Scottish Genuises Build A 9-Feet Long Roland TR-909!

On the occasion of it 30th year since the instrument came on the market, Edinburgh arts collective Ray have knocked up a nine-feet-long playable replica of the iconic Roland TR-909. Project leader Brendan McCarthy designed the replica’s steel, aluminium and wood outer structure, while the technical bits were assembled by Sam Healy of psych-rock groups North Atlantic Oscillation and Sand. He recreated part of the original 909?s interface using real Roland gear, with 12 PD-8 drum trigger pads fitted under the spring-loaded buttons. The buttons feed into a TD-12 drum brain which in turn sends MIDI data to an Aira TR-8, so that when it’s played the sculpture bangs out rhythms while also relaying MIDI date to a projection system, creating intricate synchronized visuals. All in all, the gigantic installation reads more like a piece of efficient working sculpture and will make its way around Europe in exhibitions, symposiums and even the Green Man Festival in Wales! Check it out below!

To know more about Ray and this installation, you can check out their Tumblr page here.