Roland TR-606

Very easy to use, pick a memmory slot, then choose a scale, pick a sound and program away. The only thing one might need a manual for would be the track modes (chaining patterns).

This is the ONLY TR capable of switching between pattern play and write modes! (a feature everyone seems to overlook) It has 7 sounds (BD SD HT LT CY OH CL) plus accent. HT and LT have trigger outs for use with other analogs and DIN sync. It has a 32 pattern memmory, but only 16 are accessible at a time (two banks that are switchable). Sounds are similiar to an 808 when stock, but are much more useable when modified (I have the analogue solutions mod on mine, it's sweet!) It can also easily be modified to have separate outputs (another very helpful feature). Check out hyperreals music machines site for more info on mods.

sounds are very electronic. . .think old school rap, drummachine.com has examples of the sounds if you are clueless.

Never had a problem with it, make sure it has batteries for memmory back up and make sure it has power when changing them or you my lose your patterns.

never had to deal with roland on this one, they may still have parts or could point you in the right direction for them. I've seen parts on sites for them, you just have to look around. Schematics can be found at Music Machines also (fix it yourself, you'll appreciate it more!)

Damn near the best drummachine out there, easy, analog, and affordable. The fact it can be played or programed live without stopping it makes it well worth it. It only has DIN sync, but if you have a JOMOX XBase 09 or Novation drum or bass station (rack) you shouldn't have a problem with your midi system. I use mine in tandem with the 808. . .I highly recommend this to anyone. You can run them both off one sync output by splicing 2 sync cables together (radio shack or HOSA work well). Connect all the wires normally except splice the red and yellow wires together and your in business.

Superduper easy to program. The manual is good but you don't really
need one.

It has DIN sync in/out, but it's cheap and easy to go for a Philip Reese sync
converter unless you don't have any other stuff to sync with. Maybe
a drumstation? It has 32 patterns. It has beautiful litte knobs, red
flashing lights. It's a fantastic machine and it's cheap too.

7 analog drum sounds. The kickdrum are ok but a bit too short and sounds
too much "puck", the snare is wonderful and so are the toms, the cymbal is
cool, more like a ride, the hihats are better than the 808's. The 606
is cooler than the 808 for the price, it sounds hard and raw and put it through an
equalizer and a compressor and it sounds just great. You can't edit the sounds
if you don't want to open the box and modify it. I would modify the kick cause
it's a bit cheesy in some compositions and it does not always feels right.

No problem at all. Just change the batteries sometimes and don't
drop the machine in the floor.

Never dealt with them.

It sounds cool and raw and it's a real bargain. I got mine for 80$.

While not quite as straight forward as the TR-808, the 606 is still very easy to program.
It has the same 16 key sequencer as the TR-808/909.

It has 7 instruments all useable simultaneously and an accent.
The volume of each is adjustable seperately. It has a built in
sequencer similar to those in other Roland x0x boxes. It is syncable
by DIN sync which can be synced to midi with a converter. Its vintage
1981 so its not the most feature laden machine out there.

Great analog drum sounds. The bass doesn't have quite the thump of the 909,
and is similar to the 808 in character. I run mine through a tube preamp and/or
a fuzz face which adds a nice fat edge to the sound. The high hats are nice
sounding and the snare is excellent. Its really only suitable for electronic or rap/r&b
music. I'd rather have a 909, but considering the $700 more the 909 costs
its hard to justify it considering the great sounds you can get out of a 606.

Well, its old and its plastic. All the knobs and buttons still work
perfectly though and I've never had any problems with it. Just don't drop it
much.

Never needed it.

I'd try to buy it again if I could find one, but I wouldn't pay much more
than I spent on this one. Its definitely the best real analog drum
machine for the money.

I have owned my 606 for 4 years now and I am pretty well accustomed to programming it, but it was a bit difficult to get used to at first

no midi!
dang would be nice...the only thing that keeps my rating high is the sounds this thing makes

it has very cheesy "electronic" sounds but it is perfect for "electronic" music!

it is a reliable macine as far as operation but the patterns are sometimes erased if left without power
I.E. no ac adaptor an no batteries

HA!

this thing is the bomb as far I'm concerned
I got it at a garage sale for five bucks
it was like finding a peice of gold in a pile of trash
I also have a tb-303 and the two compliment each other perfectly

failrly easy to use,uses typical "xox" or tr 808/909 type interface.,,forget about presets......a manual is needed, however once you know how to work it its pretty simple

not much in the way of features other than the basic sounds which are very unique, but its also portable, lightweight, battery operated and analogue.

if this was your only box you might be a bit disappointed, the sound quality ain't all that great,but what it lacks in features and sonic clarity it makes up for with its unique character- its like a miniture tr 808!! "bouncy" is a good word for thw overall sound of the kit. ....it is really fun and unique sounding- imagine what it would sound like connected to another roland analogue beatbox via din sync!!

very reliable........ use only the exact ac adapter requires 9V 75-150mA ac adapter do not exceed 150 mA--dont use the psa adapters-use batteries- but i never had a problem...

the thing has character- like a mini tr 808- use it to trigger your other roland analog sequencers - it has two programmable (toms) trigger outs!!

The 606 is programmed like all roland 808 beatboxes, takes time to get used to it, not to be used for playing in real time.Sounds very distinctive, thin, tinny, electronic hats, punchy but muffled basskick-very short decay, snappy snare, 808 ish congas and cymbal.

. no midi or efx, use it to drive sequencer or ar[eggiator of other premidi roland ext clock driven gear or din sync devices. Onboard sequencer is fairly flexible but memory rather limited

seems dependable provided you baby it, dont move it around or leave it on with batteries in it all night.

you can get a manual and some spare parts from roland

I like it but would much rather have an 808 or a 909,they can be adjusted to sound just like a 606 but a 606 will only sound a little like an 808.Plus you get so much more features from them. The sounds cannot be modified so they can dull fast.I would try to combine with early compu-rhythm or tr series for more sounds. i use it to drive my 2 Sh 101's onboard sequenecer or arpegiattor and they really work great, but in a limited way.

Pretty intuitive...the buttons+lights correspond to where in the measure (16 note maximum) you're at. Lotsa knobbies, it's pretty darned obvious what each is. Doesn't get too much simpler than this.

It does just what it looks like. You select the instrument you want to use, punch in where it's gonna go, and repeat the process for Bass Drum, Snare Drum, Lo/Hi Tom, CYmbal, Open/Close Hi-hat. Then I guess you can chain these rhythms together to make "songs". I haven't really delved into that too much, because I have lots of fun just hitting the rhythms I selected in real time and turning knobs. This is really a greatI like the little mixer at the top. It's spiffy for breaking down the rhythm into separate instrument parts (I like turning everything down except for the bass and hi-hat for suspenseful parts!) The trigger outs make me excited, but I wish I had something else to tweek them with :( A Dr. Pad would be nice, but those are even harder to find than these little creatures. If you hit the hitting the Run/Stop button, a "stutter" effect is created. A cheesy added bonus! I personally think that the tempo knob is really really cheesy and the fact that this thing doesn't have MIDI is my only real gripe about this thing. Someone once told me that you could somehow convert MIDI to SYNC so this thing could actually run snyc to my setup. Is this true? If you know anything about this, PLEASE email me...I love this thing, it's a wonderful live drum machine and I wish I could do something with it besides tweak it all by itself. If it had MIDI, my rating in this category would be 10.

There is ONE drum kit, but I'm telling you, that is THE drum kit. The bass drum is total cheez, it's just a little knock, but to hear this thing at work is a thing of beauty. It has this glorified, beefy, chunky, real, ANALOG sound to it that I've never heard anywhere else. If you want to know what it sounds like before you hunt for one, check out "The Lost Highway Soundtrack". Track 6- "Eye" by Smashing Pumpkins uses one the whole song (AND HOW THE HELL DID THEY SNYC IT???!?!). The beat really captures the chunkiness I was talkng about. I programmed it in the first day I bought mine and it was quite gratifying :) 'Tis a bit noisy though...my hi hat is always distorting a tad (is it supposed to??). What I really like doing with this thing is to plug it into a DOD Bass Grunge pedal and then into a bass amp. The sound is amazing!!! I think Aphex Twin used this sound. I want to say that they used it on "73yips" for the "On" single but I'm probably wrong. That's about the sound though...weird, distorted, loud and beautiful. I'd almost have to say distortion is NECESSARY to get the true character of this little 80's-japanese-silver box.

I think a guitarist would only use an old 60's Strat if it was a very special gig...it's classic, vintage, and therefore irreplaceable. This thing seems pretty sturdy though. I've been having some problems with the DC plug lately, but I think it's just the adapter I'm using. I can't really rate this though, cause I don't want to put my baby in jeopardy.

Uh....it's kinda out of the question...

If it were lost or stolen, I'd be real sad, but it's not worth it trying to get it again. I was really lucky to get this thing...my bassist's dad happened to have one laying around that he never used and offered to sell it to me. I've had this thing for about 4 or 5 months now and I think it's really great for the sounds, the fun/playability, and the sequencing. They don't make 'em like they yousta! Like I said my only real gripe was lack of MIDI. This would be the world's greatest box if it had MIDI. It's definitely a catalyst in the creative process. When I want a drummer to play something, I'll just play him something I wrote on this thing. Overall, this is a really lovely little device. This is my first drum machine, and I plan to keep it, if only for sounds, for a long time.

The interface is ok. The manual is very helpful, and after you get over the initial confusion, it is easy to work with. It feels limited when compared to an 808 or 909

Very stripped down. The little brother of the 808. It's a set of drums ( Bass Drum, Snare, 2 Toms, Hihat, Cymbal, and Accent) and the sequencer. No cool effects or retriggering... but a very stylish look to it and a nice mixer for each seperate drum.

Very cool classic drum sounds. Its sounds alot like the 808, but you can't tune the drums or play with decay or snappy. Very analog, very retro. It also sounds cool overdriven.

The electronics are pretty stable, but the casing is made of plastic and would probably break if dropped or stepped on.

I think it's a cool drum machine for the money. You can find them for under 300 usually or you could stumble onto one where they don't know that it's vintage and get a good deal. I would probably buy it again for the same price.