Roland TR-707: Is It Worth It?

[@kierenmoore3236]

I love this machine - bold sounds, unique hands-on control, separate outputs … plus it looks/is colored like an X-Wing fighter. 😎👍🏼

[@Ez-qt7dx]

Just sample the samples with a sampler. What made this for me in early 2000 was 1) low cost 2) versatility with sync options and 3) individual outs for effects. There are better options now for the price, and there's a reason even Behringer hasn't cloned this yet.

[@voltron2407]

Chicago house music was built on this machine. It can claim its fame just like the 808 and 909.

[@Mr.Marbles]

especially in the acid house scene. id argue this thing and the 727 are more used in oldschool acid house than the 808 and 909.

[@hankybostik7634]

Not in the same ballpark. Sorry

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

It’s nostalgia to want one, they were used a lot on classic old school techno. Despite people always say just sample it.. well there is always going to be a slight lack to the original thing because it’s Sampled* the onboard Analogue processing’s will always cause a slight variation even.. although you won’t easily spot it.. it’s there.

[@lundsweden]

Sample it with round robins

[@beesting6135]

Hands on is better

[@_P_M_]

Recently sold my old TR-505 in fair condition for about half what I paid for it new in '86, which surprised me. My go-to drum box is a Kawai XD-5 circa 1990. It's a drum version of the K-4. VERY robust editing. I sequence it from a Beatstep Pro. Far more interesting to play with and listen to than a TR-707, imho. They're still reasonably priced and worth checking out if you like the vintage stuff. I paid less than $200 shipped.

[@Frank-in-NY]

I had a TR-707, got it back in the Mid-80's and used it up until a few years ago, when it finally died on me. 😢 I loved the unit, being I'm terrible making beats. The LCD Matrix was a godsend for the drum handicapped like myself. Sure the sounds aren't the best, but it worked for me. I must have spent a small fortune on drum machines, and could never learn to use them. If they came out with a reissue of the TR-707 for $500 or so, I'd pop for it.

[@antoniolausinrabelo3444]

I advise you to buy a roland r8 or r5, they are cheap and they are better machines. as soon as you know how to use them

[@Frank-in-NY]

@@antoniolausinrabelo3444 Hey thanks. I didn't know that these machines existed. I can see from looking at a few videos on them, look easy to use. Make patterns, chain patterns, make song! Take Care

[@pyrexcarrier]

Got it for 100$ (CAD) in April 2020!!! Love it

[@motomike71]

I cut my teeth on sequencing and programming drum beats with this very device. In my high school days we had one of these. We didn't have a drummer for the jazz band, so I used this to program the drum parts. Later we got an Ensoniq ESQ-01 workstation and I integrated the TR-707 with the 707 controlling tempo over midi. The TR-707 was great because the ESQ-01 had no drum sounds to speak of. Using the TR--707 and chaining different patterns I was able to save a track on the ESQ-01's sequencer for another instrument track. Rudimentary electronic music all self-taught, information that translates to what I do today.

[@3xAudio]

My uncle gave me one of these years ago. Always fun to crack out every now and again to have a play with Ableton or other hardware.

[@keymbord]

I'm happy with my 505, has some sounds from both the 707 and 727 but doesn't have the sliders or the cartridge slot

[@JUNO_CLUB]

for $1000 definitely not worth it, i’d save up just a little more and get an mks-7 which has (most of) the 707 samples in there AND 99% of a juno-106, all in one box!

[@zuur303]

I sold my 707 to help finance a Yocto. I did really like it. Bought it for about 250 euros and sold it to a good home for about 375 a decade later.

[@eancurtis9333]

I bought mine mint in box for 75 bucks 10 years ago

[@audiolego]

My Sunday morning wake up ritual.

[@sonicultura]

The trigger out is a very nice addition and it seems working with most gear without hustle really… Thanks!

[@oliverakadjrunnerspoint5742]

The trigger out is great, so in my case I can synchronize the TD3 via midi out of the 707 and use said trigger out to trigger the arpeggiator of the MS1 via the rimshot trigger, for example, that works wonderfully! It's super old school, like the 80s, and Chicago house goes great with it

[@georgegeez8708]

I bought a 707 in the beginning of 2021 for $400 off of the original owner, who was a guitarist. It is mint in the box. I ordered the HKA Design mod chip and had it installed, which added the 808, 909, 727, Linn Drum, LM-1 and DMX sounds to it. I think mine is worth the $1000 range now. But a 707 for $1000 as is is not worth $1000.

[@waskerbasket9601]

im in process of doing the same

[@georgegeez8708]

@@waskerbasket9601 Nice. You're going to be happy. The new chip he is making now, you can switch the drum machine sounds you want to use without shutting down the machine. I plan to order and install that new chip in my TR-727.

[@waskerbasket9601]

@@georgegeez8708 cool. So the are the supplanted sounds from the chip identical to the other machines? I don’t really have much experience with linndrum or lm1

[@georgegeez8708]

@Wasker Basket The sounds are pretty dead on. Nothing that can't be fixed in the mix. To me, it sounds good. I can't complain.

[@JackNance22]

The 707 is a classic, but overpriced IMO. I'm holding out for a Korg Drumlogue, whenever it's released.

[@Desolaire]

Vintage / Classic Roland hardware never gets cheaper.

[@synth-ing4986]

$1000 is not really the standard price for one at all... You might find some that sell, but don't count on getting that much for one easily... I have a Roland TR-727, same machine but with Latin / World sounds (but installing the HKA expansion, it would become pretty much the same machine), am selling it for 500€ and I still have it (it has some minor issues with two voices, but nothing that should be too hard to fix). The ones that seem to be going over that price, are the ones with the HKA expansions installed and usually with added warranty provided by stores... Unfortunately, I don't think the HKA expansion is available at the moment, but I think there will be more available sooner or later, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a price increase in these when that happens... I had a Roland TR-707, still have the Roland TR-727, and my honest impression is that you can easily capture those sounds with a nice sampler, cause the analog part is just on the amplification stage of the samples... But they provide a very interesting "package", as it is a very compact and light unit, which definitely sounds good, has a really nice sequencer, and with the individual outputs (which more units nowadays should have), you can make it sound even better! As much as I don't think $1000 is justifiable for one, I wouldn't be surprised to see them frequently getting to that price point in few years, sadly...

[@bakerbakerbaker305]

it’s way to damn high i think it’s an extremely manipulated price right now don’t know why people pay it

[@Sonikbytes]

So it is not just samples then, hmm...I had no idea that they process that sound onboard. perhaps that is why it so unique and overpriced. Now, I wish my analog tr-606 was worth as much ;) I love it for that ' italo' nostalgia 80's sound and I prefer it over 606

[@eancurtis9333]

I use my 606 way more than the 707 .. the 606 cuts more

[@Sonikbytes]

@@eancurtis9333 Depending what style of electronic music you are doing

[@LittleRichard1988]

I was lucky to get one for £360, I have seen TR-707's go for as much as £800 here in the UK. Even back in like 2005 I wanted a TR-707 although I heard it on recordings not knowing at the time it was a TR-707 that all these producers from the late 80s and early 90s were using. I agree they are certainly not worth paying too much money for but if you can get one for a fairly reasonable price it's worth it if lofi PCM drums is your thing.

[@ashfaq1999]

Great video zach. I remember these drum machines going for £150 here in england in 1986. Think they been surpassed by modern drum machines and their sound in no longer popular in today’s music.

[@GoodAfternoonDave]

I think the main reason the 606 is not as highly valued as the 707 is the lack of individual outs. both machines have very little or no way to mod the sounds so individual outs become indispensable for using effects on individual drums and for multitrack recording.

[@LittleRichard1988]

It sounds perfect with FM synths but also has a warmth used with analogue synths. It also works well with PCM or wave-table synths. But it's certainly not worth selling your soul to get the original hardware. I think with the TR-707 I will stick to free VSTs with 707 samples, no way am I spending over £1,000 on a TR-707, I can't afford that!

[@paulatreides0777]

Got mine for £300 mint condition

[@LittleRichard1988]

@@paulatreides0777 I have since bought a TR-505 for £120 in November 2023.

[@LittleRichard1988]

@@paulatreides0777 £300 is not a bad price to pay for a TR-707. £400 is about the maximum I can afford to pay for a drum machine or a sound module. I'm still thinking of getting the Roland Cloud TR-707 VST as there are some Roland analog synth VSTs on there that interest me. I do have a TR-505 I bought last November that I got very cheap for £120.

[@LittleRichard1988]

@@paulatreides0777 I just bought one for £360, it was listed for £400 but the seller accepted my offer.

[@LittleRichard1988]

@@paulatreides0777 I just bought one for £360, it's original listing price was £400 but the seller accepted my offer.

[@nicksavage4763]

INDIVIDUAL OUTS FOR EACH CH IS FLEXIBLE.

[@infindebula]

I don’t think the 707 is worth the going rate at all. I turned one down a few years ago for $100. The only reason I’d even think about buying one now would be to flip it. Even though it uses analog envelopes to add a little dynamic range to its ROM samples, the analog portion is not adjustable, and there is no significant potential for variation from note to note. Recreating it in ACB is a waste of time. Sample the output of each drum and throw this old, yellowing, brittle plastic POS away. The only two reasons I can think of to keep one are: (1) it is a quick and dirty way to convert MIDI to DIN sync, and (2) to modify and circuit bend into something interesting.

[@nbuehster]

I didn't think about this until now, but there needs to be special holidays for producers/DJs. In this case, it would be today.

[@tinykarpo80s]

for soviet post punk like molchat doma this one is diamond

[@User-wq9ri]

I bought mine for $150 off Ebay back in 2004. I don't think it's worth a $1000.

[@nicksavage4763]

Used in Soundtrack Theme for’MIAMI VICE’

[@emuplayers5942]

Well...Roland has released The 707 VST few days ago

[@michaelhonormusic]

I think a Roland Tr-8S is a much smarter choice!

[@Gummo22]

Best drum machine ever

[@eternalism8274]

is the TR-707 sample-based?

[@LittleRichard1988]

Yes I think it's 8 bit PCM.

[@MPHORROCKS]

Never liked it, actually. The build felt quite cheap and the sounds were set with no parameters, apart from volume. I had the choice between between the 707 and the 909, and got the 909! So glad I did, lol! Don't mind using samples of it, as they can be tweaked.

[@KUPHSER]

Not worth $1000. Good sounds but I was always put off by the 707 because of no decay or pitch parameters.. massive flaw

[@richardballinger517]

Had a 707 years ago, always thought it was sort of bland. Wouldn't buy one again at any price.

[@PocketSunlight]

I had one of these

[@kimdiez2681]

Can you record your own patterns on the TR-707? anyone thanks !!

[@LittleRichard1988]

Yes you can.

[@larrymonteleone1789]

someone please fix his collar!!!!

[@MSM5500]

Buying any drum machine like that in 21st century is just nonsense. If you're after a drum machine then MPC is a way to go.

[@georgewilliams9531]

I agree unless you're a collector I had one when they first came out but it was the technology of that time period I would not buy one by today's standards

[@LittleRichard1988]

It's good if you like lofi music which has made a comeback over the last decade even though 20 years ago most people assumed stuff like this was outdated and 💩. I recently bought a TR-505 as I wanted some solid lofi drums to use with my Yamaha PSS-470 and Casio MT-500 as the MT-500 doesn't even have acoustic toms but I do still like using TR-707 VST instruments and sample packs if I want some solid lofi drums to use with software synths. I certainly wouldn't be willing to pay the over £400 for a real TR-707 not am I too bothered about getting a real 707, maybe I might buy the Roland Cloud version.

[@unemployablegraduate]

For a much cheaper price you could go for the Boss DR220A, which was sort of a cut-down TR-707.

[@Howdy606]

It doesn't sound anything like a 707. They are cheap for good reason. Sometimes even the brand name can't save it.

[@studiolivkba]

I just hear Aha - take on me:)

[@lundsweden]

I should've bought one when I had the chance. They were going for $100 twenty years ago. I played with one in a pawn shop back then, felt it was totally uninspiring, boring and dated af!

[@LittleRichard1988]

It's funny that because 20 years ago everybody thought the TR-707 was outdated and was one of those things that should stay in the past. Then in the last decade the TR-707 a huge resurgence and after that it's value went through the roof. But if you can't afford a real TR-707 at least there are free VST instruments with TR-707 sounds and free TR-707 sample packs although free VST instruments also contributed to the resurgence of 80s and early 90s lofi.

[@christiansmith-of7dt]

Probably

[@Jedson66]

1000? it costs less than nothing

[@rhill109]

Not at $1000. Or $500. I've used a 707 extensively in the past. Buy a TR-8S. To my old ears, sounds the same.

[@Ni5ei]

707 is highly overrated nowadays. It's nothing special and quite boring. The R8 is soooo much more interesting and still dirt cheap.

[@LittleRichard1988]

I would rather stick to free TR-707 VSTs and sample packs than pay over the odds for one. I agree the R-8 is a much better drum machine because it's still usable even today and it set the standard for high quality sound, I currently have a Roland R-8 and Alesis SR-16. I might by a TR-505 instead of a 707 as those are more reasonably priced and also not big and bulky and the 505 still has that similar lofi type sound. Maybe those mediocre lofi 80s PCM drums should have stayed in the past as in the 80s and early 90s it was more acceptable to use them in music production compared to now. 20 years ago nobody used the TR-707 or drum machines like it in music production and even in the 80s some people hated it.

[@GRocket888]

I got one for $500 lmk lol 😂

[@deepsynths]

No

[@blimolhm2790]

808>606>909>707 like if you agree or make your own combination