So, I hvae an ancient pre-MIDI sequencer linked to some equally ancient synths. I want to record a sample which is based on a sequence from this old kit. I have no idea what the bpm is because there's no readout on my antiques, I just know it sounds right. I sample, truncate, loop, and there's the basis of my track. (I'll do the same several times over to get variations on the loop for different parts of the song)

Question is, what's the best / easiest way of lining up the bpm of the sample with the bpm of the pattern in the 606?

- Can the 606 detect the bpm of the sample and set this as the bpm for everything else I do for that song?

- Should I work out the bpm based on the length of the loop in seconds, and manually set the 606's bpm to match?

- Should I let the 606 stretch or compress the sample so that it is forced to fit the 606's bpm setting?

I wouldn't be surprised if all of these methods work, but I'd be interested to know what the preferred method is from anybody who has already tried this way of recording.

Thanks!

I sample from records so I usually adjust the pitch on the turntable first, get pretty close to the speed, then round up or down in the 606. The 303 is nice to use the tap tempo before recording to get an idea of the bpm, you dont have to record into it first like the 606. Thats my way of doing it but there are many others just find out what works best for you.

What I would do would be to sample the sounds individually from your old equipment to the 606 while adding some effects to fatten it. Then, I would cut the samples loop so it is 2/4/8 etc beats long. Then set the sample to phrase and make sure it detected the right length of the beat. Then put the BPM sync on each sample so everything would match, then I would mess with the bpms of the entire project to ear it to my taste.

hope this helps.
CTReanimator

So, I could use tap tempo (606 has this doesn't it?) to work out the rough bpm before I even start, then use phrase sample to get the loop into the 606 and let it work out the exact tempo. Excellent, sounds good - thank you!

Yes, the 606 has tap tempo. When you hit the bpm button there should be an option to tap it.

Pretty much, you should sample the stuff from your old equipment and:

1. Trim the sample loop under func+pad13 to an even number of beats (2/4/8. etc)

2. Configure the samples parameters (set them all to phrase under func+pad 13) and make sure it sees the correct number of beats, if not change it.

3. Put on BPM sync (set it to sequence under func+pad15)

4. Record the sample sequence and adjust the bpm on the 606. All your samples should follow the bpm you change it to.

Didnt know the 606 had tap tempo, thanks man!!!!!!!!

You are a star. Thank you so much for this.

Tap Tempo is the way to go; however, if you ever need to know the EXACT tempo of a loop and you can't work it out in other ways, get the free version of Sony Acid - it will tell you the exact bpm.