Roland TR-6S vs TR-8S vs MC-101 // Review and full workflow tutorial
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- If you like the ideas, tips and insight in this video, there's plenty more in my ever-expanding book of electronic music ideas, tips and tricks here:
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Check out prices here (affiliate links help the channel):
► TR-6S on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/7A2Y5
► Search TR-6S on Amazon: amzn.to/36mrBW8
► Search TR-6S on Thomann: www.thomann.de/intl/search_di...
► MC-101 on Amazon: amzn.to/3ii6h6n
► MC-101 on Sweetwater: imp.i114863.net/eo9mQ
► TR-8s on Amazon: amzn.to/33hjlon
My detailed comparison between the MC-101 and MC-707:
► • Roland MC101 vs. MC707...
Detailed TR-8S review with performance ideas applicable to the TR-6S:
► • Review: Roland TR-8S V...
Model Cycles review:
► • Elektron Model Cycles ...
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TIMELINE:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Overview
2:15 TR-6S vs TR-8S
2:25 IO & power
3:05 Controls
3:15 Track knobs
4:45 Other controls
6:25 Variations
7:10 Mixer view
7:25 Sequencing
10:05 Tone banks
12:25 Kit params
13:30 Mutes
14:05 Inst params
15:05 Samples
15:25 TR-6S vs MC101
19:35 Tips & tricks
19:50 Pros & cons
21:10 TR-8S teaser
Want to email me personally?
► Ziv (at) loopopmusic.com
NOTE: Occasionally I’ll try out affiliate marketing and include affiliate links. This means that I may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links. The content of this clip is entirely my opinion, and was not paid for or dictated in any way by the company creating the gear. Without addressing the particulars of products shown here as they might be under NDA, gear shown on this channel may be either sent by the manufacturer, on loan for review or bought at a discount.
As soon as i hear the 'Hi' at the start, I know it's a good 30 or so minutes of full edutainment.
Edutainment. Never heard that before, I like it. My spellcheck let it slip by without the blue line, spellcheck must like it too
Absolutely the best gear walkthroughs anywhere, thanks as always!
I find out about a new piece of gear and a review is waiting for me a few minutes later.
Loopop is a national treasure.
You mean international :-)
You always make a video that answers all of my questions. Thank you so much for being such an awesome and helpful person.
Really fantastic overview, explains all the stuff you really want to know before taking the plunge! Thanks.
Dude, I can't express enough the eye and mind pleasure your vids are! I sincerely hope you get paid more than enough for your efforts since you explain nu product for us who are in desire but slightly insecure wether to buy or not in such a stimulating way! SUBSCRIBE PEOPLE!!!
Thanks! Actually as a matter of policy I never accept payment for reviews (though the gear is either free or has a lower than retail cost to it)
@@loopop And this is why I trust you as a reviewer.
This dude is highly knowledgeable about every detail when it comes to these devices. Very intelligent that’s for sure
Great review, as always! But that TR8s teaser @ the end... Wow!! Really, really nice and inspiring!
Always with the videos everyone really needs 👏🏾
As soon as I typed "TR6s vs MC101" into google your video popped up, perfect!
Your demo tracks are getting better! ❤️❤️
I just pulled the trigger on a Vermona DRM 1 mk3. So that puts the mc101 under my radar. Really cool to see those sample phrase editing functions that are reminiscent of the archaic samplers that had no more than LED number displays on the 606. FINALLY! Something I’ve been hoping for my whole life! Ability to upload samples of my live drum kit into that TR style sequencer grid and then get that pitch, envelope and simple edits that really are the essence of so much modern music, this is a dream come true. Fruity loops delivered that long ago, and first iterations of the monome grid were early hints, but only bound to the mundane monotony of computer software, and knobs one at a time through the mouse. ROLAND IS LISTENING AND WATCHING, THANKS ROLAND!! COMPREHENSIVE AS ALWAYS LOU, THANKS!
Just arrived home. Perfect timing. Thanks, loopop!
Excellent review, comparison, and summary, as always. Nice to see more options from Roland.
I like this volca-size range Roland is making.
I also like that they have the functionality of about a dozen Volca's. Finally I can pretty much make an entire track on the couch. (I guess an Electribe could do that too, but I just don't love the sound of it.)
@@simonboisjoli316 The MC-101 is a very fair price IMO. It's basically a tiny workstation with 4 channels. You can do a lót more with 1 MC-101 than you can do with 3 Volca's.
@@OttosTheName Well, I mean there was the ipad already and that's pretty overpowered as far as couch composing goes. But yeah, they cost more than a volca but they do the same as a dozen volcas.
@@robertsyrett1992 oh yeah those can do a whole lot too, I just don't like working on touchscreens
@@OttosTheName I've been using my mc707 on the couch for months :)
Thank u so much for making these videos! So valuable and insightful
I somehow completely missed this little machine and your video on it...looks like a great unit and your video was super helpful as always, thanks Ziv!
Great video! Excited for mine! Shift + Value knob for quicker scrolling. Useful when adjusting reverb send. TR-6S and MC-101 are a portable powerhouse pair.
Unit:E Looking forward to see what you can pull off with these two small boxes ;)
Great review - answering just the questions I've got!
Very dynamic and informative at the same time. And your track in the end sounds ear candy to me👍👍
19:00 You can also use the Value Knob to switch between the drum sounds, so you don't have to switch to the Note Page and then back to the Seq Page. It's only a minor workflow difference though, if you want to go from Kick (typically on 9) to Clap (typically on 2) you have to scroll a bit. It's just slightly more pleasant to me. Often the 101 has a couple ways of doing things, which I like.
Excellent review as always - thank you. For some reason, I didn't get a notification of this one, the last one I got from you was for the BOSS RC 500 but I landed on it anyway! I have the TR-8S already so I don't have a need for the TR-6S but it is interesting to see the direction that Roland are going with this.
Thank you very much Loopop, really great review. For the price I think this is a great little groovebox.
I have pretty much zero studio space left and need a drum machine, was just about to go for a TR-09 (even though it's not really what I need) - the 6S looks perfect! 🤙
Another awesome video. Thanks for your work. I would love to see you comepare TR6 vs Model Cycles
Looppop. The go-to for reviews and tutorials as always, excellent work!
Sound great and look fun to use. Great review again! Cheers and stay safe. :-)
Roland is killing it! Great review Loop 🙏🏾
I like how this review of the TR-6S drops literally less than 24 hours after I ordered my TR-8S. I still prefer the 8 but the comedic timing is not lost on me. :-)
You won't be disappointed. The Tr8s is a monster
I was oscillating between TR-8S and Digitakt and ordered Digitakt worrying on Elektron will release something new like Digitakt MK2 soon. Still worry... :)
Classic.👌
The TR-6s is great, but stick with the TR-8s! It’s the better machine.👍🏽🇬🇧
Thanks for sharing this. I will be getting one for sure. I have the MC--101 and this will be a perfect match for it..Thanks
So you will use MC-101 just for melody? When you get both set up, please make a video I'm curious how you will use both together.
Same here ;-)
@@kerosene4751 the MC-101 comes with ZEN engine and thousands of really good sounds, OneShot Samples and Looper function with timestretch mode, which the TR-6S does not offer.
I didnt have enough money to watch your videos...😁
Thanks man! Great as allways!
Very nice. I may have to purchase the TR-6S. It has alot of cool features. Thanks for the video.
Your videos are always so good! Thank you for the time you put in this.
As there is no song mode, is it possible to recall patterns or kits via Program Changes? From a DAW or a midi sequencer?
@13:30 For clarity, the "Mute"in the menu is "Choke". You select which instrument overrides the sound of another instrument. Cheers!
Thanks for the clarification and you are of course right! It just reminded me that I didn't cover the mute function...
@@loopop glad you did cover it. I would have been searching. Lol!
Your videos are really great man. So detailed, and informative. I recently got the TR6-S to go with my Deepmind 12, Neutron, Microfreak and Volcas *but* I kinda wish I had've watched this before getting the TR. I mean it is good, and I will definitely keep it but I think the MC-101 would be a better fit for me, in as much as having more drum parts available (even if they're buried within a single polyphone track) and also the off-grid placement. What'd be really interesting is to see how they work together. I'll see which of my Volcas I can stand to part with and then use the proceeds to get the 101!
I dont fully understand why they didnt put an off grid option on the tr-6s. Thats the only thing holding me back
This came out of nowhere!
Yeah. I had no idea there was even a TR-6S coming out
Sure did
Roland: Don't call it a comeback!
I know right, however with the economy in flux, idk about releasing it right now (if movie studios are considering 2020 a write off, electronic music equipment companies should take that as a hint, hell with Covid, music stores are practically like museums)
@@sawtooth808 Good point. Maybe that's part of it - something cheaper and slimmed down using the acb tech from the big brothers?
Over the decades of programming synths, effects and beat boxes....I found there is not a perfect ONE solution. I am finding out that using many different beat boxes all MIDI synced together provides a very good solution using each to the strongest potential. So Roland has now given us the option of pairing up the MC and TR6s together for a 10 track drum/chord/melody sequence. Today I use 4 different devices for sequencing at the same time, just added sampling this week for my 4th device with a 1010music BlackBox.
Sweet
I don't know Yuzo Koshiro managed to perfect the Sega Genesis's feeble chip convincingly enough.
What a coincidence. I literally ordered an MC-101 today and then the 6S drops! I may have to indulge yet again! Great comparison as always.
I feel like the 6S and the 101 could be a real nice portable combo.
@@jojojiles Totally! I'm still waiting for my 101 to arrive but it's got to be done I fear ;)
@@jojojiles Combined with a Behringer 100b batterypowered mixer and a JBL Partybox, definitely a nice portable combo
I was just about to pull the trigger on a TR-8S but am now thinking I'll go for a 6S. Save a couple hundred bucks and it will look good next to my MC-101!!!
THIS IS THE BEST CHANNEL ON UA-cam! THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHTS AND PROFESSIONALISM.
Nearly did the same. Only wanted the acb for studio. This might be a better option.
Sweetwater says they won't be available for a few months! Musicians Friend doesn't say .
@@ToddVaules Pre-orders from Sweetwater aren't shipping until December:(
@@alfreddawson3765 that’s actually sooner than they told me a few weeks ago. So maybe I’ll wait. There are a couple of vendors on Reverb that are shipping at the end of October but I’d rather use my Sweetwater card even if it means waiting a bit.
Oh shit i was just searching MC101 in youtube and ya BOI is BACK
Finally so much thank u!!!!its for me very use full!!!thanx.
Yo loopop thanks so much for all the videos I really appreciate it 🙏
I guess you get these kinds of messages a lot but would you do a video about the Roland SP-404A / SX sampler at some point?
Anyway thanks again and keep up the good work, peacee 🤘
thanks mate, nice review!
Thanks for another great video. Still MC-707 all the way for me!
Ok! Drop two dope reviews in one day!!!
Thanks so much for your insight & passion;-)
Great video as always loopop!! The MC101 and TR6s are to me the counter part to the elektron samples: an easy accessible beginners toy that wants to hook newcomers to a certain workflow...unless you really need the portability, I recommend to save the extra bucks for the bigger brother and get a drum machine that is still hands-on but, most importantly, also gives the possibility to grow into; a drum machine you will always learn sth new from every time you touch it.
Thank you for the comparison.
I'll stick with my MC-101 👍 Thanks for that In-Depth Review, always a Pleasure 🔥
this was so helpful thank u
THIS IS IT !!! IT WILL GET ME THERE !!
Would love a comparison Between the TR-6s and the new T-8. The loopop videos are great by the way. Helps me decide a lot of time before buying or not buying gear.
I had a T-8 and went to a TR-6s and a Behringer TD-3. The T-8 is a lot more limited but still usable. Debating whether to trade in the TR-6s for a TR-8s now.
I think the Aira series on the second hand market, like the TR-8, & TB-3 with their ACB sound, the 1 to 1 functions, and ease of use still compete just as well!
Instead of an mc-101, I prefer a System-1 plug out 25key synth.
They have a great workflow for in studio, a Live performance/ jamming, or a sketchpad at home make them very flexible too.
It's so mini. I like it. But I LOVE my TR8S though. Cool addition to the lineups. 👍
Yep. I like this device but it cant beat my TR8s for usability.
It'd be cool to see a Loopop review of the Tanzbar 2.
I hope you do a review on the other model TR-06
hi , awesome review as usual bro , bought a tr-6s yesterday , i love it , but you are right i wish they had the overall mixier view in the 6s (and a semi-tone option on the tune knob :p ) , did anybody found it somewhere or is it just not there ? Mr Roland if you're reading this please put in an update
I was about to get an 8s but am now torn between that and the 6s. The big thing that puts me off the 6s is only having 6 tracks. Does it feel really limited after having 11 tracks on the 8s? I like the idea of taking the core sounds of say a 909 and building on them with some crazy fm sounds, but with the 6s it seems like you'd have the core sounds and then not have any room to add to it. If it had 8 tracks it'd be an absolute no brainer for me, but 6 sounds just a bit too limiting.
Great video appreciated
Your videos are extremely helpful! I was trying to decide between buying a TB-3 & Tr-8 or an MC-707, and this video really helped me decide! Thankyou so much. I like your balance of explaining things from different perspectives, in this case the compact vs control detail, and how you can explain very technical and detailed aspects of the devices in a way that is easy to comprehend and understand. Many thanks.
Great comparison! I bought an MC-101 about a year ago, and recently picked up a TR-6S... I really want an 8S, but baby steps, hehe. I know, some people might ask why both, but in a way, I see the two machines excel in different areas. The TR is a rhythm box with the advantage of its ACB and sampling, which I see as an opportunity to lay down an ambient base while the MC with the Zen Core engine gives you a lot more latitude for adding a lot more to a track, especially with all the Zen packs Roland provides via Roland Cloud.
I'm just an aging hobbyist at this point, but I do miss my earlier days as a DJ when I experimented quite a bit - If we only had this kind of technology back then... Anyway,. if there's anything critical I'd say about either the 6S or 101 it's that with the condensed form factor, it does take some time to get used to the multi-functional buttons in the interfaces - but you can't deny that being able to take these anywhere to create is a big plus. In the end, I'm a Roland fanboy, so I would recommend either to anyone - or both, if you are keen on the differences - that I see anyway.
Looking forward to getting that 8S one day soon! And I like the idea of getting an MC-707, but as a hobbyist, that original price was steep. Glad to see it has come down a bit, but I wonder what the price would be were it not for current economic conditions?
Hey, @JCChaconJr I'm looking to buy the MC-101, to use it with my TR-6S. I want to add chords and synths melody to my TR-6S early works. ;) Do you confirm i will be able to ?
@@Digital_K I haven’t picked up MIDI cables as of yet, but I have seen a few videos here where people have sync’d the two. I don’t recall if you set the 6S to sync off the 101 or vice-versa, but they can work together.
@@jcchaconjr Thx !!
I have another criticism about these. Not having audio inputs was a huge oversight. I get that they saved that functionality for the big brothers, but it's failed commercial logic in my head. By having just a 3.5mm jack with no phantom power, and allowing users access to the sample engine inside the device, it adds a massive layer of independence for these products. If you want something that really makes the big brothers shine and gives people a reason to upgrade, add more audio inputs. Any of these platforms could easily double as a hardware mixer, if they had only added a little bit of i/o. Heck, even if they just had a mix in/out like the aria compacts, that would put these at a much higher level of independence from computers and compatibility with other hardware.
When I was just about to trade my old tr8 for an electribe this comes out! I’m so excited to get this instead
Great swap and great choice
“Good thing I have this plant here...” - that’s pretty funny.
Great video as always! Even though the MC 101 is more oriented towards melodic sounds vs percussive sounds, does it have all the drum kits that the 6S has?
Thanks! 6S has a whole range of drum synths and 101 only samples
Great video. I bought a Behringer Rd8 this week because I thought the 6s was to small for my taste and I don’t like menu diving. But then after seeing this video I canceled the order and went for the tr-8s. I don’t think it’s expensive since you have effects en multiple classic Roland’s onboard.
That's a huge jump in price though.
Was it the MK2?
I actually think the RD8 is too big.
I would have loved for it to be the size of the TD3 or just slightly bigger.
The biggest piece of gear I own is the Force and I hate how massive it is...
I’m on the verge of buying an MC707 with one of the TR drum machines. Initially i was going with the tr6s but the tr8s with 11 channels and full controls is really appealing. Anyone with the experience on both?
Very Helpful Review. I enjoyed it.
I love your videos! I like these Roland-Volca, but the price is too much... For that range, I prefer an Elektron machine!
I feel like Roland and Elektron are in a groovebox cold war and I’m loving it
Don't forget the Tracker!
And the MPCs, and Maschine +. Just need the Novation Circuit 2 and a standalone Spark from Arturia to enter the fray now...
i like the idea of the 6S as a more accessible version of the 8S, for people who want a good drum machine but are new to the game and cannae afford its more expensive sister and dont have the space for it even if they could.
i think real synt noobs are better of with a volca beats.. smaller, cheaper and u can use it as present later if you get a better drum machine.
How about progrssive programming? Like when you play var A, you edit varB？is it available on the small one?
@6:55 I could listen to this all day. Is that a stock pattern or one you made? It needs to be released in song format
Hello there, nice video ! thanks !
Quick question from a complete newbie !
Would the tr6s or tr8s, be a good starting point for creating music content and recording those +- easely ?
I see we can make synth melodies, wich is what i'm also looking for (really like what you did in the end of the vids btw) (i'm saying that coz it's defenatly the style i'm aiming to create myself (someday i mean)
But is it... easy to jump in ? (i think i got a decent ear but the technical aspect afraid me a whole lot)
Also, based on the little sample you play at the end of the vidéo, can we do that on the 6S aswell or, are the 6 channel a bit too small to be "at ease" and might "stuck" on the creation aspect ?
Also wondering... Why SD cards instead of USB to download and transfert your works ... ? why passing by those little tiny cards... instead of a good old usb wich my computer can read fast without passing by a sd card reader (we also have to plug to the computer by... USB...)
Then last, but not least : how about software ? Is it an obligation with those kind of instrument to edit them somewhere on any application or is the Roland going to provide a .wav (or any sort of readable files) out of the box once created ? (i'm asking coz, those software and instruments, always afraid me on the complexity side. So i'm asking if those only TR Models were "auto-suffisent" at creating) ?
if i could, at first, lower the number of "tool" to manage and learn from, it would be a much better/easier/smoother learning experience for me
Hope my questions are not too stupid here...
Just have that old dream of someday, jump into that electronic music passion i have, and try to see if i could ever create few tracks for myself
Cheers from belgium
I've loved my TR-6S for a little over a year...until half the step buttons stopped working. BIG bummer! Not sure if I should pay to get it fixed, or just get the TR-8S. They are fantastic machines!
Love ya, Loop!
How long is the warranty? (Self-destruct Day - 1)?!
Great video. Do you think an Elektron Cucles would pair well with an MC-101? I’d like to have the option, even though I’d ultimately just travel with one.
Could you use midi in with a keyboard to play the fm synths melodicly? If so only mono?
Subscribed 👌
Trying to decide between a model cycles or samples. This just made it more tricky. Models seem to have better sequencer and less menu diving. Tr6s looks to be sonically more flexible (samples and drum synthesis). As a toy, which would be more fun? I rewatched the model cycles review after seeing this. Haven't a clue which to get now. Help!!! (Maybe I just need a tr8s)
This video made me decide for mc-101 i even didnt want to get the mc-101
Lol
I have the TR-8S so obviously not getting the TR-6S. But I remember feeling the pain when I dropped $1000 bucks for it. If TR-6S was around at the time, I would have picked it up. It basically has the same sounds and ability as its big brother without too many nerd features. Damn!
Yes! This is exactly what I’ve been waiting for! I have the model cycles but I’m finding it a bit too FM sounding. I was researching for hours just the other day and there was nothing else in this space. Definitely gonna grab it! More compact than the model cycles too :)
Frankly a bit disappointed in model cycles; I got one a few months ago and I just wanna let it go and get the 6s instead. Agree with the FM sounding aspect, especially for drums. You can definitely apply distortion to the tracks to warm up the sounds but you end up having very similar tracks. The 6s seems straightforward and sounds great for the price.
Thanks for this! What drum machine (apart from these) would you recommend for a pure srum machine to be used live as a programmable backup loop for my guitar?
I like it , if mixer view is added i will real it in :0 great review.
I wonder... I'm still way into the Elektron workflow, but I just bought the TR6S to get a taste of the Roland way. Curious how this will work out. Since I already have the Digitakt (keeper), I wonder if it could replace both my Elektron Models.
Wow, I’m actually first. What are the odds of that? Great stuff as always loopop!
Let me be the first to congratulate you for being first.
You are the best.
It’d be nice of Roland to also implement the FM engine into the TR8
Amazing🤩
I can't find two things and really tried.. Can you help. 1. On the MPC 101 and MPC 107, is it possible to have more loops (audiofiles) as clips on a track? So, not one loop on a track, but more? 2. On the same machines (101 and 70a7): is it possible within a loop to use (the) step sequencer buttons to mute or change parameters within an audio loop? Thanks!
What a great video. I made my choice :)
Loopop you must read manuals like students read textbooks like.... how do you know everything relax you make us look bad 😂. Great video as always💪.
Thanks! Please don't tell anyone, I usually indeed do read the manuals, but for the the 6S it's so much like the 8S I just skimmed it. Totally cheated there
So i am thinking of adding a TR to my setup.. (own a MV-1, 101 and a couple electribes).. not sure if I should go for the 6 or the 8?
Has there been an update to the Tr-6s? adding the mixer view?.... I like the one button per function work flow so maybe the 8s is the way to go :/
Are there preset patterns of drum progressions already in the MC101? Or sings in the MC to use?
I know you mentioned that there is no velocity sensitivity on the pad/keys, but are there ways to still change the velocity of each key, or are they all just at 100% all the time?
Also just wanted to say because of your videos I have bought the Minilogue XD and this week will be getting this! one of the very very few people I trust with musical gear.
Thanks for the kinds words and trust. Yes, you can set velocity on a per step basis by holding the step and editing the velocity value using the encoder
@@loopop Thank you for your quick answer! first time buying a drum machine pretty stoked.
I had all three of these but returned the MC-101. One button was sticking a little, but still I didn’t like it, then again I didn’t give it enough time. Regardless I have the 8s & 6s.
I enjoy playing the 6s more then the 8s. It’s just so compact and easy to use. It flows better for me then the 8s for some reason. I thought about getting a 2nd 6s and selling the 8s. Then perhaps getting the dj style Faderfox UC4 controller to mix them. I could get down like that, but it’s too early to purchase anything more. I have yet to properly learn them both.
I bought all these at the time, and the only one Ive kept is the MC101
The tr6 or the 101....what would be the best for a first?? Or something else for around the $350 or below price?
Looooove the battery power!!
From what I can see from this video the 6S and 8S do not have the thing called ‘song’ mode where you can sequence at pattern level and ‘hands off’ a lot more.
Thus is it relatively easy to switch between patterns when performing live - and - for the pattern variant option can you make the variants anything you wish or do they have to be related derivatives?
Can you midi in song type data from another machine?
I was looking at Korg Electribes and same thing I think - no song mode.
Can the TR8S set or send any panning or balance signal for individual voices?
I keep thinking of the 101 just for access to the zen core, a bit like a Roland greatest hits preset machine
Yes, me too. Multi-timbral for playing from remote keyboards, or sequencing 4 tracks with chords, or both. The downside is one stereo output which means using the internal effects, but those effects are probably good enough. We can also layer a 4 tone synth too all 4 on MIDI channel one.
and the Looper function