SAMPLING options...

[AlexHall74]

OK mates, here is the deal...

I am looking for a sampling option.

Currently I am using a software sampler but have no HW interface (control surface) to speak of as I do not like controlling a sampler from a set of keys...

Here is what I am trying to accomplish and what I am thinking of buying to do so; please guide me as your experience, knowledge, see fit:

Current rig(s):

DAW: Cubase, Many free soft synths, Virus KC, Electric Guitars/Basses, Line 6 Amp, Mics, Behringer Mixer, 2.6 GHz PC+1 GB RAM, Win XP, etc...

DJ Shite: G4 Dual Processor 500 MHz Power Mac, 512 RAM, Final Scratch, Vestax Mixer, Technics 1200 MKIIs, Records Galore, MP3s Galore, etc...

I want to be able to add samples to mixes and/or live performances when needed.

I would like for the device I choose to buy to be:

(1) Not too goddamn expensive

(2) Somewhat flexible/capable

So far I have looked at (due to price constraints):

(1) Akai MPD-16 (to couple with the Mac or PC + soft sampler of choice) + current rigs

(2) Roland SPD-6 Sampler

(3) Roland 606

The Akai's are too damn expensive and alot of folks say they are great at drums but limited on other shite...

I have neot worked with either Roland device...

I know that SW samplers can do what I need for recording or DJ mixing but have not worked with an MPD-16 as a controller...

I have a maximum of $1,000 to spend...

Some have said to llok at the EMU samplers but I have no idea what the hell they compare to or cost...

Does anyone have any success stories/horror stories of getting into sampling?

I want the device to be able to drop good beats but also be able to be used as a general purpose sampler to drop vocal phrases or FX during a set...

Please issue your thoughts/experiences/criticisms/dirty jokes as you see fit.

And as usual, thanks for any guidance in advance! 8)

-Alex

[waketek]

For price and ease of use I say go with a used Roland SP-808... For live performace at it's price it is hard to beat! I have had mine since it came out and it rocks.... I am actually going to buy another to expand my capabilities. Not for everyone but I love mine of course it is not my only sampler but I actually use it the most. I have seen some used one's go for 300.00 or so. New they were 1200-1500.

[Drammy]

Have you looked at the Yamaha A4000/A5000?

Might be worth a gander - they do sound good and have some interesting Effects onboard as well as all the sampling functionality you could want from a sampler.


In fact - scratch that - you want it for live use and I cannot recommend you use a Yammy live as the knobs are renown for being dodgy. You will probably want to filter sweep but the knobs are so poor you they can jump in the opposite direction, too unreliable for live use.

Sorry for this worthless post but don't go for a Yammy - such a shame thoguh as they are fantastic machines!


Drammy

[XLR8A]

Go for secondhand Akai S3200XL or EMU E6400, today you can find them for around $350 - $450.

[Hollowcell]

I think if your looking for something to use in a live DJ set, then something with pads would be great - saves taking along a keyboard and if it's one that you can use sticks with, then it'll look more spectacular. 8)

If you want something with nicer sound, then I'd say go for an EMU for general sounds or an Akai for drum hits. I love the output boost on my EMU for just about everything - it gives real a nice characture to snares and bassy hits that nothing seems to match.

Or....Get both! I have a Roland HPD15 drum pad that I use to trigger samples off the EMU which makes a pretty cool combo. Drum pads on stage can't be beat to get people going I think.

Good luck with the choice Alex.

[AlexHall74]

Waketek wrote:
For price and ease of use I say go with a used Roland SP-808... For live performace at it's price it is hard to beat! I have had mine since it came out and it rocks.... I am actually going to buy another to expand my capabilities. Not for everyone but I love mine of course it is not my only sampler but I actually use it the most. I have seen some used one's go for 300.00 or so. New they were 1200-1500.

Hmmm... I had not thought about an SP-808. The price is great and your review is encouraging as to the device's capabilities. Thanks for the heads up on this one! :D

Drammy wrote:
Have you looked at the Yamaha A4000/A5000?

Might be worth a gander - they do sound good and have some interesting Effects onboard as well as all the sampling functionality you could want from a sampler.

In fact - scratch that - you want it for live use and I cannot recommend you use a Yammy live as the knobs are renown for being dodgy. You will probably want to filter sweep but the knobs are so poor you they can jump in the opposite direction, too unreliable for live use.

Sorry for this worthless post but don't go for a Yammy - such a shame thoguh as they are fantastic machines!

So, Drammy says NO Yammy! Sometimes it is just as important to know what you DON'T want as to know what you DO want; so thanks for this too! 8)

XLR8A wrote:
Go for secondhand Akai S3200XL or EMU E6400, today you can find them for around $350 - $450.

Akai has been around the block haven't they? I keep hearing the Emu's kick ass too. The price is right on these too! Cheers!

HC wrote:
I think if your looking for something to use in a live DJ set, then something with pads would be great - saves taking along a keyboard and if it's one that you can use sticks with, then it'll look more spectacular.

If you want something with nicer sound, then I'd say go for an EMU for general sounds or an Akai for drum hits. I love the output boost on my EMU for just about everything - it gives real a nice characture to snares and bassy hits that nothing seems to match.

Or....Get both! I have a Roland HPD15 drum pad that I use to trigger samples off the EMU which makes a pretty cool combo. Drum pads on stage can't be beat to get people going I think.

Good luck with the choice Alex.

You hit the nail on the head with the need for pads HC; especially from a performance aspect as knocking them up with sticks is a cool bit to add to a set. Good call there Bro!

Am I right in surmising that the EMu smaplers do not have pads BUT can be controlled with a MIDI controller such as the MPD-16 or the Roland HPD15 you mentioned?

Hmmmm....more is better!

I'll have to see if I can find one in this area to mess with as it would be cool to interchange the MIDI controller between rigs AND to have a nice sampler to use onstage.

Thanks for the input HC; I appreciate it! :D

I will research all this info on eBAY and other sites that allow for the purchase of used gear.

You have all given some really good info; cheers for saving me the haedaches up front!

-Alex

[waketek]

Here are a few links for a review on the SP-808. Keep in mind that some of these are from 1998 and some stuff has changed like OS and PC/MAC editor the EX version which uses 250MB media instead of 100MB media.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug98/articles/rolandsp808.html

http://www.sonicstate.com/synth_reviews/_inc/user_comments.cfm?id=670&print=1

http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Data/Roland/SP_808_Groove_Sampler-01.html


Scroll down to Roland on the left side then to SP-808
http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html

[AlexHall74]

Waketek wrote:
Here are a few links for a review on the SP-808. Keep in mind that some of these are from 1998 and some stuff has changed like OS and PC/MAC editor the EX version which uses 250MB media instead of 100MB media.

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug98/articles/rolandsp808.html

http://www.sonicstate.com/synth_reviews/_inc/user_comments.cfm?id=670&print=1

http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Data/Roland/SP_808_Groove_Sampler-01.html


Scroll down to Roland on the left side then to SP-808
http://www.vintagesynth.com/index2.html

AWESOME!

I am reading up now.

Thanks!

-Alex

[Drammy]

Looks like Waketek beat me to it - I was going to post harmony central as a review resource. I treat it as a bible when buying equipment

Here is the synth section - which includes samplers

Harmony central (http://www.harmony-central.com/Synth/Data/#man)

[Merlot]

if you are looking to control midi from pads. Check out the new trigger finger looks pretty sweet and chaeper than the MPD.

video
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=media.video&ID=a80b9e869c88944562e2d3a191c74b0f

[AlexHall74]

Damn!

I just found a slew of Roland SP-808s on eBAY for $300 or less.

The new SP-606 is $700 and doesn't seem to be as capable.

Thank you Waketek, Drammy, and Merlot for the reminder about HC.

It is the Holy Grail of objective gear review information. :D
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Merlot, That new M-Audio controller is kick ass!

I just sold a Radium-61 though because I didn't like the action on the knobs/sliders.

Do you know if the new Fingers controller has improved knobs/sliders?

I'm guessing they are similar to those used on the Keystation 88 as that is M-Audios most recent beast and some of the R&D money for it might be recouped with this new controller!

Great video, thanks for the link!
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It looks like I will be able to get into sampling for less $ than I thought; YAY!!! :wink:

[mason p]

hey man forget the sp808. if you got $1000
dont mess around. get a mpc 2000xl or a sp1200 which you can pick up for less then that. mpc you get the unbeatalbe pads plus the mpc sound and the fun editing out lay. sp1200 you get the 12 BIT SOUND and a piece of history plus its easy to use and you wil be the envy of all your freinds in the know.
the sp808 is ok if you what a qurcky unit but if you want something that pro and built to last go for the mpc or the sp1200. if you need some reasurance just look at the kit list of most high sell sample producers in the world and Im sure no sp808 is going to be there. buy it once and buy it smart go with something with longevity.
just my opinion though.