Roland’s Sleeper Classic Drum Machine is Reborn
Originally conceived as a drum machine companion to the Roland TB-303 Bassline Synthesizer, the Roland TR-606 was compact, visually inviting, and simple to program. Yet both it and the TB-303 were coolly received, and within a few years, they were populating the shelves of pawnshops and thrift stores. However, in a twist that has become all too familiar in the world of music gear, a later generation of musicians — acts such as Sisters of Mercy, Nine Inch Nails, and Massive Attack — would rediscover the TR-606 and cement its place in the pantheon of electronic drum machines. Using their cutting-edge Analog Circuit Behavior technology, Roland has meticulously re-created their sleeper classic with the Roland TR-06 Rhythm Performer. The tight kick, popcorn snare drum, crunchy claps, and delicious analog hats are all there. You can build massive patterns on its 32-step sequencer with up to six instruments, eight variations per pattern, and two fills per pattern. And the TR-06 lets you store up to 128 patterns on the unit — a clutch feature for live performances. Additionally, the TR-06 offers numerous sequencer functions, including step loop, flam, and probability, along with a host of built-in effects that synthesists at Sweetwater have used to take their drum patterns to the next level. Grab a piece of electronic music history with the Roland TR-06 Rhythm Performer!
Related Videos: TR-06 Drumatix Drum Machine
Vintage sounds and modern performance
If you’re looking for the authentic TR-606 experience, the TR-06 serves it up in spades, with all of its classic sounds and intuitive workflow. However, if you want to take it further, Roland’s got you covered. The TR-06 is packed with effects, some of which can be assigned to individual instruments in the patterns. To transform your programmed beats, dive into the expansive selection of reverbs and delays; saturation, distortion, and fuzz effects; transient shapers; dynamics and EQ processors; ring mod, phase, and flanger; and more. The TR-06 empowers you to craft drum sounds that exist at the terminus of your imagination!
Cutting-edge Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology
Roland’s Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology captures the essence of their legacy synths, emulating every step in those units’ signal paths, down to the individual circuit board components. The Roland TR-06 leverages that technology to deliver a spot-on re-creation of the sound of the original TR-06. In fact, many synthesists at Sweetwater were unable to determine which was which during a side-to-side comparison. And unlike the original TR-606, the TR-06 is consistent across units, so you’re guaranteed to get the highest-quality tones possible for building killer post-punk, acid house, and EDM patterns!
The original TR-606 has been used by:
- Nine Inch Nails
- Aphex Twin
- Blur
- Überzone
- Cirrus
- Sneaker Pimps
- Download
- Astral Projection
- Mr. Oizo
- Jimi Tenor
- Massive Attack
- Sisters of Mercy
- OMD
- Moby
- Freddy Fresh
- Autechre
- Luke Vibert
- Orbital
- Union Jack
- Russell E.L. Butler
Roland TR-06 Rhythm Performer Features:
- Re-creation of the classic TR-606 drum machine using proprietary ACB technology
- 32-step sequencer for creating detailed patterns
- Highly intuitive layout for fast pattern editing and sound design
- Vast selection of onboard effects, including highpass and lowpass filters, time-based effects, modulation effects, harmonic effects, and dynamics and EQ processors
- Powerful sequencer functions: step loop, sub-step, flam, intro/fill in, and step, sub-step, and master probability
- Highly portable with durable metal front panel
- 129 user preset slots for storing your favorite patterns
- Ample connectivity with trigger in/trigger out, headphone output, external input, USB, and 5-pin DIN MIDI I/O
- Step program or tap in parts in real time without changing modes
- Compatible with Roland Boutique Series accessories (sold separately)
