In iOS, external storage devices show up in the Files app when you connect them. From that app, you can treat it the same way as you would on your computer. I’m not sure about Android but I imagine it’s no different. You can copy the samples and patterns from the P-6 to a folder of your choice for back up and then to restore them, you can copy the patterns and samples from your folder(s) to the P-6.
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What’s the difference in doing this versus an actual backup? Does the proper backup save all the parameter settings too?
Because there is no “proper” back up. When you’re working on the machine, there are several ways to save your work. You can save patterns, you can save your effects settings, you can save pads, etc.
When it comes to saving everything on the device itself, you can only have samples one bank at a time and saving patterns is a completely different process.
This is something I hope Roland addresses but it’s definitely not a dealbreaker.
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Yeah I personally don’t care for it. I have backup on other devices and don’t use it. More of a wipe everything and start again type of person. I was just wondering really. I think I’d only really care about getting any samples I’d recorded/resampled off the device and the iOS/Mac file transfer method seems easy for this purpose.
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The transfer method is easy but it’s tedious because you can only transfer one bank at a time. Of course, it’s not the end of the world but you have to power cycle the device each time for each bank so it definitely adds wear and tear to the device. Not ideal but also not a total red flag.
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Yes, it is possible but a bit tricky. Everything controlled by the PITCH, START, END and LEVEL knobs can be automated per step.
You need to:
- Press the record button.
- Select the step to edit pressing the step with KYBD disabled or with the tempo knob.
- Go to the menu you want to edit, for example FILTER.
- Now when you move a knob the new value will be stored only for the current step, for example START for cut-off frequency.
Also you can record while playing so instead of doing step 2, knob values per step are recorded in real time.
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yeah even older gear like the Korg es1 electribe had this figured out. it seems like an easy thing to just have a single save state for all patterns all samples etc in one. then we could just save and wipe or modify and move on. i guess its just a matter of recording every track etc. but i like to set up for certain tracks to just mess around too. for example have loaded breaks and basses just for a drum n bass or jungle session or say some breaks, hoovers, 303 samples for a rave sesh.
we can hope! other than this clunky way of saving out everything the sampler is excellent. Roland really came out swinging with this one imo. i know some people feel this is not as good as ther KO2 but i think they really showed how its done. there are some little menu divey stuff but if you are used to roland and say the electribes this is like an updated shrunken es1 one of my favorite samplers.
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I bought the P6 when it came out, but then TE made the XY and I’ve hardly used it. However, I’ve found it works great as an FX unit in the XY’s fx loop.
Is anyone else using it as an effects box? Any tricks?
I use it as an FX box and have continuously used it since it came out. I’m more than pleased with it. I run stuff through the input, through the FX and straight to my DAW. No real tricks just easy and simple fun.
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the resonator can turn out some cool sounds, ive been having fun experimenting with that recently.
i havent tested it that much yet on the p6 but playing with the “catch” parameter in the cassette sim (shift+ctrl 3) can introduce super cool results on the sp404. it can get kind of same-y if its just set at a level and left there. i try to crank it from 0 to 20-30 and back to 0 at impact moments (sub bass hitting, snares hitting, actual impact samples hitting) to get super weird tape effects. in general i would suggest this kind of use for most of the effects, twist those knobs, throw em around (as much as you can with the tiny ones)
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cool tip! I need to try this… cassette sim and ride the catch parameter.
Ive been really getting into light effects… like the scatter and stopper… when used very slightly, you can almost get real variations on phrases, instead of the usual scatter stopper live jam effect that everyone does…
I was thinking of getting a P-6, since I have the T8, J6, and the vocoder… but the 404 is just too good to swap out.
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One can never have to many SPs.
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ay nice to see you back around here homie.
there is a whole bunch of great subtle ways to use the effects, a lil finesse goes a long way.
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I missed you!
A light touch really opens up possibilities… TBH, Im getting really fond of touch strips too if done right… for modulation. you can direct touch the value.
I do like how you can sequence the effects on the P6 if Im remembering right… but you can do that with automation on the 404…
Im really beginning to realize how much isnt that new, and how you dont need every synth, once you understand how to make sounds… might not be EXACT… but noone cares… haha… no one is listening out there. too much to process
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ah i wish but this is not so, the effects ctrl knobs dont record motion data, gotta bust out the quick fingers.
im awash in classic roland sounds these days and i couldnt be more pleased, dont gotta get too fancy
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really? what a bummer. That would have been huge.
The other problem is the screen… I felt the menu diving on the T8. I dont like it. and if I was ever going need a smattering of Roland drum sounds, then might as well just wait to use the TR*8S.
I will say though… the portability, and limitations, along with the menu diving and small screen, these can actually be assets and not a liability… makes you work for the sounds, and to use your ear more, and gives you a smaller pallet to work with… all this is much needed in the land of making everything do EVERYTHING.
I love roland… and the sounds are legacy sounds… with all the new things trying to be all weird and cool (which some are), having a bed rock of classic pristine sounds and effects is crucial…
Its like windex or bandaids… yeah, you can get fancy or different, but if you need something that just works, and never changes… then Roland.
It would be dope to have all the Aira compacts out there in the park or at the museum… just vibing… so hip… wheres my little cactus? IG fame here I come.
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I wonder if I can control and sequence those knobs via the XY’s midi…
As is tradition (with Roland) 
You can with the Pitch, Start, End and Level knobs and the parameters they adjust but not the performance effects.
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does the mix input on the p6 send its signal to the usb output?
Im considering paring a p-6 with an ipad running koala for performance and as a portable audio interface too