Sound Behind the Song Archives

Benjamin Heywood February 17, 2021

With a JUNO-60 and an army of Roland samplers, Animal Collective created an unforgettable melodic kaleidoscope: “My Girls.”

Mike Sparks February 17, 2021

“Blue Drive” moves like a meditative improvisation, with no calculated beginning or end. Oneohtrix Point Never guides us using the JUNO-60.

Kat Bein February 17, 2021

Talk about ’80s music, and a-ha’s era-defining hit single “Take On Me” comes to mind. Get the story of this classic and the JUNO-60’s role.

Alexander Dias February 17, 2021

Starkly beautiful, “Can You Feel It” is an iconic piece of 20th-century dance music. Mr. Fingers created it solely on the JUNO-60 and TR-909.

Joseph Schafer October 1, 2020

“Closer” by Nine Inch Nails is built around a densely layered groove featuring the TR-606. The edgy track achieved great chart success for the band.

Alexander Dias October 1, 2020

Mr. Oizo’s “Flat Beat” was an infectious song written for a Levi’s® ad starring an orange puppet named Flat Eric. At its heart was the TR-606.

Alexander Dias October 1, 2020

Detroit’s enigmatic duo Drexciya submerged themselves in Afrofuturist myth. “Rublicks Cube” is a transcendent TR-606 classic.

Kat Bein October 1, 2020

The TR-606 was born of experimentation. It gave free rein to a generation of bold musicians like Autechre to create tracks like “Autriche.”

Benjamin Heywood October 1, 2020

Before the legendary producer was a household name, Steve Albini used the TR-606 to achieve the punishing drum sounds of “I’m a Mess.”

Jason Heffler October 1, 2020

808 State’s ode to the Roland TR-606 has stood the test of time as one of the quirkiest yet most trailblazing tunes in their discography.