A question to SP-555 owners:

Can I upload/modify pad banks via USB directly?

From manual, I can read only "connect a card reader to your PC" and so on. If SP-555 can only work via card reader -

SP-606 can import WAV/AIFF files directly from PC - much like an MP3 player, plug a cable and drop files. It's cool! If SP-555 cannot do that, the thing is out...

Akai MPC500?

the answer is obvious. don't use your computer.

=)

is the 555 out yet?

It's funny, but I ordered SP-555 - just found a very good price! Card reader is not a problem and is very cheap. Akai is OK but has no real-time FX knobs and effects like super-filter. SP-606 is also should be OK, but price is considerable bigger than 555 one. The end of story - waiting for a courier...

where did you buy it from...I am currently hunting one at a good price

Well, I'm afraid it's outside US - I'm from Russia. Also it's not so easy to find the SP-555 here - I've found only a few online shops so far which sell it. SP-404 and SP-606 are widespread.

Average pricing tags:
SP-404 - $ 447
SP-606 - $ 939
SP-555 - $ 898 (the price is too high)

For comparison, sweetwater.com:
SP-404 - $ 395
SP-606 - $ 665
SP-555 - $ 595

I've found SP-555 for only $ 480! Rechecked the digits, surprised and ordered. Hopefully, all will be OK and I will get my new box. To be continued...

wow...$480 thats a sick price !

$665 for a 606!?! nah. I got mine for 400.00 brand new. Just look around a bit I bet you'll find somewhere carrying it for cheap. You can always talk em down too. I got mine at guitar center(3 months ago) and talked him down 80.00.

encode:
SP-555 for only $ 480!?...please tell me where?
thanks, vivi.

'Never pay full price for a 606'.

This is sooooo true - take cash with you, haggle, play the specs ('whaddya mean it's only 8-voice, what a piece of junk!' etc) and get that price down.

I saved over $300 by doing this (about US$250).

I imagine the 555 would be harder to haggle on, but time will soon fix that

from the looks of it, id rather go with a 606. I just like having a screen to work, makes editing easier. this is just from my experience with a 505.

hehehe...

sorry, it's just that you touched on a subject that's been covered a lot on these boards. the prevailing sentiment is that chopping aurally gives better results. however, that's just a recap of old conversations and if visual works for you more power to you. don't get me wrong, i've done entire albums in soundforge. ( http://rahorigins.org/music.html ) if you ever get the chance though get a hold of a 303/404 for a couple of days and try chopping via the mark button. it's easier and more intuitive than it sounds. =)

ah word. id like to try it on a 303/404 (which I want to own one day). maybe its because I have used recycle for a number of years haha.

So no to software...YES to hardware.

It's still nice to have a screen if you wish to edit a sample to a fine level, remove dc offset etc.