New sp303 user

[RayFrancis]

Hi guys,

After I did some research and hesitated between a sp303 and 404, I ordered and received my sp303 this week.

Somehow I really like playing with it, more than my 2000xl. Maybe because it's new, maybe because it's just small and fun.

However, during my research I was wondering why do people use the resample (as if they make beats on a tapedeck of in cool edit) instead of using the sequencer (even without quantizing). With the resample method you don't make beats on a certain BPM, right? And you don't have any metronome. Do people then just make a 'fast' or a 'slow' beat, without concerning the BPM? When you then make an other drum pattern on an other pad, it's really hard to get the exact same BPM, right? (I guess?)

Two other things I was wondering about:

Do you guys prefer to sample drum breaks or drum kits (from the pc or a cd) on the sp303?

Is it possible to let the sp recognize the BPM from a sample maybe when sampling of while playing trough EXT?

Thanks guys!

[ellaguru]

However, during my research I was wondering why do people use the resample (as if they make beats on a tapedeck of in cool edit) instead of using the sequencer (even without quantizing). With the resample method you don't make beats on a certain BPM, right? And you don't have any metronome. Do people then just make a 'fast' or a 'slow' beat, without concerning the BPM? When you then make an other drum pattern on an other pad, it's really hard to get the exact same BPM, right? (I guess?)

sometimes the sp303 seq is hard to play, because it depnds on your personal timing, the sp404 for examples is better in this field

Is it possible to let the sp recognize the BPM from a sample maybe when sampling of while playing trough EXT?

you have to press tap before sampling, then there is on the manual a way to set bpm sampling i think

[RayFrancis]

Thanks for the reply!

So, the sequencer is hard. Then the resample method is even harder, right? There is no metronome when you resample. So, I really don't get it. In my opinion the resample method should be tons of work, right?

Thanks for the BPM tip, I'll check the manual.

[ellaguru]

Thanks for the reply!
So, the sequencer is hard. Then the resample method is even harder, right? There is no metronome when you resample. So, I really don't get it. In my opinion the resample method should be tons of work, right?

the seq is hard in therms of timing, your timing, it s not a sequencer wich work in sync, so when you pass from one pattern to another one you have to sync them by hand....

resample methods is useful when you use a "metronome made by yourself"; means that you can resample, for example, some hihats in loop and made this is your "metronome"; then, by starting by that, you can layer other loops and building tracks or patterns...

[RayFrancis]

Ah oke, but that same problem you would have when you resample, right? You mean like on the mp, when you go from pat 1 > 2 it goes in when the first pat is finished (on the mp you even have song mode tho')

And now I see. So most of the guys who make beats with resampling have some loop on a bpm to build on. This is the way they do on the 202 either, right? But the play it live and tape it direct.

[Pip Molinsky]

However, during my research I was wondering why do people use the resample (as if they make beats on a tapedeck of in cool edit) instead of using the sequencer (even without quantizing).

A lot of people like what the 303 does to the sound. With each resampling a bit more of this magic will be applied to your beat. When you apply effects to single drum hits and build a loop with the sequencer it will sound different to a loop you built using resample and having the effects applied afterwards (or in between). Of course you can apply effects to multiple pads of your sequence at the same time, but then it's just one effect and not a chain (like first reverb, then compression, then lo-fi).

With the resample method you don't make beats on a certain BPM, right? And you don't have any metronome.

I have a metronome on my desk to help me keep time. Also note that you can set the BPM of the sample before you record (page 30 in the manual). The length of the sample will then automatically adjusted. This doesn't work in resampling mode though.

[RayFrancis]

Wow, great insights! Now I see the point of using the resample function in a bigger scope.

So, you use an analoge metronome. Funny, I've read this now and then. You can set this on a certain BPM? I guess using a pattern on a specific BPM is also a good way to built the track on.

Thanks for the BPM tip, I'll consult the manual.

[nobdy]

If you rely on a set bpm, you are going to make things harder on yourself on the sp303

In my opinion, the greatest thing about the resampling method is that there is no bpm, there is no grid, there are no predefined settings you need to comply with.

In ableton live, i have to tap tempo and play things in time for things to match the grid. Or, i have to time stretch it, shift midi notes around, and what not.

What makes me grab the sp303 is that I just turn it on and make music spontaneously. It's RAW

You can literally start with only a "BOOM" and a "BAP"
Loop it to your liking, and then just layer and layer via resampling until you make something you like. It's like a 2 track recorder.

Yes, it can be tedious and frustrating, but it will elevate your skills, timing, and rhythm. I started out like shit, but after doing it for a few years, I'm alright now.

I have 3 vids up showing a bit of the resampling method. Here's one of them.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RruekP1RcAU

[RayFrancis]

Thanks for the comment. I've seen your video's indeed, while I was doing research. They were great

[Calvinhobbes]

The real reason to resample instead of using the sequencer has to do with polyphony. The 303 only has 8-note polyphony (404 has 12-note) which means you can only have 4 stereo samples playing at one time in the sequence (or 8 mono samples). This might seem like plenty of room to work with, but after adding drum sounds, samples and layering of both, the polyphony limit can get incredibly frustrating. I started out using the pattern sequencer on the 303 (which imo is much better than the 404's sequencer) and made great stuff, but I eventually migrated to resampling because of the polyphony issues. Resampling does not have this polyphony issue (most of the time) since you're simply combining pads you recorded onto. In other words, the drum pattern you resample onto a pad only takes up a max of two notes (stereo) of polyphony instead of 4 or however many drum sounds you used to make the pattern.

[ellaguru]

I started out using the pattern sequencer on the 303 (which imo is much better than the 404's sequencer)

sorry but i don't understand in what way the 303 seq is better than the 404 ones...