How to use a Roland TR606 Drum Machine Tutorial

Here, I run you through all you need to know to start making beats on the infamous Roland TR-606 or TR 06
** For best results watch FULL SCREEN in 1080p HD **
Visit the Sample Pack store to find 'ready-made' Sample Packs for your Sampler, including this 606!
store.tonelab.au
PS. feel free to send a 'tip' via the virtual tip-jar, known as the 'Super Thanks' button under the clip above 🙏🏻
This is a very quick tutorial that covers most features of this unit. It should also be mentioned, in case I went to fast that the 'Instrument' dial will only select different instrument sounds when 'playing / running' and, when stopped, the 'Instrument dial acts as a 'Bank' selector for choosing 'Patterns' or 'Tracks' depending on what 'Mode' your in which is either Track or Pattern modes.
The TR606 will also function the same way when SYNC is set to 'Input', just be aware that it is a DIN Sync port, not MIDI, it does use a MIDI cable but transfers only Rolands Clock information via DIN / Sync24 protocol.
Please note: These instructions may or may not be the same for the Behringer RD-6 clone. This was not 'tested' at the time of posting.
6:06 Track Write (Program an Arrangement)
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#roland #tr606 #tutorial

[@tonelab]

Download 'Ready-to-Play' Kits for SP1200, ASR, MPC's, Logic, Ableton and more from TONELAB! store.tonelab.au

[@synchromesh]

That was great - short & to the point, but still covering everything useful. Cheers!

[@4957842]

LOVE IT VERI SNAPPY ANARE ..GOOD MAN

[@criddyla696]

Just got one back after 20 years in a cupboard… thank you

[@mgscheue]

Thanks for this. I just got a TR-06 and found parts of the manual a bit inscrutable. The point about the instrument dial functions differently when stopped or running was especially puzzling. Big help’

[@tonelab]

Glad it could help outside the 606 🙏🏼

[@scottvonscott3140]

Best tutorial ever On the TR 606

[@tonelab]

Cheers mate 🍻 🙏🏼

[@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.

[@mas3974]

Great tutorial. Wish they had KZbin when I bought mine back in 1998. Would have been so much easier

[@matthewreed2614]

this helped, i’m not sure i would have got it from the manual, i’ll still need to watch this a bunch more

[@tonelab]

Cool.. yeah, best thing to do is (if you have a laptop handy) .. full screen on 1080p HD.. and pause the clip while you copy what i do on your 606 👌🏼 .. or come back as often as you like... Entry is free here 🤙🏻

[@STONEDay]

More I watch videos on this dinosaur the more I'm glad I spent $50 on it at the Thrift shop. Think I'll read the manual, it came with the manual, and plug it in later! :-)

[@tonelab]

Luck you! .. $50 is a great deal 👌🏻 well, if that manual doesn't make much sense.. hopefully the clip should! 🙏🏻

[@rod1404]

Very nice video. You're the only one around talking about memory presets. I just don't get how many banks you actually have. It is 16x2= 32 banks or 16x16= 256 banks? I'd really appreciate if you could answer me that.

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much 🙏🏻 yeah, it's just the 2 banks.. each with 16 memory locations, for a total of 32 👍🏻

[@pmambientworks4727]

What does "the batteries are mainly meant to retain the patterns that we're going to record" mean? I'm having trouble getting my TR606 working. I mean it turns on and the individual knobs and buttons seem to work, but the patterns are completely locked on mine. Could the batteries be the problem?

[@tonelab]

The batteries serve 2 purposes ... retain pattern memory and provide power to the unit. Take the batteries without the 606 being plugged into a wall socket and you will lose your pattern memory. 'Patterns are locked' ?! ... that sounds odd, is it in 'pattern write' mode?! .. patterns would only be locked if you are in Track Play or Pattern Play in normal operation.

[@carnmarth334]

Excellent, thank you. Have you tried using the TR-606 with a DIN SYNC to MIDI adaptor?

[@tonelab]

Certainly have.. and a few different ones too, but I found this Sync-box was most reliable.. and still reasonably priced 🙏🏻 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpzTZqCulJeol9k

[@carnmarth334]

@@tonelab Thanks muchly!

[@timmbrockmann959]

ttzzz tzz tzzzt ttzzz tzz tzzz Love those hi hats haha

[@ASH-ou4cg]

Thanks so much! BTW, are you the same guy that did the how to program the 909 in 9 minutes video?

[@tonelab]

Thanks very much, yep.. you have a 909?!

[@ASH-ou4cg]

@@tonelab No, unfortunately not :(, however, it was because of this video that I went out and bought the TR-09 and was able to master it! This video inspired me to have a try at programming the unit, since you made it so easy to follow along with. I watched your video dozens of times, while I came to grips with things and really had to rely on it to get the copy and paste functionality down, since it is done backwards, then expected. When I saw this 606 video and heard your voice, I instantly recognized it! Thanks so much again for your hard work in bringing us these videos!

[@tonelab]

@@ASH-ou4cg oh that's great, thank you so much for the kind words... that really inspires me to do more! PS. @Roland you owe me $10 😜

[@ASH-ou4cg]

@@tonelab haha! Yes, please do more. I love these old retro videos and your method of teaching is concise and spot on. Easy to follow!

[@tonelab]

​@@ASH-ou4cg will do.. stay tuned 👍

[@a_nick_t]

Well done! Thanks

[@tonelab]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@scottvan-cy9rp]

thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tonelab]

You're welcome!

[@robsad3166]

is there a way to connect it to FL studio?

[@tonelab]

As in Sync it to your Computer?! .. yeah, there's a sync box.. that can convert it to MIDI, like the one I demonstrate here in this clip kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpzTZqCulJeol9k .. or, you can just use a 'brute force' approach like I use in this clip 👍🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWand2p8Zq6Zj80

[@kimienordh267]

Does anyone know how to sync the tempo with a midi cable to a tr-09?

[@tonelab]

a 606?! ... I think this clip here should give you an idea kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpzTZqCulJeol9k 👍🏻