First test- drive of my newly acquired Roland TR-606 (which appeared on local Kleinanzeigen nearby) - accompanied by my beloved original Roland TB-303. Both boxes synced via DinSync. Super easy and fun setup to play.
Cosmetically, the 606 is ok - but definitely needs to be serviced, as the buttons are pretty beaten up and the volume pot shows a nasty crackle while being in use. Buttons and Michigan pots will arrive the next days.
Live recorded in a single take on 1010 BlueBox (reverb and delay added here). No further FX.
My 606 No #1 is finally back from service (new pots, new buttons)!
This took really some time.
First test-drive on the overhauled machine along with a Roland TB-303. The latter one has the Sonic Potions CPU onboard - some polyrhythmic madness on from 3:32 using the ping-pong play direction. Live recorded in a single take on 1010 BlueBox - delay and reverb added here.
No#2 just delivered also from service 15min ago by GLS (got an individual output upgrade on No#2).
I only got my RD6, but have used it on loads of tracks. Its certainly a keeper considering these sometimes go for less than a hundo. I think it sounds spot on except for the hihats, which need the Maffez mod in order to get to that liquid chrome zone of the og.
Someone commented on GS that actually, RD6 sounds like a factory calibrated brand new 606 is supposed to sound. Guess I like the old, out of spec 606 sound more
I will have to make an unbiased comparison video of an RD6, the two 606 I own and my Drumatix. Would be interested, how different the two 606 will sound (if there is a difference at all).
Big 606 fan here. Love the simplicity and general ethos of it.
Iāve had the TR-06, TR-6S and the DR-110. The DR-110 has amazing metallic hats, but I wasnāt up for doing the sync mod a decade ago when I had it. Iāve lusted after the Acidlab Drumatix and for me itās the one that got away, because I had one in my cart in 2023 on Reverb for $400, and I still kind of regret not buying it.
I almost want a TR-06 again. It sounded great, and had a bit more sound sculpting flexibility, plus the trigger outs per voice were super fun to use with modular.
I have a x0xb0x and an msw-810s to mod, so maybe I should add an RD6 to that list and mod it too. Iāll have to give those Mafez mods a listen. Thanks for the info.
Finally, my second TR-606 returned from service!
At first glance a bargain turned out to be a defect device with faulty RAM-chips. Now it sounds great again and works flawlessly - in a great cosmetic condition and was also equipped with individual outs.
First electro improvisation along with a classic BOSS KM 60 mixer to add some distortion and grit. Probably not the usual choice, while going with a drum machine only
I do love the 606 (and the closely related 110) even though it is super limited. Some might say the hats are harsh or piercing and the kick is kind of weak/dead and they might be right but it really speaks to me in a way that only classic mostly Roland analog drum boxes do.
Yeah samples will get you most of the way there especially in a mix and you can do more pitching/manipulating them in your DT/404/mpc etcā¦ for more fun combine the original with samples
Anyway last year I found one that looked like it had been put away since the owner first bought it, came in box and everything, very clean, and earlier this year I sent it off to get the Tubbutec midi kit installed. Tbh kind of overpriced especially since I had to pay for the install (thankfully I like the tech who did it) but it really opens it up with some velocity and additional sounds (derived from splitting constituent parts of the originals). Their demo vid below has a great jam w/ a 101 showing it off. Iāve been driving it from the AR2 and then routing it back in through the compressor.
Acidlab and 6mod6 both look great though I probably should have just gone with one of those ha ha. And of course I love the AFX stuff with it (heavily used in Analord era) but also this recent bonus track.
Thanks, mate! I had an eye on the Tubbutec midi kit - but am not sure: Does this give you a full midi implementation where you could trigger the individual instruments via an external sequencer like DT or DN?
Yeah you can trigger each voice from whatever midi sequencer with 7 steps of velocity. The only other midi control is open hh length.
There is an editor to change which note will trigger which voice. I set it up so all voices are in a continuous 13 note range, so I can sequence each voice from one DT octave for example.
had a drumatix for a hot minute - best bang for buck analog drum i can think of - but alsa i have been uttelry ruined by the elektron sequencer and grooveboxiness so its now gone - but oh the sound!
I had a short discussion with Klanggenerator some years ago.
Parts are around 335ā¬ plus case (180ā¬) Cases & Accessories - kumptronics and working hours - in the end you could buy an original for the price (great, if you can so the soldering stuff yourself)!
this is great news as i have a really rather fucked tr606 awaiting a service, but i will put this tubbutec mod in and reap the benefits as my other tr606 is immaculate and one tr606 just isnāt enough in my bookā¦
