Behringer RD-6 vs Roland TR-606 // The Definitive Comparison

[@poofygoof]

on the 606 there was a changeover for some components in the circuitry for the cymbal. the older units are a lower pitch and "darker" sounding than the newer ones from what I recall. (the serial number of the changeover is in the service manual, if anybody wants to track it down.) TD6 seems to have the newer sound.

[@StarskyCarr]

Nice info thanks. And pinned.

[@stuartdavid8493]

Sounds like it’s the higher (newer) cymbal in this video. Mine is pitched quite a bit lower, and darker.

[@jamesmock2109]

​@@StarskyCarrdo you need to download sound into the RD 6

[@LFC303606ACID]

Been using the RD-6 as my go to drum machine lately, purely simplistic goodness.

[@spookypen]

Anyone looking for a price point between these two ($299), the Cyclonic TT-606 is an awesome 606 clone with a lot of useful added features. I've been nothing but happy with it.

[@TheSpud78]

Buddy, I love how you condense knowledge into a form that the general public can understand (me especially)...Grüße Dich und wünsche Dir was schönes

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks.. I spend some time thinking g about how to get the most relevant info out without waffling too much so is lovely to hear it’s noticed

[@seanrichards8774]

HHT circuitry is definitely analog as it can be tuned and noise mix can be modded. I had one of these about 20 years ago I got for $45 on eBay because it wasn’t operational. Replaced a 75¢ power transistor and it was up and running. I modded the heck out of it and that’s honestly the main difference to me. I’d imagine the RD6 has surface mount micro components making it very difficult to mod. :( I also imagine the internal resistance of the components aging might result in a slight change in tuning and snappiness over the years.

[@Ultratechman]

I don't get why roland never just released it again as the original.. The behringer rd6 is an absolute steal, must have..

[@mbrombert]

The only thing stopping me from getting the RD-6 immediately is the hats/cymbals. The sound on your 606 is the metallic hat sound I know and love. The Behringer one is too clean and possibly won't have the same feel in a mix. The 606 hats really cut through any mix, so so good! Having said that, it doesn't mean I wont get an RD-6. I just won't jump on it.

[@mikemeengs5720]

Agreed!

[@kemek3000]

Something I love about the 606 is the groove in the sequencer. It’s a little loose and has a bounce. How do you think the RD-6 compares in that sense?

[@electrowayne2918]

Exactly.. this factor is often overlooked with those buying the Behringer clones. Yes some of them sound close .. but this nor the rd8 groove like the original Roland units.

[@StarskyCarr]

I'll take a look at that.. it's an interesting point :)

[@Eargulp]

Sequence it with external gear that has swing imo

[@notjim1087]

606 is my favourite of the TR-X0Xs. It's got the best hihats so if they've not got those right it's a shame. There's also something about it, the way it sequences with the particular sounds of the BD and toms means it really bounces along. 808 is silky smooth, 909 is funky, 606 is bouncy funtimes.

[@sabansabanovic9750]

Ibought TD 3 as a test to Behrinnger maschines..now I can not stop buying..they r cheap and really nice sound

[@nbuehster]

I didn't think about this until now, but there needs to be special holidays for producers/DJs. In this case, it would be today.

[@SamLowryDZ-015]

The other old trick with Roland drum machines is to put the accent on empty beats after a hit to get pseudo echo. Helps make those old machines 'rattle'

[@StarskyCarr]

I’ll have to try that. … maybe another quick demo

[@PORRFNK]

Your TR606 sounds just like mine, amazing. I heard other TR606 that didnt sound like that, some of them seem to have more internal distortion and something about some IC's that were faulty on the originals, that really cant be replicated. But sure sounded nice, I really like my RD6 except for the clap volume

[@SPOD_ZONE]

It's the hi hats where the RD6 falls apart. There's that metallic clang, almost 3D sound to the 606s hats that is unbeatable.

[@StarskyCarr]

It’s odd that the cloud doesn’t have it either. There’s something really nice about these (I say these as apparently others don’t sound the same as mine).

[@SPOD_ZONE]

@@StarskyCarr every 606 has that hat sizzle in some form though. Was the first thing I tried on the RD6 and was bummed as it’ll probably cost more to fix my 606 lol

[@mikemeengs5720]

Agreed. My favorite thing about the 606 IS the hihat. That "3D", as you put it, detail in the sound just isn't there. Even at $100 right now, it's a deal breaker for me.

[@KarlSadler]

didn't know about the hi hat decay trick with the tempo knob! I've had my 606 for years and wondered how some grooves on recordings just sounded tighter, that must be the culprit!

[@StarskyCarr]

Ta dah!! Glad to be of assistance 😀

[@xisotopex]

one thing I have noticed is that to me, analog gear just sounds 'better' in person, in front of you. watching examples on youtube etc, yeah it sounds ok not much different, but once its going I can tell. the sound difference also carries over into whatever recordings I make also. the analog always sounds better in the mix, at least to me

[@d_vibe-swe]

It's probably placebo but it's funnier to play with real hardware than with software, so it might be the feeling of it. Also, there might be differences if you use samples instead of the rd-6 since analogue equipment might be a bit less stable. This is totally possible to mimic with digital gear aswell though :)

[@xisotopex]

@@d_vibe-swe definitely some placebo to it.... :)

[@josephwright5921]

The software version sounds overly bright. The differences between the RD 6 and the 606 are discernible, but not significant to me. I think they both sound great. They snares 🥁 sounds were most noticeable, but the snare on the RD6 can be adjusted through a potentiometer accessible if you take off the back panel. I am thinking about taking precise measurements to create a drill point so I can change it with a tiny screwdriver.

[@josephwright5921]

P.S. I took off the back panel, made precise measurements and drilled a hole through the back cover. Now I can adjust tone of the snare at will. It took about 1/2 hour because I wanted to be precise. Now I can get a harder hitting snare for more aggressive tracks or a softer snare for ballads or ambient music.

[@ken.adhitya]

​@@josephwright5921do you have the exact measurements to drill it? Thanks!

[@haslo_]

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here really happy with my TR-06 and wonder why it doesn't get more attention. Roland did really well with this one IMHO, with a great sequencer, tweakable sounds, an effect section that's a lot of fun, and lots of character with its circuit modelling.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah, they're cool as well. I almost got one ... but I have the Cloud which is the same engine... plus it wasn't that much cheaper than the OG were going for (£270 vs £450).

[@JanKowalski-vh1rg]

TR-06 is just digital synth with 606 samples and RD 6 is a copy of analogue 606

[@haslo_]

@@JanKowalski-vh1rg That is not quite correct, the TR-06 uses Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior / ACB technology, which models all the analog components in the TR-606 (and is different from the less in-depth but cheaper on the CPU Analog Behavior Modeling / ABM). So indeed it's not analog, but it also is faar away from just being samples.

[@JanKowalski-vh1rg]

@@haslo_ but still RD-6 is better bsc TR-06 this "ABC" thing dosen't have multi out like on RD-6 bcs of this "ABC". TR-06 is just computer that iminate imitates Analouge behave of 606 on the other side RD-6 is a 606 copy with some modern improvements like MIDI

[@haslo_]

@@JanKowalski-vh1rg They both have strengths and weaknesses. If I want pure analog, I use my DFAM (and it's amazing) 😄 But the TR-06 sounds great. Modern computers can easily imitate analog gear perfectly well, given the right algorithms - and ACB is the right algorithm.

[@xsm5525]

all these behringer x0x clone products have sold like hot cakes, Roland have really missed out by not getting real with their audience.

[@WarpedBlinds]

Competition is always good for us the consumer

[@supermonkeycollider]

I reckon the difference could be easily be sorted out with by running the RD6 a little hot into the mixer.

[@IJOSoundVideo]

I used to own the real tr606 when the cost was next to nothing.. i have sadly sold it years ago. want to get back in to it and RD6 seemed to be a perfect solution, but it doesn't sound close to the real thing, especially when it comes to hihats, which is important. thanks for the video !

[@nickpritchard7130]

The hihat on the 606 at 6.34 sounds very clippy compared to the RD6.. Great comparison vid. Cheers

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah it wasn’t clipping… I double checked. I think it’s just an ageing thing. I like it though… sounds dirty 😉

[@AlainHubert]

@3:34 Hahaha! This is a superb video for comparing the two! Yeah the hi-hats are quite different. The RD-6 sounds much smoother than the 606. BTW, the hi-hat and cymbal have an analog envelope but a round-robin, free running digital noise source (much like in the Boss DR-110 too). Thank you very much for sharing! (did you forget the clap on the RD-6?)

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks… maybe that’s why it sounded a bit digital to me? Btw I didn’t forget about the clap but didn’t compare as the 606 doesn’t have one.

[@Turbo_TechnoLogic]

0:30 is it only me or it's really like a rhytmic fart concert :D can't stop laughing I'm so sorry

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Top marks to Behringer for getting the BD, SD, Toms virtually identical. I quite like the sound bleed on the TR-606. RD-6 gets close on the hats but the hi hats are what the OG 606 are known for. Hard to replicate. Roland Cloud version sounds very accurate if software is your thing. (it’s not mine at the mo)

[@MrDaigoRiki]

I think I’ll get one, not exactly sounds the same but RD-6 is another good analog drum machine.

[@allenpaley]

Ahhhhh... Drum machine cork-sniffing. You've gotta love it!

[@StarskyCarr]

The sweet sweet smell of the 80s - not cork sniffing in any way btw just showing people what they’re buying as nobody else does. … and I’ve got one to demo. If I was cork sniffing I don’t think I’d have been so positive 🤷‍♂️😂

[@allenpaley]

@@StarskyCarr I hope I'm not being misconstrued. I use the colloquialism in a flattering way; appreciating the finer details. Please keep up the great work :)

[@MePeterNicholls]

The 606 seems to have a certain instability which makes each hit sound slightly different

[@cresshead]

The band i was in during the early 80's had a Tr-606, so was pretty happy to get a RD-6 this summer, sounds wonderful, always loved the hi hats n snare on that drum machine. I created a RD-6 user pattern/track book on Amazon btw to write out your patterns seeing as there's only 32 slots in the memory on the RD-6 also the track edit charts for 'song mode'.(100 page book of empty charts to write your patterns in)

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha... its....just...... so .....hard... ... to ....give .....up!

[@jenniferw8963]

Thanks for the great comparison video. Have you seen the Maffez RD-6 mods on youtube? soo good. I want to mod mine :) With the mods you can change pitch, decay, etc. for each instrument. Can make the bass drum and snare drum sound like an 808 for example.

[@L31PZ1G]

The TR-606 sounds more dirty and metalic and of course, for the price of an original TR-606 you get a TD-3 + RD-6 and a mixer as well. But its not only the sound, its the history behind this machines. Made for stand alone musicans, the TB-303 and TR-606 were commercial fails like the TR-808 or TR-909. But later they were used for a new generation of music and thats the point. The TD-3 or the RD-6 are made exactly for a this style of music, which was an historical accident by using a TB-303 for example. Nice comparisons video. 😎

[@FKiMusic]

Wish you tried it with distortion on

[@mrobliviousssickwithsynths4573]

Oh man…you have an OTO Biscuit?!? Those things are amazing little boxes! Always wanted one

[@StarskyCarr]

Its great fun. The 'biscuiting' is a bit extreme but dropping the clock and a little filtering adds some lovely crunch to hi hats in particular. and the effects are so characterful. I've seen them going for stupid money recently. Softube have an emulation if you don't mind it in software.

[@SanplerVarondaro]

que bueno saludos desde guadalajara mexico estoy por comprar una de esas me sirve mucho el tutorial que hiciste saludos che que andes bien colega

[@michaelpierce3264]

very interesting! I think tr606 used digital noise on the high hats and cymbals not samples but a digital pink noise very different to the 808. Any chance we could see you with a nymph? dread box that is?

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks… I’m hoping to get a Nymph. Looks cool, and like a very neat idea. 6 voice Poly in a little box - almost like an updated juno… but we’ll see :)

[@PorchBass]

First time I have seen a complaint about having Din Sync! You can get a cheap lead to seperate out the pulses from the run stop voltage if you desire...

[@StarskyCarr]

It wasn’t a complaint.. not sure how it could be interpreted as such 🤷‍♂️ I even say you can buy a cheap lead 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️how on earth did you consider merely mentioning DIN sync as a complaint? Bizarre.

[@PorchBass]

@@StarskyCarr sorry maybe I misinterpreted your tone there when you talked about the analogue sync. It wasn't meant to be a critical comment. I watch all the vids!

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks. My tone was ironic … in that it’s only £8 for a cable … so not a big deal. by way of explanation. I suppose sometimes it’s hard to interpret off the cuff remarks. It’s quite weird when making these videos how stuff can be interpreted completely differently than intended. Without stopping and explaining every comment it’s really hard. I’ve tried to approach things from a less spontaneous standpoint but it comes across stinted and unnatural, and basically boring tbh. When talking naturally you can’t explain or define every comment no matter how much I try 😂… not having a pop at you’re comment btw - just trying to explain why this sort of confusion arrises. Cultural differences and language barriers all come into play - which are things we have to take into account while talking. so it’s not a surprise that things can be misconstrued every now and then 😱

[@karljanus8308]

Hi, what brand is this particular £8 cable? Thanks a lot

[@StarskyCarr]

@@karljanus8308 unbranded from Amazon. I forgot what I searched for. TR to DIN SYNC I think.

[@repairerofreputationsmusic]

It's so random which devices Behringer gets right. This one is, more or less, spot on. Also, it's not like anyone need it to be exact for the 606 sound, anything other than the hideous Roland Cloud version is great as your second drum machine.

[@EnervatedSociety]

The B sounds like it's tuned higher than the Drumatix on the hats. And like you said, much cleaner on the the B, brighter. I prefer the hats on the Drumatix, but that's because I tend to prefer a more lo-fi/gritty sound in general. oh, you mentioned the tuning in the vid. NM. hehe

[@StarskyCarr]

I agree… I like the grittier ones more, but some comments have said they sound knackered! Good job I sampled them before they die!

[@amazeus1980]

Rd-6 clone does sound differently…but question is how does it sound when it goes through other equipment…better or worse? 606 sounds like it has a different vca…more distorted.

[@maxi_moose]

Awesome intro!

[@BCThunderthud]

I was surprised to see the Perfect Circuit link because I had pre-ordered the RD8 from them and they had to cancel because they said Behringer was no longer doing business with any of the smaller dealers. I guess the link is just for general purposes, which is fine of course, but I thought at first that they were carrying Behringer again.

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah… they don’t stock Behringer. It I’ve got a link with them and never plug it. Typical that I only remember on items and they do t stock 😂 after making the video I went to create a link and it wasn’t there 🤦‍♂️

[@RichardDenRooyen1973]

for my ears... its the pitch what differs... but the RD-6 is soooo close, nice

[@davidbanner9001]

I know, I know. The 808 and 909, but! I do love the 606 and strangely the 727.

[@felixvortex9]

My only Roland drum machines are a 606 and 727. Can't afford the big boys so I hoover up round the edges!

[@KiR_3d]

Hi Starsky! Seems that some components are slightly degrading over time and TR-606 becomes a bit duller in some sounds. But I'm not sure here. It's a chance that Behringer's engineers took some very "not used" specie of TR-606 to use it as a ref. Or it was restorated (new caps, transistors maybe). Another possibility: they've put a high pass filter on hats (for some reason). At least it sounds like that. I like TR-606 hats much more... But _maybe_ there are some tuning screws inside RD-6?

[@fatimaerdogan8193]

Caps "age" randomly, it's not really a matter of being used. This is much more notable in old synths.

[@KiR_3d]

@@fatimaerdogan8193 You're right probably. But... as a fact: I've got a barely used C64 few years ago (the plastic color is still virgin grey) and it has caps in ideal condition (visually at least).

[@fatimaerdogan8193]

@@KiR_3d Depends on the type. Quite a lot of old analog stuff was diiferent in sound even when new, Besides caps, if there any trimmers they certainly change with time. I don't know, whats inside TR-606. Thare may also have been more production runs with different sound?

[@KiR_3d]

@@fatimaerdogan8193 Yeah, this needs an investigation to know for sure.

[@RodLevitonMusic]

I think the Roland ACB and cloud versions are most likely the most accurate sounding to the "real originals" on their own. The ACB sounds are made from a 100% working "classic" synth or drum machine, that has been kept at "Roland". Brand spanking new! I saw a "mini documentary" of the "special room/studio" that they used to recreate the original sounds into ACB format for the "Boutique Series" and also their "Cloud". The RD-6 sounds "new" per say, "Brighter" for an analogue drum machine and the older, classic TR-606 has a bit more "depth and dirt" to it, I think, I don't know how to explain what I hear personally and subjectively. But those are the differences that I personally hear. I think that's what add's "character or uniqueness" to the sounds of "older synths" and drums machines. Their "age" as well. BUT! As you said. At the end of the day, it's how the sounds actually "fit into your mix". Plus so many people add so many different FX to these drum machines and so forth. To make their "own sounds". I like the RD-6. Was lucky to get one of the first batches. It's just a fun, tactile and hands on little fun drum machine. Especially when partnered with the TD-3. Great comparison and thank you again for your work put into making these video's. I just received the Roland TR-6S this past week for a "jaw dropping price" and wow! Also such a fun drum machine and more!

[@StarskyCarr]

Thanks… I’ve got the TR8 from Roland which is fantastic for live jamming - and has the 606, 707 etc. Very cool. The MV-1 has the zencore engine so I’ve got them all over the place now!!

[@Dani-El.]

Is the timing the same? Not sure if I'm imagining it or not, but the RD6 sounds a bit too straight/rigid.

[@Feldspar__]

I think Starsky is doing all these videos so they’ll send him a UB-Xa

[@StarskyCarr]

Haha… we can only hope 😂

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Remember the hats & cymbals on that TR-8 add-on 606 model?? 😕

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah… got it - it’s amazing for live jams.

[@Imetalman2000]

The RD6 high hats are my favorite.

[@sodiumlights]

defo crackle on the Roland, connection issues or something more serious?

[@MGoolas]

I wonder if the sound of these analog components change over time and usage

[@StarskyCarr]

I think they must, which is why if you tried a few they'd all be a bit different - also tolerances in the 890s weren't as tight as they are today so even new they wouldn't;'t be identical.. which is why you can't get hung up on minor differences. If it has the right character, it's good enough (as there is no definitive or 'perfect' 606 tone - even the Roland version is different).

[@lab-by-the-sea]

Different tuning on the HH?

[@EnervatedSociety]

Yeah, I hear it as well.

[@dpalaoro]

6:15 Special?? 😂 The 606 snare envelope has a smoother slope, the toms are more musical, etc etc

[@directed6924]

Roland Cloud plugin "Basic Kit" has overdrive applied to drum hits, that's why it sounds harsh and unpleasant. Need to bring those Gain knobs to zero.

[@summerlaverdure]

Rd6 differences are so minimal id honestly rather have it than a real 606

[@beathaven303]

The difference in the snare is the pitch.

[@zzzwy777]

the 606 in this video has a lower pitch , the rd6 higher pitch and brighter

[@brettlarson3504]

Yikes. The 606 crushes them. Dang, I wanted to like the behringer!!!

[@tB3o3tR9o9]

why all machines of Behringer RD series sound much brighter than the originals? i don't like that tbh

[@dpalaoro]

8:30 much lower and more body indeed. 🎉

[@xisotopex]

one trick pony but I love the way it sounds. I want one but I dont know if I can justify it... GAS is a terrible thing

[@dp6314]

That vst sounded the worst of the bunch. And I first listened without looking at the screen.

[@BDKabrini]

So Basically. Behringer just sits around waiting for Roland to Drop a Product...and....🙄

[@ogasi1798]

eh up now

[@StarskyCarr]

;)

[@akunakii3782]

roland has more punch on the snare

[@kierenmoore3236]

Not as good a job as they did with the 303, imho

[@StarskyCarr]

Yeah. The 303 is probably an easier thing to duplicate - a single voice whereby this has 8 I think. Plus this is normally heard clean whereas the 303 always has some distortion etc … each one making it sound unique to each track…. And then when you hear it in tracks it’s often not a 303z

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@StarskyCarr Sure, if you’re going to clone an iconic, single-oscillator synth, you’d better do well - or not bother … “303z”? It’s not a 303 I’m hearing in tracks?! What is it, then? Or you’re saying there’s loads of additional processing …

[@StarskyCarr]

@@kierenmoore3236the z was a typo 😂 but I was saying what you think is a 303 may not necessarily be a 303 there are so many clones. I used to do a reasonable version on the bassstation and the supernova back in the day. As far as anyone was concerned it was that acid sound.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@StarskyCarr I see, yes - good point! Lots of good (if not inexpensive) 303 ‘clones’ … The RD-3 is a real goodun for the money … Cheers! T-rah then!

[@eancurtis9333]

Awesome i own both my 606s buttons stick so its become unreliable ..

[@StarskyCarr]

That’s a simple fix. This one apparently has a new tact switch in it. (I bought it like that btw).

[@eancurtis9333]

@@StarskyCarr i will check it!

[@KiR_3d]

The cymbal in this RD-6 sounds pretty rude comparely to 606. Like a bad clone... More "electronish".

[@alexwestconsulting]

behringer sounds the worst by mile, even the cloud sounds better

[@sodiumlights]

defo crackle on the Roland, connection issues or something more serious?

[@StarskyCarr]

I think it's probably components ageing tbh.