MicroSampler or KP3?

[Lyncaster]

Hi. I currently want a sampler to
•Sample my MoPho/Sk-1
•Add effects to other gear
•I do not need it for live purposes, as I Would most likely sample them before hand. The effects tweaking would be live, though.

[cdog]

I own both these units and they are pretty different, and not really comparable.

The KP3 has sampling thrown in but its more of a sample mangler/FX box, as you can only trigger 4 samples at once. I dont think this is of much use when sampling an instrument.

The Microsampler can take a sample and lay it out across the keyboard, so it has a lot of uses for turning single samples into instruments. Also, the Microsampler has an FX engine built on the KP series, and it sounds quite good.

I think for live use the KP3 is where its at for phrase sampling/mangling and FX tweaking, but as a studio tool there is no doubt the Microsampler is where its at, its a real instrument (with a sequencer too) capable of some really impressive things, you can pretty much compose using just that if you wanted to.

Both great, inspiring units though, I dont think I will ever part with either!

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by cdog

I own both these units and they are pretty different, and not really comparable.

The KP3 has sampling thrown in but its more of a sample mangler/FX box, as you can only trigger 4 samples at once. I dont think this is of much use when sampling an instrument.

The Microsampler can take a sample and lay it out across the keyboard, so it has a lot of uses for turning single samples into instruments. Also, the Microsampler has an FX engine built on the KP series, and it sounds quite good.

I think for live use the KP3 is where its at for phrase sampling/mangling and FX tweaking, but as a studio tool there is no doubt the Microsampler is where its at, its a real instrument (with a sequencer too) capable of some really impressive things, you can pretty much compose using just that if you wanted to.

Both great, inspiring units though, I dont think I will ever part with either!

Thanks!
So im looking at the Microsampler.
But what about the ESX?
I could get it used for cheaper than the microsampler.

[cdog]

ESX is great too, but dont discount its little brother the ES1. Also awesome! In both cases, be prepared to take some time selecting choice samples you want to load...

But again, for sampling the Mopho, I think the Microsampler is ideal. The ESX/ES1 is really tailored towards drum production.

I paid $230 for my Microsampler on craigslist here in NYC, and you can get a 1st gen ES1 for like $100 or so on ebay. Why not get both, even if you dont find prices quite so low, they are still great deals even for 10-20% more than that...

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by cdog

ESX is great too, but dont discount its little brother the ES1. Also awesome! In both cases, be prepared to take some time selecting choice samples you want to load...

But again, for sampling the Mopho, I think the Microsampler is ideal. The ESX/ES1 is really tailored towards drum production.

I paid $230 for my Microsampler on craigslist here in NYC, and you can get a 1st gen ES1 for like $100 or so on ebay. Why not get both, even if you dont find prices quite so low, they are still great deals even for 10-20% more than that...

Ah. I mainly use my Computer with an LPD8 for percussion. And I have an korg ER on the way. Im looking for something to kinda prerecord one sound on the MoPho so I can play another on it, or so I can save a sample I like on the Casio SK-1, since or has no memory, or sample a loop I play on the MoPho/SK-1, which would be way easier than using the mophos sequencer. And I would also use this to mess with when I go on vacas or to my grandparents on the weekends.

[elijahbrown]

I don't think that you should discount an old akai sampler. If you could find an s5k or s6k. Then I would say get that instead. Out of the 2, I would say go with the microsampler. Its gonna be more like what you are looking for. The kp3 is good for live fxs. But, in a studio setting, I wouldn't recommend one.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by elijahbrown

I don't think that you should discount an old akai sampler. If you could find an s5k or s6k. Then I would say get that instead. Out of the 2, I would say go with the microsampler. Its gonna be more like what you are looking for. The kp3 is good for live fxs. But, in a studio setting, I wouldn't recommend one.

Ah. Well I do have 3 weeks to find one, as that's when my money will come in.
And thanks, what about the ESX?

[Lyncaster]

I just found a microsampler for $205.
Good deal?

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Lyncaster

I just found a microsampler for $205.
Good deal?

Indeed!
Funny to run into this thread, as I actually have two SK-5 patches on my MicroSampler at the moment: piano and flute.

The piano--coupled with a very specific and crucial sequence of effects--is a huge part of "my sound."

Haven't used KP at all, but I love my MicroSampler and I have big plans for it!


GL!

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Lyncaster

•I do not need it for live purposes, as I Would most likely sample them before hand. The effects tweaking would be live, though.

...However, the MicroSampler isn't the most live-friendly gear around. There's a bit of menu-diving, and changing banks takes about ~8 seconds or so.

Recording-wise this is a non-issue, but it seems the KP is probably more live-friendly.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

...However, the MicroSampler isn't the most live-friendly gear around. There's a bit of menu-diving, and changing banks takes about ~8 seconds or so.

Recording-wise this is a non-issue, but it seems the KP is probably more live-friendly.

That's why I said it wouldnt be for live use

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Lyncaster

That's why I said it wouldnt be for live use

yeah, I missed the "live" part when I skimmed OP.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

yeah, I missed the "live" part when I skimmed OP.

Lol yea.
So I should go with the microsampler?

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by Lyncaster

Lol yea.
So I should go with the microsampler?

I love mine. It's like an Sk-1 modded by God himself. Maybe I just love keyboard samplers unconditionally...

I would say 'yes, get it,' but just know that live tweaking on the fly will be hugely awkward with this guy.

Cheers.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

I love mine. It's like an Sk-1 modded by God himself. Maybe I just love keyboard samplers unconditionally...

I would say 'yes, get it,' but just know that live tweaking on the fly will be hugely awkward with this guy.

Cheers.

I wouldn't tweak on the fly per se. Maybe one effect. Not really using it as much of an effects processor tbh

[Bumply]

Maybe a change of direction from what you were looking at, but an akai MPC or maschine are great options. Sampler + sequencer + great pads to play.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by Bumply

Maybe a change of direction from what you were looking at, but an akai MPC or maschine are great options. Sampler + sequencer + great pads to play.

I already ordered an akai LPD8, and
I would rather not use pads, as I mostly see them as percussion instruments.

[elijahbrown]

This guy says other wise.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by elijahbrown

This guy says other wise.

That's pretty sweet!
But alas, I dont really want more than one pad controlled drum machine.

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by Earache

Maschine is definitely not just for doing percussions.



And any sound selected on Maschine's pads can be played chromatically from a MIDI keyboard.

Pretty sweet.
But if I wanted something like that, I'd get an MPC, but an Lpd8 with the right software could do this, correct?
Also, would it be "easier/cheaper/better" if I just got an audio interface to record my MoPho into?
I was looking at the M audio Fast track pro.

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by elijahbrown

This guy says other wise.

[omvibes]

Sorry, but that Jeremy Ellis video is the 21st century equivalent of the 1970s never-ending drum solo, while Rick Wakeman eats a curry in the wings... all technique, and no music. Flame away if you wish, you know I'm right :-)

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by Earache

Depends on what "something like that" means to you I guess. MPC and Maschine have a lot of similarities but they also have big differences. They are not necessarily direct replacements of each other 1:1 although I did replace my MPCs with Maschine and I personally could never go back. Maschine has the advantage of having access to all of your sounds at once at all times and it's more like having a MPC and a workstation full of instrument sounds and a multi effects processor/sequencer together in one environment, and of course it can load VST/AU plugins which no MPC or hardware workstation can do. Also Maschine integrates seamlessly with DAWs via export/drag and drop or as a plugin without having to wait to sync and track out every single time like you have to with standalone hardware like MPCs.

As far as pairing a MIDI controller like LPD8 with some other software, it would never replicate what Maschine does in terms of the dedicated hardware being so integrated with the software that you can do pretty much everything from the hardware without even looking at the computer screen or touching a mouse.

Do you need the computer to run the program?

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by Lyncaster

Do you need the computer to run the program?

Or could you just use the machine stand alone?

[elijahbrown]

You need a computer with maschine

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by elijahbrown

You need a computer with maschine

Ah. I don't need all those bells and whistles. It's a tad bit out of my price range anyway ($300)

[Lyncaster]

Thanks guys, but I'm going with the M audio fast track pro.

[Rogue Ai]

I used to have a fast track pro and mine was buggy as hell, even with my quad core PC that has 8 gb of ram. Audio drop outs, clicks, pops, and it used so much CPU. It was so bad that I sold it on ebay for a loss of about $50. I kind of feel bad for the person that bought it. Anyway, I don't know if the new version has these problems.

A PCI card solved all of my problems.

[elijahbrown]

What are you using as an interface now?

[Lyncaster]

Originally Posted by elijahbrown

What are you using as an interface now?

I use a Tascam DP-004.
I have $250 for a new interface, but I'd like to stay in the $100-150 ballpark