Roland just released an (almost) pocket-sized sampler with a built-in mic

Roland , a battery-powered sampler with a built-in microphone for capturing concepts rapidly. There’s additionally a USB-C port and analog inputs for plugging in a higher-grade mic, a smartphone or an precise laptop for much more sampling alternatives. Roland calls it a “roving recorder,” doubtless as a result of it is almost sufficiently small to suit inside a pocket.

The P-6 can maintain as much as 48 samples directly, cut up throughout eight banks of six pads. There are 4 out there sampling charges to go well with totally different tastes, although the inner reminiscence is on the smallish facet. The keyboard enables you to chop up and set off these samples on the fly, along with enjoying samples polyphonically.

Like many , the Aira Compact P-6 is one thing of a jack of all trades. Sampling is the primary function, in fact, however this factor features a granular synthesis engine and a 64 step sequencer. This sequencer is pretty feature-rich, with neat choices like off-grid sequencing, sub-steps, micro-timing and much more. You’ll be able to even manipulate samples in actual time in the course of the sequence, for improvisation functions.

There are additionally loads of results to make every pattern your individual. These embrace a vinyl simulator, a looper, a phaser, a resonator and a lo-fi emulator, amongst others. The granular synthesis engine permits for much more “microscopic sound design” alternatives, with the flexibility to detune samples and alter the grain form.

If the thought of manipulating samples on a tiny gadget provides you the sweats, Roland gives a devoted software program suite known as SampleTool. This brings much more options to the desk, like downsampling, click on elimination and exact modifying.

The battery ought to get round three hours of use per cost, so be sure to deliver alongside a charger whereas out and about. The Aira Compact P-6 prices $220 and is out there now. Because the identify suggests, this sampler is a sibling product to the , that are all pretty diminutive devices. There’s a drum machine, some synths, a vocoder and extra.