L
lumbago
New member
The sound quality on this unit is fabulous, but you need to know about the limitations of the package so you're not disappointed with the unit straight out of the box.
First, budget for a 1GB fast Compact Media card - the 128MB one that ships with the unit isn't going to be large enough. I got a Sandisk Ultra II 1GB card - which works fine - the BR600 is recommended for use with compact flash cards up to 1GB. If you get a 1GB card, get a faster one (higher transfer speeds will expedite the saves - which happen automatically after each recorded track).
Second, budget for an AC wall-wart power supply (not included). The Roland/Boss PSA series is ideal. You can't safely use another manufacturer's wall wart because Roland didn't mark the polarity of the connection on the back of the BR600 unit.
Thirdly, if you want to record stereo line in (say from a stereo keyboard or mixer) you'll need two 1/4 inch mono phono plugs (from your keyboard or mixer line outputs) to a single 1/8 inch stereo plug (for the line input on the BR-600).
Fourthly, if you want to use two external mics you can, but the BR-600 has no phantom power. Also, the two mic inputs are TRS 1/4 inch - but the unit only ships with one XLR to 1/4 inch TRS adaptor for your microphone. If you want to connect a second external mic (for stereo), then you need to buy a second TRS to XLR adaptor.
Fifthly - there is no SP/DIF input or output on this unit. There is no midi input or output on this unit or other provision for syncing.
Sixthly, the unit is supplied with 6 AA alkaline cells, but you may want to buy some spares - the ones that shipped with mine were flat.
Seven - you should go to rolandus.com and download the latest BR to wav format conversion utility.
You can go to the Japanese Roland site to download the manual in pdf form ahead of any purchase (the US site makes you register your email first - but doesn't like non-US addresses and phone numbers and didn't deliver the email to show me where to authenticate and validate my registration).
You can get a $25 rebate from Roland via their website promotion - but only in the USA and this is current as at October 2006.
Eight - you may need a USB cable to dump the files to your computer so you can burn to CD or convert to mp3. One isn't included with the unit.
Nine - you'll need a small Philips head screwdriver to remove the cover on the memory card slot.
Ten - you can only record two tracks at once - not eight. If you need to record 8 at once you're looking for something else.
Eleven - the documentation is expansive, but still is a little difficult to traverse and glib in places. No reference to recording stereo keyboards for example, or to the correct voltage for the power supply (9V).
As long as you understand the unit ships with the bare minimum of accessories, and you get whatever else you'll need by way of connectors and memory and power supply, then you will undoubtedly enjoy the compactness and pristine sound quality of the unit.
Just be aware that the out-of-box experience is something that Roland didn't consider - because the price is so low.
The COSM modelling, inbuilt mics and inbuilt drum machine on the BR600 are all amazing.
At this price and with these features, the BR-600 is unbeatable. But be aware that there are some things you may need to add to get started effectively and without too much frustration.
First, budget for a 1GB fast Compact Media card - the 128MB one that ships with the unit isn't going to be large enough. I got a Sandisk Ultra II 1GB card - which works fine - the BR600 is recommended for use with compact flash cards up to 1GB. If you get a 1GB card, get a faster one (higher transfer speeds will expedite the saves - which happen automatically after each recorded track).
Second, budget for an AC wall-wart power supply (not included). The Roland/Boss PSA series is ideal. You can't safely use another manufacturer's wall wart because Roland didn't mark the polarity of the connection on the back of the BR600 unit.
Thirdly, if you want to record stereo line in (say from a stereo keyboard or mixer) you'll need two 1/4 inch mono phono plugs (from your keyboard or mixer line outputs) to a single 1/8 inch stereo plug (for the line input on the BR-600).
Fourthly, if you want to use two external mics you can, but the BR-600 has no phantom power. Also, the two mic inputs are TRS 1/4 inch - but the unit only ships with one XLR to 1/4 inch TRS adaptor for your microphone. If you want to connect a second external mic (for stereo), then you need to buy a second TRS to XLR adaptor.
Fifthly - there is no SP/DIF input or output on this unit. There is no midi input or output on this unit or other provision for syncing.
Sixthly, the unit is supplied with 6 AA alkaline cells, but you may want to buy some spares - the ones that shipped with mine were flat.
Seven - you should go to rolandus.com and download the latest BR to wav format conversion utility.
You can go to the Japanese Roland site to download the manual in pdf form ahead of any purchase (the US site makes you register your email first - but doesn't like non-US addresses and phone numbers and didn't deliver the email to show me where to authenticate and validate my registration).
You can get a $25 rebate from Roland via their website promotion - but only in the USA and this is current as at October 2006.
Eight - you may need a USB cable to dump the files to your computer so you can burn to CD or convert to mp3. One isn't included with the unit.
Nine - you'll need a small Philips head screwdriver to remove the cover on the memory card slot.
Ten - you can only record two tracks at once - not eight. If you need to record 8 at once you're looking for something else.
Eleven - the documentation is expansive, but still is a little difficult to traverse and glib in places. No reference to recording stereo keyboards for example, or to the correct voltage for the power supply (9V).
As long as you understand the unit ships with the bare minimum of accessories, and you get whatever else you'll need by way of connectors and memory and power supply, then you will undoubtedly enjoy the compactness and pristine sound quality of the unit.
Just be aware that the out-of-box experience is something that Roland didn't consider - because the price is so low.
The COSM modelling, inbuilt mics and inbuilt drum machine on the BR600 are all amazing.
At this price and with these features, the BR-600 is unbeatable. But be aware that there are some things you may need to add to get started effectively and without too much frustration.
