After causing a stir by releasing a mysterious teaser last month, Japan’s Roland Corporation has finally released more details about its forthcoming AIRA product line, which will see updates to some of the company’s most beloved machines including the TR-808, TR-909, and the TB-303. These synths and drum machines have been staples in the production and evolution of both rap and electronic music for several decades.
Roland has released a promotional video showing producers such as Ricardo Villalobos, Boys Noize, and Arthur Baker working with its new AIRA products. The company’s official website contains more information about the new line describing the TR-8 as a “performance rhythm machine that melds the legendary sound and vibe of the TR-808 and TR-909,” and the TB-3 “based on the wildly influential TB-303… wrapped in a modern package.”
The VT-3 Voice Transformer offers “heavily processed vocal sounds” and SYSTEM-1 is a full-service synthesizer with “buckets of fat synth tones.”
The AIRA line is digital and uses a new technology called Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB), which Roland says “carefully analyzes every aspect of analog circuits and then faithfully recreates them down to the finest details.” Prices range from $199 to $599.