Roland P-6 Creative Sampler: Meet the SP-404’s Little Brother
The affordable sampler you've been waiting for?
4,8 / 5,0 | 
Roland P-6 · Source: Roland
Roland P-6 · Source: Roland
Roland P-6 effects · Source: Roland
Roland P-6 rear panel · Source: Roland
Sampling joins the AIRA Compact range with the Roland P-6, a portable sampler with true sampling, granular synthesis and lo-fi effects.
Roland P-6 Creative Sampler
I have to admit, this caught me off guard. A sampler for the AIRA Compact range. I mean, it actually makes perfect sense to borrow some of the SP-404’s functionality for a cheap and cheerful portable instrument. The SP-404 MKII is ridiculously popular – why not make it into an entry-level instrument?
That new sampler is, of course, the Roland P-6 Creative Sampler, the latest entry in the AIRA Compact series of mini devices that also includes the original trio of T-8 Beat Machine, J-6 Chord Synth and E-4 Voice Tweaker plus SH-101 emulating S-1 Tweak Synth. (What is it with Roland and tweaking?) They’re fun, cheap as chips and, with this latest, provide a fairly comprehensive variety of sound-making possibilities.
A True Sampler
The comparison is obvious: the Korg Volca Sample. While I always liked the sound of the Volca Sample, I thought Korg dropped the ball when they made it sample-import only and refused to add a chromatic mode, even for the refresh model. Thankfully, the Roland P-6 commits no such sins, with true sampling in the form of audio-in and via the onboard microphone. It also offers sample import through the USB-C input (which also transmits MIDI, audio and charges the Lithium-ion battery) and even re-sampling through the onboard effects.
Roland P-6 offers six sample parts, each with its own pad and controls for pitch, start, end and level, lo-fi mode and gate/loop playback modes. You can chop samples and spread them across the built-in keyboard. There’s also a unique step-sampling mode to capture a series of one-shots in the same sample part.
Sixteen-voice polyphonic, you can play samples chromatically and polyphonically. There’s also a polyphonic granular mode, with parameters for controlling detune, grain shape, head position, head speed, spread and more.
Effects and Sequencer
Roland gear usually includes some solid effects and the P-6 is no exception, with reverb and delay on the mains plus a choice of 20 MFX per part, including Vinyl Simulator, DJFX Looper, Stopper, Lo-fi, Scatter, Phaser, Resonator and more.
As with the other AIRA Compact devices, the Roland P-6 features an onboard sequencer. The 64-step sequencer sports motion recording, probability, micro-timing, off-grid sequencing and sub steps plus a Step Loop function, which lets you manipulate playback in real-time.
Price and Availability
With its different sample modes and functions, the Roland P-6 looks like a lot of fun. I’m especially intrigued by the granular mode.
Roland P-6 Creative Sampler is available now from Thomann* for $183 / 198€ / £170. It includes a USB Type-C to USB A cable.
More Information
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2 responses to “Roland P-6 Creative Sampler: Meet the SP-404’s Little Brother”
Perfect size for my handbag 👜 😃
almost perfect for the price and form factor.
too bad the pads aren’t pressure sensitive.
definitely getting one though