I love love LOVE 909s. I don’t own one obviously, but I’ve used so many hardware and software replications over the years. Something about that snare – punchy AND snappy – that gets me every time.
Here’s a cool video by Doctor Mix showing some famous 909 patterns. Most are obvious, but at 1:23 – boom – one of my favourite songs. Hunter by Bjork; how she uses the 909 is beautiful. I’ve heard that beat hundreds of times; hadn’t worked out how it was done.
Of course, Bjork is the master at repurposing EDM tropes. Her chopping up of the classic Amen Break on the outro of Crystalline? Beyond beautiful.