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so what's the deal with samplers?

I want to be able to play back audio (1second hits - 10minute backing tracks.)...
about an hour of stereo memory would be nice.

what about the trigger pads?
what kinds of things should I be considering?
I plan on using only sounds that i've recorded... i'm guessing samplers will let me upload audio files.
are the "file managers" archaic?
and lastly, what about "performance" pad assignment?


school me. what's worth my money.
I don't think I'd need any sort of expensive MPC device.
even the SP-404SX seems like overkill. i don't need effects, or fluff.
yet the SP-303 doesn't have enough memory.

Thanks for posting this. I need help in the exact same field. I wanna make my own sounds and sample myself, quick hits and/or long passages.

I know alot of people dig the DL4, the teaspoon and the RC20
actually theres a teaspoon in bst right now

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=11844

I know fuck all about samplers, having never really used them (I cut up all of my audio samples into cubase and never trigger them manually live). But I know that a lot of people love the Akai MPC series. I remember seeing an interview with Wayne Static saying that he still just uses an MPC 1000 for all of his samples live.

htsamurai wrote:I know alot of people dig the DL4, the teaspoon and the RC20
actually theres a teaspoon in bst right now

not looking for a live looper.
I've tried RC-20's before, but really didn't like them and they didn't have enough memory


on the SP-404 I really dislike how the added SD card just out from the bottom of the enclosure waiting to break.
(is there a way to increase the internal memory instead?)
it'd be nice if it had a USB connection.
and it's large footprint, is probably the biggest i'd be willing to go.

MPC seems like overkill. I really don't plan on programing beats with it.
just something to play prerecorded backing tracks/prerecorded samples, a glorified ipod with trigger pads to play different tracks.

netbook with Live installed?

seriously the MPC and Dr Samples are the only ones I can think of.

u could get an sp 303 with a smart media card....old yes but pretty cheap on teh bayz

i'm rockin one with a 128mb card (recognizes all 128mb even tho the roland specs say 64mb is the max)
at the highest sample rate, 128 mb gives u 66 minutes of mono sample time for 16 pads...
long mode would give u 132 minutes and lo-fi 404 minutes of sample time.
u could use the internal banks for short samples and the card for longer ones


for what u are describing, i think the sp would be a good way to go...small and portable, trigger loops, one shots, reverse, easy to use and can load up sounds off the card (just grab a smart media card reader off ebay or something for your computer)

plus u get fx as a bonus if u ever wanted to use...the fxs are one of hte units strong points IMO. i was pretty surprised at how they sounded. sounds great as a plain sampler too.

pretty much your options to have tons of sample time limit u to newer devices. mpc would work but prob overkill like u said....laptop and like a midi pad or something to trigger would be perfect and limitless pretty much....could be cheap too if u already have said laptop and a program, u'd just need an mpd or padkontrol or trigger finger and you'd be good to go!

my knowledge of newer samplers is limited so i'm not too sure what else is out there in terms of gear....most of it is prob $$$ tho and loaded with features u wouldn't need

hope your search goes well!

@oink...theres no way to increase the internal mem on the sp's unfortunately....the older version with the CF card slot fits in there all the way and comes with a cover over it....1 gb is plenty of sample time....i've never even maxed out the 32 mb on my mpc 2000xl for a beat, but im using smaller chopped up samples usually.

cloudscapes wrote:netbook with Live installed?

want to avoid the laptop/netbook setup.

Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D. wrote:@oink...theres no way to increase the internal mem on the sp's unfortunately....the older version with the CF card slot fits in there all the way and comes with a cover over it....1 gb is plenty of sample time..

1GB would be enough. that's for sure.
do you know if the "1GB included" is a card or that internal? (does it have any internal memory?)
and from the pictures i thought it would look like this sticking out from the bottom. i'm glad it won't.

the card for the sp404 sx is pushed into the body. i think they were just showing it sticking out like that in the picture.

i do think the card is included.

^ya the card may be included with the new SD ones. the older CF version didnt come with a card i dont think....ya did a quick google search..

"ample anytime, anywhere with the built-in mic and battery power. 29 DSP effects including looper. 1GB SD card included; sample storage up to 32GB with SDHC." off the zzounds website...

it looks like on the 404SX, the internal memory was scrapped for the larger SD cards...up to 32gb (which gives u something like over 24 hours of sample time...u could sample the events of a whole day! lol)

the older sp's (regular 404, 303, 202) have internal memory on the first few banks...u can see the separation written on the unit...it says like internal and card (or somethin like that).

basically what i meant is that u cant increase the actual internal memory but you increase the memory(sample time) with the memory card.

yup, i'm getting everything you're saying, it's making sense.
and "The maximum sampling time (size) for a single sample is approximately 180 minutes in stereo"
the 128mb is shaping up to be perfect for what I need.


it's actually simpler that it just has a card, instead of internal+card. .
and that it records to wave, and not some other funny format that would need converting.

oinkbanana wrote:

cloudscapes wrote:netbook with Live installed?

want to avoid the laptop/netbook setup.

I would go the opposite.
for the last 1.5 year, my band has been running a Macbook with NI's Battery for live sample trigger, has been working really fine even if we use a standalone piano plugin along with it.

bear in mind, hardware breaks easily on tour... and especially a Roland Sampler.
1) When i was working for a band a few years back, a SP303 died at a soundcheck. was lucky not having to rely on the samples for the set. Memory card went blank, had to put samples back on for the rest of the tour which was such a pain to do.

2) Went to see a gig last year, a post rock band was on tour and drove 3 hours to my city to perform. their SP404 died on the first song, show canceled. (they did not have a backup)

cloudscapes wrote:netbook with Live installed?

+1
you can find an old macbook on ebay for under $500 that will work great especially if you are only running Live on it.
I would definitely suggest stripping it down to its bear essentials and Live.

computers malfunction/fry too!


not to say they are bad, but all electronics run the risk of dying...i mean shit most music equipment is just a computer with dedicated functions.