Pricing and availability
We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .
Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $850
High-end/Boutique
$150
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.
Description
Step back into the golden era of digital percussion with the Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer. This legendary drum machine, originally released in 1985, is revered for its Latin percussion sounds and intuitive step sequencer—a staple in the arsenal of producers seeking that vintage flair. The TR-727 is a digital powerhouse that harnesses 8-bit samples, producing the gritty and punchy tones that have become iconic in electronic music.
Whether you're a producer yearning for the authentic character of early digital devices or a modern musician seeking unique percussive elements, the TR-727 delivers. Its 15 original sounds provide a rhythmic palette that can be expanded with advanced sound-shaping options, allowing you to craft distinct beats that stand out in any genre. The Analog Circuit Behavior technology ensures a meticulous recreation of the original machine's sonic nuances, offering you both nostalgia and innovation in one package.
The TR-727's interface mimics the classic hardware design, making it easy to navigate and integrate into contemporary setups. It’s perfect for those who want to blend the past and present, offering seamless integration with modern DAWs. Embark on a rhythmic journey that bridges vintage vibes with today's production capabilities.
Key Features:
- Faithful reproduction of the iconic TR-727, featuring Latin percussion sounds
- 8-bit sample playback for authentic early-digital sound
- Intuitive step sequencer with advanced editing options
- Analog Circuit Behavior technology for precise sound modeling
- Seamless integration into modern DAWs with VST3, AU, and AAX compatibility
- User interface that replicates the original hardware design
- Perfect for producers and musicians seeking unique percussive elements
Product specs
| Brand | Roland |
| Model | TR-727 Latin Rhythm Composer |
| Finish | Grey |
| Year | 1980s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Drum Machines |
| Analog / Digital | Digital |
| MIDI I/O | MIDI Input, MIDI Output |
| Polyphony | 10 Voices |
FAQs
-
What type of sounds does the Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer produce?
-
The Roland TR-727 is known for its Latin percussion sounds, featuring 15 authentic tones that include congas, bongos, timbales, and more, perfectly suited for genres like tribal, pop, and techno.
-
Is the Roland TR-727 suitable for live performances?
-
Yes, the TR-727 is equipped with a powerful sequencer, allowing you to create and manipulate patterns in real-time, making it a great choice for live performances.
-
How does the Roland TR-727 integrate with modern setups?
-
The TR-727 features MIDI input and output, allowing it to easily integrate with modern MIDI-based setups and synchronize with other gear.
-
Can I customize the sounds on the Roland TR-727?
-
Yes, the TR-727 allows you to tune, adjust decay, gain, and sample rate of its sounds, providing flexibility to tailor the percussion to your specific needs.
-
How many voices can the Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer handle simultaneously?
-
The Roland TR-727 is capable of 10-voice polyphony, allowing multiple percussion sounds to be played simultaneously.
Videos
VintageSynth2013
Roland TR727 demo
Reviews
Artist usage
Add artist
On the left, top of the rack. One in the foreground is a 707. One in the background is a 727, visible by it's blue trim. Also guilty for the latin percussion throughout the performance.
On the Syro album packaging, there is a list that shows us WHAT gear was used, WHERE it was used and in WHICH song of the album it was used. On the left side of this list, one can see written upside-down "TR727", which refers to the Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer, a close brother to the 707 (almost a clone) but with different sounds and colors.
Sold on Reverb.com in 2019 for charity.
This Roland TR727 Latin Drum Machine is from the private collection of Martin Gore, founding member of Depeche Mode.
SN: 562494. Undeniably cool. No power supply.
All items in The Official Martin Gore of Depeche Mode Reverb Shop ship fully insured with delivery confirmation and include a signed and embossed Certificate of Authenticity from Martin Gore.
The live Erasure set-up - excluding the human beings - runs to an Oberheim Xpander module, a Yamaha TX rack with three modules (equivalent to DX9s in a small box, reckons Vince), a Sequential Pro-One synth, plus two Casios, the CZ1000 and CZ101, all driven by a BBC computer using the almost universally praised UMI-2B MIDI sequencer. A Yamaha RX11 and Roland TR727 (latin) supply the drums.
Per this MixMag feature for 909 Day, 2018:
At first, my main drum machine was not the Roland TR-909. It was the Akai R-15, and I moved to a TR-707 next, because that was more affordable at the time. And then to the 727, because percussion was really happening at a certain point. I didn’t get my hands on a 909 until 1986. It was for a band that I was connected to but the music was not techno—it was an industrial band. So I needed a machine with robust sounds, pipes and all types of really strong sounds—and that was my first contact with the 909.
In this image from his My Studio feature for Attack Magazine, Mathew Jonson's 727 is visible.
Album Usage
The Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer has been featured on the following albums:
Syro
Aphex Twin (2014)
69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields (1999)
Doctor Who: Ghost Light (Original Television Soundtrack)
Mark Ayres & Keff McCulloch (1989)
Tiny Dynamine
Cocteau Twins (1985)
Echoes In A Shallow Bay
Cocteau Twins (1985)
Three of a Perfect Pair
King Crimson (1984)
Beat
King Crimson (1982)
Discipline
King Crimson (1981)
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 TR-727 Rhythm Composer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation2 alternative and related items for Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer, curated by the Equipboard community.
$666.00 - $899.99
TR-8S ships with the 727's sample set onboard, and features a similar, but far more capable, sequencer.
More Roland Drum Machines
Accessories & Related Items
Gear Guides
Most Popular Drum Machines
Most Popular Brands
-
Added to Equipboard on by
botsteinGear IQ 828
-