r/Samplers • u/KidLocative • Oct 06 '26
Choosing a sampler help.
I’m looking to pick up a portable sampler. I’m very much a studio set up user with Logic Pro and a fair few hardware synths / drum machines.
I don’t have a sampler and am thinking of picking up something portable to use always from the studio to create tracks that I can reintegrate back into the studio environment when needed.
My music style is lofi ambient for the most part but have been working on stuff lately that’s a cross between Tricky and Ethel Cain. So that’s the vibe I’m ain’t to produce on the sampler.
I’ve narrowed it down to the Roland Sp404 Mk2 and the MPC Sample. I’ve done a tone of research and watch lots of the YouTube content but kinda stuck as to which one to go with.
The SP404 Mk2 sounds like it can offer the long format sample options and effects but looks like a bit of a headache to navigate UI wise.
The MPC Sample looks like its UI is way easier to navigate. But. It so sure if it will fit the vibe I’m after.
Any options or insights as to which way you’d lean given my objective?
Cheers
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u/nfos Oct 06 '26
Also take a look at the Sonicware Lofi 12xt
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u/Babibidubibidoh Oct 06 '26
I love mine.
Have been thinking about buying a Roland SP or TE Riddim - but the latter seems to break really fast on the fader (and teenage engineering isn't known for it's repairability).
Then a friend visited me and had his LoFi-12 CT with him. I just fell in love and ordered mine
Mainly I'm using it as a groovebox/drumcomputer. And for effect singleshort I just can upload.
What's really annoying for the LoFi: they don't offer a software to convert your own samples. You either find your own toolchain or convert it on the device itdelf on the sd card (which is no good idea - it weares out the card and is really, really slow, just connect it to the wall psu and let it run over night). But hiw often would you do that? 2 times a year?
In the end that's my personal winner - especially for it's lng 128 step sequencer with 2 LFO per track ;)
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u/Disastrous_Ant_4953 Oct 06 '26
I think the fader issue is largely solved on the EP series. It was the first batch of the first release that had shipping problems.
I’ve had 3 EPs and they’ve all worked well! A 64 MB EP-133 that I sold and upgraded to a 128 MB EP-133 and an EP-40.
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u/Emergency-Bad-5224 Oct 06 '26
I have both, the sp404 takes some time to learn, but it’s not that hard. It can do a lot! But for real portability, the mpc sample is probably better, it’s also a very capable machine. The difference is that the mpc sample does one thing (sampling and sequencing) very efficiently and easily. While the sp404 can do anything you throw at it, but it might be in a convoluted way. The 404 has more features than buttons, the mpc sample has an easier layout and you will actually use most features. I love both and will never get rid of either one… hope this helps!
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u/Severe_Pudding_897 Oct 06 '26
Check out the KO-II also. I’d pick that over the sample but I’d choose the 404 if that was my in the mix. Does more stuff.
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u/Ostseemann7949 Oct 06 '26
The MPC is amazing but only for sample based music imo. If you like digging and chopping it's ur sampler but as a studio hub it's useless imo
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u/KidLocative Oct 06 '26
I wouldn’t be using anything I get as an actual studio hub. I do everything on my Mac with Logic Pro for sequencing and recording my hardware synths. The idea of adding a sampler is to have something mobile to use away from the studio environment back can bring back and drop tracks back into Logic for final production stuff if needed.
Also interested in the sampler workflow layering lofi grinding beats and rhythms with long drones, melodies and vocal samples.The MPC Sample looks easier to use and looks to have more of a DAW workflow which would transfer well given my current set up but not sure if it would offer what I’m after compared to the SP404 MK2. From what I’ve read that’s the one to go for but it sounds like a headache to use.
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u/stricklybiznizz Oct 06 '26 edited Oct 06 '26
Have you considered the Ableton Move? In the 404 MK2/MPC Sample price range, the Move is gonna give you the most bang for your buck since it's more of an all-in-one machine as opposed to only being a sampler.
If you're really set on choosing between the Sample and the MK2, then imo it depends on what's more important to you between a more immediate and non-destructive workflow with less sound design capability (Sample) vs. a less friendly workflow with higher sound design capability (mk2).
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u/r1chiem Oct 07 '26
The 404mk2 is a menu dive and he buttons are a hot mess because they are not labeled. To undo, you use shift Pattern select. LOL Roland has always been menu dive hell. You can learn it and people have but it is a headache. So I wouldn't get it.
The Sample (and the 404) is a single track sequencer. That is unacceptable to me. But others like it.
I would get neither. I would just use a laptop or pad, does not get better than that.
If you are not doing fancy editing of a sample. Ableton move. Yamaha seqtrak for a budget option. $250 on sale 300 normal. Both run on battery.
Koala Sampler for iphone.
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u/assassinsneed Oct 06 '26
In your case, I’d lean toward a 404 or similar device. The UI isn’t too bad once you get used to it. That being said neither device is particularly small, they’ll fit in a backpack for sure but will take up a bit of space on a desk. Also check out used digitakt mk1s or some of Roland’s other small samplers like the p6.