A standalone sampler for cheap?

I'm looking for a sampler that I could use independent from a computer (ie: can plug into a record or CD player for sampling, and can sequence the patterns it creates into a song) that isn't too expensive. The independence is important; I could technically use my computer instead of a sampler at all but I find it a terrible distraction when I'm starting up on ideas.

My budget is also not much; about $450 US, so price is a definite consideration.

I've seen three that seem to work in this category when bought off Ebay or such:

- SP-303

- SP-404

- MPC500

So I guess what I'm really asking, if nobody knows any others to investigate, is what are the positives and negatives of these three and which one would you particularly recommend as a piece on its own? I've done some looking into it but company reviews and fanboys are hardly going to give the negatives out easily.

Things to take into account:

- Having a decent capability to screw up sounds in real time via FX would be a definite benefit, as would be being able to resample with FX applied to a sample repeatedly.

- Again; as little computer as possible. Recording into one at the end is okay, but I'd prefer to avoid using it for any important features; don't want to be tied to my PC.

- If there's any other samplers that are slightly more expensive but you cannot get over their awesomeness (MPC1000 from what I've heard), or just other obscure ones, by all means mention them. I might find a good deal by a chance.

yamaha rs7k

i made pretty much this exact same thread a while back and the final verdict was MPC 1000

  On 8/5/2009 at 5:41 AM, MAXIMUS MISCHIEF said:

i made pretty much this exact same thread a while back and the final verdict was MPC 1000

Ah yes, just found that thread now. Maybe I can sell my computer for the extra money.

It makes sense though. Once you have something like that you'll stick with it.

  On 8/5/2009 at 5:38 AM, yek said:

yamaha rs7k

At first I assumed this would be some amazingly expensive thing nobody could ever afford but that actually looks pretty nifty for a similar price as the MPC. I will keep an eye on that.

So, is the consensus don't bother with SPs?

i don't know man, nobody gave me a very clear answer on why they aren't as good as the MPC, other than the MPC is better for sequencing.. i would like to hear more about it though. i like how the buttons light up.

trouble with the SPs is they arent really designed to be standalone sequencers - you would need another box for sequencing full tracks

  On 8/5/2009 at 10:22 AM, analogue wings said:

trouble with the SPs is they arent really designed to be standalone sequencers - you would need another box for sequencing full tracks

I was under the assumption that you could make different patterns in the SP, and chain them together for a song. Is this assumption inaccurate? If it's not, what advantages in specific does the MPC have?

  On 8/5/2009 at 5:38 AM, yek said:

yamaha rs7k

And to bump this thread, what would be a good price for one of those?

the trouble with the Roland SPs is that they're cheaply made toys for kids to buy and pretend they're Fat Boy Slim in their bedroom. This is why ithey look pretty and have lots of buttons that light up - if that's the main feature you're looking for in a piece of equipment, then an SP is probably right up your street. If you want a well made, great sounding sampler with an easy to use, powerful sequencer, go for an Akai.

  On 8/9/2009 at 8:57 AM, BCM said:

If you want a well made, great sounding sampler with an easy to use, powerful sequencer, go for an Akai.

In that case, how does the MPC500 stack up in terms of sound, features, usability?

  On 8/9/2009 at 9:18 AM, ieafs said:

  On 8/9/2009 at 8:57 AM, BCM said:

the trouble with the Roland SPs is that they're cheaply made toys for kids to buy and pretend they're Fat Boy Slim in their bedroom. This is why ithey look pretty and have lots of buttons that light up - if that's the main feature you're looking for in a piece of equipment, then an SP is probably right up your street. If you want a well made, great sounding sampler with an easy to use, powerful sequencer, go for an Akai.

well no... they're generally used by people for sample-based music like hip hop or for auxiliary-DJ purposes or whatever. so they're cheaper and less-featured cause that sort of music doesn't need a whole bunch of technical options. that said, as a cheap sampler with whole bunch of in-built effects, simple sequencing, huge memory, ability to run off batteries... they're great.

 

but different horses for courses.

all new Roland stuff under a certain price bracket are toys everyone knows that. They only decent stuff they make anymore are very expensive pro workstations and some good electronic drum kits. All the rest of their stuff is well amateur. All started with the MC-303 ethos (and at least the MC-303 is made well, the later MC-808s etc are horrible in terms of build quality, awful and plasticky). Ever since then Roland gear has been rubbish IMO with one exception - the JP8000. Which I still want.

  On 8/9/2009 at 10:18 AM, solarion said:

  On 8/9/2009 at 8:57 AM, BCM said:

If you want a well made, great sounding sampler with an easy to use, powerful sequencer, go for an Akai.

 

In that case, how does the MPC500 stack up in terms of sound, features, usability?

very well - probably the best you will get for the price.

  On 8/9/2009 at 11:30 AM, BCM said:

  On 8/9/2009 at 10:18 AM, solarion said:

  On 8/9/2009 at 8:57 AM, BCM said:

If you want a well made, great sounding sampler with an easy to use, powerful sequencer, go for an Akai.

 

In that case, how does the MPC500 stack up in terms of sound, features, usability?

 

very well - probably the best you will get for the price.

I mean, are there any significant and useful features that it's missing in comparison to an MPC1K, or is it just a matter of less buttons/memory/sequencer tracks?

  On 8/9/2009 at 6:51 AM, ieafs said:

  On 8/5/2009 at 12:03 PM, solarion said:

  On 8/5/2009 at 10:22 AM, analogue wings said:

trouble with the SPs is they arent really designed to be standalone sequencers - you would need another box for sequencing full tracks

 

I was under the assumption that you could make different patterns in the SP, and chain them together for a song. Is this assumption inaccurate? If it's not, what advantages in specific does the MPC have?

no, you just make a bunch of patterns and then swtich between them by hand. you can't say, 'this pattern goes after this one', you just have one going and then either queue up the next one (to go to once the current pattern finishes) or go manually between them.

Okay; assume I'm an idiot. What does the MPC sequencer actually do that is not simply plotting this out in advance?

it's a full blown multi track sequencer that you can use to sequence whole songs on the MPC or hook it up to something else via MIDI and sequence that. it's like a studio in a box.

specs are:

# Maximum events: 100,000 notes

# Resolution: 96 parts per 1/4-note

# Sequences: 99

# Tracks per sequence: 48

# MIDI output channels: 16

# MPC 500 Song mode: 20 songs, 250 steps per song

# MPC 500 Drum pad: 12 (velocity and pressure sensitive)

# MPC 500 Drum pad banks: 4

# Sync mode: MIDI clock

what this means is that as it's 48 tracks per sequence, you could sample say, a bass noise and program in a bass pattern on one track. then sample some drums and sequence that on another track, then a lead synth on another etc etc until you have a whole song sequence built up to a maximum of 48 different tracks each with a different thing in them. you can then program the tracks to come in and out of the song when you like or mute each track in and out manually by using the pads to trigger certain tracks when you want them.

cool

  On 8/26/2009 at 8:00 PM, BCM said:

what this means is that as it's 48 tracks per sequence, you could sample say, a bass noise and program in a bass pattern on one track. then sample some drums and sequence that on another track, then a lead synth on another etc etc until you have a whole song sequence built up to a maximum of 48 different tracks each with a different thing in them. you can then program the tracks to come in and out of the song when you like or mute each track in and out manually by using the pads to trigger certain tracks when you want them.

Okay, thank you. That's the kind of answer I needed.

akai s3000/3500, it a rack sampler with a little screen though and you need something to sequence it. they are a good price, supposedly easier, at least easier than my yamaha a5000, and it's akai

I can also vouch for the mpc1k. the 500 has a small display. who wants that?

KORG Electribe SX. Drum machine/sampler. A used one is around $300.

tell me about that one braintree, i was thinking about the EMX 1 but everyone in my sampler thread said not to bother with it.. do yo have experience with it? what are its pros and cons against the MPC 1000?

Electribe SX is not as powerful as an MPC but better than the Roland SP series. Not as good sequencer as the MPC etc..

I think it has a better sequencer than the MPC. I don't like sequencing in a grid. I like to go left to right.

I've used the ESX for quite some time. The Electribe MX is just a synth. The SX is the sampler. It has quite a lot of memory, and also takes SmartMedia cards. It has analog tubes, which can add a bit of warmth to your sound. It also has a ribbon for easy rolls and whatnot. The effects are quite good, as well [short delay and the decimator being my favorites]. The navigation is really easy, and you can program an almost unlimited amount of patterns. I've had mine since 2005, and it's still not full.

It's equally great for studio work and the stage.

I would recommend finding one in a local shop and testing it out just to see what you're comfortable with.

i have the emx1 and i love it

emx/esx have a totally fluid workflow especially with the native fx. fluid and fast and easy to invent / discover new sounds just by tweaking some modulation and adding an effect. totally recommended. the build is nice and it's good looking. the buttons are luscious. I ebayed mine for about $350.

  On 8/30/2009 at 6:21 AM, iamabe said:

 

i have the emx1 and i love it

WANT