Introduction. The TOMS909 is a recreation of Roland's legendary TR-909 analog Tom drums sound generator for use in modular synthesizer format. The TOMS909 includes all the original controls found on the TR-909 drum machine, as well as several new features never before available, such as extended TUNE range and independent voltage control for accent and tune/pitch on each drum.
Dynamics and Gain. Dynamic Accent and Level control of any drum sound in the mix is a big part of making a beat sound right. Dynamic Accent provides emphasis on a particular note through loudness. In analog circuits like the TOMS909, the accent pulse physically "hits" the internal envelope circuit, as well as the VCA for the white noise circuit, and provides not only a louder sound but also slightly more attack and noise. (much like if you were to hit a real bass drum harder with a drum stick.
Patch Tips and Tricks. Triggering the TOMS909 with the Trigger Riot Start by patching the TOMS909 MIX OUT to your sound system, turn the Low Tom LEVEL knob up half way and the TUNE knob all the way to the left, turn the DECAY knob all the way to the right fully open, turn the ACCENT knob half way up. Next from the Trigger Riot set in MATRIX MODE, patch OUT 1 in to the LOW Tom GATE IN. Now with the Trigger Riot in DIVIDE MODE set knob 1 on the Riot to 6, press START and you will hear the Low Tom playing.
Patch Tips and Tricks Audio Frequency Modulation and Timbre Shaping using Voltage Control Frequency modulation in the audio range is a synthesis method you can use for harmonizing the toms sounds using audio from other sources, such as the Z3000 VCO or basically any other sound source, even other drum sounds. This will help you to apply some timber changes to the toms, creating new drum sounds. Patch the Trigger Riot to all three toms and patch their outputs so you can hear them playing.
