New App, mR-606, Turns iPad Into A Vintage Roland Drum Machine

iPad Music Software: Mobile Rhythm has announced a new iPad drum machine, inspired by old-school drum machines like the Roland TR-606, the mobileRhythm Computer Controlled mR-606 (App Store link):

Inspired by classic drum synths of yesteryear, the mobileRhythm mR-606 is a pocket sized classic in its own right.

A fully featured, yet easy to use interface allows editing of all controls and patterns, and 2 banks of 16 patterns gives you plenty of space to store your creations.

The mR-606 iPad drum machine is $6.99 in the App Store. If you’ve used the Mobile Rhythm mR-606, leave a comment with your thoughts!

Features:

  • set tempo & beatmatch with your favourite music
  • individual level controls for each drum sound
  • easily switch between patterns to create whole rhythm tracks
  • edit scale and last step for fine detail and crazy effects

All controls on the interface work just like the original drum machines of the 80’s.

10 thoughts on “New App, mR-606, Turns iPad Into A Vintage Roland Drum Machine

  1. Cool idea – but the price seems high compared to the Korg iElectribe, which is $4 more.

    Also – how about dumping the old-school nostalgia and creating interfaces that really take advantage of the capabilities of new devices?

  2. I fail to understand the constant slagging and dismissive attitudes toward Apple mobile devices prevalent on this site.
    Comments like Flancher's are what I would expect, fair criticisms or observations, but usually it's this childish trolling bs.

  3. Jamie

    I understand your frustation.

    Some of the negativity is anti-Apple kneejerk reaction. Some of it's legitimate skepticism over the value of mobile devices as music tools. And some of it's just people frustrated because they're interested in cool hardware synths and they think mobile apps are toys.

    Mobile music software isn't going to go away. So, while we've got a lot of readers that aren't interested in it, we still think it's important to be aware of the trend and to have a healthy discussion around what's happening with the technology.

  4. The iPad makes revolutionary use of a multi-touch screen, and it is conveniently-sized. But let's not forget: in every other way, a MacBook or PC laptop is still a much more capable musical tool–and nearly as portable. Many of these iPad apps simply re-create things my MacBook has been able to do for 10 years, such as clone a 606. For many people, it's like re-inventing the wheel–it's hard to see why this is so noteworthy. If you have a cynical streak, it can start to sound more like Apple-fan hype than objective music tech news.

  5. now, now ladies…i am using the ipad extensively as a stand-alone beat making/inspiration tool while on the road, sidewalk, subway, cafe, work place…you name it…and when i get sick of making music or i am just not feeling inspired i play a game or two or actually get productive with word processing or art making…it is a brilliant device if it fits into your lifestyle as mine so comfortably does…i rarely use the iphone now (except for quick foto or video shots…oh, it is still a better device when taking a dump too…more practical…have you tried to balancing the ipad in one hand while wiping…not easy)…and as a configurable controller (Touch OSC) it cannot be beat when used in conjunction with my eternal love Logic (which i have proudly used since version 2.5)…or as a piece of hardware like a real synth in tandem with Logic…hell, I am actually gonna buy two more just so i can have one controller and one on-demand "hardware" synth…my wife can have my first ipad then (i am a good husband ;D)…now if someone will create a synth app that is like a good ol' fashioned workstation (16 part multitimbral that can be controlled by Logic)…bring it………oh, one more thing….hearing you all cry and complain about software, hardware, apps, jazz, rock, rap, real musicians, bedroom producers…you all sound like a bunch of p*ssies doing the classic star wars vs. star trek paradigm…just quit yer b*tchin'

  6. Okay, I took a chance on this app cause I like the 606. It doesn't sound bad, but here's the problem: The developer doesn't understand how the "SCALE" function works – It's applied to each individual drum instead of globally. This isn't all bad because, unlike the vintage Roland machines, you can have the snare play triplets over an eight-note hi-hat which sounds pretty cool. Not as advanced as in Molten but still fairly novel. But, you run out of steps be real-estate this way and can't program over the last portion of the measure.

    At $6, this either needs to be a spot-on 606 emulation or/and bring something new to the table. Something like d16's Nithonat VST would be awesome on the iPad!

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