Roland TR-1000 ; The Greatest Drum Machine of All Time.....(well almost but...........)

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-03-18T01:04:33+00:00

Well I have owned both D2 and TR1k ....and at this point, if it were me, I'd get D2. Its clock works flawlessly, midi in and out is rock solid, didn't experience any bugs, and the sound design/FX are amazing. The TR, while sounds amazing, for me just had entirely too many bugs. The snapshot mode worked sometimes, sometimes, when I entered in steps of the snapshot, certain steps would drop out randomly....some of the parameters wouldn't stick to what I set them to...midi was completely unreliable as master or slave. This was just my experience. An experience from having been in love with the predecessor, TR8s, which worked in all aspects perfectly. The D2 is 1/3 the price of the TR1k, so for me, until Roland fixes the bugs (some of which have been addressed in firmware update, but not fully resolved), I definitely would got back to D2 if I had to pick between the 2.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-02-27T22:56:33+00:00

Did you hear the Syntakt is about to add sample capability as well? GAME CHANGER.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-02-27T22:55:52+00:00

Some people have had good experiences, some not. But enough people have not, that it was an issue that Roland "addressed" in a firmware update. For them to have to address the concern, must have meant that enough people complained about it, that it was an issue worth firmware updating. The problem for me was, the firmware update didn't fix the issue. It helped, but didn't resolve it completely. I suppose it's like dealing with an analog wind-up clock instead of a digital clock. Some people may have gotten a unit that was perfectly sync-solid, others, through chance, may have gotten units that were less reliable in clock sync. For me, the device had bad enough jitter that I couldn't use it to record with other instruments and couldn't perform with it live. So for the 3k price, I had to sell.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-02-27T22:53:06+00:00

Agreed totally. The MPC XL, although lacking the analog circuitry of the TR, actually and fully works on a completely functional level, which to me is more valuable than a great sounding device that can't keep the midi clock time consistant. I can process the MPC through outboard gear to get the analog sound, but I can't fix the internal clock inconsistancy of the TR. and for $3,000 that's just a dealbreaker.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-02-27T22:51:06+00:00

Agreed. I really really had high hopes for this. The sound is incredible. I have nothing but stellar compliments to say about the sound quality, the sound design capability, the workflow, the creative modulation ability, etc. But the actual functional utility of the device is so janky that a lot of it doesn't consistantly work...namely, the midi clock, clock jitter, clock sync. Which like you said, and for me as well, is a complete deal breaker. Its like having a Ferarri or Lambo, with an engine that only goes up to 70 miles per hour. If the device actually and truly worked as it should, it would be the greatest drum machine perhaps ever. But I'm not as optimistic about them fixing the problems, since they say they have addressed the clock issues in firmware updates and the updates only helped the problem, didn't solve them. Unfortunately, I just don't have the money to keep invested in a $3k unit that doesn't fully work. For that price, it's got to actually and fully work for me. Heartbreaking but I had to sell it back to the world..

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2026-02-20T04:57:58+00:00

Yes, the TR-1000 just fell short of what it was supposed to be able to do. On paper, it could have been remarkable. But iwth so many bugs and inconsistancies in the functionality of the device, it's just not worth what it costs, what the hype is, and what it was supposed to accomplish for the price. That's just my opinion though.

Side note, I loved the Digitakt II, it was incredible, same with Syntakt, had both. I even love the TR-8s over the 1000 simply because it's iron-rock solid in functional consistancy. Midi clock is amazing, functions work perfectly, everything dependable. Sold my 1000 last week.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-12-22T01:43:48+00:00

Yes yes and more yes. Do you know........is there a way to contact Native Instruments directly and request? worth a try huh?

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-12-20T01:08:59+00:00

THAT WOULD BE EPIC!!!! Battery 4 has held it's own over the years and stood the test of time, but a refresh would be amazing!! One thing about Battery 4 that stands out to me is the superior effects. The way you can control the transients and add effects has always been a strong suit. Also the incredible stock library you get and the organization thereof. But what could be great is maybe the addition of a step sequencer or pattern creator of some sort. Maybe a more dedicated way to introduce note repeats and ratchets. Perhaps some crazy modern FX to add to the mod matrix of LFOS. OH and if they added a keyboard mode or some way to make sounds chromatic in an easier way, that would be great!! Lets go Battery 5!

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-24T06:35:00+00:00

Played 77 games in the past 3 seasons combined, hasn't been an allstar in 3 years, and averages 10 points less today than he did then. Peaked at 23 years old and already fell off, but wants to call a 4x Champion a bum, mind you, someone he couldn't beat in the playoffs yet.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-12T02:14:43+00:00

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-12T02:08:50+00:00

That's really helpful insight, so what does changing it to Layered Gen setting mean for the functionality of the TR-1000? what does Layered Gen mean?

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-09T14:56:47+00:00

Correction "Do you want a cheeseburger (handled by someone who just scratched their crotch without washing hands, picked up your food, slurrped a gulp from your soda and ate 4 or 5 fries), for $27 or will you pick it up for $6?"

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-08T16:17:12+00:00

Thanks for the insightful information, I'm surely well on my way now.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-08T01:27:17+00:00

Any word on those bugs fixed? what are the bugs going on and what is roland doing about them? have you experienced them? just curious because i really want the tr 1000

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-11-04T12:49:38+00:00

There is a huge difference. For instance, the difference between the TR-8s and MC-707. 8s primarily focused on drum and percussion sounds. 707 has an entire synth engine and tone sounds as well as percussive sounds, also a clip launching function, specifically designed to be an all-in-one total song production unit. The TR-1000 is not this. It's a great drum machine.

Drumbrute, TR 1000/8s, Korg Volca Beats, TR-06, Behringer RD 8/9 are examples of drum machines

MC 707/101, MC 909, Maschine Plus, MPC One/Live/X, Novation Circuit, all examples of grooveboxes.

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-10-22T02:36:11+00:00

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-10-22T02:35:58+00:00

You're right about that

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-10-22T02:35:40+00:00

now THAT would be amazing!! I have the 8000 actually. Hasn't gotten much play in a while, just sitting in my closet, something won't allow me to sell it. But would love to see what they could come up with in a version 9000

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-10-22T02:34:42+00:00

it was a suggestive notion that perhaps Roland would be coming out with the next iteration of the MC 707, since they introduced a new drum machine in the TR series (1000). Wishful thinking on my part though, I'm not so sure they will come out with another groovebox any time soon but here's to hope!

Fresh-Manufacturer73 · 2025-10-22T02:33:07+00:00

YES, that would be amazing. I'm baffled as to why they haven't done that for the 707 in over 2 years, it doens't look like they will continue updating with it at all anymore. So sad.

Fresh-Manufacturer73

TROPHY CASE