Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger

The TR-66 is probably the simplest of the old drum machines. It is a very slimmed down CR-68 (as if that wasn't already slim enough). Roland sure scrimped on this one, there are only 27 preset patterns which are selected by a combination of switches and the bank buttons. There's little edit ability: 3 variations, a tempo knob and a balance knob. The typical waltz, rock, bossa nova, swing, shuffle and tango type presets are available.
Offering little or no use to modern day music production, this machines original purpose was to provide simple backup beats for solo organ playing or other instrument practice. It simply is far too un-flexible for any studio work but it is a nice addition to any vintage gear collection.
5 VISITOR COMMENTS
- Demos & Media
-

Video 1 - See and hear it in this YouTube Demo!Audio Clip 1 - The TR-66 used in context with a dope Big-Beat loop! The overall effect is the additional percussive elements the TR-66 adds to the loop.
Audio Clip 2 - This demo has some individual samples of the drum/perc sounds from the TR-66.
Manual - Roland has made manuals for most of their products available as free PDF downloads.
- Specifications
- Polyphony - 6 voice
- Sounds - Kick, snare, toms, hat, cymb, congas
- Controls - Tempo and balance
- Patterns - 27 preset Rhythm patterns
- Arpeg/Seq - n/a
- Keyboard - none
- Control - Trigger Out
- Date Produced - 1973
- Est. Value - $50
- Websites of Interest
- Resources & Credits
-
Images from Drum Machine Museum.
Errors or Corrections? Send them here.
Bass Drum
High Conga
Low Bongo
High Bongo
Cow Bell
Claves
Snare Drum
Rim Shot
Hi Hat/Maracas
Cymbal
Sadly, there's no trigger out. Patterns can be combined, and there are some variations (every 2/4 bars) so really there's more than just 27 presets.