Using the Roland TR-6S with your DAW | TR-6S Tutorial and Walkthrough

I'm not 100% sure if a video like this already exists, if not, enjoy! I try to give a guide on the three main ways you can use a TR-6S with your DAW once you get the audio up and running through USB. Definitely use the timestamps in the video if you want to find a specific way to use the TR-6S
It's a great bit of kit mainly because you can either use multitrack or stereo audio with it, and with a little bit of setup get it to listen to MIDI notes and use it as a sound module (not dissimilar to the Roland Boutique series)
#RolandTR6S #Roland #AbletonLive
00:00 Intro
00:11 TR-6S Setup
01:02 DAW Setup
02:22 Stereo Recording
03:32 Multitrack Recording
05:59 Playing MIDI
07:45 Outro

[@afrohamurai]

Head up! Subtitles have been added to the video, and they should be translatable!

[@fammurphy]

I have recorded an entire album with the TR 6s!! It’s amazing!!

[@afrohamurai]

I recently remembered I had it and used it for a bit, then ended up lost for an hour 😂

[@version12001]

Worked like a charm. I am a Logic Pro X user but the premise is the same. Thank you.

[@martin_ffm4335]

Great and class introduction of the TR-S6 and the DAW. Even nicer that I also use Ableton Live. Thanx! 🙂

[@OlivierPetit74]

So clear video, thank you very much, very helpful !

[@neonfluxustrash]

I like how you explain, keep like that bro! nice job !

[@MartinKatscan]

Nice concise and clear. Surweeeeet!

[@jaybizm6562]

Great video!

[@fammurphy]

Awesome video!!

[@xgodyxgody3448]

Thanks, helped, educational

[@steveglenister4939]

Nice video, thanks. Perfect for where I am at this moment :-)

[@3ric908]

Damn I do exactly as you for each "steps", all detials verified, and no sound in Live (ok with headphone in standalone) 🤯 Two hours spent to search/try and nothing 🥺 Btw thank you.

[@aeonstudio49]

I appreciate the video! Thanks. Got mine not that long ago and I'm still learning the ins and outs.

[@afrohamurai]

It’s great fun once you understand it more. I really love working on the Max device I made for it :)

[@sidlvaga]

thanks mate! could you make a video for the TR6-S with Logic?

[@chriscarrington4294]

very nice work! could you do one of these videos with logic ? thank you…

[@AL9000music]

I still fight with latency issues when I record ('cause it's never dead on the grid, still have to align tracks after recording) but this video helps me a lot. Thank you very much !

[@afrohamurai]

I’ve found in Ableton that if I literally delete all of the non-stock plugins (or cut them off to paste later) that it lines up perfectly - maybe it’s something to do with latency compensation on a plug-in somewhere?

[@AL9000music]

@@afrohamurai maybe, I have to try. I also have to update my firmware on TR. Could help too...

[@freddiefranklin1]

I've struggled so much with latency on the TR6S! Have you guys found it to be really inconsistent as well? I'll compensate for the latency in the live settings and get things perfectly on the grid and then after a couple of minutes the latency amount will be completely different and I'm back to square one!

[@AL9000music]

@@freddiefranklin1 hi ! I gave up personally. I have more or less tried everything and nothing works. oddly, if I use it in MIDI with other synths, no problem but as soon as I go through USB, impossible to have something consistant. (I’ m on PC tho. I’ve heard MAC users have less issues)

[@freddiefranklin1]

Yeah I gave no problems syncing to my digitakt via midi. I think abletons clock is notoriously bad over usb

[@christopherscappaticci4571]

Excellent video! Just got a TR-6S and was clueless about how to connect it to Ableton. I have a few other questions, but this video got right to the point and got the sounds flowing through my DAW in minutes. Most of my questions come from being new to music production in general and not because this video left anything out. Cheers for this! Is there a way to send midi data from the TR-6S to Ableton? Or is that a stupid question?

[@afrohamurai]

I’m glad you liked the video! You should be able to, in Ableton’s settings you should be able to tell it to receive MIDI rather than send it out, and then set the TR-6S to transmit midi rather than receive, and that should do it. I think the manual actually does a pretty good job of explaining the steps

[@xaviermccloud4586]

GREAT! Best one I've seen so far! So those tracks are automatic right? All I have toi do is connect the TR-6S and put each track on the corresponding number right?

[@afrohamurai]

That’s exactly it - as long as you have the driver installed the TR-6S should give you 8 tracks for input. Your DAW should let you select the track you need as an input after that

[@viktorplevnes9958]

This video is awesome, I still get no audio from my speakers which is annoying, I've been trying for days to figure it out but I see in Ableton it all works fine, I see the green for the sound, I can control the knobs and everything except I don't know why it does not show the audio output...I only see audio input after I click preferences >> asio >> trs 6s...any idea what might be the problem? Thanks

[@cesarpoggi6584]

Hey thanks for the vid! I've found out that when the MIDI ports' track and synchro are enabled for the TR6S I cannot play what I've recorded in Ableton, the play button just triggers the TR6S's pattern, do you have any insight on how to solve this?

[@JayRutherford1]

trying to figure this exact method out with the tr-6s and PRO TOOLS. I've got windows. Pro tools recognizes the interface, and I can record all six individual tracks of audio through the USB. I just can't seem to get pro tools to be a clock master to the roland, for tempo sync. any hints?

[@viitenmusic7075]

Hello guys, I have some problem during audio recording with my tr6s. When I stop recording every single track, the new audio file is a little bit out of grid. how can I solve this issue? thank you

[@lwpweb]

is it possible to record the midis from daw as a pattern into tr6s?

[@Tyler-Nagle-Productions]

Lovely explanation. Just gonna throw this out there though.... What if I have multiple instruments and want to still do with the TR-6S? Is that even remotely possible?

[@Iredidv]

Do the tr8/6 have ableton link?

[@CRINGALIEN]

Trying to update to version 1.5, all folders on disk when plugged in to computer is gone….. when I try with sd card or connecting with usb, no file found…any suggestions

[@thevenusian]

Hi! Really usefull vid! But I wonder, if you use the individual outputs, can you use the stereo one at the same time? Greetings from Spain!

[@afrohamurai]

You can, yeah! If you wanted to, you could have a track listening to 1/2, then your separate tracks on 3-8 for the individual stuff

[@thevenusian]

@@afrohamurai Great! That is cool! That's what I thought, if fx could be used on the individual tracks as well...It would be perfect! But, anyways usb audio is a great feature, and for the price, size, and the overall features... I think It would be my perfect drum machine... Thanks a lot friend! And keep doing! Greetings from Venus!

[@robertoferraz8857]

It's not possible to record motion in real time? I mean in the DAW, since I know we can record motion on the tr6s itself, but I'm trying to record the changes I'm doing "on fly" in the tune knob and it seems that is no way to Ableton record it. Even tried send it through midi as pointed on the video, but didn't work.

[@jdikoder]

does the Tr-6s have the option to be used as midi controler (can we map it's knobs and faders with our daw?) Thank you for your great tutorials my friend

[@afrohamurai]

The manual makes it look like you can, my integration of the TR-6S is just controlling it with Max for Live to use it as a sound module.

[@sergiosensation6]

I’d appreciate the help: I have everything set up to the point where I’m choosing the input device in preferences. I do not get the option of tr6s (8 in 4 out). I only get the options of choosing between tr6s mix and it’s dual channels like in 1-2 tr6s, 3-4 tr6s, and so on. How do I get the option of TR6S (8in, 4out)?

[@afrohamurai]

In Ableton, make sure you set up the Mono outputs for 1-2, and then individual outputs through 3-8 If you're using a different DAW, you'll need to set it to listen to inputs 3-8 in mono, not stereo

[@edmc2]

😎👍

[@SPROCKET23]

Hey. Thanks for the video. When i select the input device in ableton i dont get the "TR-6S (8 In, 4 Out)" option. I get multiple options for stereo pairs or the main mix, like "IN 1-2 (TR-6S)", "IN 3-4 (TR-6S)", "IN 5-6 (TR-6S)" and "IN MIX (TR-6S)". Is there a setting on the unit itself that determines this? Ive looked and cant find anything. Means i cant actually record more than 2 channels independantly.

[@SPROCKET23]

Oh, my mistake. I was using Driver type MME/DurectX and not Asio. Ill leave this comment here incase someone else has the same issue.

[@VM-do7ns]

@@SPROCKET23 thank you! this helped

[@kezstone1]

If you use channels 3-8 for multitrack recording of drums, can you use the stereo track 1&2 to access the TR6S fx only? So can individual sounds be muted and the stereo channel used as fx send & rtn? Or could you have say the snare with reverb recorded from the stereo out and the bass drum direct out on channel 3...while the bass drum fader on the TS is set to zero?

[@afrohamurai]

The channels only record if the faders are up - if the track is muted it shouldn’t record it through the single channel either. It would be cool if it would let you do it though!

[@JoshSlater]

Is there a way to connect my Scarlett interface as a second input? I wanna play my bass over the tr6s at the same time

[@afrohamurai]

On Mac you can create something called an Aggregate Input that lets you mash inputs together into one virtual device, not sure if there’s something similar on Windows though 🤷🏾

[@themadcyclist1387]

Curious if this will work with Garageband, or does it need to be a more sophisticated DAW like Ableton? I'd like to be able to record the TR-6S sounds into my computer so I can use them in my software

[@afrohamurai]

It should work in GarageBand - some of the MIDI routing might not, but you’d still be able to get it’s audio inputs in the same way you would with a conventional audio interface.

[@H.Sandro]

how to include a 16 second sample in a TR 6S pattern

[@nicom2457]

In my system preferences for audio ins and outs. The only options I have are ASIO Driver and I dont have the "Audio Input Device", "Audio Output Device" drop down menus. I only see one single option which is "Audio Device" and I can either select TR6S or my interface which is a MOTU M4. If I select TR6S I see a signal running into my audio track but I cant hear anything because my interface isnt recieving a signal. If I then select my Interface I dont recieve a signal from the TR6S anymore.. Is there anyone whos experiencing something similar that can help>??

[@afrohamurai]

So the TR-6S will act as an audio interface itself, so your output will come from the TR-6S’ headphone output. I’m not sure if there’s a way on windows to set multiple audio devices for audio I/O as there is on Mac with Aggregate Devices - that might be something worth looking into?

[@kurtis4615]

Still having a bunch of problems with latency in abelton if you have any recommendations

[@afrohamurai]

What I’ve found works well whenever I’m doing drum replacement is making a new Live instance with no plugins, moving any MIDI I need, and recording the audio into there with the lowest sample buffer I can, then moving those audio files into the new project Depending on what effects devices/plug-ins you have, latency compensation can sometimes be a bit iffy

[@ryanharper2000]

HEY GUYS! Im running the TR6-s Via Ableton with the exact settings needed from this video including the midi Track and Sync On for TR6s + CNTRL... its getting sound etc and plays on individual channels and is stop starting itself but is not triggering ableton to START/STOP at the same time, they are both running independant of each other. How can I get this fixed?

[@afrohamurai]

The settings I’ve used let Ableton be the master. You’d likely want to turn on Sync Out to have the TR-6S send out start stop and it’s MIDI clock, then set Ableton to listen to it

[@justakaduppy]

Good video .. the usb audio level inputs seem very low is this normal and if so how do you resolve this issue within Ableton .. raising the audio gain or with the utility gain ?

[@afrohamurai]

Check if “USB volume” is on in the TR-6S’ settings

[@justakaduppy]

@@afrohamurai Yes it's on i have the same amount of level volume as you which is kind of low compared to let's say ableton drum racks

[@afrohamurai]

If USB volume is on, it should be set to “off” - otherwise the volume follows the dial on the TR-6S That way, no matter what your volume is on the TR-6S itself, you’ll get full volume through USB Audio

[@CalebTytt]

I did the input config on ableton but when I go to choose the midi channels it still just comes through as everything on channel 10. Anyone know what I'm doing wrong? lol

[@afrohamurai]

The default channel the TR-6S works on is channel 10 - if you enable Omni Mode it should have it listen to and transmit MIDI on all channels - else there should be some settings to change what channel it listens to if you wanted to

[@CalebTytt]

@@afrohamurai thanks dude, I’ll try that when I get home

[@pivser]

My mac wont recognise my tr6s when i plug in, i have installed the driver and tryed to restart several times. and there dont seem to be any blockage on the security and privacy any suggestions?

[@afrohamurai]

I can't think of anything - unless the cable you're using isn't working with it for some reason. It's worth contacting Roland Support about it.

[@pivser]

@@afrohamurai thx

[@pivser]

If you have a M1 processer i suggest the driver for that type ^_^ I think that was the trick::)

[@distortimus7631]

So tr6s becomes an audio interface kind of? So if I want to record all 5 tracks at the same time in Ableton I wouldn't be able to also use my interface?

[@afrohamurai]

Yeah it becomes an interface - what I did on my computer (I use a Mac) is make an aggregate device and add both my TR-6S and audio interface to it. I had it set up so inputs 1-2 were my interface, then 3-10 were the TR-6S

[@distortimus7631]

@@afrohamurai thanks

[@robertoferraz8857]

​@@afrohamurai Hi, do you know if there's a way of doing that on PC?

[@MikeyBreaky]

@@robertoferraz8857 Asio4all can do it for PC, but it can be unstable (bsod), Windows hates using multiple audio devices at same time

[@sofcom8522]

Hi Don't suppose anyone can help I've just got the tr6s and when i plug it in via USB......I get a horrible buzzing. Not just a slight hum.....its an unbearable sound. I went on Roland to download the drivers but it says that it will download automatically when plugged in. I dont think it has. Any advice? It didn't come with a Usb cable.....so I used a couple I have already. Both the same issue. Cheers

[@afrohamurai]

I’m not sure about the buzzing - maybe it’s worth contacting Roland customer care about it. With the driver, there’s a troubleshooting file you can download that might have some steps to try?

[@sofcom8522]

@@afrohamurai thanks

[@buskingforlife]

@@sofcom8522 Ive got a similar thing with my yamaha reface synth. Tried new cable but didnt work

[@sanesolar4457]

I’m getting any audio at all I don’t understand in my pc from Tr6s

[@afrohamurai]

If the drivers are all installed I wouldn’t know either, maybe contact Roland support or give Reddit a try?

[@spenceredgett05]

Has anyone been able to make this work with logic?

[@spenceredgett05]

I can only get audio thru the stereo outs when I plug into an interface I haven't been able to get the usb audio to work.

[@afrohamurai]

Did you install the driver for the TR-6S and then set it as the audio input? It should be its own device. Only other thing to try is re-installing the driver. It works normally for me in Logic and Ableton

[@aliciiiiiiii808]

where can i get to those settings??

[@afrohamurai]

Press the “UTILITY” button once the TR-6S is on, you’ll find the button to the left of the Value knob

[@officialmarcv]

just made improv of tr6s and tb03 with tr editor on my channel!

[@miss.antidote]

you from london fam?

[@afrohamurai]

Yep! How come?

[@miss.antidote]

@@afrohamurai I recognise the accent! NW sides here

[@CrazyAboutVinylRecords]

I thought the whole point of this device was to get away from a DAW...

[@afrohamurai]

I use it for both - it’s drum sounds are a lot better than the samples I have