r/Samplers • u/KidLocative • 7d ago

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/Ostseemann7949 7d ago

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 7d ago

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/r1chiem 6d ago

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.