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Buying a sampler.
 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 00:54 [#01658773]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker



I am looking into buying a sampler. Within reason, price is
not option (I don't want to go over $2,500, and I am hoping
to finance it instead of buying flat out).

I really like the mpc format, of having the pads layed out,
and programming it that way. The whole reason I am
purchasing a sampler is so I don't have to program beats
with a computer, although if I end up buying a rackmount I
will probly also purchace one of those m-audio or akai pad
controllers that will be dedicated to the sampler. The thing
I might like about a rackmount unit, is I can store it on
top of my tapedeck, and then it will still leave me a good
ammount of room on my desk.

So I am looking for suggestions. I am open to advice on all
samplers, but key features will be intuitive interface (most
important part!!! buttons and knobs being where they should
be and very little fucking around with interface matrixes,
very little time to record and set up your samples),
supported samplerates, 24 bit output, low latency,
upgradability, and sample memory.

Thanx in advance :D


 

offline KADO from The Belafonte (United Kingdom) on 2005-07-11 02:01 [#01658783]
Points: 1484 Status: Regular | Followup to Taxidermist: #01658773



It takes a long time to edit and set up your sounds with a
hardware sampler like the mpc, the display is tiny, the
interface is difficult to learn + memory is limited and
expensive.

Your computer is capable of becoming a very powerful
sampler, you should save yourself £1000 and go buy a
virtual sampler (NI Battery for beats) with an
Akai MPD 16 or an M-Audio Trigger Finger (The better option IMO)


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 02:30 [#01658792]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker | Followup to KADO: #01658783



Well, the thing is, I have a controller. I am concerned with
stability. I know the mpc isn't going to cause cubase to
freeze when I have too many instances of it running at once.
As well, I am kind of getting tired of playing with a mouse.
I want the physical interface, and a studio that won't
require regular upgrades.

As well, and mpc is an all in one that can be played live.
Laptops aren't strong enough for my uses, at least ones that
I would consider affordable, and I don't want to set up a
monitor, mouse, keyboard, controller, and box when I want to
play live. Less parts = less likely to fail me at an
important point. I just want something dedicated to making
music, that doesn't have to have any extra bullshit running
to work.

What I plan to do is edit my sounds in recycle and audition,
and then export them into the sampler or transfer them
through a portable medium.

Seriously, I am an experienced producer, and am proficient
in battery, kontakt, kompakt, and a bunch of other software
samplers. I just want to be able to use both software and
hardware for their mutual benefits.


 

offline KADO from The Belafonte (United Kingdom) on 2005-07-11 02:41 [#01658799]
Points: 1484 Status: Regular | Followup to Taxidermist: #01658792



fair play to you mate, I use hardware stuff aswell...it's
much more reliable for live situations, I didnt realise you
wanted to use it for that.....the mpc can't be touched in
that respect.

Go buy it now! Loads of places do finance and ting.

I have used GAK.co.uk a few times, simply because of
the name...fancy calling your shop after man milk


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 02:57 [#01658804]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker



thnx for the link ;) but if I were to use UK electronics in
north america, I have heard that it can warrant less than
friendly results. Doesn't electronics from north america not
get enough electricity in british power sockets and british
electronics get fried circuitry in north america?


 

offline KADO from The Belafonte (United Kingdom) on 2005-07-11 03:09 [#01658808]
Points: 1484 Status: Regular | Followup to Taxidermist: #01658804



Haha sorry, Didn't realise you were from accross the pond,
should have noticed the $ sign in your first post. We do
have different electrical ratings, so yeah...probably best
you go somewhere a bit more local :)


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 04:40 [#01658867]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker



I am really interested in peoples stories or advice with
samplers from here.


 

offline Combo from Sex on 2005-07-11 05:10 [#01658891]
Points: 7540 Status: Regular



imo you should buy the same sampler as Madlib's because his
two quasimoto albs, based on samples, are ace


 

offline Chihiro from twins land on 2005-07-11 07:29 [#01659009]
Points: 4650 Status: Regular



im potentially happy with what i have. :)


 

offline Raz0rBlade_uk on 2005-07-11 07:32 [#01659013]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Show recordbag



hardware sounds so complex. it makes me not wanna go down
that road


 

offline furrybum from Derby (United Kingdom) on 2005-07-11 09:39 [#01659092]
Points: 201 Status: Regular



boss sp505 is kinda like an mpc in the way that you have all
the trigger pads the onboard editing is quite good too and
price isnt too bad. i use one live and have never had any
problems. you need to play all your rhythms live rather than
programming a step at a time so you get quite a nice human
feel to it


 

offline dave_g from United Kingdom on 2005-07-11 10:16 [#01659118]
Points: 3372 Status: Lurker



ok MPC4000. you can hook up a VGA monitor too it too I
beleive. Its a beast, very much better than any other MPC,
24/96 capable, hard disk full of quality samples, think the
factory memory is only 16meg ram, so buy some DIMMs, can
take upto 512MB, more than enough.
I'm rocking with a S5000 with 104MB ram and its a struggle
to fill it unless you have long long samples.

AKAI's are bomb proof. there was a few wobbles with the S
series software at first, but its fine now, the Z series is
bombproof I have been led to beleive, and its the same
sampling engine in the MPC4000 as the Z series. Its got
about 8 assignable 'Q'knobs which are excellent and pads
galore.
In build decent fx too, on the Z series you can do a quick
transform effect on a sample, and also you have some
internal sends to use the int.fx. I think its the same on
the MPC4k.
Loads of connectivity at the rear. its quality, but maybe a
little pricey.try the MPC1000 as a compromise if he 4000 is
too much, cos the 1000 is a great little box, but its not
the big beast the 4000 is, but you get what you pay for!


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 11:45 [#01659196]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker | Followup to dave_g: #01659118



Yeah. I was looking at the mv8000 a while back. They had
quite a few in ebay going for around 1.6k... (where the
mpc4000 is 3.2k) As far as I know they are comparable. As
far as the 4000 goes, I will probly have to go the ebay
route, as aparently you can't get them in canada right now.


 

offline dave_g from United Kingdom on 2005-07-11 12:59 [#01659255]
Points: 3372 Status: Lurker | Followup to Taxidermist: #01659196



well I don't know how comparable they are I thought the MPC
was different, kinda less a all in one solution more of a
key piece of kit, that was totally pukka. The mv8000 is
probably great, but I suspect the MPC4000 is greater.
Although I've never really got into MPCs and the like, im
more of a rack mount sampler man myself, hence the S5000.
The pads are cute but the 808/909 method is the bomb.
Infact I've designed my own 808 style sequencer electronics,
which if I ever get round to I will prototype someday......


 

offline stefano_azevedo from Pindorama (Brazil) on 2005-07-11 13:05 [#01659259]
Points: 4396 Status: Regular



im selling samples, wanna buy one?


 

offline cygnus from nowhere and everyplace on 2005-07-11 13:22 [#01659270]
Points: 11920 Status: Regular



the mpc's are spendy but youll get no better hardware
sampler,

is it too late to reccomend trigger finger?


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 13:46 [#01659299]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker | Followup to cygnus: #01659270



Yeah. I don't want more computer samplers.

Dave_g: I have heard the mv8000 is better, just not as well
known. Its just harder to find one on ebay. (if I go that
route). I can get one for 2.7k at the local store if I
finance it, which is what I will probly end up doing.


 

offline pf from Finland on 2005-07-11 13:57 [#01659303]
Points: 3316 Status: Lurker



How about a BOSS SP-303, Madlib uses one. But it might be
too lightweight for what you are looking for.


 

offline dave_g from United Kingdom on 2005-07-11 14:00 [#01659310]
Points: 3372 Status: Lurker | Followup to pf: #01659303



ive got an sp303 and yes it is too lightweight. the
sequencer is pants basically its got 3 LED 7 segment
displays so can spell 3 letter words on the screen only so
can be cryptic at first.

fx section is great. well i think it is. sampling is a pain
with it. ive got a load of 808 and 909 samples on it and
its ok for banging out a quick beat but not a lot more. I
use the fx lots. fav thing=phasor rate can be set to zero.
why don't more expensive units have this!!?!?


 

offline thecurbcreeper from United States on 2005-07-11 14:12 [#01659320]
Points: 6045 Status: Lurker



$2,500

jeez


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 14:13 [#01659322]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker | Followup to thecurbcreeper: #01659320



Thats just how much I am willing to put forth. I would
rather not spend all that.


 

offline thecurbcreeper from United States on 2005-07-11 14:16 [#01659329]
Points: 6045 Status: Lurker | Followup to Taxidermist: #01659322



well, from what i hear MPC's would be a good way to go

I believe Zeus has one. perhaps you could catch him online,
but he doesn't pop in here much lately


 

offline cygnus from nowhere and everyplace on 2005-07-11 14:21 [#01659340]
Points: 11920 Status: Regular



zeus has a phat mpc if i remember him posting that.. he'd
give you some good advice

the sp303 while lightweight is alot of fun for that reason,
cause you can just pick it up and just do beats right there
- it takes 5 seconds to turn on and get into it


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 14:48 [#01659373]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker | Followup to cygnus: #01659340



hmmm. Honestly, being able to make beats quickly is a
definate benefite, but I am more concerned about power than
speed. Intuitive is a good thing, but I don't want something
that dumbs it down so much that I can't really do much else.


 

offline pf from Finland on 2005-07-11 15:16 [#01659400]
Points: 3316 Status: Lurker



I read that Nas payed 2 mils for a beat. so 2500 for an mpc
aint that bad. lol.


 

offline cygnus from nowhere and everyplace on 2005-07-11 15:19 [#01659405]
Points: 11920 Status: Regular



the neptunes got 1mil for the "holly back girl" beat which i
think was made in 10 minutes


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2005-07-11 15:27 [#01659412]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



zuh?

Nope, no MPC.

I do have a trigger finger which I love.



 

offline thecurbcreeper from United States on 2005-07-11 15:57 [#01659458]
Points: 6045 Status: Lurker | Followup to Zeus: #01659412



hmmmmm, i wonder who i was thinking of...


 

offline sine wave from Ireland on 2005-07-11 16:47 [#01659500]
Points: 53 Status: Lurker



Akai S6000 or Z8.. fantastic machines!


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-11 18:37 [#01659571]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker



well, I just went out and purchased an mpc2k. The nearby
music store just so happened to have a used one that they
just bought. I was only going in to change the financing
plan I had set up on a previous piece of gear...

This one has an effect card worth $400c into it, and I ended
up paying less than they have the mpc1k going for.
Incidentally, they said they haven't had any in for about 6
months, as they no longer deal with the distributor for akai
anymore, so I think it might have been fate. Now I have to
learn how to use it...


 

offline Zeus from San Francisco (United States) on 2005-07-11 20:01 [#01659625]
Points: 14042 Status: Lurker



yeah, I dont know what the deal is, but apparently akai is
going through a transition to new management, so temporarily
no new items are being shipped or something like this.

not the end of akai at all, just a temporary transitional
phase.

or so ive heard

anyways, sounds like you got a really good deal. my good
friend lives by his mpc2k, im sure it wont disappoint


 

offline Taxidermist from Black Grass on 2005-07-12 03:49 [#01659778]
Points: 9958 Status: Lurker



Heh... I am getting to the guts of this thing. I am very
happy with todays purchace. Assigning of samples is a breeze
(although slightly a little more destructive than I am
accustomed to). All it needs is more ram, and zip drive
which if everything works out as planned will be in the post
tomorrow. I am going to be buying a zip drive from a friend
for a good price, so I am very happy. In a weeks time,
everything should fit together like a glove.


 

offline Skink from A cesspool in eden on 2005-07-12 05:38 [#01659874]
Points: 7483 Status: Lurker



Ace!!!


 


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