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Average Price: $299

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$601+

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Description

The Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer is a classic among drum machines, offering a perfect blend of versatility and advanced features that make it a favorite among DJs and producers. Known for its powerful sound engine, the R-70 delivers a wide variety of dynamic drum and percussion sounds, making it an essential tool for creating complex and rich rhythmic patterns. Its intuitive interface allows users to easily navigate through its extensive sound library, ensuring that both beginners and seasoned musicians can quickly find the sounds they need.

Equipped with built-in effects processing, the R-70 allows for on-the-fly adjustments, giving you the creative flexibility to tailor your beats to any style or genre. The unit's responsive pads and user-friendly sequencer provide a hands-on experience that encourages experimentation and creativity. With its ability to store and recall patterns, the R-70 is perfect for live performance and studio work alike.

The Roland R-70 is not just a drum machine; it's a comprehensive rhythm solution that brings together high-quality sound, ease of use, and advanced features, making it a staple in any musician's gear collection.

Key Features:

  • Powerful sound engine with a wide variety of drum and percussion sounds
  • Built-in effects processing for creative flexibility
  • Intuitive interface with responsive pads and user-friendly sequencer
  • Extensive sound library for diverse musical styles
  • Pattern storage and recall for live performance and studio work

Product specs

Brand Roland
Model R-70 Human Rhythm Composer
Finish Black
Year 1990s
Made In Japan
Categories Drum Machines
Analog / Digital Digital
MIDI I/O MIDI Input, MIDI Output, MIDI Through
Polyphony 14 Voices

FAQs

What type of sounds can I expect from the Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer?

The Roland R-70 offers a wide range of high-quality digital drum sounds, suitable for various genres. It features 14-voice polyphony, allowing for complex rhythm patterns and dynamic compositions.

Does the Roland R-70 support MIDI connectivity?

Yes, the Roland R-70 includes MIDI Input, Output, and Through, enabling easy integration with other MIDI-compatible gear and sequencers for expanded performance and recording options.

How does the Roland R-70 compare to other drum machines from the 1990s?

The Roland R-70 is known for its advanced sound engine and extensive editing capabilities, making it more versatile than many other drum machines from the 1990s. Its realistic drum sounds and programmable features make it a favorite among producers seeking vintage digital rhythm solutions.

Is the Roland R-70 suitable for live performances?

The Roland R-70 is well-suited for live performances, thanks to its robust build and versatile sound library. Its MIDI capabilities also allow it to be easily integrated into live setups with other equipment.

Can the Roland R-70 be used for creating complex rhythm patterns?

Yes, the Roland R-70 is designed for creating complex rhythm patterns, with 14-voice polyphony and extensive programmability, allowing for intricate and dynamic compositions.

Simon Guitar

Simon Guitar

Roland R70 Drum Machine Demo

Video thumbnail for Roland R70 Drum Machine Demo by Simon Guitar

Roland R70 Drum Machine Demo

Simon Guitar

Simon Guitar

Video thumbnail for Roland R-8 versus R-70 | A Drum Machine Comparison by Gerry Moningkey Chillout Music

Roland R-8 versus R-70 | A Drum Machine Comparison

Gerry Moningkey Chillout Music

Gerry Moningkey Chillout Music

Video thumbnail for ROLAND R-70: 1992 NAMM demo video "Fat City" by Hammy Technoid

ROLAND R-70: 1992 NAMM demo video "Fat City"

Hammy Technoid

Hammy Technoid

Video thumbnail for Assembling a Roland R-70 Rythm Composer by Peter H

Assembling a Roland R-70 Rythm Composer

Peter H

Peter H

Video thumbnail for Roland R70 Human Rhythm Composer drum machine by Musicnectar

Roland R70 Human Rhythm Composer drum machine

Musicnectar

Musicnectar

Video thumbnail for Roland R70 TR808 Kit by Good Sound

Roland R70 TR808 Kit

Good Sound

Good Sound

Video thumbnail for Roland R-70: Demo Song- "Gray Zone" by Hammy Technoid

Roland R-70: Demo Song- "Gray Zone"

Hammy Technoid

Hammy Technoid

Reviews

Critic Reviews

Roland R70 Drum Machine (MT Jul 92)

muzines.co.uk

The Roland R-70 is a noteworthy drum machine, balancing affordability with advanced features. It boasts an impressive array of onboard sounds, a user-friendly interface, and innovative Rhythm Expert mode, which provides creative rhythm programming. Its Positional Pad and GS compatibility add to its appeal. However, the R-70's limited effects processing and lack of sample card slot may deter some users. Despite these flaws, Roland's reputation and the R-70's versatility in kicks and snares make it a strong contender against rivals like Yamaha's RY30. A solid choice for those seeking a blend of classic and modern drum machine capabilities.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 9 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Trent Reznor uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Trent Reznor

Singer, Guitarist

Nine Inch Nails

...
Verified via Soundonsound

"The studio was equipped with a 56-input Amek Mozart console with Rupert Neve modules, two Studer A800 Mk3 multitrack machines, Mac-based Pro Tools and a host of outboard gear, in addition to Akai S1100 and Kurzweil K2000 samplers; Prophet VS, Digidesign Turbosynth, ARP Odyssey, Oberheim Expander, Oberheim OBMx, Roland MKS80 and Minimoog synthesizers; Doepfer and Oberheim sequencers; a Mellotron MKIV polyphonic tape replay keyboard; a Roland R70 drum machine; and assorted Jackson and Gibson guitars."

See how Chromeo uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Chromeo

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

"The Roland R-70 is a bit more 90s. We haven't used it that much yet - first album - but maybe it's going to come back. We've used crashes and little elements from it. This was one of my first drum machines. It was very cheap and it's very 90s."

See how Orbital uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Orbital

Music Producer

Orbital & Angelo Badalamenti

...
Verified via Hyperreal

Orbital is listed as using the Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer, according to their gear list on Hyperreal.

See how blood orange uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

blood orange

Singer, Music Producer

Blood Orange

...
Verified via YouTube

Seen being used around 0.49 mins into the video

See how Chris Lowe uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Chris Lowe

Keyboardist, Composer

Pet Shop Boys

...
Verified via Hyperreal

For Very they used: Korg M1Rs Akai S1000s Akai S3000s Roland S770 E-mu Systems Proteuses Oberheim Matrix 1000 Roland MKS80s Roland MKS50s PPG Waveterm Roland JD800 Roland Juno 106 Sequential Circuits Prophet V Roland R70 Fairlight CMI Macintosh running Notator Logic Dynaudio monitors This is according to Music Technology magazine (Dec 1993)

See how Dam-Funk uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Dam-Funk

Music Producer

Master Blazter

...
Verified via YouTube

Cited at 0:51 in the presented video.

See how Paul Birken uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Paul Birken

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

"Showing the step programming grid while writing patterns before a show."

See how De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

De Jeugd Van Tegenwoordig

De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig

...
Verified via Photo

Here you can see Bas Bron (the group's producer) performing under his alter-ego Fatima Yamaha at a Boiler Room set. A Roland R-70 can be seen on the bottom-left side of this picture.

See how RP Boo uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

RP Boo

Music Producer

...
Verified via Planet Mu

Per a March 15, 2013 press release hosted by the artist's label, Planet Mu:

The machine Kavain learnt to produce on was a display model of the Roland R-70, a drum machine which gave access to all previous Roland drum sounds and the ability to punch in rhythms on the fly, it’s the machine he still uses today.

See how Eric Besse (TheStudioHades) uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

Eric Besse (TheStudioHades)

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via Myspace

As seen on the studio shot.

See how DJ Slugo uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

DJ Slugo

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via YouTube

In this late 2025 interview for YouTube channel Elevator Music, DJ Sluggo reveals that he was one of the Ghetto House pioneers to use the Roland R70 instead of the Boss DR-660. Both machines came out at roughly the same time, and mostly shared the same sounds and capabilities, but the R70 was full CD-quality at 44.1kHz, while the 660 was a bit grittier and downmarket at 32kHz.

Around 15:20 he states:

I had a mixer before I had the R70... which was one of my biggest machines...

See how DJ Greedy uses Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer

DJ Greedy

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via The Quietus

In this 2017 with The Quietus, DJ Clent reveals one collaborator DJ Greedy's key tools of the trade:

Q: What was your setup when you first started producing?

DC: I didn’t have my own equipment. My first tracks were made at DJ Greedy’s house. He had a Roland R70 and a cheap DJ mixer with a push button sampler. We would make the beat in the R-70 and then record samples into the mixer. There was no midi, no sync. Now, everything is automated. It’s much easier.

Album Usage

The Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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J

john_y

Gear IQ 97

J

john_y

Gear IQ 97

1 alternative for Roland R-70 Human Rhythm Composer, curated by the Equipboard community.

Boss Dr. Rhythm DR-660

$250.00

Vintage or Discontinued cheaper alternative similar sound

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