
1967
AceTone FR-1 (Rhythm Ace)
![]()
TR-33/TR-55/TR-77
Rhythm machines. The first Roland-branded products
The 77 is known as an updated version of Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-7L.It is also known as Hammond Rhythm Unit.
1973
TR-330 ?
1976
Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger:
1978
CR-68/CR-78
Rhythm machine. The world’s first microprocessor-based rhythm machines.
The CR68 was called the "Human Rhythm Player".
The Roland CR-78is called the CompuRhythm:
1980
CR-8000 CompuRhythm
Boss Dr-55
TR-808 Rhythm Composer Rhythm machine.
This programmable rhythm machine allowed musicians to program an entire song, and achieved legendary status around the world
1981
CR-5000 compurhythm
![]()
TR-606 Drummatix
1983
TR-909 Rhythm Composer
Boss Dr. Rhythm Graphic (DR-110)
1984
TR-727/TR-707 Rhythm Composer
The TR-727 is visually identical aside from having blue highlights on the case, but it contains a different,
Latin-inspired sample set.
626 ???
Boss HC-2 (Hand Clapper Pedal)
Boss PC-2 Percussion Synthesizer
1985
α-DRUM
Digital drums. First electronic drum set
1986
Roland TR-505
1989
R-8 Drum Machine: A drum machine with velocity-sensitive pads.
1992
Roland FD7 hi-hat control pedal.
Roland KD7 kick trigger unit.
Roland MDS7 drum stand.
Roland PD7 drum pad.
Roland R70 Human Rhythm Composer.
Roland R8 MkII Human Rhythm Composer.
Roland TD7 sound module.
1996
MC-303 Groove box.
This was Roland’s first entry into the club and DJ scene; it became a new hit in the world of dance music. It was their first non-keyboard drum machine, sample-based synthesizer, and sequencer combination bearing the name Groovebox. Supporting a full 8-track sequence.
1997
V-Drums Digital drums.
64 Voice Synthesizer Module, 3x Effects, 8x Expansion
1998
MC-505: Successor to the MC-303 with a more powerful synthesizer and sequencer.
Boss SP-808 GrooveSampler
2000
Handsonic HPD-15
Boss DR-202 (Dr Groove)
Boss SP-202 (Dr Sample)
2001
BOSS SP-303 Dr. Sample
2002
Roland MC-909
Boss SP-505 (Groove Sampling Workstation).
2004
CY8 trigger pad.
FD8 hi-hat pedal.
KD8 trigger pad.
PD8 trigger pad.
PD105 and PD125 V-Pads.
TD3 V-Drum module.
TD3 V-Drum kit.
TD6V V-Drum module.
TD6KV V-Tour Series kit.
TD20 V-Drum sound module.
TD20K V-Pro Series kit.
VH12 hi-hat.
2005
Roland SP-404SX Sampler
2006
Roland MC-808
2014
Aira's TR-8: Rhythm Performer, based on the drum-sounds of the TR-808 and TR-909.
I'll update this as I go. Please let me know if there are errors or omissions.
J
This brief summary also includes the affiliated Roland companies of Acetone & Boss
1967
AceTone FR-1 (Rhythm Ace)
AceTone FR-1
1972TR-33/TR-55/TR-77
Rhythm machines. The first Roland-branded products
The 77 is known as an updated version of Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-7L.It is also known as Hammond Rhythm Unit.
1973
TR-330 ?
1976
Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger:
1978
CR-68/CR-78
Rhythm machine. The world’s first microprocessor-based rhythm machines.
The CR68 was called the "Human Rhythm Player".
The Roland CR-78is called the CompuRhythm:
1980
CR-8000 CompuRhythm
Boss Dr-55
TR-808 Rhythm Composer Rhythm machine.
This programmable rhythm machine allowed musicians to program an entire song, and achieved legendary status around the world
1981
CR-5000 compurhythm
Roland CR 5000 CompuRhythm
TR-606 Drummatix
1983
TR-909 Rhythm Composer
Boss Dr. Rhythm Graphic (DR-110)
1984
TR-727/TR-707 Rhythm Composer
The TR-727 is visually identical aside from having blue highlights on the case, but it contains a different,
Latin-inspired sample set.
626 ???
Boss HC-2 (Hand Clapper Pedal)
Boss PC-2 Percussion Synthesizer
1985
α-DRUM
Digital drums. First electronic drum set
1986
Roland TR-505
1989
R-8 Drum Machine: A drum machine with velocity-sensitive pads.
1992
Roland FD7 hi-hat control pedal.
Roland KD7 kick trigger unit.
Roland MDS7 drum stand.
Roland PD7 drum pad.
Roland R70 Human Rhythm Composer.
Roland R8 MkII Human Rhythm Composer.
Roland TD7 sound module.
1996
MC-303 Groove box.
This was Roland’s first entry into the club and DJ scene; it became a new hit in the world of dance music. It was their first non-keyboard drum machine, sample-based synthesizer, and sequencer combination bearing the name Groovebox. Supporting a full 8-track sequence.
1997
V-Drums Digital drums.
64 Voice Synthesizer Module, 3x Effects, 8x Expansion
1998
MC-505: Successor to the MC-303 with a more powerful synthesizer and sequencer.
Boss SP-808 GrooveSampler
2000
Handsonic HPD-15
Boss DR-202 (Dr Groove)
Boss SP-202 (Dr Sample)
2001
BOSS SP-303 Dr. Sample
2002
Roland MC-909
Boss SP-505 (Groove Sampling Workstation).
2004
CY8 trigger pad.
FD8 hi-hat pedal.
KD8 trigger pad.
PD8 trigger pad.
PD105 and PD125 V-Pads.
TD3 V-Drum module.
TD3 V-Drum kit.
TD6V V-Drum module.
TD6KV V-Tour Series kit.
TD20 V-Drum sound module.
TD20K V-Pro Series kit.
VH12 hi-hat.
2005
Roland SP-404SX Sampler
2006
Roland MC-808
2014
Aira's TR-8: Rhythm Performer, based on the drum-sounds of the TR-808 and TR-909.
I'll update this as I go. Please let me know if there are errors or omissions.
J