Seeing as it's basically an updated 202/303/404/SX (and yet is still more limited in some ways, such as per-pad sample time) and yet is less fancy than the MkII, should it?

Again I think yes!!!

I love too see what it can do.
The step sequencer is interesting.
"Automation" on fx.
Multiple fx.
But not much memory?
Make me some minimal techno

That's a techno heck no from me.

One effect at a time, altho you can send samples like an aux on a mixer to a master reverb and delay. The reverb was a bit disappointing for me (not very smooth or long at the longest settings) but you can get it to sound OK if you tweak the settings. Resampling with effects is difficult however as, if a sample is 22khz and is resampled again at 22khz, it will become more lo-fi, unlike the 303 where you could resample on Long several times before you noticed (even tho it's apparently the same khz). So, to keep it clean, you have to resample at 44.1 but, of course, you'll only have half the sample time...

Memory is per-pad rather than for the whole machine. 3 sec stereo, 6 sec mono at 44.1, double for 22khz and multiply again for the lower two sample rates (14 and 11? - don't use them much yet). As stated, the difference between 44.1 and 22khz is markedly quite different; much moreso than on the 303, or any other sampler I've had with variable sample rates for that matter.

It's an OK machine. Nothing to get too excited about and the limited time per pad and the too-lofi 22khz rate has already caused me the odd problem. I'm gonna be using it just as a pretty simple looping-style sampler. Haven't yet and probably won't get into the things like the granular sampler etc. Just glad to have speed-pitch!!! And mute groups!

I am a little unsure, because of the X0X-style-sequencer.
Yes, the 404mk2 got additional X0X-style-sequencing, too...
..but it does not rely on it...

Interesting question, but difficult to answer.

In the end the host of a beatbattle should decide, which kind of samplers are allowed.

I don't see the 808-style seq as an advantage tho? For me personally, it's a hindrance. You can record to a click without using it too tho, old SP-syle. The 'keyboard' at the bottom is literally the only thing that differentiates it from being a new SP, if you ask me (and the form factor, obviously).

This will surprise you (huh huh) but I think I'm sending it back. Nothing wrong with it - it's a very fine machine for the price and can do all the stuff I've ever needed from a sampler. I just haven't gelled with it. And, while I was waiting for it, I was playing around more with the 202 and got inspired by using that (and a future MS-1, if I can find another one, and an external effects box (probs the Korg NTS-3 kaoss pad)) and multitracking into the MicroBR CLOUDDEAD style.

I suppose I could've used the P-6 on this current beat battle but I chose to do it entirely in the 202 instead, which seemed much more inspiring to me. That's when I thought, "Hmmmm, that shouldn't be the case with a new sampler". New gear just don't float my boat. I think I'd rather have a couple of 'crappy' old limited samplers, separate fx and a uber simple multitrack and have to be inventive to do what I want with them.

So, in conclusion, even tho I'm probs not going to be an owner, but having used one, I think they deffo qualify as being part of the SP family.

I'm anti the Zoom and the Electribe etc suggestion tho.

A red line

Thanks a lot for that little review. It's seems so little and fragile compared to the SP-series. Is it built to last?

I'm a little tempted by the machine.

It's pretty nicely built, actually. I feel like if you dropped it on concrete it'd be ok but maybe not if you threw it hard. It's sturdy plastic and the buttons etc feel solid yet nice to press. The bit that feels cheapest are the knobs...but even they don't wobble or anything and are solid. They're just small.
I'd more confidently drop a P-6 than I would a 202 or 303.

I'd deffo recommend getting one if you've got a spare bit of cash