Items Included
- Roland TR-06 Drumatix Rhythm Performer
- DK-01 Boutique Dock (Silver)
- 4 x AA Alkaline Batteries
- Limited 1-Year Warranty on Parts, Limited 90-Day Warranty on Labor
- Modern Recreation of TR-606 Drum Machine
- Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) Modeling
- Expanded Sound-Shaping Options
- Control Tuning, Decay, Pan, Gain & More
- Compressor, Delay, and Overdrive Effects
- Advanced Sequencer
- Sub-Steps, Probability, and Step-Loop
- 5 Trigger Outputs, 1 Trigger Input
- Runs on 4 AA batteries or USB Bus Power
- Sturdy Build with Solid Metal Top
The Roland TR-06 Drumatix Rhythm Performer is a modern version of the vintage TR-606 drum machine with a host of advanced new features added for today’s musicians, beat creators, and DJs. It uses Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) modeling to recreate the kick, snare, toms, cymbal, and hi-hats from the original machine but adds additional editing capabilities—including controls over tuning, decay, pan, gain, and more. Built-in effects including a compressor, overdrive, and tempo delay offer futher sound-sculpting options.
The 8-track (including accents) sequencer features 32 steps along with sophisticated programming features including sub-steps, step-loop, and per-step probability; up to 128 patterns can be stored in memory. Patterns can be sequenced to compose complete songs using the Track Write mode. The TR-06 receives power via its USB-B port or can run on four AA batteries. NiMH rechargeable batteries will power the machine for approximately five hours. A silver DK-01 boutique dock and four AA alkaline batteries are included.
The TR-06 is sturdy and well-constructed with a solid metal top and a color-matched DK-01 case with three tilt options. It’s a high-quality USB audio interface for quick and easy recording with your computer and can run on standard AA batteries for hours of uninhibited jamming. It even has a built-in speaker so you can work just about anywhere.
Steve –
I thought long and hard before purchasing the TR-06. There are many more fully featured drum machines out there, including the Tr-6s, which was released at the same time and costs the same AND includes all the same sounds essentially.
However, as a new initiate into synthesis and drum machines etc. I was looking for something with an extremely simple workflow after wrestling with the Model:Cycles and its supposedly super-intuitive workflow. In that regard, this thing was perfect. Easy as pie to get a beat going and tweak it as much as you want.
You are not stuck just with 606 sounds, either. You can choose between 3 kicks and 3 snares, and the HT, LT, and CY all have multiple options too. Basically you could piece together a hybrid 606/808/909 kit AND adjust tuning, attack (for the kick), decay, snappiness (snare), gain, velocity, effects send per instrument, pan, etc.
It’s a tad menu divey, but nothing annoying, and most of the most common parameters you’d dive for you can alternatively use a button combo to access (still memorizing those).
The trigger outs are soooo fun. Trigger anything with a sync, gate, etc in with any of the 5 trigger outs. Substeps/flams and velocity also effect the triggered instrument which is fun.
Also, it just feels solid and is the perfect size IMO.
I was amazed how easy it was to send 10 audio tracks (which include R/L tracks for the mix in, all 6 instruments, and the mix with effects) into my DAW via USB. (don’t let APPLE convince you to put the installer files into the trash before you restart though! It’ll crash your computer).
The mix in is really useful and saved me 2 channels on my interface.
The main limitation is that you can’t save kits. Whatever you are currently using stays that way through any patterns you play, until you change it. Maybe someday firmware updates will fix this. Hoping.
Is it analogue? Nope. But it sounds as good as any software emulation out there, with a great physical interface that’s easily integrated into a recording set up, and has all the trigger outs (and a trigger in).
There’s always the RD6 if you want a super limited but analogue version (like the original) with individual outs, for less than half the price. (The TD3 is awesome!) But personally I am super happy with this Boutique version.
Steve –