i saw some 606s on ebay for like $350 and im thinking of just breaking down and getting one instead of the 555. i love the 404 i have right now but it seems that the 606 is a little bit less geared towards live djing, and more on the production side, which i like. im looking to sample phrases of percussion etc., and play back via midi controller while playing drums. so in short, what is good or bad about the 606 in your opinion? is it worth the money? thanks.

also is it possible to trigger patterns(and individual samples) via midi controller??

i don't have the 606, but have the 505 (also have a 404).

i recommend you get the 606.

the 555 is in the same style as the 404, whereas the 606 offers something else.

the sequencer, screen-editing, etc. would complement the 404 you awready have, i'd argue, better than the 555.

my two cents.

You can trigger samples vida midi controller and you can start pattern playback as well, but I haven't got any actual experience with midi and the 606 though.

Anyways, having owned both the 555 and 606, I'll give a short pro and con list.

Pro 606 -

- It has a screen! Yes, to me this mattered a lot, as it gives a good visual impression of what's going on.

- Surprisingly easy to work with.

- Has a good 4 track sequencer, even though it's limited. Song mode give a very nice way of making songs out of patterns.

- It has all the resampling and FX stuff you'll need.

- Great centerpiece sampler for in studio as it works great with most software packages out there, and even live it's great.

Con 606 :

- Less CF card memory to store samples on. (Not that it's a problem in practice as 512mb is a whole lot already and there's no shame in buying more 512mb cards. )

- At times it can be slow processing chops or loading samples. Nothing I really had issues with though as it's never a true pain waiting for a bit.

- Has less FX than the 555 if I recall correctly, but I actually like most of the FX the 606 and 555 have better on the 606.

- No DJFX or Loop Capture feature like the 555 has.



---

Pro 555:

- The Loop Capture function is great. DJFX Looper is cool, but familiar to 404 people.

- You'll get more FX (but still 3 at a time).

- It is a bit more geared towards live usage.

- CF cards are compatible up to 2 gigs. So it's a bit easier finding new cards. Having said that 2Gb and 4Gb are quickly becoming the minimum you'll find in stores these days, so you'll eventually run into the same problems as with the 606 here.

- It's great to jam with in a SP-404-style.

- It has a dedicated Mic input with phantom power. Some nice vocal amps and FX as well.

Con 555:

- Some people might be better of with a 606 because it has a screen, so you can see what's happening.

- A lot of stuff you'll do with the 555 will be by ear and mostly you will be using a combination of keys/knobs/pads to get things done. This won't be a problem for people used to a 404 as the 555 is quite similar in day to day usage, but I found the 555 to be more complex to handle than the 606.

- Loop Capture doesn't quite* work like a true Live looper like you will get with one of those looper pedals.

- The 1-track sequencer basically is very limited, but coming from a 404 you'll know all about that as well.


Having said all that, I would recommend the 606 to most people, but the 555 truly is a great machine as well. Perhaps I should have given it some more time learning as I can be impatient, but I felt like I was trying to operate a machine whilst being a bit blind.

Nice info Phemox, I would say the 606.

I'm glad this topic is here. I was considering the 555 vs. the mpc 500 but now I'm thinking 606 over em both.

hema - i fink you mentioned elsewhere something about 'not having the patience' for hardware or whatevs, so i gotta put that out there....

i donno about the 606, but the 505 processing is pretty slow.

maybe i'm mis-remembering what you said tho....

peace.

i really wanted the 555 for loop capture just so that i could assign a redubbed pattern as a sample(since you cant trigger patterns with a midi controller) but saw that it was a little limited. i think that for my money my best bet is to get the 606 and use the 404 as a way to re-record patterns. i was thinking of selling the 404 but i keep thinking about the battery power option and on board mic... it is so fucking bad ass! im keepin it! thanks for the responses and advice! oh yeah... how does the start/end point marking work with 606, isnt a bit different? and how is the amp sim? thanks again.

Oh your dead on man. I was referring to the older shits that aren't fast with processing like the 404 and such. But, I'm really glad you brought that up. Any of you 606 got any comments on processing speed for things like resampling, saving, moving samples, etc?

I vote 606. If you already have a 404 the 555 seems kinda redundant. Then get one of those boss loop pedals and you're good to go. =)

606 also has better I/O- balanced 1/4" stereo ins & outs + SPDIF digital in & out.

btw- it doesn't look like Roland is dropping any new samplers for winter NAMM.

606 aint really that slow, great machine. previous 303/404 users will feel spoiled

Yeah, the difference between the 555 and 606 isn't huge speed-wise. That shouldn't really be something for anyone to decide to not buy it, as it's never too slow.

I'm so hoping for a MC / SP Hybrid this Winter NAMM, but I don't think Roland will release one... yet.