This year could see the revival of Roland’s TR-808 drum machine, the landmark piece of kit originally released in 1980 and widely beloved by countless hip-hop, dance and pop artists and producers, as FACT point out. Roland this week uploaded a video titled ‘AIRA — The evolution of the Roland TR-808 Rhythm Machine’ (watch below), which gives the potted history of the unit before finishing on, "the time has come to take the next step", before flashing up ‘AIRA’, seemingly the brand name the new iteration of the 808 would have. The picture above, posted by Attack Magazine, may be a shot of the new model, though this remains as-yet-unconfirmed. The move by Roland would follow Korg’s release of the ace Volca series of budget analogue drum machines and synths, with Attack pointing out that all may be revealed at the upcoming National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show in the US. Until then, enjoy one of the 808’s finest moments so far below:
Roland Announce TR-808’s ‘Next Step’
Company hint at reviving landmark drum machine with new video
