I like this sampler a lot, but... Roland P-6

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Tegeler Créme analog EQ and Compressor with Boombap Beats
#beatmaker #rolandp6 #sampler

[@mpchead]

My sample packs mpchead.com/collections/sample-packs/Drum-kits+sample-packs I share content weekly here www.patreon.com/c/mpchead

[@pushsantana]

I think the SP404MK2 is the best portable sample we have right now. The only problem with the SP I think they tried to pack too much into it.

[@robo.2k]

Yeah if the sx/a had a file browser and mute groups I would still be using that. Better fx and better vanilla sound imo

[@kvnklbngr4801]

I prefer my SmplTrek or Lofi 12-XT for building beats... I need that Sequencerview, never got warm with the SP workflow but it has the best FX from all Samplers imo. But I come from the DAW->MPC-> etc.

[@pushsantana]

@ the only thing I don’t like about the Lofi 12 xt and the smpltrek it might just be my personal preference, but I don’t like that you can’t pitch or adjust the volume to all the chops at the same time you have to do it individually..

[@waxtaste]

Love the SP, but the sequencer could definitely be improved. Since getting the XT12, it’s become the one taking on the go.

[@G.GordonMidi]

@@kvnklbngr4801Ensoniq has the best effects on any samplers hands down. Nothing quite as portable but they’re all worth owning at home!

[@waxtaste]

The Lofi 12XT is a small size, fun, portable, and perfect for on-the-go use. It does miss a bounce-in-place option for tracks and patterns, and a dedicated software for better computer integration would be a nice addition. That said, it’s a fantastic sampler that perfectly fits the purpose I bought it for. I love taking it out with me, especially since it runs on batteries. You should definitely give it a try!

[@kvnklbngr4801]

Yes! I think the Lofi 12 XT is most suited for Marlow regarding mobile Samplers

[@LewisSumisuBeats]

I really like the look of it, considering getting one would be great to take when travelling!!

[@HughMungus-Johnson]

I wish Akai made a portable mpc that size

[@invalid303]

I bought one of these units about a month ago and I’ve used it about 3 times. SP404 mk2 is still the one I go back to. Next on the list of portable samplers I need to try is the lofi 12 XT

[@mpchead]

@@invalid303 sonicware makes some nice gear 👌🏼

[@trautman3375]

Exactly. One finds no better option than the SP404MK2

[@ruffiankick]

The P-6 is real nice. The Sequencer is really intuitive. I think using it in tandem with the 404mk2 being your sample library and sampler editor is where it shines. Opens up a nice workflow hack. I think for 7:00 if they did that it would be more on the price. Lol. Huge downside but I haven't had a huge problem with it. I wish samples can be truncated in the box.

[@vinylloops2216]

Gave my po 33 ko to my grandson. After watching this, just ordered this!

[@lordg3803]

I feel you. Just record it in 2 track. Or if you are trying to track it out, create a blank 1bar sequence with just one kick at the beginning of that bar sequence. Then record each layer in with the same 1bar at the beginning of each layer. Then line up the kicks in your DAW. Peace.

[@mpchead]

Yeah that's what I am trying to avoid, these sort of recordings sometimes result in crazy amounts of noise. I think a two track would be better.

[@lordg3803]

​​@mpchead I feel you. No doubt. But it's no different then tracking out from an MPC2000 or 3000 in terms of audio. But yea It's definitely worth keeping. Peace Brother.

[@geoffwidmier3714]

Great review! The Novation circuit had similar problems with exporting your work to a computer. I don’t get how companies are still repeating this same mistake in 2024!

[@careygenius8209]

I love samplers!! If the P-6 had at least 20 seconds of 44.1 kHz per sample, I would have snatched it up to add to my sampler collection. I'm glad it doesn't because it would probably be sitting here collecting dust like my other samplers because I have the SP404 MK2. Get your groove on...

[@teddybearasaurus]

Its like the model samples with more fx. How are the buttons? No stem export😢

[@NoiseCommander3DS]

I got one as well. I want to say that it requires you to stop the sequencer often and therefore it's not a korg volca killer if you are after continuous live sequencing. Each has viable features the other doesn't. Biggest problem on volcas is the 16step limit. Both are fun toys. Although I hate needing a computer or phone for uploading samples.

[@dillipphunbar7924]

an mpc with a digitakt-sized screen...4 endless encoders and 4 sliders, and a big pad to trigger, in that general size case with all the i/o at top above screen plus a hp jacck at bottom...battery pack/or mains power .....sell like hotcakes right now

[@G.GordonMidi]

A single pad? I don’t think people would buy a sampler/groovebox without 4 pads minimum

[@Mikepepp2]

You are holding in your hand the Korg electribe 3. Everything in the p6 is what Korg electribe users have been asking for for years. It works EXACTLY like a korg electribe . Roland just added sample banks , and no quantize recording. For $200

[@ruffiankick]

Korg kinda messed up.. we still ain't got an ES3 😂. But this'll do

[@lleevveell66]

So, the probability opens it up to making longer patterns, in a way. If you add different probabilities, say, to a few snare ghosts or some pre-kicks, then let it loop around, it will be a different pattern each loop. I SO wish MPC had that in the sequencer (if it does, someone tell me how). It's funny, but... I've been using this sampler to make short bursts of things that I re-sample back into MPC and go to town on, instead of trying to make entire songs in this. I find it really, really useful for this. And, anyone can come up with 3 new beats while sitting in the auto repair shop, or whatever, y'know? Love this thing, when used this way. Hate this thing when tryna go through the menu hell to get an entire track done on it.

[@darealdibiase_]

You can connect to mpc live2 through the usb port . Go inside mpc preference set to P6. Then sounds u programmed on mpc it is streamlining the P6 effects and you can resample to empty pad on mpc . I was surprised mk 2 can't do this because the bit rate is not compatible with the mpc. This definitely a great companion in set up if u want instant dirt on the go

[@Ninzumecha]

What do you think of the Circuit Rhythm? I would have chosen the P6, but the CR can be used as a sequencer and I imagine it might be better for breaks.

[@mpchead]

I fear a sampler without screen tbh but lots of people say it's great idk 🤷🏽

[@JohnCulpry]

Probability is just a randomizer to how often a drum will or won’t hit. So you can have a certain snare drop out now and then without having to make a whole different pattern muting that snare for example.

[@The_Sonic_Ally]

its not a randomizer, it sets the sample play pattern for repeats of the initial 4 bar sequence. so it can create 32 bar beats with upto 8 repeats to get it to 32 and you choose which repeat the sample plays on.

[@jasondugas8184]

You gotta try the Circuit Rhythm, super underrated

[@The_Sonic_Ally]

i do hope the team that put the p6 together gets to do a bigger better brother to it. i love it. its a one project thing for me... it will gather dust and then deliver that dust back into the music hahahaha. it just needs a sonic hug every now and then. im sure its going to pair nicely with something that hasnt been made yet. keep it. btw record the midi as its playing.

[@mpchead]

Yes please p6 mk2 with an oled screen.

[@The_Sonic_Ally]

@@mpchead mix that team with the 404 team and jst make a massive MC style unit to compete with mpc. its a no brainer.

[@quesadillasdemedianoche]

you can export audio and midi via usb

[@tahllem]

Wow😮

[@Dubbudha]

I was looking forward for that review. I think importing samples is quite easy if you use it in combination with your phone where you can access splice and Koala. By using Koala you can time stretch the sample or record it pitched up, an oldschool trick that becomes handy, having a rather short sampling time. Exporting your ideas is a hustle indeed and creates many disadvantages. It makes it not really beginner friendly and limmits the portability / mobility factor. I guess you can create about 4 beat ideas on it using 2 banks each, but what do you do after that? As long as you only use the P-6 for basic ideas where you stack different sounds on 1 or maybe 2 sequences, the easiest method is probably to export it and create several audio files by using the mute function. I think your new Tascam 2400 would be great for that. For a mobile setup you could use something like the 1010 Music Bluebox, but that costs you double the amount of a P-6.

[@mpchead]

Yeah I really like the p6 and feel that it is the best portable sampler out there in this price range but the export really kills the vibe.

[@rbwduece1]

I think the 12 bit sample capability alone makes this unit worth the price.

[@dzadigital5613]

p-6 vs. sonicware Lofi-12 XT...which do you like better?

[@SunshineVRC]

I know you're not asking me, but I have both and I have to say the P6 is better if you wanna do performance FX and it's way more immediate than the Lofi 12 XT. With the 12XT it has to do some formatting to get your samples usable. Also the Lofi 12 XT is only 8 tracks, and while it does have parameter locking, it can be a bit confusing and cumbersome in my opinion. The 12XT is the more capable sampler, with a screen that lets you load samples, patterns, projects, adjust effects easily and more. But the 12XT is also is more of a "static" sampler, you build up your beat and your patterns and you just let it go from there. With the P6, I have way more fun using the performance FX like I would with the SP404. I think someone said it best when they called the P6 a pocketable Sp303, and it sounds great. If you wanna have a fun, immediate sampler that you can make a beat on in minutes and play with performance FX and record into your DAW or a Zoom, the P6 is the winner. I will usually make a beat on the P6, record it into my 404, and then do some FX and stuff. But if you need a portable, all in one sampler, the Lofi12 XT wins. Of course you can be like me and just buy every sampler and then you can pick which one you want to use that day :3

[@mpchead]

I didn't try the xt but the lofi 12 is really good. I like the built in battery on the p6. I think I prefer the p6

[@SunshineVRC]

@@mpchead I think you'd really like the 12XT. Unfortunately, it can't export stems like the MPC or the SP404 can, but it's a bit more of a full internal environment by having it's own recording function. So you can essentially live record your beat i.e. playing and muting tracks for arrangement and export it out on the SD card. It also has a great sound and a bigger screen.

[@Harlem-Instrumental]

Thanks for the honest review. Why Roland gotta always over complicate simple shit?

[@mpchead]

They're not the only dropping the ball on this.

[@juanQuedo]

Would be cool if Roland does with the P6 what they did with the SP404mk2 and its seamless integration with Koala. The App could provide what the device lacks and would still be portable

[@mpchead]

Yes I hope they come out with something similar to a p6 and 404

[@gula_rata]

Which is the best granular synth, this or Lemondrop or Texturelab?

[@mpchead]

I didn't even touch the granular part. But I believe there are other granular sampler much better than this.

[@newrorican]

BJamminSinceBirth has a great video showing how to track out to a DAW using the Sync feature. I’m sure it will help everyone that hasn’t tried that feature.

[@mpchead]

I appreciate the video, but I don't want to track out. Tracking out is a very old technique nothing new about it.

[@BrunoLuisGarcia]

Great review! One thing I'm missing on it is when adjusting the start and end points it should show the tempo of the sample on the screen. The information that shows on the screen has no interest at all. Where the start point and end are. For what do we need this info? For what is useful? Could you tell me, am I missing something? Obrigado!✌

[@ArcadeSynth]

Still using it? Keeping it?

[@mpchead]

I didn't, good sampler but transferring ideas from it is hard.

[@reasOneMusic]

Glad I’m not the only one struggling with the chopping. After you chop its really annoying you can’t adjust the start points of each chop because it effects each chop. Maybe they can fix that and make the chopping useable Other than that i really dig it overall amd plan to keep it and use it!

[@mpchead]

Maybe copy pads and just the start point.

[@fredrikstereo5675]

I have not used this, but to even compare this to the SPmk2 makes me wonder if I should try it. I think the 404 is the ultimate portable box as long you get comfortable with the button combinations. The step sequencer in the SP is not that bad either in my opinion.

[@cloudseer]

What are you missing from the 404 that this would address? Wondering as I’m deciding between both

[@moldythoughts4765]

​@@cloudseer... granular & propability, sync in & out

[@fredrikstereo5675]

@@cloudseer I am not missing anything from the 404 really, but since Marlow , who experienced them both prefer the P6, I got curious. I feel that the 404 almost can do anything, as long as one is prepared to learn the combos. But probability would be very nice!

[@D.Jr47]

The chromatic keyboard, auto chopping, individual effects on steps in sequence and rechargeable battery are some of the reasons I'm adding this to my collection personally. I also have an SP and I think they'll be great together!​@@cloudseer

[@cloudseer]

Yeah you could connect the audio out to the MPC. And use it as a loop maker which you can then build on with the MPC. However not bring able to assign samples to pads via SD card or a file browser is a problem for this workflow. Perhaps hook it up the other way? Ah I see it has no audio in or out. Does the MPC recognise it ?

[@cloudseer]

This is all guesswork btw I have not used it.

[@G.GordonMidi]

Pretty sure it has audio in and out haha. Otherwise it would be pointless since you wouldn’t be able to *sample* in to your sampler

[@The_Sonic_Ally]

@@cloudseerit works like that yeah over 1 usb cable. might be its best feature. every mpc's favourite companion. i got it working as my main PC interface together with it managing my mpc X in controller mode., i also use two P6 into a 404 mk2 for super effects chains and off into the mpc.

[@cloudseer]

Sorry I looked at the ports on the back

[@francisard1488]

Marlow in your opinion what is a better sampler the Roland P-6 or the Zoom St224?

[@mpchead]

I like the sound of the st224 but the p6 has a better sequencer and more user friendly with battery.

[@krazywabbit]

I’d be shocked if they do a mk2 version based on what they’ve done with the other compacts. When you look at other devices, there is real estate for a screen. Yet after five compacts, this is how they are choosing to role. Shocked no one hasn’t modded it yet.

[@molokov7]

Wait for the next update with \0/ koala intergration ! then use your phone as screen It will be great

[@kennethtaylor2143]

I think you would do better with the Ableton Move. Give them time to update it before you brush off the features your asking for.

[@mpchead]

Yeah if they update it and make it better I will get it back

[@BigCore-]

All it needs is the ability to expand with a SD card

[@R3CIP3S]

Store your sample on your phone. It’s the perfect solution for that

[@mikenoface]

7:45 .. what now? Just record the audio output of the beat you made?

[@mpchead]

Sure but that's all it can do, there's no extra option, just pointing that out.

[@SonicVibe]

They really missed the mark with the screen 📺 idk what they were thinking here save money 💰 probably

[@Afkaforpresident]

6:20 usb in/out to koala & start stemming out

[@trautman3375]

You are knocking on an open door pal! The ultimate portable sampler is the SP-404MKII... Simple. Not sure what and why you are searching for...

[@nym053]

So I guess recording from it is the only real way to get stuff out of it.

[@willybobo8846]

annoying how they leave stuff out.. and ya bus fx on MK2 is pissing me off

[@zecondhand3371]

lofi 12 xt

[@florianrambelli1485]

That not true!! the move does not change the step after the automation.

[@mpchead]

@@florianrambelli1485 I tried it and people also confirmed it.

[@6paT_6paT]

44.1 stereo - 3sec Very Bad!! 8 kick or snare or.. on 1 pad Small time to rec. Not export samples from application Only import

[@mpchead]

I wouldn't be sampling at 44 but yeah not a lot of sampling time

[@krisgakakrisqu0717]

basically they released the machine... or the supporting app prematurely... the app itself is laughable combined with powering on & off to conclude every single step

[@HIFI1965]

All the move hate, wow .

[@mpchead]

@@HIFI1965 is not hate, just disappointed.

[@Almada78]

not hate ... REALITY !!!!!

[@HIFI1965]

@@mpchead Heard. "Hate" is probably the wrong word. It is interesting that one of the downsides you mentioned about the P-6 is actually what Move does best - take an idea and easily put into a daw to finish it. I think if you take the Move for what it is - a portable sketchpad - it is quite successful. It could just be so much more - it does have potential. Its running on a pi-4, and has a substantial amount memory. It also has a lot of glaring omissions. We will see where they take it. Cheers.

[@mpchead]

@ the move can become a great portable sampler with some updates. In the end these are just my preferences.