This is a very capable machine, and it seems that Roland will continue updating firmware to make better and better.
This is my first hardware sampler and it is so much fun!
I'm still learning this beast but I can definatly recommend it for a range of uses. I sounds great with my bass plugged in for make like riffs and bass lines to work into a mix. it is also an excellent vocal processor, so can add effects to live voals in real time. I does seem a shame that I can't plug my bass and mic in at the same time but not really a deal breaker.
It comes into its own with chopping up altering and layering samples, this is what it is mostly built for and it does this very well.
I like that I can power it thru USB C and also connect to computer to sample direct from that and swap out and arrange samples thru the free MK2 software. The chromatic mode is very useful and there is lots of little things that I wish were different, but it is exciting that the instrument will shift and change with communities wishes an Rolands updates. Also a big plus for me learning this machine is that there is a very active youtube community that are eager to share their learnings and tips and tricks. So all in all if you are looking for a portable tool for composing, finger drumming, sampling and chopping as someone new to the game I am very satified, but note I don't have much experience with other hardware samplers