Finding the Right Hardware Sampler

Teenage Engineering PO-33 KO from BoBeats:

Elektron Octatrack MkII demo from Knobs:

Korg Volca Sample demo from Korg:

Elektron Digitakt demo from Elektron:

Roland SP-404A demo from Roland:

Akai MPC One demo from AkaiPro:

1010music Blackbox demo from 1010music:

OP-1 & OP-Z Videos from Teenage Engineering:

Pioneer Toraiz SP-16 demo from Pioneer:

0:00 - Intro
0:41 - Entry Level Samplers
4:24 - Advanced Samplers & Sample Workstations
7:32 - Vintage Samplers

[andycrystal]

It's incredible how there is no simple hardware sampler with analog filters today on the market. No one is making it! ISLA is ok but we need a keyboard sampler à la Emu!

[nocuh]

There used to be a marked difference between akai, Roland, ensoniq, e-mu, and how hot you could hit their various converters for extra color. These new samplers are more or less identical in sound/response so pick whichever workflow suits you and remember EQ is your friend

[mikenoface]

My first "instrument" like a lot of 80's babies was a Casio SK-1. Been in love with sampling ever since.

[VEsound]

Don't forget the Isla Instruments S2400 even if not available on Reverb.

[evantraasdahl]

My favorite classic sampler, of course, the MCP.

[geraldhenrickson]

This was a fantastic overview that I needed very much as I shop. Thanks for a quick look at many models.

[ThMntnst]

Mh, I think this video needs a bit improvement by checking a few boxes more clearly: Some samplers do only play samples which are loaded into them (even some of the „advanced“ category) - others can record them directly. I‘d say that is of strong interest to many people. Another thing would be lining out the „centerpiece-quality“ - to mention the on the beloved SP 404-models seems to be a bit misleading to beginners (because it is possible but it is a strong workaround-type of gear) but not slightly mentioning it on the MPC-series (live I&II, One and X) which are like a compact DAW seems irritating.
Also memory is critical. How are samples loaded, how many voices polyphony can be achieved?

You could do far better by making the gear more comparable, to help starters not only to choose by price.

[febed]

I like my Polyend Tracker a lot. Maybe not the best sampler around but the sound is okay for me and I wanted a hardware tracker. I'm having so much fun ! I've been using software trackers in the 90s (not since) and this brings the fun back :)

[Zinfidel]

Toraiz SP-16 is so good. Massively underrated.

[joshuamorganmusic]

You should do more research. The OP-Z CAN sample directly. It’s been updated several times...

[Jamslerr]

Imma go against the grain and say the sp404 is definitely not a good first sampler.

[AlexGordonMusic]

I still get plenty of miles out of my korg electribe... simple, user friendly, sounds decent.

But oh boy, I’ll take that SP-16 any day of the week.

[leewightman]

My favourite to use is the circuit rhythm definitely the best budget sampler out there i find myself using it as much as the mpc one as the workflow is fast so if im making 90s boombap or dilla type lofi all just use the circuit rhythm for more polished tracks all just the mpc one or if im going a walk all record samples on the p.o ko 33 with my headphones and work on something as i walk but the circuit rhythm is the one i enjoy using the most mpc is nice to but its not as fun

[jamisondonald]

The OP-Z got a firmware update some time back that allows for direct sampling. The OP-1 is only 6 seconds of sampling time per patch in the synth section. The drum section is more like 11 or 12 seconds.
Also, the MPC 1000 with one of the later JJOS firmwares seems to be more capable than most of the new contenders from other brands. It makes a good piece of kit into something that's close to magic, so long as one can get past the learning curve.

[johngorgis]

korg electribe is the best sampler for people diving the hardware units

[djjoeykmusic]

Thank you

Trying to get into sampling

[mpmi]

i was hoping you'd say which one was best for sample mangling/editing. Example: time stretching/pitch control

[ummumm]

Thank you. This video is useful for learning music.

[lpmdlx]

Maybe it should be mentioned that only the second iteration of the Volga sample is capable of sampling via usb.

[LuisFlores-xrbu]

This samplers looks cool. Does any body know which would be better only to be controlled by a keyboard? I'd like to split, layer, eq and that it has velocity and velocity filters. I actually want something simple with no sequencer and a big amount of memory for mainly synth pads.