first off hi,
just joined the forums. Ok so ive always been into music production since a young age but stopped for numerous reasons, now i wish to buy a roland SP but im not sure which one to get, i was considering the 404 but i dont know the major differences. I have never used a sampler before but and very tech minded and used to DJ so will this be enough to kinda pick it up as i go along by my self?
what will be the best model for me and why and also wheres the best place to get it?

thanks

303 or 404 with a turntable and a mixer and you'll be golden. If you have a computer than there are free programs to record with. For finding stuff I'd check ebay,craigslist,local music stores etc...

Welcome to the forum.

yeah i was seriously considering the 404, i have two turntables but no mixer any more, sure i can get hold of one though.
which brings me to my next question, what are the things you NEED to use the 404, am i right in thinking you can just put samples on a CF memory card pop it in the 404 and have an amp at the other end of the 404 and youre ok to do soem basics?

thanks for the reply

I usually advise to go to your local Guitar Center or whatever you have in your city, and try one out, play around a bit and kind of get a feel for it..But if you've never used a sampler before, a 404 would be a great place to start. Still I say try em out for yourself, you know which one I'm partial 2, check the Avatar.

But welcome to the forums, Peace, Duss

Yeah, if you have a cf card reader/writer than you can load samples. I always sample into the 303 though.

ok well.... when payday comes o think im gonna get me a 404, ill probably be back when i have it with lots more questions n talk etc... in the mean time anyone got any good sites for resources like sounds tuts software etc.. i already have soundforge.

sounds- you used to be a DJ right? , still got your vinyl. sample your crates, thats what the 404 is best at.(just dont sample hip hop records)

tuts- i guesse thats short for tutorial- the best place is here. Not many tutorials on the SP out there.

software- The SPs are very raw machines, no need to hook it up to a computer(imo)

ok sweet, one thing not that i have many but why shouldnt i sample hip hop

generally speaking it is considered very unethical.

Just sample whatever sound source that suits your needs. Music is about creativity not about rules.

Edit: I agree though that sampling someone else's sample is a bit silly.

Yeah, I gotta disagree there juxt. I'll sample anything that catches my ear and at the end of the day if sounds good with the rest of your sample no one will know or care. Everyone from Mf Doom, Madlib, and Dilla have all sampled current hip hop or r&b tracks. I know it's like a moral thing to a lot of people but what difference does it make if you steal samples from the 60's and 70's or newer stuff, if you're nice with a sampler people will still appreciate your work. My only thing is if you plan on selling sample tracks or putting them out on a large scale contact all artists you sampled and make sure it's cool to use and if not just K.I.M and flip another sample. I sample 'cause I respect the original artist and would like to show to music in a new light to a new audience so I can spark the same interest in good music the was set off in my soul when I first heard some good hip hop. One

I sample because I like to reuse sounds I hear, in a different way, but most importantly because I suck at playing 'real' instruments.
I for myself only use single shot samples no loops but that is just my personal approach to sampling.

somethings just aint right and deserve no respect. for example jlo jenny from the block sampling or using same sample as beatnuts watch out now or puff daddy and that r+b singer using the same fugees sample. I know using the same sample a coincidence sometimes but shit like that is biting.

Yeah more so I talking about taking a newer song and chopping and rearranging it more creatively so I feel you on that, but it happens all day Dilla flipped a D'angelo track for slum village.

I personally find sampling hip hop boring. But aside from that I guess its ok