Behringer RD-6 Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you set up the RD-6 Analog Drum Machine and briefly introduce its capabilities.

Overview

This 'getting started' guide will help you set up the RD-6 analog rhythm designer and briefly introduce its capabilities.

Connection

To connect the RD-6 to your system, please consult the connection guide earlier in this document.

Software Setup

The RD-6 is a USB Class Compliant MIDI device, and so no driver installation is required. The RD-6 does not require any additional drivers to work with Windows and MacOS.

Hardware Setup

Make all the connections in your system. Keep the RD-6 power turned off when making any connections.

Use only the supplied power adapter for the RD-6. Ensure your sound system is turned down.

Turn on the RD-6 before turning on any power amplifiers and turn it off last. This will help prevent any turn on or turn off "pops or thumps" in your speakers.

Warm Up Time

We recommend leaving 15 minutes or more time for the RD-6 to warm up before recording or live performance. (Longer if it has been brought in from the cold.) This will allow the precision analog circuits time to reach their normal operating temperature and tuned performance.

Setting Sync and Clock Type

Step keys 1, 2, 3, or 4 represent clock source INT, MIDI, USB, or TRIG respectively. Step keys 5, 6, 7, or 8 represent clock rate 1PPS, 2PPQ, 24PPQ, or 48PPQ respectively.

Press Function.
Make sure no sequence is playing.
Press PATTERN GROUP and WRITE/NEXT at the same time to enter Sync setting mode.
Selector 1 to 8 LEDs will turn on, and the current clock source (1 to 4) and clock rate (5 to 8) will flash, you have about 3 seconds to make any changes.
Press step keys 1, 2, 3, or 4 to change the clock source to INT, MIDI, USB, or TRIG respectively.
Press step keys 5, 6, 7, or 8 to change the clock rate to 1PPS, 2PPQ, 24PPQ, or 48PPQ respectively.
Press any other buttons or after no changes for 3 seconds, the changes are saved.
Repeat step 3 to check your selection.

MIDI Channel Selection

Press and hold FUNCTION, then press PATTERN GROUP to enter MIDI channel setting mode, then press STEP KEYS 1-16 to select the channel, press PATTERN GROUP to switch between MIDI transmit (out) and receive (in).

Patch Bay Section

This section allows you the versatility to connect to other units and modular synthesizer equipment to create many different sounds. The connections are standard 3.5 mm TS, and the voltage requirements are shown in the specifications table. The RD-6 does not need these connections in order to operate, they are used for further expansion of your system.

Caution: Do not overload the 3.5 mm sync input. It can only accept the correct level of voltages as shown in the specification tables. The 3.5 mm outputs should only be connected to inputs capable of receiving the output voltages. Failure to follow these instructions may damage the RD-6 or external units.

Firmware Update

Please check behringer.com regularly for any updates to the Behringer Synth tool app. The app looks for the latest firmware file which can then be downloaded and used to update the RD-6. The Synth Tool app can be used to change certain settings of the RD-6.

Controls

Voice Section

ACCENT: Adjust the amount of accent given to the output for any steps programmed with an accent.
BASS DRUM: Adjusts the level of the Bass Drum sent to the Mix Out and Voice Out.
SNARE DRUM: Adjusts the level of the Snare Drum sent to the Mix Out and Voice Out.
LO HI TOM: Adjusts the level of the Low and Hi Tom sent to the Mix Out and Voice Out.
CYMBAL/CLAP: Adjusts the level of the Cymbal and Clap sent to the Mix Out and Voice Out.
OPEN/CLOSED HI HAT: Adjusts the level of the Open and Closed Hi Hat sent to the Mix Out and Voice Out.

Distortion Section

These controls only have an effect when the DISTORTION switch (20) is ON. The circuit is located in the signal path just before the volume control and the final audio output.

DISTORTION: Adjust the amount of distortion.
TONE: Adjust the tone of the distortion.
LEVEL: Adjust the distortion level.

General Controls

TEMPO: Adjust the rate at which the pattern and tracks play, from slow to fast.
TRACK/INSTRUMENT SELECT: This control selects either the track or instrument to be written or edited.
MODE SELECTOR: Select from TRACK WRITE, TRACK PLAY, PATTERN PLAY, PATTERN WRITE.
POWER LED: Indicates that power is supplied to the unit and the rear-panel power switch is on.
DISTORTION ON/OFF: When OFF, the distortion is bypassed, and the DISTORTION, TONE, and LEVEL controls have no effect.
VOLUME: Adjust the output level from the rear-panel output and the headphones output. Make sure the volume is turned down before putting on headphones.

Sequencer Section

D.C./BAR RESET/CLEAR: This is used to clear a pattern from memory, to return a track to the beginning, and to signal that the last pattern is being added to a track.
SCALE SELECTOR: Determines the number of steps assigned to each quarter note beat, as shown by the relationships between the note images next to the scale selector switch.
PATTERN GROUP INDICATOR: Depending on the MODE position, the pattern Group indicator will display either pattern I or II.
PATTERN GROUP: Depending on the MODE selector position and the RUN/STOP circumstance, this button will act in different ways.
START/STOP: This allows you to start or stop playing the patterns and tracks. The LED will turn on when playing.
FUNCTION: This multipurpose switch is used in many ways during pattern and track writing.
STEP SELECTOR: These 16 buttons perform different functions depending on the RUN/STOP circumstance and the MODE selector position.
TAP: Depending on the MODE selector settings and the RUN/STOP circumstance, this button will perform different functions.

Rear Panel

When a jack is inserted in one of the voice outs, that voice is removed from the mix out.

OH/CH VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Open and Closed Hi-Hat.
CP VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Clap.
CY VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Cymbal.
LT/HT VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Low Tom and Hi Tom.
SD VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Snare Drum.
BD VOICE OUT: 1/8" (3.5 mm) unbalanced output of the Bass Drum.
MIX OUT: 1/4" (6.35 mm) unbalanced mixed output.
START/STOP: 1/4" (6.35 mm) connect a foot pedal to start and stop the RD-6.
MIDI OUT/THRU: Output of MIDI data to an external MIDI device and/or a direct output of the MIDI IN to chain to other devices.
MIDI IN: Input of MIDI from an external MIDI device such as a sequencer or DAW.
USB: Connect to a computer for updates and USB MIDI DAW control.
POWER: Turn the rhythm designer on or off. Make sure all the connections are made before turning on the unit.
DC INPUT: Connect the supplied 9 V DC power adapter here. The power adapter can be plugged into an AC outlet capable of supplying from 100 V to 240 V at 50 Hz/60 Hz. Use only the power adapter supplied.

Hook-up Diagrams

RD-6 Hook-up

Step 1: Hook-Up

ES: Paso 1: Conexión

FR: Etape 1 : Connexions

DE: Schritt 1: Verkabelung

PT: Passo 1: Conexões

IT: Passo 1: Allacciare

NL: Stap 1: Aansluiten

SE: Steg 1: Anslutning

PL: Krok 1: Podłączeni

Diagram 1: Studio System

This diagram shows the RD-6 connected to a desktop computer, audio interface, studio monitors, and headphones via USB.

Diagram 2: Practice System

This diagram shows the RD-6 connected to a keyboard amplifier and headphones.

Important Safety Instructions

Please read and follow all safety instructions provided in the manual.

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