My favourite 909 sample packs for techno production
Since the rise of techno in the early ‘90s, the Roland TR-909 drum machine has played a crucial role in shaping its sound. Even though 909 sounds have been used in countless tracks over the years, still in 2024, with the right processing, they remain unbeatable for techno. That’s likely why techno still revolves so heavily around 909 drums.
In this short blog post, I’d like to introduce you to my favourite 909 drum sample packs – the ones I keep going back to because they just sound massive. While most of these sample packs are paid, I firmly believe that investing in high-quality 909 samples is worth it, as they’re something you’ll always find a use for in your tracks.
Ableton Stock 909 Samples
Since I’m an Ableton user, I want to give a shout-out to the stock 909 and 808 samples included in Ableton. I’m not sure how the stock samples in other DAWs measure up, but honestly, the Ableton 909 and 808 core kits are great and often overlooked. They sound very clean and, in my opinion, could benefit from a bit of processing to add character, but they’re definitely more than sufficient. However, if you’re looking for 909 drums with a bit more character, the following packs are worth a closer look.
–> Get them here.
Goldbaby
Goldbaby’s 909 drums have become my go-to choice that I keep returning to. These drums were recorded through a bunch of high-end outboard gear, like analog tape, fancy analog mixing desks and whatnot, giving them a seriously fat sound. They come pretty much ready to use, with hardly any need for extra processing – you can just dive right in and get started. For me, these samples hit that perfect balance of character and usability.
–> Get them here.
Samples from Mars
Much like the Goldbaby samples, Samples From Mars offers 909s and just about any other drum machine sample you can think of, each with its own unique flavour. These samples are also recorded through analog tape, tube preamps, and other outboard gear, which gives them an analog, saturated feel. You can load them as individual hits or as complete kits directly into your project, making them super flexible for various workflows. The only downside? There are so many subtle sonic colours in these sounds that it can be tough to choose haha
Pro tip: I picked up the full Samples From Mars bundle during a sale, and it’s been worth every cent. I’m not sure if they still run these deals, but keep an eye out for discounts around Black Friday or similar events. Sometimes you can get the full bundle with every sample pack at a fantastic price.
–> Get them here.
Wave Alchemy
Finally, I recommend checking out the 909 sample pack from Wave Alchemy. This pack offers rock-solid 909 samples perfect for techno, with a range that spans from clean and punchy to heavily saturated and processed. While I haven’t used these samples as often as the others, I can say they’re definitely worth exploring if you’re looking to add some variety to your drum sounds.
In addition to 909 samples, Wave Alchemy has sampled other drum machines as well, so if you’re interested in something beyond the standard 909 sound, they have plenty of options to explore. These packs are a solid choice for anyone looking to diversify their drum library with high-quality samples.
–> Get them here.
