500 vs 606

can anybody give good reasons why i should go with the 500 instead of the cheaper sp 606 for making hiphop beats?

4 track sequencer. That's all I needed to see to know it wasn't an option.

Well I've had both of them. Overall I prefer the mpc. Both have good features, for example the 606 has a ton of effects on the other hand the 606 sequencer doesn't touch the mpc IMO. I'd say the 500 will give you more control over your samples and how you sequence your samples. Like I said both units have their strong points...if you can, get some hands on both of 'em then make your decision.

500 vs 606
basically the roland sampler will compress your audio, where the mpc won't.
the mpc is also made to be portable, the 606 isn't really.
but make sure if you buy a 500 you put it through it's rigors asap, as i've had problem with mpc, and a friend of mine had issues with his as well.
good luck

The 606 is 44/16 in and out. There's no compression at any stage. I myself can't hear any when sampling stuff like Jazz and Classical that have variable dynamic qualities in the music. You can apply compression with MFX and it's very possible that's what you heard. All of stuff out Soundforge plays back exactly as it put in.

A friend of has one and I like it except for being non-MV compatible it's pretty sweet. The software takes it to a different level. It's not an MPC so you'll have to be willing to set aside what you already in term of work flow. That said you'll be right at home if like the MPCway of doing things


You gotta sit at them both to know what right for you. Also go on Youtube ask the video makers what they think and how they like it. It really helped me decide on my X6.

moyphee wrote:The 606 is 44/16 in and out. There's no compression at any stage. I myself can't hear any when sampling stuff like Jazz and Classical that have variable dynamic qualities in the music. You can apply compression with MFX and it's very possible that's what you heard. All of stuff out Soundforge plays back exactly as it put in.

A friend of has one and I like it except for being non-MV compatible it's pretty sweet. The software takes it to a different level. It's not an MPC so you'll have to be willing to set aside what you already in term of work flow. That said you'll be right at home if like the MPCway of doing things


You gotta sit at them both to know what right for you. Also go on Youtube ask the video makers what they think and how they like it. It really helped me decide on my X6.

The 606 software is pretty neat.

n how does this 4sequencer limit my working?

Oh yeah don't forget the 606 only has an 8 pad polyphony and that's in mono mode, only 4 pads if your using stereo samples.

whats up, I'm from the D too. I'm also looking at both these samplers, but the 4 track sequencer really turned me away from the 606. Basically, a simple beat, if your recording a kick, snare, hihat, could take up to 3 tracks if you want each at a different volume. Which leaves you with only 1 track for your music. If your just chopping a sample and putting it over drums, this might work w/ 4 tracks, but if you want to add like a bassline or any other instrument or percussion, you probably won't have enough tracks to record on.

From looking at the 606 and its price, this seems like it would be an amazing sampler/sequencer if it had even 8 tracks to record on. It doesn't make sense why they only gave it 4, when the 500 has 48 tracks.

jk81 wrote:whats up, I'm from the D too. I'm also looking at both these samplers, but the 4 track sequencer really turned me away from the 606. Basically, a simple beat, if your recording a kick, snare, hihat, could take up to 3 tracks if you want each at a different volume. Which leaves you with only 1 track for your music. If your just chopping a sample and putting it over drums, this might work w/ 4 tracks, but if you want to add like a bassline or any other instrument or percussion, you probably won't have enough tracks to record on.

From looking at the 606 and its price, this seems like it would be an amazing sampler/sequencer if it had even 8 tracks to record on. It doesn't make sense why they only gave it 4, when the 500 has 48 tracks.

I agree with you 8 tracks would have been great!!

what about sp 555 what kind of sequencer does it have its also alot cheaper than the mp??

detroit wrote:what about sp 555 what kind of sequencer does it have its also alot cheaper than the mp??

I heard it's not the best, no step edit among other things.Step edit is a really useful feature and should be standard, why it's not there is a mystery to me.