Roland Celebrates 909 Day with Kevin Saunderson

Roland Marks 909 Day with Kevin Saunderson Workshop and New Animated Film

Tune in for a flagship TR-909 x TR-1000 workshop with Detroit techno pioneer Kevin Saunderson, alongside a new animated film celebrating his legacy.

Roland Corporation is celebrating 909 Day, the annual moment when producers, DJs and dance music communities worldwide salute the TR-909 Rhythm Composer.

Since its introduction in 1983, the TR-909 has supplied the pulse of house, techno and club music. For 909 Day 2026, Roland is returning to Detroit, where much of that story began.

This year’s celebration centers on a live workshop featuring techno originator Kevin Saunderson and the premiere of a new animated film pairing hands-on music-making with a deeper look at the people and culture behind the TR-909.

909 Day in Detroit: TR-909 to TR-1000 Workshop with Kevin Saunderson

Roland brings 909 Day to Detroit’s Underground Music Academy on Saturday, September 12, from 3–6 PM EDT for a hands-on session with Kevin Saunderson and Roland’s Dustin Good.

As one-third of the Belleville Three, Saunderson helped pioneer Detroit techno and was an early champion of the TR-909, using the machine to help create a sound that would travel around the world. The workshop brings that history into the present, placing Saunderson behind the machine in the city where techno took shape.

The free session pairs the original TR-909 with the TR-1000, focusing on the TR-1000’s next-generation 9X engines while exploring sequencing, sound shaping and performance techniques.

Creators can participate through the interactive Roland Cloud Academy livestream or watch the YouTube stream.

RSVP FOR THE INTERACTIVE SESSION:
https://www.submix.io/roland/tr-workshop-909-to-1000-with-kevin-saunderson

JOIN THE YOUTUBE PREMIERE:
https://www.youtube.com/live/NaI0fQIJ8_4

The Rhythm Creators: Kevin Saunderson

Following Silver and Bronze Telly Award wins, Roland’s animated series The Rhythm Creators returns with a new installment devoted to the TR-909, told by Kevin Saunderson himself.

Premiering September 9, the film features the series’ signature stylized animation, music by Detroit artist Vaughn Taormina and narration from Saunderson.

“The 909 was the first drum machine I ever got my hands on, and it inspired me completely,” said Kevin Saunderson. “It had me building patterns and rhythms, mixing them into my DJ sets, and then adding basslines through sequencing in the studio with a couple of synths. That’s really what turned me into a producer, someone who wanted to make music, not just play it. Everything was raw in the beginning, but I kept developing, kept learning the machine. It became my go-to for every project I was creating at that time. It’s the best drum machine I’ve ever experienced, and one I fell in love with.”

Previous episodes of The Rhythm Creators have featured Egyptian Lover, Fatboy Slim, Prince Paul, Jazzy B, Orbital, KiNK and Mannie Fresh.

Later in September, Roland Articles will continue the story with an interview featuring Taormina on drawing machines, memory and the sound of a city:

https://articles.roland.com/careers-in-music-vaughn-taormina

909 Day Offer: Roland Cloud TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer

Roland Cloud is also marking 909 Day with a limited-time offer. The TR-909 Software Rhythm Composer is available for $49 USD, 66% off its regular $149 price, through September 30, 2026.

The plug-in recreates the original hardware in detail while adding modern workflow enhancements that bring the 909 into any DAW. It is also included with Roland Cloud Ultimate membership alongside Roland’s catalog of vintage instrument emulations, ZENOLOGY, ZENOLOGY FX, Zenbeats and more.

New users can try Roland Cloud free for 30 days.

For Roland’s complete slate of 909 Day activity, visit:

https://articles.roland.com/ultimate-guide-909-day-2026

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