The Boss/Roland SP sampler thread

[gis_sweden]

SP owner again! Bought an SP-404SX. Sold my 404 OG a couple years ago.

[Samekid]

I’ve just been checking on all the differences between the models in the line, I used to own a SP-303 and later a SP-606.

This thread lists some of them: https://www.gearslutz.com/board/electronic-music-instruments-and-electronic-music-production/1013076-roland-sp-series-comparison.html

I’m going for the SP-555, mainly because of the live loop recording over a pattern and because it has pattern resampling, which to me is the biggest omission from the rest of the line.

[gis_sweden]

2nd beat with SP-404SX. Nice to be back on track again.
Looking forward to joining beat battles
Beat battle 1. With new sampler.

Resampling no bouncing straight to line in on computer.
Maybe not great, but fun!

[secretrow]

love the sp-303… probably my favorite single-purpose computer!

i remember getting one 10 years ago because i read that madlib and panda bear used one, haha… it really gelled with me and i used it pretty consistently for years, made multiple releases using it solo (or with a four-track), used it with multiple bands… it was my main ‘instrument,’ and learning how to use it was pretty intuitive.

as others have said, some onboard effects are surprisingly decent (filter+drive, ring mod, EQ, reverb, compression/ vinyl simulator), and others are pretty bad (distortion, radio-tuning, noise gen always hurt my ears.) the tempo-editing function makes everything choppy/ stuttering, like madlib’s bass lines.

i also used it like an effects pedal, and played whatever i ran through it (usually mixer feedback + field recordings) in conjunction with the samples i’d loaded onto it. i used this setup for years, it was really useful, playable, and it kept my setup small but sonically varied. i always triggered everything manually, never used the sequencer.

it’s slightly quirky, has limited memory, plus i remember the filter+drive can self-oscillate to the point of the whole unit shutting off, which totally happened to me once during a show- in retrospect this actually led to a cool musical moment… also i had to repair a broken connection (the rca inputs on the board) on two separate occasions. i think the wire they used for that was super tiny and thin, so just replaced it with a stronger connection.

so it’s kinda cheaply made, but i also carried it around in a cardboard shoebox on multiple tours, and that’s really the only problem i’ve had, so for $200? totally worth it… i really stretched the use out of it, was a big part of my sound for a long time, plus it’s really fun to play… it was basically my introduction to making ‘experimental’ music.

(although i should say to people experiencing GAS: if you’ve already had this kind of introduction, i wouldn’t say it’s essential to get a sampler. the 303 just happened to come into my life at the right time.)

also it looks like the SD cards are much cheaper now than they were 5-10 years ago, that’s pretty cool.

[Danswift]

Hello there…

Long time user of the SP series here… started out with a Roland MS 1 but upgraded to the SP - 808 when the machine was originally released.

I use the SP-404 OG currently but I’m also in the process of trying to restore my SP-808 back to its former glories by swapping out the problematic Zip Drive with a card reader from the blue colour version of the Akai MPC 2000 XL.

What a smashing thread! … And I see there’s a couple of folks here that I know already, hehe…

My Beats :(All SP 404 /SP-404 SX)

Soundcloud :

https://soundcloud.com/user-58305257

[petesasqwax]

Yes, @Danswift - beautiful to see you around these parts! Welcome aboard!

[petesasqwax]

I’m sure many people have seen this already, but for those who haven’t, this piece about the inspiration behind, and creation of, the Vulf Compressor - the direction connection it has with the 303 - absolutely belongs within this thread.

[Danswift]

Yo @petesasqwax …hehe-i see interesting looking threads on Roland SP samplers and immediately click!

Just having a look at all of the different topics around here…This looks like a dope place.!

[petesasqwax]

I love it here. Zero drama; 100% inspiration. Perfect!

[Danswift]

@kbit

This sounds really good dude… Excellent job!

[kbit]

Ohh I hope I didn’t imply that I made that song; I did not. It was just the most clear example I could think of regarding the behavior I was trying to describe.

[Danswift]

Ahh isee, I was under the impression that this was one of your recordings made using the 404.

my mistake, but thanks for posting, @kbit , its a nice track!

[petesasqwax]

After a few false starts (purchases of both a 303 and a 505 that I agreed privately which ultimately fell through) I’m finally back in the SP club!

[boboter]

Really enjoyed your beats. Great work! And that they are all made with just the SP makes it even more impressive.

[Danswift]

Thanks for taking the time to check out the music @boboter…very much appreciated!

[ehg]

I have an old SP-303 which I love, but which has stopped working fully - I can get audio from the headphone jack, but not the phono outputs.

Is there anywhere in the UK (ideally near London) where I can get it repaired? I’ve been emailing a guy called Peter Blackett who initially said he’d be able to take a look at it, but has since dropped out of contact.

[Danswift]

Maybe these people could possibly help you out @ehg ?

It could be worth giving them a call as it says they also repair studio gear and drum machines etcetera as well as synthesisers on their website .

LONDON SYNTH REPAIR

[Nick]

I’ve been through a 202 and 303, and now have a 404SX. They’re great little machines, but I don’t think I’d want to go back to the speed and media issues of the earlier ones - I think the ease of resampling and copying on the SX compensates for the FX changes etc.

It’s always fascinating to see how people use these, whatever the model - the SPs are a weird old mix of unparalleled convenience (the hours and hours of sampling time, sampling to swappable media) and frustrating restriction. I might well pay for an SX firmware update that added pattern resampling and chromatic playback (there are 12 pads, for pity’s sake!), but as it stands it pushes and pulls you in certain directions, generally quite different to the ones you’d take with any other sampler, so it feels like it has a character and is, in some ways, a collaborator as well as an instrument.

[petesasqwax]

I definitely got mine with the intention of using it as an effects unit as much as anything else, but there’s no question that I’ll be using it as nature intended, too.

@Danswift I bet Andy Rasteri could fix it if he’s got the time

[spqr6510]

I am obsessed with samplers and I need an sp due to
this discussion