I'm looking around for a compact portable sampler (with both record and playback, not just a recorder), wondering if anyone has any ideas. Something roughly no bigger than a trade paperback book, for easy carrying. Ideally on the cheapish side, under $500 would be great.
I've considered getting a pocketPC and use Griff Pocket Music Studio, which would cost me between $300-400 Canadian. The Roland SP404 costs around $440. I'd be more inclined to hunt around for a cheap sp303 or sp202 even, but I'm not sure they'll be useful since the emphasis at Roland seems to be on the effects and sequencer, but I'm more interested in button/pad triggerable sounds.
Considered one of these Madplayer things, but I'm not convinced they aren't crap.
Any other ideas? Anyone used a sp202/303/404? Anything similar out there I've not seen?
Portable samplers?
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- Tunesmith
- 2889 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Toronto
Yeah there's the Yamaha SU-10(is it 10?) Electribe ES-1
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
The ES-1 is way too big for what I want.
The SU-10 is a possibility, I might be able to get one cheap. I had looked at them, but for some reason I was suspicious of them. The SP303 is also out since it isn't battery powered.
Anyone tried the SU10 or SP404?
The SU-10 is a possibility, I might be able to get one cheap. I had looked at them, but for some reason I was suspicious of them. The SP303 is also out since it isn't battery powered.
Anyone tried the SU10 or SP404?
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- KVRAF
- 4074 posts since 28 Apr, 2004
i used a 404 at a mates for a bit.
it was pretty cool, especially as it was battery powered, uses compact flash as well so memory is really cheap.
didn't use it for that long though so would hesitate to be too in depth but the built in mic was sufficient for a bit of field recording, the effects were cool, it seemed solid enough and the sequencer was f**king awful
fun machine, oh and the bateries didn't run out out while i was using it but i'm not sure what the lifespan is on them.
steve.
it was pretty cool, especially as it was battery powered, uses compact flash as well so memory is really cheap.
didn't use it for that long though so would hesitate to be too in depth but the built in mic was sufficient for a bit of field recording, the effects were cool, it seemed solid enough and the sequencer was f**king awful
fun machine, oh and the bateries didn't run out out while i was using it but i'm not sure what the lifespan is on them.
steve.
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
Having read several reviews the past couple of days, I get the feeling that's pretty common among all the portable/cheap samplers.blaster78 wrote:it seemed solid enough and the sequencer was f**king awful
Shame the sp303 didn't run on batteries, saw a local one used for less than half price, and I'm sure I could haggle down a few extra (also saw a MPC1000 local for $800 Canadian I'm sure I could have knocked down a bit in price, which tempted me, but I'd still prefer something more compact).
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- KVRAF
- 1955 posts since 5 Sep, 2003 from Denmark
Do you need to do anything else besides sampling/playing back (editing)?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
Not really. I'd prefer something with assignable pads for playback. No less than 4-voice polyphony. Editing start/stop/loop points is preferred (which is why I'm likely not going to hunt down the sp202, which had some trouble with that).
Sequencer and effects seem inevitable with these things, but not essential to me. Live looping would be cool, but not essential.
Battery powered is high on my list.
Sequencer and effects seem inevitable with these things, but not essential to me. Live looping would be cool, but not essential.
Battery powered is high on my list.
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- KVRian
- 1469 posts since 18 Sep, 2004 from Suffolk, UK
I have an SU-10 and it's a pretty cool device, but don't expect anything fantastic out of it. Yes, it can sample at 16bit/44.1KHz but only for about 19 seconds in Mono, less in stereo. Polyphony is a maximum of 4. The best things about it are the ribbon controller and the ability to process live audio through it's filters and FX. It is also dead easy to use. The built in sequencer isn't really a sequencer, more like a random live event recorder 
It is also battery pawered as well as mains. All audio inputs and outputs are 3.5mm jacks and it has MIDI.
TBH, if you bought one off eBay for the current going rate (about £30-£40) and it wasn't what you wanted, you could sell it on for little or no loss or keep it for just messin' around with. It's cute and quaint, but hardly a ground breaker
If mine was stolen, I most certainly would buy another
It is also battery pawered as well as mains. All audio inputs and outputs are 3.5mm jacks and it has MIDI.TBH, if you bought one off eBay for the current going rate (about £30-£40) and it wasn't what you wanted, you could sell it on for little or no loss or keep it for just messin' around with. It's cute and quaint, but hardly a ground breaker
If mine was stolen, I most certainly would buy another
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
I'm starting to think that way on the SU10. If I can find one local for a good price, I'll likely get it just for fun.
I checked out the SP404 in the shop this afternoon. I'm inclined to like it. And the local shop had it $5 cheaper than online.
It is super-light, like only 1 kilo. Maybe thicker than it needs to be, I would love it more if it was half the thickness since it would fit in a carrying bag with other junk easier, but it's not so awful really.
The pads/buttons/knobs were all fairly sturdy feeling. Some of the functions seemed mysteriously buried away without reading the manual, so not sure how many "press this button five times" type of commands there are. I wasn't clear on how to import samples, I assume the flash card has a USB port maybe? I wasn't in love with the quality of the effects I heard, mind you.
I checked out the SP404 in the shop this afternoon. I'm inclined to like it. And the local shop had it $5 cheaper than online.
It is super-light, like only 1 kilo. Maybe thicker than it needs to be, I would love it more if it was half the thickness since it would fit in a carrying bag with other junk easier, but it's not so awful really.
The pads/buttons/knobs were all fairly sturdy feeling. Some of the functions seemed mysteriously buried away without reading the manual, so not sure how many "press this button five times" type of commands there are. I wasn't clear on how to import samples, I assume the flash card has a USB port maybe? I wasn't in love with the quality of the effects I heard, mind you.
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- KVRAF
- 1972 posts since 18 Apr, 2004
shamann did you check out the sequencer on the sp-404, what'd you think?
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
That would be one of the things that seemed mysteriously hidden away. I'm sure it's obvious once you know what you're doing with it, but I didn't look at the manual and seemed to be missing a vital step. I wasn't too exhaustive since the sequencer wasn't high on my priority list.stale bread wrote:shamann did you check out the sequencer on the sp-404, what'd you think?
Not sure if you've seen them yet, but Roland has several instructional videos here that might help you out.
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- KVRAF
- 4074 posts since 28 Apr, 2004
the sequencer seemed really hard to use to me.... although as i say, i didn't have time to "get used to it"
what set it apart as a cool portable bit of kit was the battery power and that it felt sturdy, i found you could use it pretty well without ending up in too deep a menu hierarchy.
hope you find what you need mate,
steve.
what set it apart as a cool portable bit of kit was the battery power and that it felt sturdy, i found you could use it pretty well without ending up in too deep a menu hierarchy.
hope you find what you need mate,
steve.
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- KVRAF
- 1972 posts since 18 Apr, 2004
ah thanks, i'm going to check it out
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- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 12235 posts since 18 Aug, 2003
So in my search for a portable sampler, I opted for the Akai S20.
My other options were:
Roland/Boss sp202, 303 or 404
Roland MS1
Yamaha SU10
After looking at the SP404 again, and reading lots of specs/reviews on the earlier models, I decided I just didn't like/want the spX0Xen. Something about them I just don't love. Not sure what, I guess maybe it feels like the sampling is an afterthought and the main thing behind them is that sort of "flashing light groovebox" crap that sells big with the suburban kids.
I saw a Roland MS1 for a good deal on the 'bay, but I wasn't convinced about its quality.
I really like the SU10, there's something inherently fun about it, but I couldn't find any in North America on the web, and overseas shipping would just kill it for me. I got the S20 for little more than the SU10s I saw would have cost me (around 50-60 GBP + 15-20 GBP shipping), and I like the S20 better (a little less compact mind you, but a much better sampler). If I can find an SU10 for a reasonable price in North America, I'll still probably consider getting it.
So, any S20 owners around? Tell me good/bad stuff you've found (no worries about scaring me, I'm comfortable with my purchase either way no matter what).
My other options were:
Roland/Boss sp202, 303 or 404
Roland MS1
Yamaha SU10
After looking at the SP404 again, and reading lots of specs/reviews on the earlier models, I decided I just didn't like/want the spX0Xen. Something about them I just don't love. Not sure what, I guess maybe it feels like the sampling is an afterthought and the main thing behind them is that sort of "flashing light groovebox" crap that sells big with the suburban kids.
I saw a Roland MS1 for a good deal on the 'bay, but I wasn't convinced about its quality.
I really like the SU10, there's something inherently fun about it, but I couldn't find any in North America on the web, and overseas shipping would just kill it for me. I got the S20 for little more than the SU10s I saw would have cost me (around 50-60 GBP + 15-20 GBP shipping), and I like the S20 better (a little less compact mind you, but a much better sampler). If I can find an SU10 for a reasonable price in North America, I'll still probably consider getting it.
So, any S20 owners around? Tell me good/bad stuff you've found (no worries about scaring me, I'm comfortable with my purchase either way no matter what).