The Roland TR-727 Lifetime Key Software Rhythm Composer Plug-In brings the totally authentic experience of using this classic percussion machine direct to your DAW. And while it captures the vintage vibe of the original hardware, it adds new capabilities and enhancements for today's workflows. The detailed user interface is fully resizable for any display setup, and you can drag and drop MIDI and audio patterns directly to tracks or cells. Taking its rightful place next to other classic Roland drum machines, this percussion powerhouse found its way into a wide range of styles over the decades, from tribal and acid house to pop and techno. And it's perfect for afrobeat, reggaeton, and other more exotic contemporary styles.
The plug-in comes with a Roland Cloud Lifetime Key, which is managed online and provides 24-hour access to all updates and enhancement at no additional charge. A free Roland Account is required to access Roland Cloud Manager.
Plug In Your Own TR-727
Roland Cloud is the only authentic software resource for the true TR-727 sound. While the original hardware version is scarce, expensive, and in need of frequent tune-ups, Roland's plug-in is always ready to play whenever you need it. There are some great feature enhancements too, which are only available in the virtual instrument:
- Analog Circuit Behavior technology captures every detail of the original hardware
- It uses the original TR-727 sample ROM
- Includes all 15 original sounds and 64 original patterns
- 43 new patterns and kits for modern styles
- Get modern sounds with tuning, decay, attack, snappy, gain, sample-rate adjustment, and more
- Powerful sequencer with flams, sub-steps, and last-step, and per-instrument shuffle
- Drag and drop audio or MIDI patterns directly to DAW tracks or cells
- Original and aged skins along with the LCD-style sequencer window
- Multiple outputs for flexible effects processing with plug-ins like ZENOLOGY FX
- VST3, AU, and AAX support for popular DAWs
- Native support for Apple silicon
The Sound of Vintage Digital
- Developed in the mid-1980s, the TR-727 had a 25 kHz, 8-bit (or 6-bit for some tones) sample playback engine that was primitive by today’s standards. These low bit rates caused quantization noise during the sound’s decay, so nondecaying PCM waveforms were used, with decay introduced later in the analog circuitry.
- Furthermore, deviations in the clock and the analog circuitry downstream of the D/A converter caused variances in the pitch and decay characteristics. And though the TR-702 lacked the ability to edit sounds, the combination of these factors ultimately led to it being highly sought-after for its unique sound and infectious groove.
The Full Experience and More
- Great care has gone into making the TR-727 software feel special to use, just like the original hardware. Realistic new and aged skins match your vibe, and all 15 original sounds and 64 patterns are included. But these recreations go way beyond vintage with 43 kits and patterns for modern genres, wicked sound-shaping options, powerful sequencing, drag-and-drop audio/MIDI for your DAW, multi-output, and more.
- The TR-727 even works together with the available TR-707, with matching kits and patterns that complement each other perfectly. Load a kit, load a pattern, and let the magic happen.
Sound that Goes from Vintage to Radical
- Taking inspiration from aftermarket modifications, Roland's advanced circuit modeling offers parameters that let you dig under the hood and modify the sound in any manner of ways.
- Every sound has ultrasmooth tuning and decay, and you can even overdrive the internal circuitry, tweak how each PCM waveform behaves, and adjust the PCM clock from 6.25 kHz to 100 kHz for some serious sonic mischief—making the TR-727 feel new and exciting, with endless creative possibilities for today’s music.
Ultrapowerful Sequencing
- While the sequencer on the original TR-727 was the most advanced Roland had ever made at the time, the updated sequencer here goes much further, incorporating features that let you add detail and nuance to your grooves.
- Opening the sequencer’s expanded edit panel reveals individual sequencer lanes with mute, solo, and adjustable shuffle for each instrument. Per-step accent is included, and each step can trigger hard or weak hits, alternate sounds, three types of sub-steps, and nine types of flams.
What is a Lifetime Key and How Does it Work?
- The Lifetime Key system provides an evolving service that includes free lifetime updates, cloud-based mobility with installation for up to five devices, plus access to current Test Drive promotions of instruments and patch collections.
- A Lifetime Key is a cloud-based authorization for Roland Cloud instruments. Roland Cloud Membership and Lifetime Keys are managed through an online ID called a Roland Account.
- A free Roland Account is required to access Roland Cloud Manager and will periodically connect to the internet to authorize your Membership and/or Lifetime Keys.
- Lifetime Key is active as long as your Roland account is active—even if you’re not a paying member.