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I’m looking into a sampler for Between songs live, but also to interface with my Microbrute and such and give me more flexibility doing noise type stuff. I’ve been thinking of an SP-404 or 555 but honestly I don’t know shit about samplers. I’ve owned an Akai MPX 16 and it was sweet but the case didn’t feel sturdy enough for live use.

Are you playing short samples? Long ones? Do you need a sequencer? Are you constructing beats? How many simultaneous samples/loops? Do you want built-in effects? MIDI?

MANY QUESTIONS

damnableman wrote:Are you playing short samples? Long ones? Do you need a sequencer? Are you constructing beats? How many simultaneous samples/loops? Do you want built-in effects? MIDI?

MANY QUESTIONS

A sequencer is crucial for what I do. I want to sequence bursts of noise and short vocal samples/loops. I don’t necessarily need a ton of simultaneous samples playing. I’ll mostly be holding drones with an oscillator box or a Microbrute, and then using the sampler for melodies and such.

An MPC500/1000 would probably be better for your needs than a 404 tbh.

I don't know about the SP-404, but the 555 definitely has a sequencer. An MPC-1000 would be another solid choice. You could use it (or a 555) to sequence your MicroBrute and other MIDI objects.

I'm just getting to know it, but the Zoom R-8 can sequence samples as well, though you only get 8 samples per program.

The 404/505/MPC have many, many more samples available to trigger/sequence per program.

I'm pretty new to sampling, so my opinion is based more on reading than actually knowing these objects in full...

I was definitely looking at MPCs and I love the idea of shitty sample rates. The micro granny with an SQ-1 or Microbrute sequence was also an idea but I’m not sure it would do enough for me?

BoatRich wrote:I was definitely looking at MPCs and I love the idea of shitty sample rates. The micro granny with an SQ-1 or Microbrute sequence was also an idea but I’m not sure it would do enough for me?

Paging D.o.S.

You can definitely do that, and the beauty of the microgranny is how it makes all of your samples amazingly lofi in the best way (I.e. not chiptune). That said it can't play multiple samples at all, so you'd need to want a hard A/B, rather than fading them in and put. The 303/404 is a much better bet in that regard, but I'm inclined to agree with the MPC being better potentially. (on paper, I've never used one).

I don't think the 404 has a sequencer, I know the 303 doesn't.

I agree with mister Doctor Of Samples.

Also, do consider something as simple as the volca sample. It's pretty simple and not terrible for the money

I used an MPC500 for a while and it's a pretty nifty bit of gear once you get past the kind of awkward initial learning curve.
Volca sample is also a good shout as long as MIDI sync isn't important (can't remember if there was a way to get that to happen and I think that's why I never got one). I don't ever really use my MPC500 these days because I only used it for drums and have gone back to dedicated drum machines instead, if you want it drop me a PM.

I found the MPC500 to be a complete asshole to learn, compared to a 404 which was immediately obvious in every way to me. The loading times for MPC's to load longer samples is kind of a bummer too, with the 404 you just turn it on and everything is immediately available. Microgranny alongside is a bonus, but playing it with an sq-1 can be a pain, especially live as the SQ-1 won't save sequences and you'll need to access the lowest 6 midi notes to be able to switch samples via the sequencer. Unless you use your hands to switch samples manually and just use the SQ-1 for the melodic sequencing. Definitely try this combo out somewhere before committing though.

For what its worth if you're looking to make noise the SP303's built in effects are noisy as fuck and super fun to use. I am sure the 404's are just as rad while I haven't touched one. Same goes for the 202 which I currently have but it has less options and for me, has become rather redundant after buying an OP-1.

fcknoise wrote:I agree with mister Doctor Of Samples.

wait...

I know it hasn't been mentioned yet, but Digitakt. Can do all sorts of mangling, build in reverb and delay, sick sequencer. Best money I've spent in a while, highly suggested.