The Roland TR-606 Drumatix, released in 1981, was conceived as the rhythmic partner to the TB-303 Bass Line, offering a compact and affordable way for musicians to programme their own drum patterns. It produced seven analogue drum voices, bass drum, snare, low tom, high tom, cymbal, open hi-hat and closed hi-hat, each with its own level control and accent capability.
The built-in sequencer could store 32 patterns and chain them into eight songs, with up to 256 continuous measures, providing more flexibility than many rhythm boxes of its time. Synchronisation via DIN sync allowed the Roland TR-606 to lock tightly with other Roland gear such as the Roland TB-303 and MC-4 Microcomposer, while trigger outputs extended its ability to control external equipment. Its lightweight construction, battery operation and portability made it usable outside of traditional studio settings.
Although it sold modestly at first and was overshadowed by the more famous Roland TR-808 and Roland TR-909, the Roland TR-606 found its place in music through its accessibility and distinctive sound. Affordable on the second-hand market during the late 1980s and 1990s, it was adopted by post-punk and new wave acts such as Sisters of Mercy and Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and later embraced by industrial artists including Nine Inch Nails and Big Black.
Its crisp hats and snappy snare lent themselves perfectly to raw, mechanical grooves, while its tight sync with the TB-303 made it a natural partner in the acid house movement. As electronic music evolved, the Roland TR-606 became a staple for producers in techno, IDM, ambient and trip-hop, with artists such as Aphex Twin, Autechre and Massive Attack making use of its characterful rhythms. In this way, the Roland TR-606 helped democratise music-making, putting programmable percussion into the hands of independent musicians and shaping the sound of underground music scenes for decades.
Features
- Key features seven analogue drum voices with level and accent control
- Programming 16-step pattern entry with 32 user memories and song chaining
- Sync DIN sync for CSQ-600 and MC-4 integration, plus twin trigger outs
- Portability battery operation and headphone monitoring for mobile use
- Design compact, lightweight chassis with simple hands-on controls