What is the Boss BR 600 like?

[64Guitars]

I am very tempted to upgrade from my BR 
Is the drum facility easier to use? cos I don't particularly enjoy all the programming involved after all I am only a simple Blues Player

Programming drum arrangements using the built-in preset patterns is the same on most of the BRs (600/864/900CD/Micro BR). However, the BR-600 has the advantage that it's compatible with the free BR Rhythm Editor software. You'll probably find it easier to create your arrangements in the BR Rhythm Editor than in the BR itself because the large computer screen gives you a better overview of the arrangement. If this will be a big factor in your decision, then I'd recommend downloading the BR Rhythm Editor and trying it on your computer before you decide whether to upgrade. You can use it on your computer without having a BR attached if you download Fake_BR-900.zip and unzip it to the root directory of any drive. The root directory of a USB flash drive would be a good place to put these files, but you can also use a hard drive (internal or external) if you prefer.

You'll find that the drum machine in the BR-600 has a lot more capabilities than the limited drum machine in the Micro BR. You can create your own custom patterns (up to 999 measures long) using the BR Rhythm Editor or directly in the BR-600. And you can create these patterns by tapping on the BR-600's twelve velocity-sensitive drum pads. Also, you can import drum tracks from any standard midi file (SMF). The BR-600 will only import from channel 10 which is normally the drum track. This is a great convenience because it means you can download any SMF off the internet, for example, and not have to worry about the other channels (organs, clarinets, flutes, etc.) because the BR automatically strips those channels when you import the SMF. Presto! Instant drum track with no programming. And, once the SMF is imported, you can change the tempo or the drum kit, or edit the pattern to suit your song. You can also import SMFs into the BR Rhythm Editor. So, again, you might want to experiment with that before deciding to upgrade to the BR-600.

[Tony]

Also, you can import drum tracks from any standard midi file (SMF). The BR-600 will only import from channel 10 which is normally the drum track. This is a great convenience because it means you can download any SMF off the internet, for example, and not have to worry about the other channels (organs, clarinets, flutes, etc.) because the BR automatically strips those channels when you import the SMF. Presto! Instant drum track with no programming. And, once the SMF is imported, you can change the tempo or the drum kit, or edit the pattern to suit your song. You can also import SMFs into the BR Rhythm Editor. So, again, you might want to experiment with that before deciding to upgrade to the BR-600.

This was news to me - good news, indeed.  Thanks for this information.  I've begun to use the Rhythm Editor more for drum tracks but I thought that that was the only advantage.  Importing from MIDI sources seems like a great advantage - the sampler's delight.  These machines are really redefining what it means to play music.

[guitarron]

the drum programing is a big improvement over the MBR-i like using my own drum samples(tone load) too-i'm not crazy about the BOSS snares and crash cymbals-so it comes in handy-
the extra tracks eases the the workflow a bit-too

[guitarron]

yes the midi imports and actual faders too-
it's really smaller in size that you might think
it's very portable-uses 6 AA  batteries

[Tony]

yes the midi imports and actual faders too-
it's really smaller in size that you might think
it's very portable-uses 6 AA  batteries

I'm beginning to think that my whole life is powered by AA rechargeables.  I find myself looking out for them on sale at the local supermarket.  I consume them like I used to go through Benson & Hedges.  Duracell 2650mAh, ooohh, give me a taste, baby!

[guitarron]

i finally just broke down and bought the charger and batteries-been using an adapter til recent
it does get expensive

[64Guitars]

i finally just broke down and bought the charger and batteries

Does the BR-600 work alright with rechargeable batteries? I thought that would be a problem since rechargeables are only 1.2 volts instead of 1.5, so six batteries add up to only 7.2 volts instead of 9. Page 24 of the BR-600 manual says "Do not use rechargeable batteries" and I thought the lower voltage was the reason. Micro BR users can get away with using rechargeables since the Micro BR only requires two batteries and the total voltage deficiency is minimal (0.6 volts). But the BR-600 requires 6 batteries so it comes up almost 2 volts short.

[guitarron]

haven't tried using the rechargeables yet-hope i didn't waste more money buying the extra batteries
i'll let ya know how it works out

[longjourneyhome]

haven't tried using the rechargeables yet-hope i didn't waste more money buying the extra batteries

How long are batteries lasting in your BR-600? Thanks.

[HighwayOne]

Can't seem to quote a msg here with my cellphone.  Anyhow,  I'm new to the BR-600 and when I received it in the mail the only batteries I had to put in it were duracell NiMH 2650mah rechargeables.  I neglected to read page 24 in the manual about not using rechargeables..but for what little I've done with it so far it seems to be working fine.  Hooked a couple guitars to it.. messed with the drum features and I also ran  output to a set of Behringer ms40 monitors and  it sounded very nice and clear.   Hopefully the rechargeables  won't cause any trouble with the unit.  My plan is to just get the ac adapter since it's not likely I'll be taking the BR out of the  house much.