Inside Rhythm: Roland TR-1000 Workshop
Presented by Roland and School of Synthesis – Wednesday 18th March – Limited to 10 Spaces Only

Exclusive Free Event for Current SOS Students & Alumni

School of Synthesis is proud to partner with Roland for a special hands-on workshop and demo event presented by Roland Brand Manager and School of Synthesis tutor Leroy Amphlett.

This session explores modern beat-making techniques using the new Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator, giving students practical insight into rhythm programming, sound shaping, and live performance workflows. Participants will gain hands-on experience with the instrument while learning contemporary approaches to creating beats using hardware.

The workshop also traces the legacy of Roland drum machines, showing how decades of rhythm innovation lead directly to the TR-1000 — Roland’s first analogue drum machine in over 40 years. This makes the session especially valuable for students wanting to understand beat-making through the lens of hardware drum machines and Roland’s lasting contribution to electronic music production.

Ideal for aspiring producers, performers, and beat-makers, this is a rare opportunity to learn directly from an industry professional while working hands-on with one of the most exciting new rhythm instruments available today.

Workshop Overview

Great beats are built on strong rhythmic foundations: thoughtful programming, sound selection, groove, and performance intent. This workshop focuses on demonstrating how these elements come together using a modern hardware rhythm machine.

Through guided demonstrations and practical examples, students will explore how rhythm, sound design, and performance workflows interact within the TR-1000. While the session centres on hardware, the principles covered apply broadly to beat-making across DAWs, samplers, and sequencers.

Workshop Level

This workshop is suitable for all levels, from beginners curious about hardware beat-making to more experienced producers looking to deepen their understanding of rhythm machines and performance-based workflows.

No prior experience with the TR-1000 is required. Familiarity with basic beat-making concepts is helpful but not essential.

Workshop content and features

• Introduction to the Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator
• Overview of Roland drum machine history and design philosophy
• Modern beat-making techniques using hardware
• Rhythm programming and pattern creation
• Sound shaping and performance-focused workflows
• Groove, timing, and feel in hardware-based rhythm production
• Translating hardware rhythm concepts to DAWs and other production setups
• Live demonstration and hands-on exploration of the TR-1000

Workshop objectives

by the end of this workshop you should be able to:

• Understand the core concepts behind modern hardware beat-making
• Program and shape rhythms using a contemporary drum machine
• Recognise how rhythm, sound design, and performance interact
• Apply hardware-based rhythm ideas to your own production workflow
• Gain insight into Roland’s approach to rhythm instruments and electronic music history