TR-6S | Rhythm Performer - Roland

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TR-6S

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• Specs
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Small Size. Big Beats.

Roland TR drum machines have impacted music for over 40 years—and they’re as influential now as ever. Based on the much-loved TR-8S, the compact and affordable TR-6S has the same speaker-pummeling, window-rattling, body-moving sound of its bigger sibling. Elevate your drum tracks, make beats on the go, and experience the joy of hands-on production. With the TR-6S, the sound of classic tracks, today’s trends, and tomorrow’s hits are always within reach.

• Six-track version of the TR-8S in a compact and affordable package
• Detailed circuit models of the Roland TR-808, TR-909, TR-606, TR-707, CR-78, and more
• Large preset sample library with support for custom user samples
• Editable FM sound engine for futuristic tones
• Program basslines with the newly developed TR-808 chromatic bass instrument
• Mix and match sounds for exotic hybrid drum kits
• Advanced sequencer with sub steps, flam, step loop, motion recording, probability, sub step probability, master probability, and more
• Runs on four AA batteries or USB bus power
• Also functions as a high-quality USB audio/MIDI interface

Six tracks of rhythmic bliss.

With the TR-6S, you get six tracks of advanced drum sequencing and the most iconic rhythm sounds in music history—all in a battery-powered box that fits just about anywhere. And like other Roland drum machines, it’s fun and inspiring. With the familiar step sequencer plus dedicated faders and knobs, it’s easy to craft custom beats with visceral, hands-on control.

All the sounds and more.

The TR-6S includes faithful recreations of the TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, TR-707, and TR-727, along with several modified versions. You also get the CR-78 CompuRhythm, a direct predecessor of the TR-808 that’s left its own indelible footprint on pop classics from the 1980s and beyond. And these aren't sample packs or cheap knock-offs—they're living, breathing replicas that sound and behave just like their vintage counterparts. Going further, you can mix and match these sounds with preset and custom samples and futuristic FM tones, creating exotic hybrid kits that reflect your unique taste and style.

The gold standard in drum programming.

The sound of today's music owes a lot to the classic step sequencer—particularly the “TR-REC” variety found in early Roland drum machines. The TR-6S employs the same tried-and-true approach, enhanced with real-time recording and modern features like sub steps for ratcheted parts, probability for creating unpredictability, and motion recording for 808 basslines that bounce and rhythms that move.

Positive effects.

Create punch, space, warmth, or grit with the array of high-quality effects in the TR-6S. Vital compressors and EQs are at your fingertips, along with lush reverb, delay, and modulation effects. Push your creative boundaries with filters, LFOs, and wild new effects that incite sonic mayhem.

Convenience and flexibility.

The TR-6S is a also a high-quality USB audio/MIDI interface, perfect for mobile or minimal production setups. And it fits in even the most space-starved studios or live rigs, so you can turn life into music whenever inspiration strikes.

Hardware meets software.

Enhance your workflow with TR-EDITOR, a fluid computer-based editor and librarian for the TR-6S. Nimbly design and edit patterns and kits with the intuitive graphic interface, which features a wide array of onscreen parameters and access to deeper FM editing. And with the large display, it’s easy to manage your entire library. Download TR-EDITOR for free today through Roland Cloud Manager, the software interface for Roland Cloud content. TR-EDITOR

Specifications User Drum Kit 128 User Patterns 128 Step Sequencer 6 instrument parts 16 steps per 1 variation 8 (A - H) variations per 1 pattern 2 Fill-in patterns per 1 pattern INST tone (Tone can be assigned to each 6 instrument parts freely.) BASS DRUM: 11 ACB tones SNARE DRUM: 8 ACB tones TOM: 19 ACB tones RIM SHOT: 3 ACB tones HAND CLAP: 5 ACB tones HI HAT: 8 ACB tones CYMBAL: 8 ACB tones PERCUSSION: 24 ACB tones FM: 72 tones PRESET SAMPLE: 300 tones or greater USER SAMPLE (imported form SD CARD for playback): Avarable format: WAV, AIFF Total time for all samples: Approximately 600 sec (at 44.1 kHz, mono) * The maximum length of a single audio file that can be imported is approximately 180 seconds (at 44.1 kHz). * Available format of Sample: WAV 96 kHz maximum/8bits, 16 bits, 24 bits, 32 bits, 32 bits float (mono, stereo) AIFF 44.1kHz, 48kHz, 96 kHz/8bits, 16 bits, 24 bits, 32 bits, 32 bits float (mono, stereo) Effects INST FX: THRU, HPF, LPF, LPF/HPF, H BOOST, L BOOST, L/H BOOST, ISOLATOR, TRANSIENT, COMPRESSOR, DRIVE, COMP+DRV, CRUSHER, SATURATOR, FREQ SHIFT, RING MOD, SPREAD REVERB: AMBI, ROOM, HALL1, HALL2, PLATE, MOD, HA-DOU DELAY: DLY, PAN, TAPE ECHO, PITCH SHIFT MASTER FX: HPF, LPF, LPF/HPF, H BOOST, L BOOST, L/H BOOST, ISOLATOR, TRANSIENT, TRANSIENT2, COMPRESSOR, DRIVE, OVERDRIVE, DISTORTION, FUZZ, CRUSHER, PHASER, FLANGER, SBF, NOISE, FATTENER, VINYL SIM Other: SCATTER (as one of AUTO FILL IN function), SIDE CHAIN Display 16 characters, 2 line (backlit LCD) External Storage SD Card (SDHC supported) for backup/restore function and import sample data Connectors PHONES jack: Stereo miniature phone type OUT(L/MONO, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type MIDI(IN, OUT) connectors USB port: USB B type (Audio, MIDI) Power Supply Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6) x 4 Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4 Obtained via USB port (USB bus power) Current Draw 500 mA Expected battery life under continuous use Alkaline battery: Approx. 4.5 hours Ni-MH battery: Approx. 5.5 hours (When using batteries having a capacity of 1,900 mAh.) * This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries, capacity of the batteries, and the conditions of use. Accessories Leaflet "Read Me First" Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 4 Dimensions 224(W) x 132(D) x 60.1(H) mm 8-13/16(W) x 5-3/16(D) x 2-3/8(H) inches Weight (including batteries) 705 g 1 lb 9 oz

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Video Library

• TR-8S v3.0/TR-6S v2.0 Firmware Update Overview

  The TR-8S and TR-6S Rhythm Performers continue their sonic evolution with TR-8S v3.0 and TR-6S v2.0 updates.

Careers in Music: Rusty Egan

Drummer, DJ, and electronic visionary Rusty Egan helped shape Britain's New Romantic pulse—from Visage's "Fade to Grey" to the Blitz Club.Read more…

A Few Minutes with Hannah Holland

Following the release of the soundtrack to Bruce LaBruce's film The Visitor, Hannah Holland examines the path from club kid to DJ to music producer.Read more…

A Few Minutes with Junior Simba

From Africa to the United Kingdom, eclectic dance star Junior Simba shares his passion for infusing ethnic sounds into his songcraft.Read more…

CR-78: The Whole Story

Before the TR-808 and TR-909 changed hip-hop and dance, the CR-78 changed pop. Here's the story of the last Roland organ-top rhythm machine.Read more…

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Downloads

• Updates & Drivers

Updates & Drivers

• TR-6S System Program (Ver.2.00)

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.1 for Windows 10/11

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.3 for macOS Sonoma 14.x / Sequoia 15.x

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.2 for macOS Monterey 12.x / Ventura 13.x

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.1 for macOS 11

  Compatible with Apple Mac series (Intel-based). Compatible with Apple Silicon Mac (using the M1 chip).

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.0 for macOS 10.15

• TR-6S Driver Ver.1.0.0 for macOS 10.13 / 10.14

Support

• Owner’s Manuals

If you have questions about operating your Roland product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions. You can also contact our Product Support through Roland Backstage. In addition, we have a library of Owner’s Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference.

Owner’s Manuals

• [English] TR-6S Owner's Manual (Version 1.50) [PDF]

• [English] TR-6S Parameter Guide (Version 2.00) [PDF]

• [English] TR-6S Preset INST Tone List (Version 2.00) [PDF]

• [English] TR-EDITOR Owner's Manual (Version 2.00) [PDF]

• [English] TR-6S MIDI Implementation Chart [PDF]

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