Reverse-engineered from the original machine, our BD909 is an identical recreation of the original all-analog drum circuit of the TR-909. We’ve added additional controls and synthesis features that turn this classic circuit into a chest-pounding analog bass drum laboratory – all tightly packed into an 8HP module. The BD909 sound differs from our BD808 in that the main sonic energy is centered in the mid to low frequency range (as opposed to the low frequency range of the BD808). This frequency range gives the needed headroom allowing your bass lines to deeply fill up the low end while the kick drum rides on top – creating a clear and punchy mix.

The BD909 includes all the controls found in the original: Attack, Decay, Tune Decay, Accent, and Level. We have gone beyond that and added controls that further increase the palette of sound this circuit is capable of. First off, we’ve added a tuning control knob for the oscillator and included its own CV input and attenuator that let you tune the 909 kick with your bass lines. Next, we added control knobs for the tuning attack and extending tuning decay. Each one affects the other, allowing for intuitive and interactive sound shaping, opening Z8000 up numerous “sweet spots” and provides the ability to center the energy peak at different parts of the sound. Finally, we offer additional punch and distortion by giving complete control over the internal waveshaper, which allows you to overload the waveform manually or with voltage control.

Beginning with the classic and pure sound of the 909 kick, these additional functions greatly expand the BD909’s flexibility and let it create powerful analog bass drums that range from soft and smooth to punchy and aggressive – and everything in between.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The CP909 is the TR-909’s analog clap sound generator in Eurorack format. This is yet another low-cost analog drum generator from a legendary drum machine in your modular synthesizer, expanding your Tiptop Audio modular drum machine even further.

The CP909 is an exact reproduction of the original analog circuit and with the addition of just one extra knob, “trashing” the frequency of the internal noise generator, we have added greatly to the spectrum of sounds that can be generated. All that without compromising the signature sound of the TR-909.

The CP909 clap effect is made by a special triple-saw envelope generator that controls the gain of a VCA. The sound source feeding into the VCA is made by a quasi-random logic- based noise generator. Some might call it “digital noise”, though this term might be misleading in today’s world of microcontrollers and sound samples. What really makes the noise generator is a ring of logic gates, so primitive, so 80s, and so much the sound of the 909 Clap!

The CP909 includes a high-powered output gain stage capable of producing hot signals. On the inputs, we have designed a pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the CP909 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clocks, dividers, or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. Based on the architecture of the 909, the Accent input is versatile and able to take in both CV and Gate signals for continuously changing dynamics. All these unique features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

Introducing the HATS909, part of our new series of drum modules that brings those classic percussion sounds into the modular synth world, instantly turning your system into a self-contained music machine.

The HATS909 is the TR-909’s original Closed and Open Hi-Hats circuits adapted for use in Eurorack modular synthesizer format and was designed to sound like a machine coming fresh off the assembly line back in the 80’s. Improving on the original, we have added some great new features that expand the sound palette that can be produced with this small, powerful module.

The original TR-909 circuit is made with a combination of low-fi sound samples that pass through a series of analog elements to provide envelope and filtering to the source sound. The HATS909 module allows for manual and voltage control of the sample’s tuning, which provides anything from crushed hats and short ticks to the original sound and anything between. Additional controls allow you to send a voltage control signal to either the tune input or the internal VCA for modulation with external control signals and, using a modulation switch, add AM or FM synthesis in the audio range from external oscillators, other drum sounds, or just about any other sound source. Lastly, HATS909 also offers a switch that allows you to tap directly into the raw output of the module for a unique sound source that can used throughout your system.

Just like the other drums in this series, the HATS909 high-powered output gain stage allows you to further harmonize the sound through distortion and clipping. On each gate input, we have designed a dual pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger your HATS909 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers, or any other pulse/clock sources.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

Introducing the TOMS909, the warmth of the classic, all-analog, punchy tom-toms from the TR-909 drum machine. The TOMS909 contains all three of the TR-909’s original LOW, MID and HIGH tom-tom circuits adapted for use in the modular format. The module was designed to sound like a fresh machine coming off the assembly line back in the 80’s. To add flavor to the beast, we have extended each tom’s tuning range so it’s easier to dial soft bass drums on the low end and high-pitched toms on the other.

The toms circuitry is made up of 9 triangle oscillators and a stack of filters, VCAs, and envelopes which, in total, took about half of the space on the original 909’s circuit board. Utilizing the latest in electronic design technology, we have managed to squeeze this enormous circuit, consisting of more than 450 components, into an area only 16HP wide. It is a beautiful board with hundreds of tiny, shiny components: it’s a little analog jewel.

Each tom includes a trigger and accent input with accent level control, manual tune, voltage-control tune input with attenuator and independent audio out. In addition, a MIX out is available that sums all three toms together as well as access to the MIXZ MixBus on the back. On each gate input, we have designed a dual pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger your TOMS909 with trigger/gate signals from sequencers or any other pulse/clock sources.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

Introducing the CYMBL909, part of our new series of drum modules that brings those classic percussion sounds into the modular synth world, instantly turning your system into a self-contained music machine.

CYMBL909 is a dual voice module containing the TR-909’s original Crash and Ride circuits adapted for use in Eurorack modular synthesizer format and was designed to sound like a fresh machine coming out of the assembly line back in the 80’s. On top of the original, we have added some great new features that expand the sound palette of what can be produced with these two voice circuits.

The original circuits use a combination of low-fi 6-bit sound samples that pass through a series of analog elements that provide envelope and filtering to the source sound. The CYMBL909 module adds manual and voltage control of the sample’s analog tuning section creating tones which range from heavy industrial at the low end, to the original crash/ride sound at the mid range, and bright hats-like sounds at the top end. Modulating the tune with an envelope, CV sequencer, or LFO makes interesting sound bending effects, which can be applied either in or out of sync with the triggering of the sounds.

Just like the other drums in this series, the CYMBL909 high-powered output gain stage allows you to further enhance the sound through distortion and clipping. We have designed a dual pulse-shaper circuit on each gate input so you can trigger your CYMBL909 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The RS909 is the TR-909’s analog rimshot sound generator in a Eurorack format; adding yet another low-cost analog drum generator from a legendary drum machine to your modular synthesizer and expanding your Tiptop Audio modular drum machine even further.

We use an exact reproduction of the original analog circuit for the RS909. Its sound is generated by a clever set of three T-bridge oscillators, each producing a damped sine wave at a different frequency. The mix of those oscillators goes through a VCA whose gain is controlled by an envelope generator providing the well-known attack that gives the sound its unique “feel”.

In the RS909, we bring frequency control of the two internal oscillators, OSC1 and OSC2, to the front panel, allowing for adjustment of their pitch, and thereby extending the sounds this circuit is capable of and allowing fine adjustment of the classic sound.

The RS909 includes a high-powered output gain stage capable of producing hot signals. On the inputs, we have designed a pulse-shaper circuit so you can trigger the RS909 with trigger/gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers or any other pulse/clock sources. This eliminates the need to shape pulses sent to the module and ensures the same stable sound at peak power, regardless of your pulse source. Based on the architecture of the 909, the Accent input is versatile and able to take in both CV and Gate signals for continuously changing dynamics. All of these unique features make integrating this legendary sound generator into your modular synth easy, unleashing the power of real analog drums.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan

The SD909 adapts the iconic TR-909 snare drum and noise generator for use in the Eurorack modular synthesizer format. We painstakingly tested the module in our lab to sound like a fresh machine coming off of the assembly line back in the 80s. On top of the original circuit, we have added new features that expand the palette of what can be produced with this analog circuit.

The sound of the SD909 consists of two main sections: the binary noise generator and two modulated triangle oscillators. The oscillators provide the low end punch while the noise makes up the upper sonic spectrum, resulting in a combination that makes the 909 snare sound so rich. In the SD909 module, the noise generator and oscillators are variable and voltage-controllable, pushing the circuit beyond its original boundaries, offering new sounds and many variations of the original tone. The panel also has markings to guide setting the knobs to reproduce the vintage snare sound of the original machine.

Just like the other drums in this series, the SD909’s high-powered output gain stage allows further enhancement of the sound through distortion and clipping. We have designed a dual pulse-shaper circuit on each gate input so you can trigger your SD909 with Trigger/Gate signals from step sequencers, clock dividers, or any other pulse/clock sources. Also, the SD909 is equipped with access to the MIXZ MixBus, matching the rest of the Tiptop line of percussive modules.

TR-909 is a Trademark of Roland Corp Japan