Roland TR-707chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

A hands-on classic with a distinctive, punchy PCM sound. Commenters repeatedly praise the 707's bold, punchy drum sounds and describe the snare, tom rolls and overall punch as standout qualities, sometimes preferred over the 808/909. The onboard analog envelope processing gives ROM samples subtle character that's hard to replicate exactly with plain samples. Its role in Chicago house and EBM/Dark Wave classics cements its reputation, and many owners have kept theirs for decades, calling it a favorite despite owning more capable gear.

Simple, direct workflow with sliders and individual outs. Users value the physical sliders, LCD matrix, and flam/shuffle presets for straightforward beat programming, contrasting it favorably with menu-diving modern machines and DAW-based workflows. The individual outs are called indispensable for multitrack recording and effects processing, giving it more versatility than machines lacking this feature, like the TR-606. DIN sync MIDI conversion is another practical use case some owners rely on.

Limited sound-shaping and inflated resale prices frustrate buyers. The most cited flaw is the absence of decay or pitch parameters, with only volume adjustable per voice, which several commenters call a massive flaw or reason for disconnect. Build quality is criticized as cheap and plastic, and the crash/ride cymbals are noted as weak or hard to get right. Many feel current prices of $500-1000+ are not justified, recommending alternatives like the TR-8S or MKS-7 instead, though HKA ROM mods can add value and expand sound options.