How The Sp-606 Is Organized; Playing And Performing Sounds - Roland SP-606 Owner's Manual

How the SP-606 Is Organized

The SP-606 uses four types of data: "samples" and "pad banks," which contain sounds; and "patterns" and
"songs," which contain performance data. In addition the SP-606 operates in one of two modes: "internal mode"
in which you use the SP-606's pads and knobs to control the SP-606 itself; and "external mode," in which the pads
and knobs control the included P606 application running on your computer.

Playing and Performing Sounds

What Are Samples?
A sample is the most basic unit of audio material, consisting of a waveform (wave) that was created by sampling a
performance, instrumental sound, or voice, together with settings that specify how this waveform will be played
back. You can play the samples that are assigned to the pads, or play them from the internal sequencer or an
external sequencer.
There are two types of samples, which differ in the way that they are played back: phrase samples and single
samples.
Phrase Samples
In general, samples created by sampling a performance are called Phrase samples.
To use a sample as a phrase sample on the SP-606, set the sample's "Play Type" (p. 50) parameter to PHRASE.
This causes the sample BPM (tempo) to automatically match the playback BPM or sequencer BPM.
This setting is appropriate for phrases that are one or several measures long.
fig.0G-2
Performance
Single Samples
On the SP-606, short samples (such as individual notes) are called Single samples. To use a sample as a single
sample, set its "Play Type" (p. 50) parameter to SINGLE. This causes the sample to always play at its original
length.
This setting is suitable for sounds that you use as single notes, such as drum hits or sound effects.
Drum Sound
Sampling
The sample BPM can be varied within the range from 0.5 through 1.3. If the sequencer BPM would
cause the sample BPM to exceed this allowable range, the sample BPM will be doubled or halved so
that it stays within this range.
Sampling
Single Sample
Phrase Sample
An Overview of the SP-606
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