Roland - AIRA TR-6S Rhythm Performer

The Roland AIRA TR-6S Rhythm Performer is a 6-track version of the popular TR-8S drum machine in a scaled down, more portable chassis. Well suited to both stage and studio, the unit combines the legendary sound, form, and function of the vintage TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, and TR-707 rhythm machines with cutting-edge performance and live pattern manipulation capabilities.

Roland's Analog Circuit Behavior (ACB) technology faithfully recreates the tonality and behavior of true-analog circuits. With ACB, every detail of these original machines is captured, including the variations in tone that occur when multiple instruments are entered in accented steps. Build your dream kit with the onboard drum sounds, tones from the futuristic FM engine, or peruse Roland's vast stereo sample collection to create original sounds never heard before. What's more, the SD card slot allows you to import your own samples.

The TR-6S features 128 user kits made up of 6 instruments, each assigned a tone. What's more, each tone has several variations and each tone is freely assignable to any of the 6 instrument slots. Each channel offers controls for tune, decay, and an assignable customized control knob, which places all the sound-shaping power within easy reach. The velocity-sensitive performance pads can be played live or you can record into the sequencer. You can move seamlessly between playing and editing, allowing you to reshape your drum parts without ever interrupting your flow. Each of the 128 patterns can store eight variations and two kinds of fills. Patterns and variations can be played or chained in any order, plus the auto-fill function automatically plays a fill every 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, or 32 measures.

The sounds can be step recorded or recorded in real-time to a 16-step sequencer with eight (A-H) pattern variations. Additional pattern variations are available through rolls and the Scatter function, which can reverse, glitch, gate, truncate, and stutter sounds in perfect synchronization. The TR-6S features the ability to record motion into patterns to create everything from subtle movements to dramatic tonal shifts. You can automate bass-drum tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects, or create melodies and basslines. The motion recording is simple to use and motion playback can be instantly enabled or disabled.

The TR-6S features two 1/4" outputs on the back and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front. Power is supplied via the USB port or from four AA batteries. The machine will operate for approximately 4.5 hours on NiMH batteries or 5.5 hours on alkaline batteries.

User Manual

2.7 MB

Design Kits with Authentic TR Drums and Sampled Sounds

The TR-6S has every sound from the most sought-after TR drum machines, with detailed ACB circuit-models of the 808, 606, 909, and 707 and even several modified versions

Create a kit entirely from samples or mix and match with TR sounds for genre-defying drum tracks that demand attention

Adjust decay, tuning, and alter sample start points, speed, and direction

Pull from the extensive collection of preset stereo samples or import your own using the SD card slot

Drum-Matic Effects

Make a drum part stand out by creating depth and space

Add delay on a rim-shot, overdrive on a kick, filters on toms and cymbals, or just the right amount of reverb on select instruments

In addition to the Master FX knob, the channel section has a customizable CTRL knob, placing all this sound-shaping power within easy reach

Assign any parameter needed for direct and immediate access to the CTRL knob or Master FX knob

Both Instrument and Master Effects, along with their precise settings, are saved with each kit, making your productions always performance-ready

Create Evolving Patterns with Variations, Fills, and Motion

You step program or use the velocity-sensitive performance pad to play live, or record into the sequencer.

Move seamlessly between playing and editing

Reshape your drum parts without ever interrupting your flow

Create intricate grooves and detailed fills using velocity, accents, flams, and adjustable sub-steps for modern rolls and ratcheting

Get experimental with unusual polyrhythms and complex meters by adjusting the length or last step of each drum part

The TR-6S can store 128 patterns, each with eight variations and two kinds of fills

Patterns and variations can be played or chained in any order

Copy patterns on the fly, stay ahead of the beat, and work on patterns that aren’t currently playing

Each pattern can include the kit, knob positions, effect settings, and tempo, providing instant recall and enough storage and flexibility to play an entire set without ever repeating a measure in the same way

Each pattern can contain two fills, which you can customize or create from scratch

Adjustable Scatter fill slices and dices a measure into short bursts of cool and controlled chaos

Hands-free Auto-Fill: Automate fills every 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 32 measures for interesting dynamics to your performances

Recording motion into patterns can give you everything from subtle movements to dramatic tonal shifts

Automate bass-drum tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects

Create melodies and basslines

Change the sound of a kit for different song sections

Motion recording is immediate and effortless, and motion playback can be instantly enabled or disabled

A Portable Beat Creator for Stage and Studio

The TR-6S has two analog outputs on the back and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front

The sounds are big, punchy, and spacious thanks to its high-resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz digital-to-analog converters

The USB port provides power and is used for both MIDI and audio data

Record each drum instrument to a different channel for individual processing and recording

Automate parameter movements from your DAW by CC messages

The TR-6S offers crucial visual feedback about what’s playing, what’s muted, which instruments are grouped, and more

Every kit, pattern, and setting can be backed up on an SD card

The compact, portable chassis is great for traveling DJs and musicians and can fit into cramped studio spaces with ease

• The TR-6S has every sound from the most sought-after TR drum machines, with detailed ACB circuit-models of the 808, 606, 909, and 707 and even several modified versions
Create a kit entirely from samples or mix and match with TR sounds for genre-defying drum tracks that demand attention
Adjust decay, tuning, and alter sample start points, speed, and direction
Pull from the extensive collection of preset stereo samples or import your own using the SD card slot
• Make a drum part stand out by creating depth and space
Add delay on a rim-shot, overdrive on a kick, filters on toms and cymbals, or just the right amount of reverb on select instruments
In addition to the Master FX knob, the channel section has a customizable CTRL knob, placing all this sound-shaping power within easy reach
Assign any parameter needed for direct and immediate access to the CTRL knob or Master FX knob
Both Instrument and Master Effects, along with their precise settings, are saved with each kit, making your productions always performance-ready
• You step program or use the velocity-sensitive performance pad to play live, or record into the sequencer.
Move seamlessly between playing and editing
Reshape your drum parts without ever interrupting your flow
Create intricate grooves and detailed fills using velocity, accents, flams, and adjustable sub-steps for modern rolls and ratcheting
Get experimental with unusual polyrhythms and complex meters by adjusting the length or last step of each drum part
The TR-6S can store 128 patterns, each with eight variations and two kinds of fills
Patterns and variations can be played or chained in any order
Copy patterns on the fly, stay ahead of the beat, and work on patterns that aren’t currently playing
Each pattern can include the kit, knob positions, effect settings, and tempo, providing instant recall and enough storage and flexibility to play an entire set without ever repeating a measure in the same way
Each pattern can contain two fills, which you can customize or create from scratch
Adjustable Scatter fill slices and dices a measure into short bursts of cool and controlled chaos
Hands-free Auto-Fill: Automate fills every 2, 4, 8, 12, 16 or 32 measures for interesting dynamics to your performances
Recording motion into patterns can give you everything from subtle movements to dramatic tonal shifts
Automate bass-drum tuning, snare pitch, panning, effects
Create melodies and basslines
Change the sound of a kit for different song sections
Motion recording is immediate and effortless, and motion playback can be instantly enabled or disabled
• The TR-6S has two analog outputs on the back and a 3.5mm headphone jack on the front
The sounds are big, punchy, and spacious thanks to its high-resolution 24-bit / 96 kHz digital-to-analog converters
The USB port provides power and is used for both MIDI and audio data
Record each drum instrument to a different channel for individual processing and recording
Automate parameter movements from your DAW by CC messages
The TR-6S offers crucial visual feedback about what’s playing, what’s muted, which instruments are grouped, and more
Every kit, pattern, and setting can be backed up on an SD card
The compact, portable chassis is great for traveling DJs and musicians and can fit into cramped studio spaces with ease