The TR-626 is sort of an upgraded digital version of the classic TR-606 and TR-505 Rhythm Composers. This beat-box is still simple but has a few good points that come from its legendary ancestors - the TR-909 and TR-808. Its sounds are pretty drab, they are 12 bit low-quality samples of the most boring acoustic drum sounds around. Fortunately the sounds can be individually tuned and mixed and there are 8 individual outputs for the basic sounds as well as a stereo out. Its sequencer is very basic, coming with 48 preset patterns and 48 user patterns. But it has a simple matrix display similar to that on the TR-505, clearly displaying the current pattern in a graphical layout. The 626 also featured very good MIDI implementation for it's time. It has been used by Vangelis and Jimmy Edgar.

Alex

June 18, 2013 @ 11:47 am

I don't know where they got the idea that this is a 12-bit machine. I've got one that I've done quite a bit of circuit bending on, and samples are played back through a resistor network DAC attached to the 8-bit data lines on the sample ROM. Drum sounds are then demultiplexed with a set of analog demux chips to the EG and mixers, then demuxed again to the individual outputs. Essentially, it has the same guts as the TR505.

Dan D

April 28, 2013 @ 8:51 pm

A great machine, good sounds, individual outs, and the grid-style programming rocks. Paired with the memory card, you're good to go.

patrick

April 6, 2013 @ 6:37 pm

If anyone would like to pass their 626 on to a good home for a reasonable price please get in touch to pat-king(at)live(dot)com, thanks.

Andrew Flinders

March 8, 2013 @ 12:06 pm

Please ignore the stupid Ratings on this website. Whoever writes these reviews and rates these classic synths is an ignorant douche. Good musicians don't spend their time rating -- and trashing -- great vintage musical instruments. Trust Roland and Yamaha...they were not capable of releasing a product in the 80s that was not anything less than amazing.

DJTypist

February 21, 2013 @ 10:39 pm

I think all these cheaper roland drum machines are highly underrated.... Ive got a 707, 505 and now a 626. All you need to bring these machines to life is some reverb (holy grail) and some outboard compression a cheap 100 dollar compressor should do u well (really only the kicks need it!). If anyone watches Boiler Room performances, all drum machines these days are well worth their value if your interested in live performing with out ableton/laptops... Ableton performances are almost always boring with few exemptions. This machine rules! get some pedals you'll see.

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