Roland Corporation celebrates 909 Day, the annual moment when producers, DJs, and dance music communities worldwide salute the TR-909 Rhythm Composer. Since its introduction in 1983, the TR-909 has supplied the pulse of house, techno, and club music genres.
For 909 Day 2026, Roland is going back to where that story started. The celebration centers on a live workshop in Detroit with techno originator Kevin Saunderson and the premiere of a new animated film, pairing hands-on music-making with a look at the people and culture behind the TR-909.
909 Day in Detroit — TR-909 TO 1000 Workshop ft. KEVIN SAUNDERSON
Roland brings 909 Day to the Underground Music Academy in Detroit on Saturday, September 12th from 3-6pm EDT, for a hands-on session with Kevin Saunderson and Roland’s Dustin Good. As one third of the Belleville Three, Saunderson helped pioneer Detroit techno and was an early champion of the TR-909, using the machine as part of the sound that would carry the genre around the world. The workshop brings that history into the present, putting Saunderson behind the machine in the city where techno took shape.
The free session pairs the original TR-909 with the TR-1000, focusing on the 1000’s next-generation 9X engines, and walks attendees through sequencing, sound shaping, and performance technique. Creators can join the Roland Cloud Academy livestream for an interactive session or check in anytime on the YouTube stream.
The Rhythm Creators: Kevin Saunderson
Following Silver and Bronze Telly® Award wins, Roland’s animated series “The Rhythm Creators” returns with a new installment on the TR-909, told by Kevin Saunderson himself. Premiering September 9th, the film carries the series’ signature stylized animation and music by Detroit artist Vaughn Taormina with Saunderson’s narration.
“The 909 was the first drum machine I ever got my hands on, and it inspired me completely, said Kevin Saunderson. “It had me building patterns and rhythms, mixing them into my DJ sets, and then adding basslines through sequencing in the studio with a couple of synths. That’s really what turned me into a producer—someone who wanted to make music—not just play it. Everything was raw in the beginning, but I kept developing…kept learning the machine. It became my go-to for every project I was creating at that time. It’s the best drum machine I’ve ever experienced, and one I fell in love with.”
Previous episodes in the series feature Egyptian Lover, Fatboy Slim, Prince Paul, Jazzy B, Orbital, Kink, and Mannie Fresh.
Later this month, Roland Articles will go further behind the series in an interview with Taormina on drawing machines, memory, and the sound of a city.
909 Day Offer: Roland Cloud TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer
Roland Cloud marks the day with a limited-time offer: the TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer is available for $49 USD, 66% off its regular $149 USD price, through September 30th, 2026.
The plugin recreates the original hardware in detail and adds modern workflow enhancements, putting the 909 inside any DAW. It is also included with Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, alongside Roland’s full catalog of vintage instrument emulations, ZENOLOGY, ZENOLOGY FX, Zenbeats, and more. New users can try Roland Cloud free for 30 days.
More information: Roland
