Alright so I have two questions
first is there away to collect samples at a higher volume it seems that I'm having trouble getting samples from (exit source and mic)to record loud compared to downloaded .wav files put directly onto the SD card. I have adjusted the volume to max on the exit source and turned the volume to 127 on input volume.

And also is there a good case out there for transporting this thing or can I just throw it in my backpack (basically how delicate is this thing).

I have the same problem adjusting volume on the SP. It can be tough getting drums loud enough. I think the trick is to just get the balance of everything right on the SP, then deal with how loud you want the finished track to be as you record it.

The SP is a durable machine, so you don't have to worry about a flight case or anything. For travel's sake, I throw mine in a laptop sleeve, just to prevent scratches and shit. As long as you're careful, you can probably do without.

Hope this helps.

I record through the mic input on my 303 and use that to get a stronger signal, that way you get the second knob to boost.....just don't clip you signals by running em too hot.....unless you're doing it for some sound design reason, then clip away.
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Apply the Isolator effect and turn the low, mid, and high all the way up. Then turn down the volume and resample. This may cause distortion with certian samples though.

Thanks for the advice
So I found that the best way is to plug into your mic with line in, and you can get your peak right but the isolator works also.
any how word up thanks again.

Isolator will work, but I'd like to interject the fact that you're boosting overall frequency response of the sound which could lead to peaking in your final mix.
You can get some solid results using frequency cuts in the right bands. You should be able to get a strong signal using the mic in gain control and the volume input to 127, unless you're sampling off a turntable that isn't going through a pre-amp mixer or one that can't put out line level signal like a vestax handy trax etc.....tables made for diggin'

Euclid has most of the answer. Stopping sounds from masking others by selective EQ cuts is a trick mix engineers must master, but there's a few other things you can consider...

Level mismatch is a typical issue with digital recording. Imported samples might already have had some form of compression and limiting done which raises the average level and reduces any peaks - so they sound louder and can go louder without clipping. When you record raw sound, the peaks are what limits the maximum recording level - you have a quieter sounding sample because the average level is well below the peaks.

Ideally, a digital sampler should have the option of a limiter and/or compressor built into the line & mic pre-amps. Some recording interfaces for computers do in fact provide that.

Some like to run the sound through a pre-amp first (such as a mixer channel) and let that clip a bit. They like the resulting analogue distortion and can get a louder recording without as much fear of getting digital clipping in the recorder - which nobody seems to like! At the same time, you can apply the external pre-amps EQ to get the sound more mix friendly in the first place. Experience plays a big part with this, but many samples won't need a lot of bass present if they aren't intended to provide the bass end of the mix. You can cut the mid range too to clear space for melody parts. The high end might be boosted a bit to give some sparkle.

Keeping in the 404, you have the choice of re-sampling to apply whatever compression your own samples need to keep up with the imports. An alternate is to drop the level of the imported samples to match your raw samples.

Hope that helps?

Jim

Thanks Jim Y, this is great info.

i use my 404 as toilet paper when im out. its durable.

I don't know if you have tried this, but on which sample you want, press "Start/End/Level", and turn the last knob (CTRL 3/MFX), to control the volume of the sample.

Everybody has their own approach, and that's what makes samplers such a sick instrument is their flexibility. I am glad to see so many thinking outside the box, but the last comment is the only one barking up the right tree, in my opinion.

The problem is hardly the input-generated samples being quiet, but instead the uploaded samples being WAY TOO LOUD. In fact, I have an issue with my volume knob crackling under the pressure of uploaded 808 sub bass, and I can't tell the true source of the crackle. This brings me to the durability questions.

I saw one dude do a knob mod to lower the height of his knobs specifically for him to use a backpack as his case. So, I went and bought some Radio Shack knobs. The problem with this is twofold. Firstly, my technique involves a lot of knob tweaking, and these low-heigh knobs rub the knob hole too much (pun intended), so they are not nearly as smooth on the action. Secondly, the hole on the bottom of the low knobs is metal, with a screw for tightening, so they pinch on the metal prongs and make a little teeth mark. I almost feel like this contributed to my volume knob crackle.

It's less than a year old, so I don't know why the little part under the knob would be going out already. Is that part universal, or do I need to buy several and stock up for the day when Roland leaves us high-and-dry on tech support? I replaced this part only twice in my 15 years spent with the SP202, so I'm lead to beleive that crackle is not a knob issue. Anybody know about that?

I'd be interested to know about this crackle issue too, my MicroKorg volume knob crackles like a mofo every time I adjust it while playing. I guessing it was repaired or replaced by the previous owner and it is now introducing some kind of static.

my mpc and 404 both crackle when adjusting the master volume knob, it is most likely dirty, open it up and give it a light clean and that should sort it out. only reason i haven't is due to laziness. you would be suprised how dirty switches/buttons ect can get, especialy if your sampling in lo fi, it's dutty bizzznessss

Some of my guitars crackle when I adjust the volume. So I guess this is a universal thing with volume nobs....?

http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/517 ... me-control


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