OVERVIEW
The SP-606 is a strong contender in the mid-level range of samplers and drum machine style workstations. Those who want more features than the SP-303, but are not ready to invest the money and time into an Akai MPC-2000, will find that the SP-606 is a solid choice. The SP-606 has all the features you need for making beats and phrase sampling; plus some high-end features you wouldn't expect in this price range. The SP-606's compact size makes it road/gig worthy as well, which compares favorably to the Akai MPC 1000 for a couple hundred dollars less.

USES
- make tracks at home or on the road
- edit tracks on your PC with included software
- sampler and MIDI Sequencer
- video controller

FEATURES
Firstly, the SP-606 comes bundled with Cakewalk's P606 software (PC only), which allows you to completely edit and manipulate the samples in your 606 from your computer, via its USB connection. This is a very important feature not found on other samplers, and increases the power of this unit immensely. It gives you the best of both worlds: the ease and simplicity of working on hardware and the precision of working on a computer.

The layout of the SP-606 is similar to rest of the Boss/Roland SP series, whose design is based on the success of the Akai's MPC series. It features sixteen (16) velocity sensitive pads and an 18,000 note capacity 4-track sequencer, as well as 3 knobs for real time control of the 40 built-in effects. These on-board effects include basic types like filters, reverb, compression, low boost and tape echo, as well as esoteric effects you will only find on Roland products like a feedback ripper, space-d, and a voice transformer.

The 606 also features a mastering effect to have your music sounding as loud and crispy as possible after your song is all mixed down. The graphic LCD screen allows you to edit the start and stop time of your samples fast and easily with waveforms, as well as giving you step-by-step control of your sequences.

Some of the features of the SP-606 can only be found on Roland products and thus gives the machine a unique character. The 606's D-Beam allows you to control your sounds and samples with hand movements similar to the way a Theremin works. Also included on the SP-606 is Roland's new V-Link, which when used with Edirol's DV-7PR or P-1 (sold separately) allows you to trigger and control live or pre-recorded video clips. The bpm synch feature makes time stretching samples to match the rest of the song an automatic operation.

The 606 comes with a CompactFlash slot for storing your samples and adding memory to the already built in 5-11 minutes (depending on quality) of sample memory. Samples can be recorded through the stereo analog and digital inputs or you can choose to import or record AIFF. & Wav. files with its USB port. Other connections include stereo analog & digital (coaxial) INs & OUTs, MIDI IN & OUT, an optional footswitch control and a headphone jack.

OUR OPINION
Roland's SP-606 is a smart choice for those who want a full featured sampler but are not ready to invest a lot of money into one machine. The feel and look is very hands on and intuitive, much like Akai's MPC series. What separates the 606 from other samplers in this price range is the included software, the D-Beam & V-Link features as well as the forty built-in effects. The 606's only weakness when compared to the MPC 1000 is that the sequencer consists of only 4-tracks (compared to the MPC 1000's 99). However this is really more of a difference in taste than anything else, as multiple patterns can still be recorded with the 606, and the its sequencer is a little less complicated and faster to operate than the MPC 1000's. On the positive side PC users will find the P606 software extremely useful when it comes time for doing some complicated cutting and chopping of samples.

The SP-606 is an easy to use machine. It is laid out so that you can jump in and start making beats right out of the box, but its features are sophisticated enough that you could spend hours using it and still only scratch the surface of what it is capable of.

- USB connection
- drag and drop Wav. and Aiff. files
- 16-bit/ 8-voice sampling
- 4-track MIDI sequencer
- Maximine sampling time 386 minutes (with 512MB CompactFlash card)
- V-Link & D-Beam
- 40 onboard effects
- 14" x 11" by 5"
- 5 lbs.

- Cakewalk P606 software (PC only)
- power adaptor

• manufacturer's website

reviewed by the mgmnt