Are you familiar with the Roland TR-727 Rhythm Composer? If not, allow me to introduce you to dance music's most unsung hero: released in 1985, a year after its brother the TR-707, the TR-727 features Latin-influenced drums and rhythms, a style that Roland had not explored since their early Ace Tone days.
The TR-727 utilizes Roland's LCD graphic display, which was first introduced in 1983 on the Dr. Rhythm Graphic. This display shows a matrix of triggers for each instrument, and it greatly transformed drum programming at the time. It looks similar to the 707 but has a different color and sound set ranges from bongos and congas to agogos and timbales. The rhythm machine has found its way into a range of dance music styles over the decades. Despite lacking the ability to edit elements, its sound is still highly sought-after—DJ Pierre, Masters At Work, and even pop groups like the Pet Shop Boys and New Order have all used the TR-727.
Much like the 707, the 727 is a popular choice among modders who enjoy circuit bending to enhance its expressiveness, individual drum volumes, and tones. With readily available modification kits, such as patch bays and the whistle decay mod that adds two knobs to control the whistle sound decay along with an external audio input socket. And while the TR-727 may seem outdated, it has been given new life through modern Roland products like the TR-8 and TR-8S that can be expanded with original TR-727 sounds. Roland has even introduced a software version of the TR-727, available as a plug-in via the Roland Cloud, featuring features directly inspired by popular circuit bender modifications.
This listing on Reverb is rare and unique as it's the only one currently available. It includes its original box and has been professionally serviced through Oscidance Pro Audio, one of our preferred shops located in the south Netherlands.