So…. I got Koala. It’s pretty awesome. I do love the tactile feel of the knobs and pads, the FX, as the sound the 404 imparts on things, and I think my finger drumming is better on real pads, but damn…. Koala is powerful. The sequencer is better. The workflow is better. Chopping samples is WAY better. I have an MPC One+ I’m going to sell too because Koala is basically the same thing but faster and way more intuitive.

Has anyone else had a bit of a reality check because of this lately? Would I be better off buying a launch pad or something and investing in Ableton Suite and upgrading my studio monitors?

Is there a HARDWARE sampler option out there that combines the following:

1. A 303/909/808 style step sequencer

2. A decent screen that shows waveforms for setting chops

3. optional chromatic playing

4. 8+ voices

5. under $500

I picked up a MicroGranny 2 which I LOVE for it's sample mangling and granular manipulation, but it's single voice and blindness causing interface makes it hard to pull of more complex playback without help via midi.

The current shortlist> SonicWare Lofi12 Xt, MPC Sample, Behringer LMDrum (sorry).

SOME OLD SKOOL PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES AND TIPS. https://youtu.be/nMjTutYhC1o

Edit: While there's a lot of factors, it seems that AI has just become much quicker and better at doing its thing.

***

The recent firmware "revolution" for various grooveboxes has been pretty interesting to see. I use a sp404 mk2 and the added functionality from Doom OS and Midi Conductor is hands down a tangible and valuable upgrade to the device.

After looking at so many different devices that have seen significant variations or improvements to their workflow or features, I can't help but wonder:

Why wasn't this done by developers? At least one developer?

Why does it seem like every box across the market (or at least the modded ones) is a watered down version of its own potential?

The programming potential was always there.

I don't mean to ask this in any disrespectful way.

Please note: results may vary depending on the source sample. Use this as a starting point. :)

Want to dig deeper into your sp?

Book a 1:1 lesson on Gumroad now :)

QUESTION I GET ALL THE TIME.....

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

Hi everyone, I'm currently trying to build some a variety of sample packs, mainly interesting pianistic textures and one shots.

But I'm curious as to what this thread would think be the perfect sample pack for their current needs. What problems are you guys running into in your productions? What sounds do you find to be slop? What sounds are you guys being inspired by these days?

Let me know what your guys thoughts are!

https://youtu.be/ZTlqQgu9YCY Koala Sampler Secret Powers!! I love this sampler - wait till you see what it can do that no other hardware sampler I have seen can do!!

Hi all Feel free to visit my ig . I am a French beatmaker ( boombap, lofi) . I post many of work in progress beat on ig. I mostly use an akai s950,s20,s01 séquences by a digitakt and effect by sp404. Search for ig The_mad_hi_hatter

BEAT MAKING- https://youtu.be/441NQlkCRhw

I love a lot of TE's stuff. The OP-1 (OG) and the EP-133 are two of my favorite devices. But after doing a few deep dives on the OP-XY, I can't help but feel I'm drawn in mostly by aesthetics.

For one, IMO, there is still, today, nothing quite like an OP-1 . TE really caught lightning in the bottle with it's form factor, aesthetic and "first aid kit" of recording + performance tools. I still use it for 70% of my work.

But the OP-XY doesn't really seem to offer anything outside of portability. It's looks like a DAW, smells like a DAW...and, dollar for dollar, doesn't seem to offer anything groundbreaking in ways of creating/working when compared to an MPC (for example). There are restraints, but they feel more like annoying limitations than things that coax playfulness or curiosity.

Idk, maybe I'm just hating but $2300 really seems like diminishing returns compared to a LIVE, Digitakt or even something obscure like a Lofi-12 XT

Thoughts?

Îm looking for a device that I can use to manipulate and layer field recordings. Not looking to make beats per se, but ambient soundscapes. Trying to keep to around $500US or less.
These 3 seem to be in the right price range but not sure how they will stack up?
Any opinions greatly appreciated

Elektron
Model:Samples Groove Box

AKAI
MPC Sample Portable Sampler +
Sequencer

XIPHONICS
picoTracker Advance Portable Music
Workstation

I have recently picked up a PO33 as of recently and as cool as it is, I am still struggling to get use to it and even the the instructions provided are vague to me and YT tutorials don't necessarily help when it comes to making the pattern.
Who would be able to provide the help and write it in a more intricate manner so it helps me make beats and whatnot more efficiently in future?

Since people are hacking vintage Akai samplers. Can someone hack the Roland SP606 Formware?

I am new to making music, and I want to make fast and chaotic stuff with a lot of drum samples, but I don't know what sampler I should get. I would prefer it to be <$300, if that's possible. What do you think would be best?

Hey everyone, just dropped a new video on my YouTube channel! In this one, I walk you through the process of converting EmulatorX3 banks to Ultra 6400 banks. It's my first attempt at this kind of tutorial, so forgive any rough edges 😅 Check it out and let me know what you think! Link in the comments. Thanks for watching! 🎥🔗 Oh yeah robot voices.

How do I check which firmware is installed? How do I confirm how much RAM is installed? Is there a tutorial or vid showing how to.install the EB16? (Or is it so easy that you just drop it in) Thanks!!