Akai S-950- first sampler? or ASR-10?

monolith · Post by **monolith** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:31 am

Hello,
sadly i know nothing about samplers or sampling, but i really want to learn. I have a few questions and would love some help...
i have a chance to purchase an akai s-950 sampler for $275 AU and was wondering if you think thats a good price?
What kind of processing can you do to a sample with the 950?
could i sample drum sounds and use a tr-505 to trigger/sequence them?

sorry to ask so many questions but this is real foreign territory for me .thanks in advance for any input

EDIT > The ASR-10 info is a few posts below
m

Architecture · Post by **Architecture** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 8:38 pm

The one thing the S-950 is most used for is making things 12 bit and lo-fi. The most processing you can do is Timestretch, ADSR envelopes, trim/crop, basic stuff.

You can trigger samples with the TR-505, just set the key zones for just that one pad you want to assign each sample to.

Stupid simple to use. just finding things to sample might be the problem.

logicalhippo · Post by **logicalhippo** » Sat Apr 12, 2008 7:57 pm

Modern sampling is done on computers. Period.

Architecture · Post by **Architecture** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:24 am

man, Im having a hard time getting back into my MPC2000XL. I hate to use the same drum sounds twice, its a crime to me. But Im too lazy to go and make new samples for my next song.

I need a turntable!!!!!

monolith · Post by **monolith** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 2:29 am

logicalhippo wrote:Modern sampling is done on computers. Period.

Maybe for you, but i dont really want to use a computer, except to record to.

Thanks for the info Architecture

Sorcerio · Post by **Sorcerio** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:32 am

Same here about recording to a computer unless you count using an Atari to sequence with.

The S-950 is great as a drum bank. Very nice with its native multiple outputs and convenient HD floppy drive. And to concur, it is pretty easy to use, just can be a bit tedious when setting up kits and editing a lot of samples at one sitting. It sounds good and that makes it worth picking up 1 or 2. I paid around $225 USD for mine.

monolith · Post by **monolith** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:35 pm

cheers.
Not wanting to start a new thread...
an ASR-10 is available also, how do people here rate them? I just watched the instructional video on youtube, it seems pretty cool also. would it be more ideal for a first sampler? the wavesample possibilities sound like it could be a pretty unique instrument in its own right.
It's more than twice the price of the s-950, but it seems worth it because in a way i'd be getting an esq-1 that can sample and much more right?

Jason13 · Post by **Jason13** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 4:18 pm

logicalhippo wrote:Modern sampling is done on computers. Period.

Follow this link, you may find it enlightening!

http://www.tweakheadz.com/sampling_software.html

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:15 pm

logicalhippo wrote:Modern sampling is done on computers. Period.

uhhhh riiiiight talk to the hundreds of thousands of producers that still use MPC's and im one of em.

xibalba · Post by **xibalba** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:17 pm

Jason13 wrote:
logicalhippo wrote:Modern sampling is done on computers. Period.
Follow this link, you may find it enlightening!

http://www.tweakheadz.com/sampling_software.html

hahaha tweakheadz

thats messed up sending that link

but on the for real go to mpc-forums.com see all of the users there (while some of them may be idiots) there are a few good people and a lot of useful info hardware sampling is still alive

Post by **tallowwaters** » Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:26 pm

the man asked a legit question, so lets keep the piss vs. debate out of the thread.

logical hippo - if you read my rules for the sampler forum, you will find that have violated one. please refrain in the future.

Sir Ruff · Post by **Sir Ruff** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:28 pm

It seems like the ASR-10 might be a better option if you are looking for a standalone sampler/sequencer.... there are more sounds, actual effects and more mangling abilities too...

with the tr-505 + 950, you will have a basic but functional "drum machine/phrase loop" sampler... e.g. you will be able to program your samples only as well as you can sequence drum loops...

actually, that's kind of a neat setup idea and would be a very cool "alternative" mpc setup...
-it would work live cos you could switches loops on the fly, and still hit the pads at the same time

(but the asr-10 still sounds more practical for your needs)

hollandturbine · Post by **hollandturbine** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:28 am

$200 is about the right price for a S950...but you can get an S2000 for about the same price, I see them pop up from time to time and the price is usually about the same.
Depends if you want your samples crushed or not.

Hugo76 · Post by **Hugo76** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:37 pm

monolith;
If I were you, I'd invest some more money and get a higher spec'ed sampler. My suggestion would be the Yamaha A4000 or A5000, or Akai's S5000 (with the huge benefit of usb).

I think the limitations on the s950 and ASR-10 might get on your nerves after a while.

gcoudert · Post by **gcoudert** » Sat May 31, 2008 1:17 pm

monolith wrote:could i sample drum sounds and use a tr-505 to trigger/sequence them?

You could, but remember that the TR505 only has 5 levels of velocity so if you are trying to achieve a realistic feel, it's not the ideal set up.

All you need to do is assign your drum samples to certain notes and assign the drum sounds on the TR to the corresponding MIDI note numbers.

Gilles

Akai S-950- first sampler? or ASR-10?

Akai S-950- first sampler? or ASR-10?

Re: Akai S-950- first sampler? or ASR-10?