Roland TR-606 user reviews ( 8/10) - 5 user reviews

• 03/15/09

  Audiofanzine FR's review

  Characteristics

  (Originally written by tetripor/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
  
  Few connections but enough:
  
  
  
  - The Midi connector allows syncing with any sequencer and the trig output allows you to sync any old cv/gate device. It's not high-end but it's still ok.
  
  
  
  - Only one audio output but the unit has volume controls for each instrument.
  
  
  
  The sequencer is also extremely simple but very effective. A 5-year old kid could create a loop within a couple of minutes. The internal memory is a bit low: 32 patterns max.
  
  
  
  Although the device doesn't have any effects, you can hear some sort of auto-compression as soon as bass drum kicks in and that's what gives the device its groove, a slight pumping effect is audible on the hi-hat and cymbals with every beat: it grooves!
  
  
  
  The sound possibilities are nothing out of this world, they can't be edited, and you'll only get an aggressive sound if you add a multi-effects processor. With a cheap guitar distortion pedal you'll get a low-fi hardcore sound...

  Utilization

  Because of the few editing possibilities on the unit, you'll rapidly go back to basic rhythm patterns with sixteenth note hit-hats, a straight kick and an ultra kitsch snare... The craziest will probably try to play zouk with the snare, but that's been done so many times before that's it's easier to use a sample rather than buying this device. I haven't read the 200-page user's manual, it's more complex than a TR user's manual!

  Sounds

  I used it for minimalist acid house and techno rhythms. It surely still has a place in a hardcore or hard-tech setup nowadays but it can't compete with a Jomox or a good sampler... The sound is a bit too metallic for trip-hop and the break-beat possibilities have been used a thousand times. A TR808 sounds much better. This device has a very cold and synthetic sound, which can only be used today for minimal easy-techno-kitsch. As a summary, it's a great product if you want the '87 sound but it's no good if you want to create a new techno sound...
  
  
  
  Toms sound awful and crash cymbals even worse... Once again, it's interesting with a distortion effect. External effects will help you discover its real potential.

  Overall Opinion

  I've been using it for 10 years for sentimental reasons rather than musical possibilities. Mine just broke and I will bring it to a service center again and again...
  
  
  
  Its secondhand price increased a lot... It's almost overestimated considering it's not a rare collector's item and you can find it easily on the web. But don't forget it's already 30 years old and a 606 that starts having problems won't reach the end of the year. If you want to spend your money on it, test it before buying it.
  
  
  
  Advise: I broke mine using a universal PSU so only use a Boss or Roland "authorized" PSU.
  
  
  
  Think about it before buying one without a PSU.
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• 06/14/07

  djludwig2cervioni's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Connectors can sync the synchronization with a Doepfer or other roland

  Utilization

  Machine everything is very simple.

  Sounds

  The sound is deadly I kif, especially since I pay the 50th against a Pioneer 500 efect I made a very good afaire.elle the other metals had a serious slap it.

  Overall Opinion

  For some it is in all my pieces, but look at my profile on myspace for the capture must listen, hello.
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• 04/27/06

  Polyconnect's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  RAS

  Utilization

  Practice, of course it is a TR. Good dynamic sequencer.

  Sounds

  These are sounds good, but unless you want your machine traffickers to change the sounds, I find this aber release over 200 euros for that.
  
  The kick was disappointing and flat, the toms are great.

  Overall Opinion

  Too much "fluff" around the box cool. If you thought buying it, save your money a little longer and buy a 808 instead, it's much better! In fact I think that people fawn because they are disgusted to have paid so much. We must stand tall ...
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• 12/26/05

  dajhne's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  See other post for compltes CHARACTERISTICS.

  Utilization

  The edition is simple, yes, but I use it less than bar, as supplment a rhythm on my SPS. In fact, I love to run the two together, my patterns have never dvastateurs as t
  
  In addition, it is also fun CRER INTERESTED type industrial sound effects. : Lets turn the kick or tom (or 2) at maximum tempo. Adds the saturation / distortion, and will get you the beautiful sounds of engines pests.

  Sounds

  Aaaaaah!! this sound! These hi-hats impossible and sharp (like "tsk tsk ttstsssss"), this kick surraliste (like "tk tk tk"), the tom came from who knows o ("bm bm bm") and the snare unlikely ( "tchac tchac") ... that happiness !!!!!!! Ds I fell in love the very first time I heard them.
  
  In addition, their very special grain allows the TR 606 to dtach idalie a complete mix.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it recently (five months), but it's as if I had always possd. Before you have it, I'm using dj kits in my 606 load sampler ... And since it is a box of my favorites that I will change it for anything (or can be only adding the outputs spares).
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• 05/04/04

  Anonymous 's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Plastic box of about 25 * 12 * 6 cm powered by batteries or adapter (battery life with batteries)
  
  Headphone output
  
  A mono line
  
  An input or output SYNC24
  
  A trig in out
  
  7 sounds (BD, SD, LT, HT, CC, OH, CH) non-editable (except volume) + accent
  
  Step sequencer, 16 not able to
  
  Tempo Adjustable an knob to "blind"
  
  
  
  Difficult to note, must be seen in the context of the time. In short I think it was not so bad, even if the biggest problem is that there's no mute by instrument

  Utilization

  Composition very simple as all TR. Simply place the notes on time and 16 zou.
  
  The manual is super clear.
  
  Meets sync (master or slave, it is convenient)

  Sounds

  This is where it kills. The sound is 100% cheapness! But then it is cheap, what class!
  
  The Super Kick is deemed low. Bret was true that even with the accent it's just a "click". But after a compressor that provides another key already. I was surprised!
  
  The Snare is a terrible nazillard Just a short white noise!
  
  The Cymbable is lightweight and super metal (it sucks not crash the 505 and 707)
  
  The hi-hats are just as metallic and unrealistic
  
  toms resemble anything but the toms!
  
  In short, that's good for those who want to sound cheap, unrealistic, electro.
  
  To emphasize shame about not assignable to the instrument but not only.

  Overall Opinion

  I had already possessed a long time ago that I could not use because I had nothing to do sync noon.
  
  Having been a TB303 and a conversion box MIDI> SYNC24, I bought one (150 euros).
  
  I do not really regret, despite his side still. Moreover sil are kits for giving it a second wind (~ http://members.ozemail.com.au/ Costain / (http://members.ozemail.com.au/) or http://www. users.globalnet.co.uk / ~ concuss/tr606-mods.htm (http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/)) and try to morph into 808.
  
  But even this was a raw gem.
  
  I use a duo that TB303 anything that fits on an A3 sheet can kill a dancefloor!
  
  So yes I am in love with this bike, but beware the price. I paid 150 euros and I think the upper limit for it is 200. Even though it was too expensive in terms of ability, you still have this to say that when buying this type of product, not buy an instrument, but also a beautiful object and a part of legend and that it is pay.
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