TR-6S or Volca Drum - Which is the better first drum machine? TR-6S & Volca Drum Review

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 1 авг 2024
  • I've done so many videos on the TR-6S, and here's another one! This time I ask the question that nobody's asked: Is the TR-6S the best cheap drum machine, or is the Volca Drum a better option?
    As a long story short, it's a hard one but the TR-6S slightly edges it out for me based off of usability. The Volca Drum is brilliant for doing some more creative drum sounds.
    #TR6S #VolcaDrum #Roland #Korg #AfroHamurai
    00:00 - Intro
    00:41 - TR-6S Review
    03:05 - Volca Drum Review
    06:22 - Comparing the Manuals
    07:58 - Thoughts on the TR-6S
    09:47 - Thoughts on the Volca Drum
    10:40 - Outro
    10:53 - End Screen
  • ВидеоклипыВидеоклипы

Комментарии • 68

  • @sleepvessel2233
    @sleepvessel2233 Год назад +8

    Took me over a year to tame the volca drum. I wish it was bigger, but once you understand the layers, slice function and probability features, it's really amazing. the sounds that come out it are in a league of their own. It's a tiny beast.

  • @geofff6671
    @geofff6671 3 года назад +35

    Volca drum can do some crazy rhythms with its wave folding and can sound really cool and interesting. What it can’t do well is just conventional sounding drums.

    • @Chasing_Thoughts
      @Chasing_Thoughts 2 года назад +6

      It can create perfect 909 and 808 kick drums, also decent claps. But the hi hats it makes are nearly unusable. I don’t think the envelopes are fast enough to make that quick of a sound.

    • @Pastryarchy
      @Pastryarchy 2 года назад +6

      I’ve had no problem making conventional drum sounds, you just have to play with the layers independently to mimic initial hit and resonance , then be modest with your pitch and parameters

    • @marsoblivi0n945
      @marsoblivi0n945 9 месяцев назад

      Exactly why I want it. Has some mini monomachine vibes.

  • @Two-Eyed_Boy
    @Two-Eyed_Boy 3 года назад +3

    Exactly the comparison I needed! Thanks for taking the time to do this!

  • @geraldclark5812
    @geraldclark5812 2 года назад +15

    Volca Drum was one of my first synths, purchased in 2019. Just bought a TR-6S to go with my MC-101, so far so good. What I really wanted to comment on was how spot on your criticism of Korg's documentation is. I struggled for weeks trying to understand how to work the Volca Drum. By not emphasizing the importance of understanding Layers, Edit Step, and the difference between loading Programs vs. Kits (which I still think I don't have a handle on), you have to go through endless trial and error to figure out how Drum works, very frustrating. Today Volca Drum is my favorite synth, I love playing with the sounds and mangling them, not really great for playing along with other synths in a song, but by itself utter craziness. Korg probably thinks they're cute putting all the documentation on one big sheet of paper, they'd be better off pointing to you a more complete PDF like Roland does. Nice video!

    • @scottfaucett5747
      @scottfaucett5747 Год назад +1

      Lol, I bought a volca drum and sample 2
      I played with them got irritated, that sat for weeks and now I'm back at learning.
      thankfully we have RUclips 👍❤️👍
      I may still have a chance at learning... Lol

  • @kylekeller7577
    @kylekeller7577 3 года назад +7

    I own both. Go with the 6S!

  • @tomblaze2
    @tomblaze2 Месяц назад +1

    Great video - Thanks

  • @StephenGallagher101
    @StephenGallagher101 2 года назад +1

    Thank you for your excellent videos! I learn so much from you.

  • @SuperRingoffire1
    @SuperRingoffire1 2 года назад

    Thanks for the info 👌☮

  • @treborrenmus2420
    @treborrenmus2420 6 месяцев назад

    Very helpful, thank you

  • @Tiger.Arcade
    @Tiger.Arcade 2 года назад +1

    Great review man! I’m usually salty about reviews that don’t demo products but you were very thorough. I appreciate you mentioning at the end the model cycles as well. For me it’s between what you’ve mentioned here or forking out a bit extra for the digitakt.

    • @Alan_Watkin
      @Alan_Watkin 2 года назад

      holy shit, so i just watched this now and was about to comment an my eye just strayed down abit lol, an i seen you.....yeah was good this neary went with the tr6 volca drum was my first box of drums as good as it is, its to clunky 2buttons to do anything not when you've the body of boy, small boy!

  • @andrewstanworth529
    @andrewstanworth529 11 месяцев назад

    Love it!

  • @Turbo_TechnoLogic
    @Turbo_TechnoLogic 2 года назад +1

    Nice overviews thx

  • @LUPART
    @LUPART 3 месяца назад

    cool. I was just wondering about that Volca Drum. Thanks

  • @mikemeengs5720
    @mikemeengs5720 2 года назад +4

    Great video!
    I love my Drum, but I think I'll add the R6S just for all the standard drum sounds it offers...those TR kits sound great!

  • @NatLifeSounds
    @NatLifeSounds 3 года назад +5

    I have both, they are pretty different machines, both very useful and massive!

  • @micedevice2389
    @micedevice2389 2 года назад +3

    What a mic! It got the looks!

  • @sebastiennesp1978
    @sebastiennesp1978 2 года назад +1

    Top review mate! Enjoyable even if one is not in the market for a new drum machine. (Can you imagine such a person?!!) Decided to Subscribe...

  • @alexwestconsulting
    @alexwestconsulting Год назад +3

    I have both and recommend both. Elektron model:cycles too. All sound great with their own special features and sounds.

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  Год назад

      I’ve been lusting after a model:cycles for a while too - might see if they show up on sale anytime soon…

    • @alexwestconsulting
      @alexwestconsulting Год назад +1

      @@afrohamurai yup get a used one. Just make sure it includes midi dongle or 2. I got my used model cycles for half what I paid for my used tr6s.

    • @TheScreamingFrog916
      @TheScreamingFrog916 Год назад

      Agree, I have all three too, and the Elektron Syntakt. Will never part with any of them, as they all have unique qualities that I really like.

  • @huntrrams
    @huntrrams 3 года назад +6

    For me it’s the TR-6S! Love it a lot!

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  3 года назад +1

      Same! I’ve enjoyed the Volca Drum, but I think if I had to pick just one the TR-6S has more uses for me.

  • @sullycliftona
    @sullycliftona Год назад +1

    If any one has boutiques and needs a rack . Here’s a hack .. cut about 6 inches up and ten inches in on a milk crate do the same again so you have like step .. and you have yourself a nice platform ( I chose to do it width wise .. that way they sort of sit with a overhang on each side of machine … you can store two volca underneath on the flat bottom to. Use a jigsaw.. it took no time at all… you can make a slightly more complicated version if you cut on the other dimensions but th boutique will need a shelf built because they fit inside a crate with about 1 inch gap ..

  • @stevewoywitka3258
    @stevewoywitka3258 3 года назад +1

    Had the drum sold it. Want the 6s

  • @Alan_Watkin
    @Alan_Watkin 2 года назад

    well done was interesting this, i really looked at the TR6s as an upgrade from the volca drum, but ended up going with Behringer's RD9, the drum is a great box, but all the 2button one function stuff is not for me, but it sounds ok the drum was my first drum machine attempting to make mid 90s style house/trance it was enough to make me want more so i cant grumble really

  • @fallprecauxionsmusic
    @fallprecauxionsmusic Год назад +1

    great vid, sir!! & my name is rocco, so... it kinda felt like I was in the room. haha!!

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  Год назад +1

      Thank you, and welcome to the videos!

  • @channelz3363
    @channelz3363 3 года назад +5

    Thanks for this. I got the TR6S for the reasons you give and that’s also why I’m looking at the MC101 (for the synth mod aspects). TR6S is a keeper for me though.

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  3 года назад +3

      I’d imagine the combo of TR-6S and MC-101 would be a beast! Basically 10 tracks with 6 for drums and 4 for synth - thinking about it, it’s a pretty good small DAWless setup 👍🏾

  • @S4V0LAEN3N
    @S4V0LAEN3N 2 года назад +1

    For 1st drummachine from those two I'd say TR-6S - just because at least for me Volca Drum would be the last drum machine I'd ever need. :)

  • @TimWrightDJ
    @TimWrightDJ 2 года назад

    Great video, just waiting for the delivery of my TR-6S today and yours and looppops videos have already been very valuable in getting started with these.
    Care to share your Max4Live device to control the deeper parameters on the TR-6S?

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  2 года назад +2

      It’s downloadable from maxforlive.com/library/device/7123 - I also have a video that shows off some of what it used to to. There’s more it can do now and it behaves a bit better with automation

  • @Smegma_pirate
    @Smegma_pirate 2 года назад +5

    Two different machines for two different purposes. The 6s for the drums and bass and the volca for percussion, and texture

  • @Mikhael_bureau
    @Mikhael_bureau Год назад +2

    I have both, I really love the Volca Drum as it is very original and creative with it synth approach and it sound design potential, unfortunately, it has a great con: very fragile and easily broken, the keys are weak so I have to vote with the TR-6S.

  • @MrSeanyj69
    @MrSeanyj69 3 года назад +4

    Really enjoy your content and especially Rocco’s guarding skills. I’m on the edge of a TR8S purchase. Am I wasting money if I go for that over the TR6S. I’m drawn by its performance abilities and immediacy. What’s your thoughts?

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  3 года назад +3

      Thank you! Rocco appreciates it too 👍🏾😊
      The biggest thing that made me go for the 6S over the 8S was portability. The 8S only works indoors from a power outlet, but the 6S is properly portable.
      Although, if I had desk space (or end up with desk space) I would absolutely have the 8S permanently setup. It’s basically the same but with 11 tracks, and it can have all 11 output on separate analog outputs so if I had 11 inputs I’d be sorted.
      For me, they’re both absolutely worth it - I see the size and portability as the biggest things to consider.

    • @MrSeanyj69
      @MrSeanyj69 3 года назад +1

      @@afrohamurai Thanks Afro and Rocco. I’m looking for a permanent space and the external audio in is another thing. Anyhow keep up the good work!

  • @VJFranzK
    @VJFranzK 2 года назад

    (There are third party Volca USB power adaptors I think?) Electribe 2 and Circuit are also fine choices! which include full melody sections

  • @Decoy303
    @Decoy303 2 года назад +3

    Comparing apples to oranges.

  • @78thandSynth
    @78thandSynth 2 года назад

    I use the Volca Samole and TR-6S side by side. It’s like a tape vs a cd. I like both tapes and cds so I wouldn’t say which is better. But sound quality objectively is not comparable.

  • @tonycanderton1975
    @tonycanderton1975 3 года назад +4

    cool had the volca drum sold it I have a tr6s
    if you want fm drums go for the volca fm it's much more versatile regret selling the fm

    • @bobbythompson4268
      @bobbythompson4268 Год назад

      The fm is dif from the drum. I haven’t had any drum sounds come out of my fm.

  • @PaulOrtiz
    @PaulOrtiz 2 года назад +1

    I have almost all the Volcas, and so the completionist in me would love to have the Drum! But I recently picked up the TR-6S and MC-101 and they just have so many features in them. Maybe if I have some spare cash I'll pick the Drum up. But at this point I'm out of audio inputs lol Have you tried the MC btw?

    • @alexwestconsulting
      @alexwestconsulting Год назад

      Get the Volca Drum. Do it. Best of the lot. I use it for hats all the time, has an organic/unpredictable element to its sound that's perfect for hats.

  • @djdeemz7651
    @djdeemz7651 Год назад

    Volca goes well in DJ setup if your a scratch dj it's a dope little add on for your own scratch beats

  • @bjornlange635
    @bjornlange635 3 года назад

    Can the TR-6S control the Volca Drum via midi?

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  3 года назад

      I would think so - at very least it can sync to it's tempo. I haven't tried using the TR-6S as a MIDI controller beyond that

  • @Decoy303
    @Decoy303 Месяц назад

    They are completely different. That being said...
    Both are essential pieces of gear to own.

  • @leewightman8619
    @leewightman8619 Год назад

    Its say the roland t8 is a better option as its cheaper and has the bass 303 synth in it too

  • @mymockumentary9716
    @mymockumentary9716 2 года назад +1

    myvolts USB to 9v :)

  • @legendhero8966
    @legendhero8966 2 года назад

    Not both,, buy volca kick.. very2 fun and amazing .

  • @officialsimonharris
    @officialsimonharris 10 месяцев назад

    No question the TR6S is better, I had the Volca Drum and it's very limited, hard to control the sound and most of the sound is really not usable. The TR6S is packed full of tried and tested iconic Roland kits and much more.

  • @johnruschulte2593
    @johnruschulte2593 3 года назад +2

    One page manuals are sadistic just do a proper pdf version on multiple pages.

    • @afrohamurai
      @afrohamurai  3 года назад

      For real! Maybe for a Quick Start manual put it on one page, but make a proper one for the PDF

  • @jevogroni4829
    @jevogroni4829 3 года назад

    its*

  • @F.S.H.O.
    @F.S.H.O. 2 года назад +1

    I wanna sub but you have 808 subs

  • @marcosrotllan
    @marcosrotllan Год назад

    Tr6, no doubt. Volca drum is inmense and non intuitive as tr6. No doubt

  • @JoeJohnston-taskboy
    @JoeJohnston-taskboy 2 года назад

    +1 on the crap manual format.

  • @attiliohollige
    @attiliohollige 2 года назад +1

    Dont know Roland but the Korg Is pure trash

    • @b0bhumperdinck795
      @b0bhumperdinck795 Год назад +1

      Yeah it's only used by millions of producers in the world you don't even know what you're talking about

  • @bobbythompson4268
    @bobbythompson4268 Год назад

    Yo what’s that cool case for the volca?