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.

chale21

October 23, 2012 @ 8:32 am

Does anyone know where I can find the sticker that goes on top on the Roland TR626, with the presets?
Also, I'm looking for a power supply for a Hear Back 600 MV.
Thanks.

Andyroo

October 8, 2012 @ 11:07 am

CORRECTION: Sounds are AWESOME. Not Drab. Vangelis and Andyroo LOVE TR-626...Blade Runner Shaniqua Positive+=

MESSAGE TO EDITORS: If you Want a Good Repupation, U Should Remove Derogatory and Subjective Comments and just Tell It like it IS. VANGELIS and ANDRYOO LOVE TR-626...Cosmic Orchestra Rhythm Section

ROLAND Agrees With ANDYROO's Brilliant LOVE 4 TR-626

" It is Perhaps Z bEST 80s Rhythm Composer "

John Difool

August 5, 2012 @ 8:30 pm

Sound On Sound review:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov98/articles/rolandtr626.htm

Wolfgang Palm

July 28, 2012 @ 10:53 am

Also used by Front 242: "In Circling Overland we had a Roland 626, where we simply changed kick and snare drums to two toms and in that way achieved a more original rhythm pattern."

Andrew

May 25, 2012 @ 10:17 am

@drummchimp I have to disagree with you on several points. First of all, the DR-550 has 16 bit samples, and none of the DR-550 sounds sound anything like the ones on TR-626. Having said that, TR-626 is far superior to the DR-550 because it has voioce tunning, 8 indivicual outs, and a RAM card slot. DR-550 is a cheap alternative; however, you can produce some stunning patterns with DR-550 by assigning the same sound to multiple pads with different leves, panning, and tone color. The effects can be stunning, trust me. I can do dynamcs and panned delay effect on the DR-550 with great results.

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