Anyone noticed tap write seems to quantise incorrectly? It always seems to place hits on the preceding step., which the TR-606 does not do.
Anyone knows whether its possible to connect the TR-06 outs to the Analog Four?
as far as i know the a4 has an ext in so it should be possible to connect it.
1 Like
Just picked one of these up and I have to say Iām loving it!
Iām a bit confused about how the pattern groups work. Mine was B stock so might have been used beforeā¦
Pattern bank 8 appeared to be empty. Iāve made some beats on those patterns, and Pattern I seems to end up as an auto-generated fill - where do these fills come from? Iāve not programmed them, but can edit themā¦
Itās these groups I canāt get my head around properly. Possibly not helped but it not telling you what pattern/ bank you are on. Please can anyone explain a little better how this works? 
The Pattern I fills I mentioned above when programming new pattern in a bank 8 slot seem to come from pattern bank 7, which was already full.
From the manual:
Playing/Recording a Pattern
Playing a Pattern (PATTERN PLAY Mode)
Basic Operation
1. Turn the [MODE] knob to set to āPATTERN PLAY.ā 2. Use the [PATTERN GROUP] button to select the pattern group (I or II). 3. Use the step [1]Ā[16] buttons to select a pattern.
Even during playback, you can use the step [1]Ā[16] buttons to select a pattern. To select pattern groups 3Ā8 1. Hold down the [PATTERN GROUP] button and press a step [3]Ā[8] button to select a group. 2. Hold down the [PATTERN GROUP] button and press a step [1]Ā[16] button to select a pattern. Pattern groups are in pairs of 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8, and these groups alternate each time you press the [PATTERN GROUP] button. Playing patterns consecutively When selecting a pattern, you can select multiple patterns by pressing two buttons at the same time. The patterns youāve selected will play consecutively. The currently-playing pattern blinks. 1. Press the [RUN/STOP] button to play/stop a pattern.
Adjusting the Tempo In pattern play mode, the display shows the tempo. 1. Press the [TEMPO] button.
You can see the two digits of the tempo value below the decimal point. 2. Use the [VALUE] knob to adjust the tempo.
Inserting a fill-in
1. During playback, hold down the [MENU] button and press a step [1]Ā[16] button to select the pattern that you want to insert.
Inserting an intro
1. While stopped, hold down the [MENU] button and press a step [1]Ā[16] button to select the pattern that you want to insert.
Recording a Pattern (PATTERN WRITE Mode)
Basic Operation
1. Turn the [MODE] knob to set to āPATTERN WRITE.ā 2. Use the [PATTERN GROUP] button to select the pattern group (I or II).
3. Use the step [1]Ā[16] buttons to select a pattern. To select pattern groups 3Ā8 1. Hold down the [PATTERN GROUP] button and press a step [3]Ā[8] button to select a group. 2. Keep holding down the [PATTERN GROUP] button and press a step [1]Ā[16] button to select a pattern. Pattern groups are in pairs of 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, and 7/8, and these groups alternate each time you press the [PATTERN GROUP] button.
4. Use the [INSTRUMENT] knob to select an instrument. 5. Use the [RUN/STOP] button to play the pattern. 6. Use the step [1]Ā[16] buttons to specify whether an instrument plays or does not play.
Using the [TAP] button to input notes
Does anyone know how the TR-06 handles mono input on the stereo in? I would like to run my Behringer TD3 directly into it but Iām worried it might get hard panned due to being mono out.
I looked over the manual but there doesnāt seem to be any direct info for that.
Just an update in case anyone else is curious:
Stereo in only. Plugging a mono instrument in hard pans to the left.
A mono>stereo interconnect cable resolves the issue.
I used the Hosa cmp-105
Cheers
7 Likes
Thanks. I realized I needed one of these today to get the 06ās output into a mono pedal but wasnāt sure what it was called.
1 Like
Ive had the TR-06 since it was released and use it as the centerpiece in my small setup. Lovely little machine.
However we need to adress the TR-06 and its awesome 5 trigger outs. I think its a shame by Roland that they yet have not added a MUTE MODE setting where you can choose if MUTE will affect both AUDIO and TRIGGERS or AUDIO only.
Anyone know of a fix / mod for this? Are there alternative(non Roland) firmware to be found?
2 Likes
I canāt recall ever seeing alternative firmwares for any Roland synth for decades ( I canāt recall any whether rom based or software based ā¦ well maybe kiwi and the 101/202 chip replacements )
Your stuck with whatever they give you or try the usb class compliant way to deal with it ā¦ ie mute on your pc/mac/ and maybe the aira mx1 mixer.
Need some help plz Iām torn between buying this or the tr-8s.
Ive heard they use the same ACB tech but can anyone who has both comment on if they sound different.
Thereās something that seems a bit empty to me when I hear the tr-8s and it could honestly simply be aesthetics. The lil neon colors have always thrown me off going back to the aira era.
Im tempted to even just buy an og 606. Iāve recently discovered the 606 credited on one of my favorite post punk bands and I really like the idea of a drum machine being used as a singular kit and embracing the fact that itās all u got.
It seems the og 606 is a bit darker. The tr-06 has some modern updates like probability, step loop, and then the tr-8s has all this and a wider palette of sounds.
But yeah Iām mainly asking if anyone is a fan of the true 606 sound notices any clear difference in sound between the 06 and Tr-6s/8s
Having those faders does seem fun and I guess the individual outs allow for more processing but yeah plz any advice is appreciated
1 Like
Iāve had both of these machines. Itās very possible to get the TR-8S to sound just the like TR-06, but not vice versa, as youād expect given that the TR-8S has way more options and way more controls.
I think this is part of the magic of the 606 and the TR-06 as well. Thereās almost no tweaking to do unless you want to get into the shift controls, so when I had one, I would mostly just program a few patterns and get on with it. The endless kit options with the TR-8S just slowed me down. I really liked how limited and focused the TR-06 was and the built-in effects also sound great and add a lot. Itās one of the few machines I think about picking up again, even though I donāt really need one as I have my drum machine duties covered these days.
But sonically, they can be very similar if you take the time to strip the TR-8S down to the bare bones and donāt use any of the additional sounds / effects / etc.
How you interact with the two machines is going to be very different, and I think that is going to effect the outcome of what you get more than differences in the sound. I made way more music with the TR-06. The fact that itās smaller and can be docked was really nice too.
Hope that helps somewhat!
6 Likes
Had a TR-6S and MC-101, sold them, now have a TR-06 and SH-4D. Both the SH and MC drum sounds missā¦ something. My conclusion is that ACB is different, better to my ears. Although I never compared them side by side, I found the sound of both the 6S and 06 very pleasing, but of course the 6S offers many more options to choose from, FM and samples even. That said, Iām a sucker for the 606 too, so many great tracks used it. And being a fan of the TB-03, they look awesome together.
What @maymind_trax about the TR-06ās simplicity rings true. The 8S has most flexibility and power, the 6S less, and TR-06ā¦ not so much. But itās fun. So donāt worry, theyāre all a good choice if youāre into vintage Roland TR sound.
1 Like
The colors are a menu setting. You can change them, per kit, IIRC.
Or you could get a RD-6 and have a few hundred dollars left over. Or several RD-6s and mod some of them.
The faders are amazing and reason enough to get the TR-8s. But also the 808 and 909 kits. And the FM kits. And the FX. Andā¦
Iāve got a TR-8s and a RD-6. Sometimes itās nice to have the basic simplicity of the RD-6, sometimes itās nice to have the flexibility of the TR-8s. Of course various individual TR-606 units and clones will all be mutually different. You could spend a lot of time chasing THE ONE, or you could get your preferred clone or an 8s and get down to making music.
2 Likes
The company myvolts do a little passive gadget called pots and pans. It takes a stereo input and has a potentiometer switchable between volume or pan. Another feature is a latching mute button. Shame I wish it was momentary. Itās a great gadget about the size of your thumb. They do a great channel selector and splitter as well called a beat splitter. If you want to use the pots and pans in-line between your tr06 trig out, you will need a minijack coupler as the device comes with an awkward male connected designed to sit over TE pocket operators.
1 Like
Is anyone else concerned about the instrument selector switch? I wonder how many turns it has in its life span. Thatās one design element that didnāt need carrying forward from the original. There isnāt even an alternative method or a CC to select the active instrument. When it goes you are snookered. Seems to smack of Apple style planned obsolescence.
Not really. Itās likely a standard part that can be replaced easily. I have an original 606 as well and its rotary switches are still fine. The build quality on the Boutique versions is much better.
3 Likes
Not at all. Rotary switches have been around for many decades. Not prone to breaking, easy to replace even if they do.
1 Like
Hi
Ive just picked up a S/H TR-06 unfortunately i think its bust
Problem is that step button 1 wont work when pressed it lights up and flashes when running a previous sequence but thats it also ive tried to do a factory reset by turning on and holding step button 2 but that doesnt work either
Any others had this problem and solved it or any ideas how to solve it im thinking im doing something wrong
Thanks
Just picked one up an hour ago. I already own and love my TR8S but the 606 has a special place in my heart. <3
Excited to dig in!
3 Likes