BASIC COURSE

This Basic Course will provide essential information needed to satisfactorily operate the TR-606 Drumatix. For complete information and more complex applications, refer to the Advanced Course Manual.

Basic Connections

Output
to guitar amp/to audio amp [or just send it straight into your mixer or multitrack - ed]

Headphone jack
to headphones

AC Adaptor jack
Please connect a Boss ACA Battery Eliminator to this socket.
Do not connect any other brand of Battery Eliminator as this could damage the internal circuitry of the TR-606.

Caution
It should be noted that when using the TR-606 by itself (without interfacing with other units using the SYNC connection), the SYNC INPUT/OUTPUT switch on the back panel should be set to the OUTPUT position. The TR-606 will not operate with this switch at the INPUT position.

Choosing Amplification
The TR-606 Rhythm Composer may be monitored through any conventional amplification, but ideal amplification will reproduce its realistic drum sounds faithfully with a minimum of added distortion and coloration.

Audio OUTPUT
The OUTPUT jack on the back panel of the TR-606 presents the summed output of the individual INSTRUMENT MIX LEVEL (E) controls as adjusted by the master VOLUME (A) control to allow very precise control over the TR-606 final output level and balance.

HEADPHONE Jack
The TR-606 also provides self-contained amplification for any conventional stereo headphones through a 1/4 inch phone jack on the back panel. The HEADPHONE OUTPUT level is controlled by the master VOLUME control (A) in combination with the individual INSTRUMENT MIX LEVEL (E) controls.

Battery Eliminator
The TR-606 is fully portable, normally relying on batteries for all internal functions and to power the self-contained Headphone amplifier. To extend battery life, merely connect a BOSS ACA Battery Eliminator to this socket.

"CAUTION" Don't connect any other brand of Battery Eliminator, as this could damage the internal circuitry of the TR-606. [Actually, any 9V DC adaptor with center negative providing 150mA of current will work - ed]

CAUTIONS

Memory Back-Up
The TR-606 Rhythm Composer features a non-volatile memory which will retain Rhythm Patterns and Track compositions when switched 'OFF' and disconnected from any external power source. The TR-606 relies on batteries for it's back-up circuit to protect these memories. Always replace the TR-606's batteries with a complete set of fresh batteries when the RUN/BATTERY Indicator LED (G) either flashes or fails to illuminate during the normal Run condition of the TR-606. If the batteries are changed quickly, within one minute, the memory can retain the DATA. [Check out battery.txt for more information on this - ed]

Front and Back Panel Layout

page6.jpg - scan of front panel with labels for each button and knob
(A) = POWER SWitch/VOLUME Control
(B) = MODE Selector
(C) = TRACK/INSTRUMENT
(D) = TEMPO Contol
(E) = INSTRUMENT MIC Controls (six small volume knobs)
(F) = CLEAR/RESET Button
(G) = BATTERY Check/RUN Indicator (LED above RUN/STOP button)
(H) = RUN/STOP Button
(I) = SCALE Selector (4 way switch above FUNCTION button)
(J) = FUNCTION Button
(K) = SELECTOR Switches (the 16 buttons along the bottom of the front panel)
(L) = Indicator (the LEDs above the 16 SELECTOR switches)
(M) = TAP Button
(N) = PATTERN GROUP Button
(O) = PATTERN GROUP Indicator (LED above PATTERN GROUP button)

Writing Rhythm Patterns

We will write a 4/4 Rock Rhythm Pattern (shown in Fig. 1) into the computer memory location chosen by the SELECTOR swirtch (K) #1.

Fig. 1

step no. --> 1234567890123456
BD           x-----x---x---x-
SD           ----x-------xx--
OH           --------------x-
CH           xxxxxxxxxxxxxx--
AC           x---x-----x-x-x-

PROCEDURE

  1. Connect either headphones or an amplifier to the TR-606, (see BASIC CONNECTIONS).
  2. Turn the POWER switch (A) on. (Clockwise).
  3. Turn the TEMPO control (D) and INSTRUMENT MIX controls (E) to the mid point.
  4. Set the MODE selector (B) to PATTERN WRITE position.
  5. Press the PATTERN GROUP button (N) to select Pattern Group I.
    * The PATTERN GROUP button (N) switches alternately between I and II and illuminates the selected indicator.
  6. Press the #1 SELECTOR switch (K), which is the location where we will write the first Rhythm Pattern.
    * The selected indicator (#1) should be flashing.
  7. While holding down the #1 SELECTOR switch (K) down, press the CLEAR/RESET button (F).
  8. Press the RUN/STOP button (H).
    * The RUN/BATTERY LED (G) lights up and the other LED INDICATORS (L) begin scanning across from #1 to #16, step by step.
  9. Set the SCALE selector (I) to #1, then press the FUNCTION button (J).
    * When the FUNCTION button (J) is held down, the TR-606 displays the position of every quarter note on the LED indicators (L).
    * If you make a mistake, or wish to change the SCALE, simply repeat operation 9. (Refer to the ADVANCED COURSE MANUAL for details).
  10. While holding the FUNCTION button (J) down, press the SELECTOR switch (K) of the last step in the measure. In this case, press #16.
    * The LED indicators (L) begin scanning across from #1 to the last step that is #16 in this case.
    Once again, if you made a mistake, just repeat operation 10.
  11. Select the instrument to be written by rotating the TRACK/INSTRUMENT selector (C). Set it at BD (Bass Drum) in this case.
  12. Press the SELECTOR switches (K) corresponding to the dots [i've used Xs - ed] in the score (Fig. 1) one by one.
    * The LED indicators (L) of the selected steps will light, and you will hear the selected instrument sound on those steps.
    * You can adjust the speed using the TEMPO control knob (D). This will allow you to write at a slower speed, if a faster speed proves difficult, etc.
    * If you press the wrong SELECTOR switch (K), just press the same SELECTOR switch (K) again, and then the written sound will be erased and the LED indicator (L) will be turned off.
  13. Repeat 11-12 for the other instruments in the Fig. 1 example.
    * BD . . . . . . . .Bass Drum
       SD . . . . . . . .Snare Drum
       LT . . . . . . . .Low Tom
       HT . . . . . . . .High Tom
       CY . . . . . . . .CYmbal
       OH . . . . . . . .Open Hi-Hat
       CH . . . . . . . .Closed Hi-Hat
       AC . . . . . . . .ACcent
    * If you want to erase a note, simply press the respective SELECTOR switch (K). When you want to erase all of the notes of the selected instrument, hold the CLEAR/RESET button (F) down until all the notes are cleared.
    * Erasing is completed when all the LED indicator (L) lights are out.
  14. The pattern can also be written in real time by using the TAP method (M). While the Rhythm is running, just press the TAP button (M) at the appropriate places in the measure.
  15. Press the RUN/STOP button (H).
    * You have just written the Rhythm Pattern indicated in Fig. 1 into the computer memory.
    IMPORTANT NOTES
    When pressing the button, do not fail to release it once, and go on to the next operation, except for the cases that it is specifically instructed to keep pressing the button. (The TR-606 does not function properly if you go on to the next operation without releasing the button.)
  16. Now, write the Rhythm Patterns in Fig. 2 into the assigned memory locations by repeating the procedures 6 to 15.
Fig. 2

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-1
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx-x---x-
SD ----x-------xx--
OH --x---x---x---x-
CH xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
AC x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-2
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx--x----
SD ----x-----------
LT ------------xxxx
HT --------xxx-----
OH --x---x----x----
CH xx--xx--x---x---
AC x-x-x-x-x--x--x-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-3
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx-------
SD --x--x--x--x----
LT --------------x-
HT ------------x---
CY x---------------
OH --xx--xx--xxx---
CH xxx-xxx-xxxx--xx
AC x-xx-xx-x-xxx-x-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-4
   1234567890123456
BD x----x--x--x----
SD ---x----x--x-xxx
LT ------x---------
CY --------x--x--x-
OH -x--x-----------
CH x-xx-xxx--------
AC xx-xx-x-x--x--x-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-5
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx-x--x--
SD ----x-------x---
CY x---------------
OH --x---x---x---x-
CH xxxxxxxxxxxxxx--
AC x-x-x-x-x-x-xxx-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-6
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx-x--x--
SD ----x------xx---
OH ---x--x---x--x--
CH xxx-xxxxxxxxx-xx
AC x-xxx-x-x-x-xx--

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-7
   1234567890123456
BD x------xx-x--x--
SD ----x-------x---
OH x-x---x---x--x-x
CH -xxxxxxxxxxxx-x-
AC x-x-x-x-x-x-xx-x

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-8
   1234567890123456
BD x-----xx-----x--
SD ----x--x-xxx----
HT ------------xxxx
CY -------x--------
OH -x--------------
CH x-xxxxx---------
AC xx--x--x--xx-xx-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-9
   1234567890123456
BD x--x----x--x-x--
SD ----x----x-xx---
LT --------------x-
HT ------x---------
CY x---------------
OH --x---x---x---x-
CH xx-xxx-xxx-xxx-x
AC x-x-x-x--xx-x-x-

* POSITION --> PATTERN GROUP I-10
   1234567890123456
BD x--x-x--x-------
SD x------x--------
LT --x-------------
HT -x--------------
CY --------x-------
OH ---x-x----------
CH ----x-x---------
AC xx-x-x-xx-------

NOTE: If you write OH upon CH, CH will gain Accent.

Playing Rhythm Patterns

We have just programmed ten Rhythm Patterns. We will now play these Rhythm Patterns and show some new functions.

PROCEDURE

  1. Set the rhythm to stop position by pressing RUN/STOP (H).
  2. Set the MODE selector (B) to PATTERN PLAY.
  3. Select Pattern Group I (N).
  4. Select a Rhythm Pattern by pressing the SELECTOR switch (K) (press #1 in this case).
  5. Press the RUN/STOP button (H) to start the rhythm running.
  6. Press another SELECTOR switch (K). (Press #2 in this case).
    * At the end of the first Rhythm Pattern, the #2 Rhythm will begin to play and repeat.
  7. Press the SELECTOR switches (K) #2 and #4 simultaneously.
    * The LED indicators (L) #2, #3, and #4 will light up, and the rhythms will play in sequence from #2 to #3 to #4 and then back to #2 again.
    * This is called CHAINING THE RHYTHM PATTERNS. Rhythms can be chained up to four rhythms in a block. The TR-606 has four blocks, #1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16.
  8. NOTE: The TR-606 can only chain rhythms within the blocks indicated above, it cannot for example, chain from #3 to #6.

  9. Press the SELECTOR switch (K) #1 again.
    * The rhythm returns to #1 rhythm at the end of the #4 rhythm and repeats rhythm #1.
  10. Press the RUN/STOP button (H) to stop the rhythm.

Composing the Rhythm Track

We have programmed ten Rhythm Patterns shown in Fig. 2 into the memory locations #1 - #10. Through the use of these rhythms, we will now compose an entire composition in Track #1 according to the following composition table.

Fig. 3  Track Composition Table
| I-1 |  %  |  %  | I-2 |
| I-5 | I-6 | I-7 | I-8 |
| I-9 | I-3 | I-9 | I-4 |
| I-9 | I-3 | I-9 | I-10|

PROCEDURE

  1. Stop the rhythm.
  2. Set the MODE slector (B) to TRACK/WRITE.
  3. Set the TRACK/INSTRUMENT selector (C) to Track #1.
  4. Press the CLEAR/RESET button.
    * This button re-sets the first bar of the Track.
  5. Select in PATTERN GROUP I (O).
  6. Start the rhythm, by pressing RUN/STOP (H).
    * The rhythm previously recorded in the 1st bar of the Track will be heard.
  7. Choose a new 1st bar Rhythm Pattern by pressing SELECTOR switch (K), in this case #1.
    * The new Rhythm Pattern will play at the end of the old rhythm, and will repeat.
  8. Press the TAP button (M).
    * The running Rhythm Pattern will be recorded in the Track Memory as the 1st bar, and the Track Memory is advanced to the 2nd bar, and it will play the previously recorded old rhythm.
    You can re-select a new 2nd bar Rhythm Pattern and then press the TAP button (M) to record it in Track Memory.
    (Repeat the PROCEDURES 7 & 8 for bars following the 2nd bar within a block. 4 patterns can be written at once between the 5th and the 8th bar by following method given in CHAINING THE RHYTHM PATTERNS, see page 11.)
  9. Continue switching Rhythm Patterns and logging them into Memory by pressing the TAP button (M).
    Repeat the PROCEDURES 7 & 8 for writing from the 9th bar to the one before the the last bar.
  10. At the last bar, where the SELECTOR switch #10 is pressed in this case, choose a rhythm and then press the CLEAR/RESET button (F).
    * By pressing the CLEAR/RESET button (F), you have set the last rhythm as the D.C. bar. The D.C. bar is the last bast in the composition, and after playing the D.C. bar, the Track will return to the first bar of the Track and play the entire Track again from the beginning (1st bar).
  11. Press the TAP button (M) to write the rhythm as the D.C. bar in the Track Memory.
  12. Stop the rhythm. (Press the RUN/STOP button)

Now you have programmed the entire compositions shown in Fig. 3, into Track #1.

The program can be checked and corrected from the beginning of the Track by the following procedure:

  1. Stop the rhythm.
  2. Set the MODE selector (B) to TRACK WRITE.
  3. Press the CLEAR/RESET button (F) to re-set the Track to the 1st bar.
  4. Start the rhythm.
    Check the Rhythm LED indicators (L) which display the Rhythm Pattern numbers.
  5. If the rhythm number is wrong, press the SELECTOR switch (K) to rewrite the correct Rhythm Pattern, and then press the TAP button (M) to write it into Memory.
    If it is all right, just press the TAP button (M) to advance to the next bar.
  6. Repeat step 5 until you reach the last bar (D.C. bar).
  7. Stop the rhythm.

A composition of up to 64 bars in a Track can be programmed. The TR-606 has 8 Tracks. Refer to the ADVANCED COURSE MANUAL for details.

Playing the Rhythm Track

  1. Stop the rhythm.
  2. Set the MODE selector (B) to TRACK PLAY.
  3. Set the TRACK/INSTRUMENT selector to #1.
    * The PATTERN GROUP will be selected automatically
  4. Press the CLEAR/RESET button (F) to reset the Track to the 1st bar.
  5. Start the rhythm.
    * The rhythm will run and return to the 1st bar of the track at the end of the D.C. bar. This will be continuously repeated.

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