“Music is the universal language. If I can help spread positivity, joy, and a sense of togetherness through it, my purpose is fulfilled.”
Immersed into the “electronic” scene in 1987 with heavy influences from Industrial music, 80’s New Wave, and early Hip Hop, Unit: E became a prominent figure in the underground and club scene of Hawaii. From the Full Moon Gatherings and “Techno Tuesdays” of ’99 to headlining the Hawaii Electronic Music Festival and Earthdance today, Unit: E has participated in countless events across Hawaii and the West Coast US.
In more recent years, Unit: E has taken to teaching classes to groups and individuals on the subject of hardware music production and performance, and the fundamentals of DJing, including getting familiar with the different types of gear used. This has shown to be quite effectual and he has secured contracts with Roland US as a Cloud Academy instructor and a DJ Ambassador.
Providing clear, simple instruction in a relaxed and understanding environment, Unit: E has guided hundreds of budding electronic musicians through the difficult beginnings of electronic music production and performance. Opening for acts such as Mark Farina, Bonobo (DJ Set), Late Night Alumni, Shiny Toy Guns, DJ Harvey, DJ Garth, and more has given Unit: E the opportunity to watch and learn from them and apply that knowledge to his teachings.
Always on the dance floor when not behind the decks, and smiling at everyone he meets, you can bet that Unit: E has his heart and soul in the music.
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Recent Videos.
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Roland TR-1000 1.5 Update - Keyboard Mode
Basslines and melodies, right from the TR-1000’s step keys. In this video, I take a closer look at Keyboard Mode and NOTE sequencing, introduced in the Roland TR-1000 v1.50 update.
Keyboard Mode turns the step keys into a playable keyboard with a choice of 34 scales. Record a phrase into the sequencer, then use the NOTE parameter to edit individual steps alongside parameters such as velocity.
This walkthrough explores playing and recording notes, shifting octaves, and refining a sequence one step at a time. I also cover NOTE SW, which lets you enable or disable note control per track or per layer—useful when you want one layer to follow a melody while the other stays fixed.
A compatibility detail worth knowing: NOTE works with generators that have COARSE TUNE, including sample, and FM generators. It does not apply to the analog instruments or sliced sample tracks.
What would you build first—a bassline, a melodic hook, or tuned percussion?
▶ Full v1.50 overview: https://youtu.be/orhGR0FaDX8
▶ Keep EFX deep dive: https://youtu.be/BYzEJ3Y8uMo
Subscribe for more hardware jams, walkthroughs, and live performance ideas.
Unit:E
#RolandTR1000 #TR1000 #KeyboardMode -
Roland TR-1000 1.5 Update - Keep EFX & Ext In
Change kits while keeping your effects settings, tails, and external audio flowing. In this video, I explore Keep EFX, a new feature in the Roland TR-1000 v1.50 update.
Keep EFX allows Reverb, Delay, EXT IN, MFX, and AFX to retain their settings across kit changes. Reverb and delay tails carry through the transition, and external audio stays live—giving you more continuity when moving between kits during a performance.
I take a closer look at where to find Keep EFX in the project settings and how it can fit into a live hardware workflow. For anyone building a continuous set, this is a feature worth getting familiar with.
You’ll find Keep EFX under MENU in the project settings.
How are you using kit changes in your live sets? Drop your ideas and questions in the comments.
▶ Full v1.50 overview: https://youtu.be/orhGR0FaDX8
▶ Keyboard Mode and note sequencing: https://youtu.be/-5FbFxP1qVs
Subscribe for more hardware jams, walkthroughs, and live performance ideas.
Unit:E
#RolandTR1000 #TR1000 #LiveElectronicMusic -
Roland TR-1000 1.5 Update - Overview of Features
The Roland TR-1000 v1.50 update brings melodic sequencing, a new Keyboard Mode, and Keep EFX for smoother transitions between kits—plus more sounds, effects, and workflow improvements.
Join me for an overview of what’s new and what these additions bring to making music and performing live with the TR-1000.
Highlights include:
• NOTE sequencing and Keyboard Mode with 34 scales for creating basslines and melodies alongside your drums.
• Keep EFX to preserve effects settings, carry reverb and delay tails through kit changes, and keep external audio live.
• The complete set of 50 FM instruments from the TR-8S.
• Roll and Roll 2, Rev Pan Delay, and SBF-325 effects.
• New output-routing options, pan modulation destinations, optional pattern browsing with ENTER confirmation, and interface improvements.
I’m also digging deeper into two of these features in dedicated videos:
▶ Keyboard Mode and note sequencing: https://youtu.be/-5FbFxP1qVs
▶ Keep EFX: https://youtu.be/BYzEJ3Y8uMo
Which addition are you most excited to put to work? Let me know in the comments, and subscribe for more hardware jams, walkthroughs, and live performance ideas.
Unit:E
#RolandTR1000 #TR1000 #HardwareJams #1_5Update -
Inky Fest 26 | Unit: E - Live Hardware Jam | Acid Tech House
Inky Fest 2026 — a live hardware jam in memory of Inky. ❤️
Inky was a hardware jammer and part of a community built around making music live, hands-on and in the moment. She was a friend to many, and an inspiration to all. She left us far too soon, and Inky Fest continues each year as a celebration of her life, her music, and the creativity she inspired.
For my contribution this year, I put together a 14-minute continuous hardware performance built around two connected pieces in G minor and D minor. Everything is performed live, moving from a deeper house groove into a darker, more driving acid and techno section.
No pre-recorded mix. Just hardware, sequences, samples, knobs, mutes, effects, and a little improvisation.
Hardware used:
Roland TR-1000 — drums, sequencing & Reface CP samples
Roland TB-03 — acid bass
Roland S-1 — synth sequences & chord stabs
Roland JD-08 — melodic hooks & atmosphere
Roland SP-404MKII — reverse textures, noise & Rhodes samples
Yamaha Reface CP — electric piano & Rhodes textures
123 BPM | G minor → D minor | 11:30 - minute live jam
This one is for Inky and for everyone keeping the spirit of live hardware jamming alive.
Rest easy, Inky. ❤️
— Unit: E
#InkyFest2026 #HardwareJam #LiveElectronicMusic #RolandTR1000 #SP404MKII #TB03 #RolandS1 #JD08 #AcidHouse #Techno #DAWless #UnitE