ROLAND - TR-66 RHYTHM ARRANGER INFO PAGE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date = 1974

Country = Japan

Type = Analogue

Drum Voices = 10

Rhythms = 27 + 27 (Preset)

Rhythm Combining = Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Looking back in hindsight, it's now quite clear that the TR-66 was an interim model between the initial three rhythm units Roland launched in 1972 and the first CompuRhythm machines that would arrive in 1978 and as such, has the best of both generations in terms of overall sound.

The tag "Rhythm Arranger" meant that you were encouraged to take the 18 basic kick, snare and hi-hat patterns from the top section of the machine and combine them with the nine percussion patterns at the bottom. When you consider that each rhythm had an A & B variation, (which could be selected by a switch or set to run from one to the other) the TR-66 actually offered 36 more patterns than the later CR-68 and CR-78 CompuRhythm models which inexplicably went back to one and two bar patterns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sadly, the balance control on the TR-66 is a simple tone control and doesn't completely mute the hi-hats or kick in either extreme setting...

 

 

 

 

 

 

It would have been fantastic if it had as it would have enabled us to get more variations out of the patterns and lift out more isolated single hits, but regardless of the lack of control over voices we're quite fond of the sound of the 66. We're even prepared to stick our necks and say it has the best overall snare drum sound of all the '70s Rolands. It's actually made up of two tones and is certainly better than the white noise burst of the earlier TR's and a lot warmer than the CR-78's razor-sharp "chiff". Check out the kick because that's pretty awesome too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We plan to expand the sample pack for this machine soon by going back and putting it to use the way it was intended by making a whole bunch of combination patterns. We have omitted two rhythms from this set however, (Bass & Snare 1 & 2) because in isolation, they are just a bit too basic to be of any use but when we go back and make the expansion pack, you will get everything. For now, you're still getting a pretty impressive range of patterns and if you buy this set, we'll give you the expansion set without charge if you ask for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The TR-66 is most famous for providing the "Cha-Cha" rhythm on Roxy Music's "Dance Away" in 1979.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Pack Info:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recycle RX2 Loops:

Single drum hits (WAV):

This sample set contains 25 four bar loops of all the preset rhythms, (except the two bass & snare beats which are just too basic to bother with) but what you effectively get are 50 two bar loops because both of the A & B variations are included in each loop.

This set contains 39 individual drum hits:

6 Kicks, 10 Snares, 14 Hi-Hat/Cymbals and 9 percussion sounds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's so special about these sample packs? Quite simply, there isn't anywhere on the internet or in any commercial sample library where you can get this stuff. We made these samples because nobody else has.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Dubsounds sample packs are sampled directly from our own drum machines. They are definitely NOT ripped from sample CD's, unlike many you see on Ebay at the moment, (which is a bit sad). All the rhythms are recorded directly into Pro-Tools from the machine's audio output and are not equalised, compressed or effected in any way. We want you to have the closest thing to the real machine as possible but with the added benefits of seamless integration into your VST host. The only thing we have done is to CAREFULLY remove any unwanted electrical noise and hum present in the signal, (if required) and taking extreme care to avoid damaging the delicate percussive transients. These samples were made for our own use first and foremost!

 

 

 

 

 

 

TR-66 Rhythm Arranger - 25 loops - 39 hits - (17Mb download)

£ 12.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note:

Before buying; please make sure that you have read the information on the drum sounds intro page