The drum machine is the beating heart of every electronic musician’s studio. Still, the best drum machines are more than mere timekeepers. In fact, there are often a wealth of features under the hood to explore. This series, with videos by JAde Wii and Peter Brown, explores powerful drum sequencing techniques in a variety of contexts, from trigger basics to complex Eurorack rigs. Whether you’re a producer, beatmaker, or DAWless jammer, these tips and tricks will inspire your creative process.
Eurorack Possibilities
The Roland TR-06 is capable of banging out massive drum tracks all on its own. Still, the core function of its inputs and outputs is to allow the device to interface directly with other gear. The MIDI and USB ports provide one way to do this. However, so do the trigger inputs and outputs. This is particularly the case when it comes to connecting with Eurorack modular gear. Eurorack represents an ecosystem of oscillators, envelopes, filters, and modules—even entire synths. All work together to extend existing production setups.
Triggers are essentially short pulses of voltage sent from the five trigger outputs of the TR-06. The machine’s single trigger input can also receive these pulses. These triggers (or “trigs”) work for a variety of functions. Some include playing synth or drum notes, advancing a sequencer, resetting a sequence from the start, or firing off an envelope or LFO.
Step by Step
Here, we have an example of how the TR-06 can integrate directly into a Eurorack setup. First, we send the output of a resonator sound source into a reverb module. We go out from there into a Eurorack mixer and then into the TR-06’s MIX input. This represents the audio signal path.
"Experimenting with uneven clock sources can unlock an incredible amount of potential for unexpected grooves and rhythmic cadences."
We then take the TR-06 ACCENT TRIGGER OUT into the resonator’s trigger input, meaning that every time the ACCENT track sends a trig, a sound plays on the resonator. Scroll to SEND using the TR-06 VALUE knob, then hit the TAP button and use VALUE to set the amount thereof. Now, the resonator goes through the TR-06 effects, with just the right amount of wetness on the signal.
Lastly, we send the BD TRIGGER OUT into the clock input of the Eurorack sequencer. This allows it to send melodic sequences to the resonator that remain precisely in time with our jam, driven by the clock of the TR-06. From here, we’re able to run free and experiment with different melodies and syncopations. We can do so without worrying about the different components falling out of sync.
"Driven by the clock of the TR-06, we’re able to run free and experiment with different melodies and syncopations."
Uneven Clock Sources
It’s worth noting that in this case, the BD isn’t playing back a simple 4:4 rhythm. However, it still provides a consistent clock source to drive the sequence through the Eurorack sequencer. Experiment with these kinds of “uneven” clock sources running out of the TR-06’s trigger outputs. It can unlock an incredible amount of potential for unexpected grooves and rhythmic cadences. Remember, Eurorack is all about experimentation. Having the TR-06 as the beating heart of a modular rig allows for an amazing amount of hands-on creative control.
