A short history of the 909 in 16 songs ⬜🟧 from TECHNO and HOUSE to POP | Drum Patterns Explained

► / captainpikant Support us on Patreon and get access to lots of drum patterns, cheat sheets and more!
The Roland TR-909 has shaped the sound of many genres ranging from Techno, House, Hip Hop and Pop to Industrial and Eurodance. In this video we'll take a look at 16 of our favourite 909 drum patterns - including its very first appearance as well as modern productions nearly 40 years later, so get ready for some interesting 909 history and trivia. We'll be using an external sequencer so you can see all the different instruments and you can try the patterns in your drum machine or in your DAW.
Featured drum patterns (transcriptions available on Patreon):
Skinny Puppy - Smothered Hope
Mantronix - Bassline
Phil Collins - Take Me Home
Inner City - Big Fun
Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
Madonna - Vogue
Adamski - Killer
Aphex Twin - Heliosphan
Circuit Breaker - Trac-X
Björk - Hunter
Daft Punk - Revolution 909
Darude - Sandstorm
Duke Dumont - The Giver (Original Mix)
John Tejada - Stabilizer
Jeff Mills - Exhibitionist 2 Mix 3
Peggy Gou - I Go
Gear used:
OXI One Sequencer
Steda SR-909 built by Turnlab www.turnlab.be... (not an affiliate link)
beetlecrab.audio Vector
Seaboard RISE 2 provided by ROLI
Korg Monologue
Arturia Keystep
► Instagram / captainpikant
#techno #technomusic #detroit #chicago #house #housemusic #909 #drummachine #drumpattern #beatmaker #beatmaking #electronicmusic #musicanalysis #synthesizer #musicproduction #roland #history #drums #80s #90s #80smusic #90smusic
0:00 Introduction
1:02 Skinny Puppy - Smothered Hope
2:36 Mantronix - Bassline
4:56 Phil Collins - Take Me Home
6:09 Inner City - Big Fun
8:39 Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam
11:17 Madonna - Vogue
12:51 Adamski - Killer
14:50 Aphex Twin - Heliosphan
15:44 Circuit Breaker - Trac-X
17:03 Björk - Hunter
18:02 Daft Punk - Revolution 909
18:44 Darude - Sandstorm
20:16 Duke Dumont - The Giver (Original Mix)
23:04 John Tejada - Stabilizer
24:04 Jeff Mills - Exhibitionist 2 Mix 3
25:13 Peggy Gou - I Go
26:16 End Jam
Produced by Jean-Claude Dirckx and Sophie Hoppstädter

[@darude]

The BD is a real “live” 909 indeed and I think the clap was, too, and crash cymbal, but the snare is a 909 snare from JV-2080 because it just sounded better 🤷🏻‍♂️ Hats are real, too. The rimshot indeed is an 808 one, but can’t remember if that was from the same sample CD or from the JV, but we didn’t have an 808. Shaker is from the JV, too.

[@CaptainPikant]

Hey Darude!! We're so happy you checked out our video :) :) Thanks for all that first hand information, we really appreciate it!

[@wreckage-vs5jv]

You're the answer to any question.

[@ANSWERTHECALLOFJESUSCHRIST]

Yooo!!! 😁

[@B0K1T0]

@@CaptainPikant And kinda surprised he wasn't insulted by the epic stylophone solo 😂 Still to this day always seeing the iconic video clip vividly in front of me when hearing this song (what's its name again?) 🧳😎👍 Such nostalgia.. 🥹 I need a pair of those early 2000s sunglasses now.. too bad mine all broke or got lost somewhere eventually

[@pedrodiegorebellocorreareb5074]

Hi Captain Pikant!! In your next video, would you analyze DJ Bobo's beats, from the singles of the 1992 Dance With Me album, to 2002 Celebration album?

[@Trig242]

Yay for Skinny Puppy getting their love and recognition for their use of the 909

[@matthelmLife]

Yes! Was suprised to hear this! Long live the Skinny Puppy!

[@buddycorner9240]

Came just to check and make sure SP was on here.

[@Hysteric_Subjects]

@@buddycorner9240 same and it came up a few seconds in. They get not nearly as much honor in the synthy world in my opinion :)

[@CausaliDox]

@@buddycorner9240 haha yup, me too.

[@mikelreborn3254]

Brap on!

[@EdgyNumber1]

Roland always missed a trick when their machines got popular in never reissuing their machines at the height of their popularity.

[@CaptainPikant]

Very true. From interviews with the 909 engineers it seems that the management in Japan was pretty unaware of the popularity of their old analogue machines :)

[@sugerbear586]

Or re-released a hobbled version like the tr-09, ideal for everyone with tiny hands and who do not want individual outputs.

[@wackerburg]

@@sugerbear586 Yes, and also with no sensible ears or feel for groove.

[@Royvdl]

I mean there is the TR-8 and TR-8S

[@clown134]

i actually am glad non american companies are still sometimes focused on simply releasing a good product and not milking it for every penny at the cost of the consumer

[@JulioAvalos3000]

Kudos for giving Skinny Puppy credit for being electronic music pioneers.

[@politesociety]

Pump up the hats, pump them up with the use of accent. Pump them up a little more, except the step after the 4/4. Cuz that's what makes those party hats and you'll find out if you do that.

[@CaptainPikant]

😆🧡

[@madtho]

that’s awesome! You get a star 🌟

[@mrwrong2815]

Wow, that's nuts that Skinny Puppy starts the history off. Was not expecting that

[@xtradany5398]

Phil Collins wasn't afraid of drum machines taking his job because he is Phil Collins.

[@VJFranzK]

He understood how to use it WITH drumset!

[@Hysteric_Subjects]

@@VJFranzK i think it’s funny how Phil and SP often were using the exact same sounds to make completely different shit. I always wondered if Phil gave them a listen and what they thought of him

[@ukbloke28]

He wasn't afraid because he felt it coming in the air.

[@Esperluet]

He would have been able to pursue as singer and/or song writer.

[@Heist1000]

I was not looking for this. I don’t know why it showed up in my feed. But I’m incredibly happier that I found it and watched it all including the outro. I don’t think I’ve ever watched a single KZbin outro.

[@fjfrancois]

This channel is awesome I love it ❤

[@iLEZ]

Fantastic, and what a pleasant surprise to see Skinny Puppy featured!

[@Hysteric_Subjects]

Perfect timing, I’ve been listening to nothing but Skinny Puppy for a year lol

[@CaptainPikant]

Oooh wow that's intense 😂😂

[@Milk_Man_29]

Cevin key/skinny puppy just posted this video on his patreon! Was super cool to see that crossover of 2 of my favorite creators

[@CaptainPikant]

@@Milk_Man_29 that's so awesome, we were really happy to hear that :)

[@Hysteric_Subjects]

@@Milk_Man_29 I need to become a patron of that duder lol

[@Hysteric_Subjects]

@@Milk_Man_29 my all time favorite electronic composer besides Author and Punisher was Dwayne Goettel with cEvin not far behind heh

[@djtomt]

Great video. I suppose it is a rare bread of folk who enjoy listening to drum machine patterns. Count me in!

[@astralfields]

The claps at 2:54 instantly reminded me of John Farnham's "You're the Voice". That song begins with 909 claps just like that.

[@caydilemma3309]

These videos about specific drum machines are the best. So jam packed with info and music I’ve never heard!

[@AdamThomson]

A new video from the Captain! The best way to start the weekend.

[@brandonm8385]

Skinny Puppy “Monster Radio Man” from Back and Forth Series 2 is another fine early use of 909. Recorded around the same time as Remission.

[@neiker234]

I don’t know anything about synthesizers but I love the dedication you put on your videos 🫶

[@guille242es]

I've always thought that "Smothered Hope" is a song that was way ahead of its time. It's incredible that in 1984 a song with such a groundbreaking sound was released.

[@FluxTrax]

"Pump up the jam" definitely used a sampled 909 and a delay on the hihats. It was very inspired, mildly speaking, by Farley Jackmaster Funk "The Acid life" that has a overdriven 808 with delay on the hihats

[@DJChrisNeon]

The 909 is definitely my fave drum machine because it spawned one of my favourite genres. I'd genuinely love to see a video dedicated to Early Hardcore, especially as there are so many iconic tracks, and the sounds the producers got from distorting the kicks is just magical.

[@Wheresthepepsibismol]

The 909 was also used on Latin Freestyle songs especially during the middle part of I'll be loving you by Collage that part just sounds awesome Adam Marano is a genius for mixing Latin Freestyle with Eurodance in that song

[@els1f]

The 909 kick is my favorite electronic drum sound😌 that thing slaps, punches, it's clicky if you want it to be, and it loves effects too lol

[@Aegean-Star]

@@els1f my favorite 909 sound is te open hi-hat with the Nava Extra 9 with distortion pedal Elektron Analog Drive 😊

[@els1f]

@@Aegean-Star absolutely agree! The whole thing is perfect tbh😌

[@EdgarRoock]

2:04 Now "Hunter" by Björk makes sense.

[@devids51]

Yoi really need to do a video on Underworld Their songs have crazy rhythms and melody and they made me fall in love with the 909

[@CaptainPikant]

"Born Slippy" actually was another one of our favourites and in the final round of patterns for this video. I'm sure we'll get around to it someday! :)

[@devids51]

@@CaptainPikant don't forget Dark & Long (dark train) that song made me obsessed with 909 hats.

[@CaptainPikant]

@@devids51 hadn't heard that one yet, thanks for the recommendation! :)

[@TonyLeva]

I can’t express in words how much I’m in love with this machine. It’s literally my youth

[@vch0013]

No video about the 909 would be complete without mentioning Soul II Soul’s ‘Keep on Movin’

[@DmitryGorbushin]

I came here to say exactly the same. And lets not forget this drum loop was sampled in numerous different songs, most notable ones are from Enigma and Tom's Dinner by Susan Vega.

[@Jaelights]

Man I love the end jam on this one, you've out done yourself :D

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks so much Jae ❤❤

[@CaptainPikant]

Don't be sad if your favourite 909 track didn't make it onto our short list of 16 patterns. Leave your suggestions here in the comments and maybe they'll make it into a future video :) This time we also have a lot more post processing on the drum sounds - we just didn't mention it much in the video since we didn't want it to turn into a sound design tutorial. So ask away in the comments if you have any questions!

[@louis_makes]

I, for one would love your take on a sound design tutorial!

[@NotGabe001]

@@louis_makes same

[@fakshen1973]

There were no dancing bunnies. I miss the bunnies.

[@chipeberhart7276]

You missed 1985 “Like This” by Chip E. (The Architect of House Music). Also probably the first use of the rim shot trigger out for the main sample “Like This”

[@chriscornellfan1366]

Honestly, I’m just happy you posted!

[@beetheimmortal]

I wish System 7 got an episode at some point. They have some really nice drum tracks. The reason I thought about them now is that they collaborated with the mentioned Derrick May on some brilliant tracks such as "BIG SKY CITY" and "PROTOTYPE 1".

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

Being someone who grew up on punk and only got into EDM as an adult, this video has helped fill in a lot of context

[@Wheresthepepsibismol]

I grew up with Metal as a kid now I'm an EDM fan because Latin Freestyle and Trance got me into EDM

[@T.R.S.8.0]

When you click through all the sounds in the very beginning it gave me such a flashback to being in the studio, messing around in the beginning stages of writing a song. Love it!

[@TheEissman]

The Stüssy style font used for credits needs a shout out!!!! Brilliant video.

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much, it's actually my handwriting :)

[@markfeathers]

Absolutely the best content on the internet. I would love to hear more of the intern in these videos too. Maybe not just learning stuff but jams too. I don't know. I just know there's not enough content.

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much Mark :) :)

[@SamUrtonDesign]

YES Mantronix Bassline! I was wondering if that would be included when I saw this listed on my KZbin timeline (and ready to scold if it wasn't). Bravo!

[@CaptainPikant]

Glad you think so too, it's a really great pattern :)

[@SamUrtonDesign]

Another very early 909 hip-hop track from 1985 - Schoolly D- PSK, What Does It Mean?: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nILGZXRjjaeteLs

[@UltraLab157]

​@@SamUrtonDesignI'm glad someone mentioned Schoolly D. PSK and Gucci Time are legendary 909 tracks, the fact he used an actual orchestral reverb makes them even more crazy.

[@Schemez-16vhiphopbeatz]

909 sounds are so clean iv not got a 909 but iv got 909 kits on my keyboard and samplers I'm a hiphop guy bit somethings I like to mess around making 909 dance patterns just cause they sound so good that hat and snare is what makes it so good

[@ukbloke28]

There can never be enough shout out for Mantronik. Absolute pioneer. He rarely gets mentioned but he created a great deal of what ended up becoming 'IDM'. Autechre give him huge credit but I think it's incredibly obvious that Aphex also ripped him off like crazy ....

[@soaribb32]

Back to Life and All Arround The World are favorites from my childhood and I think both use a lot of 909.

[@triplenator]

Pikant means spicy in the Dutch language.. And this tutorial is on fire! As always. Keep up the good work!! (You and the pair of lady hands as well) Greetings from a Dawless music creator from The Hague in The Netherlands.

[@wackerburg]

Mooi! It has the same meaning here in Germany.

[@triplenator]

@@wackerburg really. I speak a bit of German but never knew that.

[@3LLT33]

Oooh… Skinny Puppy! That beat me hooked me as a kid and has never left my head.

[@malegria9641]

Whenever I can’t decide what drum sample from the numerous house packs I’ve downloaded to use, I default to the 909. Works in the song every time.

[@ADHDville]

The 909’s history also includes me using it when it came out. It sounded amazing to my young ears

[@RubyRoks]

I have genuinely become a better musician and composer from watching your videos. You've not only shown me artists i'd have never sought out on my own, but analyzed what made their art work in a way that's clear and easily translatable to flailing wildly at piano roll with only a keyboard, mouse, and a caffeinated beverage. Thank you. :)

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much Ruby, we're really glad to hear that :)

[@RaquelFoster]

The thumbnail with Hawtin & Mills & Daft Punk & Madonna & Phil Collins makes me so happy😂

[@jaustin3370]

Great job explaining the 909! I’m still in awe how well you know this machine.

[@JonnyJKF]

That clap sound is giving “your call is important to us” 📞

[@soaribb32]

Charli's Brat had a lot of 909 and 808 drums now that I'm thinking about it.

[@disconnectedmusicuk]

Great video, fun and informative from start to finish. Some great cross-genre links highlighted. Lovely to see Skinny Puppy rightfully recognised as the pioneers they were at the start of it. CEvin Key is still breaking new ground 40 years on!

[@neonpop80]

Incredible quality. Thanks foe this 909 trip

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Here’s the shocker for me, as much as I love the 909 the 707 was my favourite! (Next video perhaps?)

[@etk1138]

Adamski's Live and Direct album is 909 awesomeness.

[@MrMWhitham]

Thank you for including Jeff Mills 🎉

[@dt-303]

Love the end jam, it's lush

[@hemibell]

So glad to see For Club Play Only get a mention. That EP completely changed the sound in the UK. Soon after, he deservedly got a #1, Disclosure released Settle. Deep House became hugely popular and blended into pop. Good times back then!

[@theb_roll]

I love how deep your research and knowledge goes! Another great one!

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks, we really appreciate it! :) :)

[@efmvii]

ugh, you’re reminding me that I need to finish my SR-909 build 😅

[@punkgift]

LC1 by Orbital is the one I always think of for the 909.

[@ashfaq1999]

Great video. A classic drum machine from hip hop, house, techno, rave & dance. Put to full effect on technotronic’s pump up the jam & 2 unlimited’s no limit and underworld’s born slippy 👊

[@paulburkhart2619]

Lovely version of the Tejada track at the end. Thx for the video!

[@gladlawson61]

THE ONLY DRUM MACHINE YOU NEED!!!

[@moresnqp]

its cool to hear about its Midi compatibility, i always use a combination of various drum machine samples in my DAW when i want that oldschool sound

[@djswift720]

I like that beat programmed in the beginning the video Cut Master DC's Brooklyn's in the house

[@VintageModernAudio]

Thanks for another fantastic video and an opportunity to help! Sample pack for the RX-120 available at the site.

[@SUBKOLOR]

i love 909 so much

[@SebastiaanHooft]

Love it! Thanks for the overview

[@SteveMc870]

Great video, as always. Fun to see an appearance by the Vector in the outro!

[@trollingisasport]

I LOVE this channel and how you make the videos so visually easy to follow that I can immediately apply it to new projects!

[@Bucketroo]

Holy crap! John Tejada! I love his stuff! "Yo Mantronix! I'll trade you Miss Tammy Baker, for your drum and computer!" "No." "What?" "No." "No?" "No." "Not good enough?" "No." "Get Stupid, Part III" - Mantronix

[@lis6502]

i don't have an idea why i am watching this at 3:57am local time, but these handclaps instantly reminded me the Cisco Hold Music or Opus no.1 as you wish

[@TayWoode]

Loved this, especially the song at the end, although I must nitpick that on Vogue the agogo was from the Alesis HR16 the same sample used twice tuned up and down. I only know coz I have one and recognised it straight away

[@CaptainPikant]

Hi Tay! Since we already loaded in all those 727 samples and it has an Agogo we just used that one, but it's great to know where the original Agogo came from :) Thank you!

[@VocalChainsStudio]

The GOAT is back with a brand new stack And a 909 on every track🖖

[@gram_o_phone]

Cheatcode Pikant: I start watching every video with the Patreon thanks song. ;)

[@CaptainPikant]

😄

[@DirtyDead1313]

I think the handclaps were used perfectly on the song Lowride by Autechre

[@TheCuttingBureau]

Nice call.

[@FSK1138]

skinny puppy smoothed hope 🥰🥰

[@jts-jc8jk]

The 909 was like the soundtrack to my growing up in the 90s; I mean like ALLLL the club hits!

[@cosmosynthesizer]

Stunning content! Absolutely fantastic. I'm hooked, thank you.

[@sunofslavia]

Probably the pikantest episode to date.

[@meatrace]

Holy shit! Lifetime Skinny Puppy fan here. No idea Smothered Hope was the first recorded use of a 909! You should definitely do a deep dive into Dig It!

[@STRAIGHTP]

Great video. Love the way you layed out the video with the 9 0 9 llit up on your OXI as well as the 16 steps for each song you re-program

[@STRAIGHTP]

MAn what is that cool handwritten style font at the end of the video with all of the people you thanked

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks! That's actually my handwriting :)

[@dercrispmeister]

I once saw an interview about the Darude track and actually the long snare roll was done live by moving a mixer volume slider up manually.

[@CaptainPikant]

True, that's another way to do it if you have two 909s. We also tried recording the snare twice, shifting it by a 32nd and fading it in, either way works fine :)

[@dercrispmeister]

@@CaptainPikant I found it back : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ol6tloCZm8p_iqc

[@darude]

It was both. There was midi velocity programming in the end, the 32nd notes coming in, but also some fader pushing in the beginning of the roll.

[@crimsonfancy]

I truly look forward to your new content. Always so well produced and informative. Thank you! 🍻👍🏻

[@pablowentscobar]

Cool video. I really dig this machine history format. Very nice.

[@ClaudeYoung]

Outstanding as always!!!!

[@PeterKNoone]

Great stuff. Thank you!

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks Peter, we're glad you like it :) :)

[@10cars42]

thanks for your work! it´s always a pleasure to watch.

[@mattcraig3811]

Thank you for this fantastic video. Can only imagine the amount of time and effort that went into it.

[@frequencydomain9360]

Some larry heard or joey beltram would be great additions to the list imo :)

[@CaptainPikant]

Absolutely! "Energy Flash" was a top contender for our 16 patterns :)

[@80Jay71]

I seem to remember a breakdown of Björk's "Hunter". If that was you I'm in the right place!

[@stuartcarter7053]

Great timing! I love the 909 more than the 808 (is that an offence?) and have just bought a TR-8...mainly for the 909 sounds. Hopefully to use live one day. Great video as always

[@Aegean-Star]

The NAVA Extra9 expands the sounds of the 909 to another level! Please STEDA, you should create a clone of 909 with extra parameters 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 By the way, your video is formidable and 100% ultra-professional Five stars for you ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@cure7779]

What a great video !! Awesome Job

[@mikelreborn3254]

I was not expecting the first band to be Skinny Puppy Smothered Hope they're my favorite band. This is a cool man. Keep it up..

[@antfactor]

Fantastic history - cheers and best!

[@realmchat6665]

+1 billion for Smothered Hope - Skinny Puppy!

[@adub303]

Why so stingy with the bonus points? 😆 🤘

[@undersound6446]

I had to blaze one to that mix DJ Paul

[@marclouis-boyard]

Many of us know how Thomas Bangalter liked to run drum machines through guitar pedals, especially from Boss and Guyatone. I couldn't resist playing my TR-909-like through a dozen of them, just for fun. I opted for an obvious pattern-will you recognize it?

[@airfixx_8952]

Smothered Hope is such a sick track... Always was.

[@aaronlyttle775]

Cheered at the mention of Belgian techno anthem Pump Up the Jam

[@bharatmadho3742]

Cant believe you didnt mention the entire genre Gabber which is based on the tr909

[@illepido]

BBE - Seven Days and One week Very recognizable...❤

[@inamortz2372]

Spicy as always. Thanks for another great video.

[@andrewrossy]

Oh the memories !!! thank you !