Roland TM-6 Pro

88
| JULY 2018 WWW.MUSICRADAR.COM/RHYTHM
GEAR REVIEW
W
hen it comes to going hybrid,
Roland has carved the path.
In recent years, we’ve seen
the SPD-SX, TM-2 and
SDP-One pads all offer solutions to gigging
drummers wanting to incorporate electronics
into an acoustic setup. At the heart of this
solution remains the same requirements:
supplementary sounds to augment a standard
kit, playback of backing tracks and tempo-
sensitive phrases, custom sounds and
convenient playing surfaces. So, with an
already extensive list of products fi lling its
catalogue, Roland has that sorted then, yes?
Well, apparently not, as the TM-6 Pro was
announced earlier this year alongside the
RT-MicS to add even more lines to Roland’s
ever-expanding line of hybrid gear.
Build
First off, let’s consider where the TM-6 fi ts.
The SDP-SX – Roland’s fl agship pad and
instantly-recognisable industry standard –
offers all of the requirements mentioned
above, but it uses fi xed playing surfaces,
doesn’t offer hi-hat pedal control, has internal
memory and a limited number of inputs for
additional triggers to place around your kit.
The TM-2 is like a Swiss Army Knife of simple
hybrid capability, complete with SD card slot.
But again, it offers limited trigger input for
bigger kits, and integrating backing tracks for
live use is a fi ddly work due to the lack of
output busses. The recently-launched
SPD::One pads are each brilliant at their
intended purpose, however, they aren’t really
a full-stocked solution. All of these products
have their place, depending on your
requirements and how far down the hybrid
rabbit hole you’re intending to delve.
So, Roland, what we’d like is a module that
has a decent number of trigger inputs, can
play back samples, uses an expandable
memory format (like the TM-2), allows us to
hook up our hi-hat controller, and offers
brilliant backing/click track management in
the same style as the SPD::One Wav. Also, if it
£769 Ready to pull the trigger? This do-it-all
device from Roland might well change your
expectations of using electronics live
ROLAND
TM-6 PRO
WORDS: STUART WILLIAMS
CLICK MANAGEMENT
The TM-6 Pro incorporates the
same click management abilities
as the SPD::One Wav, making
playing with backings a breeze
EXPANDABLE MEMORY
Unlike the SPD-SX, the TM-6 Pro
features an SD card slot for quickly and
easily importing your own samples
could feature new contemporary sounds, and
act as an audio interface, we wouldn’t
complain. Oh, hang on…
Hands On
As you can tell, the TM-6 Pro is extremely
well-stocked, and the obvious comparison
(thanks to the name) is to think of it as a
big-boy version of the TM-2. It basically offers
the same level of sound sources as an
electronic kit’s module, including 500 brand
new sounds created by the likes of Michael
Shack, Kaz Rodriguez and Chris Whitten, but
with the integration of features that will be
First off, let’s consider where the TM-6 fi ts.
instantly-recognisable industry standard –
offers all of the requirements mentioned
above, but it uses fi xed playing surfaces,
invaluable when playing live. And it’s obvious
Roland has listened and thought about exactly
what those needs are. Upon taking the
module out of the box, you’re met by its
simple and stylish layout. There are six bold
soft switches, three rotary controls for editing
your sounds, plus a slick-looking LED screen
and smaller buttons for navigating through
the module. The three pots at the top edge of
the module give you control over the master
output and click/song volume (more about
that later). It’s all very intuitive. There’s a lot
going on inside, so unlike the TM-2, the TM-6
is powered by mains only, and our fi rst (and
Also try…
2
ROLAND
SPD::ONE
We say: “Roland’s
SPD::One pads are the
perfect solution for
more specifi c hybrid
uses. An ideal
entry-point into the
world of electronics.”
1
ROLAND TM-2
We say: “The TM-2 from
Roland is battery
powered, can import
custom sounds from an
SD card, and offers up
to four mono trigger
inputs.”
RHY282.gear_roland.indd 88 18/05/2018 17:37