I want a sampler, tell me about samplers

[D.o.S.]

Not looking to break the bank, not really looking to do more than snag lo-fi loops and snippets. I hear good things about the Bosses -- the 202, the 303 the 404, etc. Perfer to have something self-cointained (i.e. no DAW needed to make patterns that sound like VHS tapes) What are the other options? Are there any other options?

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

SPPPPPPP. u are on the right track if lofi and vhs tapes sounds are what u are after.

[odontophobia]

I had a Dr. Sample 303 for a minute. Didn't end up using it because my band got a drummer and no longer needed a sampler. Wish I and kept it.
The best part about all the Roland/Boss shit is that its very simple to use, relatively intuitive and manuals are readily available. They're pretty no nonsense.

[D.o.S.]

Well that was easy.

[jrmy]

Well that was easy.

Just wait a minute. Someone's gonna chime in with a bajillion options. Remember where we are.

[sonidero]

Well that was easy.

Just wait a minute. Someone's gonna chime in with a bajillion options. Remember where we are.

Nope listen to the Dr. and I... Get a SP... The 404sx is tits...

[Ugly Nora]

Elektron Machinedrum

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

u gotta get the UW tho for it to be a "sampler", and even then its pretty limited and not at all a traditiional sampler. more for short "drum" hits. beautiful device tho. amazing sequencer.

if u wanna go elektron sampler, OCTATRACK is where its at.

[Ugly Nora]

I don't know I am pretty sure I have seen some swell demos of it. Maybe I am wrong. I have it but haven't messed with the sampler yet . I guess I will find out.

[Dr. Sherman Sticks M.D.]

i think it maxes out at like 12 seconds of sample time. it only has like 2.5 megabytes of sampler space. for all the other shit that the Machinedrum can do, thats plenty! but if sampling is your main objective, might not be the best choice.. it is really a drum machine/drum synth at heart. the sampling/recording method is also what most ppl would call, non traditional. but its not hard u just have to do it a bunch of times to get used to.

the Octatrack is full on elektron sampler. no sample time limits. wayy more sample mangling/fx features. same great elektron sequencer n all that good stuff. goes way above and beyond what the UW sampling feature offers for the MD.

[Ugly Nora]

Neat.

[D.o.S.]

Well that was easy.

Just wait a minute. Someone's gonna chime in with a bajillion options. Remember where we are.

Gonna have to have some serious steez to provide something other than what's been endorsed by Soni & Sherms.

[jrmy]

Well that was easy.

Just wait a minute. Someone's gonna chime in with a bajillion options. Remember where we are.

Gonna have to have some serious steez to provide something other than what's been endorsed by Soni & Sherms.

TROOF.

[rustywire]

Not a fan of the Boss SP-XXX sound. They're sterile and boring.
I'm into samplers with interesting coloration and textures when detuning. Mostly 12bit anything by E-MU, Korg, Akai, Ensoniq, Yamaha.

They're more $, have limited memory and on-board effects, and most of all those machines require some chops and will help you develop technique and an ear.
MPC60 is my favorite to use, SP-1200 is my favorite to hear.

Everything you sample with them suddenly sounds *better* AFAIC...even if you're going for the lowest of lofi sound.

[D.o.S.]

Don't want to sound like I'm discounting your input offhand -- but that those are some out-of-my-price-range for the time being setups.

Also, didn't Dilla made Donuts on a 303?

(Which is basically the equivalent of saying "yeah but the Beatles only used 4 tracks.")