Roland's TR-606 Drumatix used to be one of the hidden gems of Roland's TR line of drum machines.
Originally built from 1981 through 1984 alongside the 808, 909, and the TB-303 bass synth—all of which were rediscovered on pawn shop racks before helping birth modern dance music and hip-hop production—the 606 came to be renowned by artists from Autechre to Nine Inch Nails.
Today, Roland is re-introducing the 606 through two new offerings: the TR-06 Drumatix, a modernized digital update to the original analog machine, and the TR-6S Rhythm Performer, which takes inspiration from the 606 and places its sounds (along with many other drum machines and synths) in a six-track sequencer.
Fans of Roland's contemporary releases will notice the similarities in other recent launches. The TR-06 Drumatix is a Boutique Series recreation in the same way that the TR-08, TR-09, and TB-03 recreated the famed 808, 909, and 303, respectively. And the new TR-6S follows the same playbook as the TR-8S.
Get a taste for what the TR-06 and TR-6S can do in our video above with Fess Grandiose. Then find your own on Reverb.