MP2kl with the SP303.

Hi all,

If you may, please explain to me why so many people use the SP303 with MPs?

I understand it has some handy FX etc, but I would like to know how it is integrated with a stand alone MP set up?

many ways to integrate it... you can run the mpc main outputs into it for the effects on the mpc... you can put it before the sample inputs to sample crazy stuff from the SP into the mpc... or you can run midi output from the mpc to the midi input of the SP to trigger samples from the mpc pads and sequence the sp pads like they are an additional bank on the mpc.

I run the main outputs of the mpc through the SP.. and midi output from the mpc to the SP as well... this basically give the mpc's sound that SP pad on the lower right which allows for muting.. it also allows for resampling sounds from the mpc onto other pads in the SP... and last but not least.. let's say you are doing a live thing, well the SP has much longer sample time than the mpc so you can record all your long samples (pad samples for example) on the sp and keep shorter samples (drum samples for example) in the mpc.

I've got the 202 and 505.

Aside from the sound of the units themselves, it's nice to sequence on the MPC and bounce audio over to the SPs and play with fx.

Samplers become a whole lot more fun to use when you've got several; it's really about being able to bounce audio around.

I typically get a good groove/beat going on the MPC so I can dump it into an SP and give it a little more life sound and performance-wise, get into that loop and worry more about knob twisting than button pushing.

I use it with my 3000 just for the effects, and really just the filters/isolators and delay at that. Serves as a handy scratchpad for bouncing samples back and forth, allowing for resampling. Really, the biggest use for me are the filters. Layering samples on the 3000 can get muddy very easily, EQing some of the low end out on the SP really goes a long way towards improving clarity.

Don't ever use it with my 2500, since that has built in filters & effects.

Honestly, I think it's pretty overrated...just one of those things that people use because Madlib & J Dilla did

BoyOfVirtue wrote:
Honestly, I think it's pretty overrated...just one of those things that people use because Madlib & J Dilla did

no way... people use them because everyone got a 303 at $100 (or below $200 at the very least) and it's got a ton of value for that money. You get a lot of fx, sampler that can record an hour long sample if you wanted to... it's a good tool for the price plus it's small. nobody is comparing the fx to anything high end...

bang for buck it's awesome.. and useful... and it adds to the mpc quite well even if there is some feature overlap.

mr_debauch wrote:

BoyOfVirtue wrote:
Honestly, I think it's pretty overrated...just one of those things that people use because Madlib & J Dilla did

no way... people use them because everyone got a 303 at $100 (or below $200 at the very least) and it's got a ton of value for that money. You get a lot of fx, sampler that can record an hour long sample if you wanted to... it's a good tool for the price plus it's small. nobody is comparing the fx to anything high end...

bang for buck it's awesome.. and useful... and it adds to the mpc quite well even if there is some feature overlap.

For $!00 sure, but have you seen what they sell for on ebay lately? $250 is the low end for an SP303, they are often around $300--purely because of the hype IMO

Yeah they have a lot of capabilities in a small package, but I think they are missing a few big ones too, like the ability to pitch samples up or down. Also I think they are a drag to use, especially coming from an MPC. The pads stink and the sequencer isn't much either. I couldn't imagine trying to make an entire beat on them

To be fair, I haven't really tried to get to know mine inside n out, but I think I have a pretty good idea of its capabilities. Maybe if I got to see one used in person by someone who really knows what they're doing with it I'd change my tune.

They are a decent adjunct to an MPC, but not worth the price that is being charged for them nowadays.

Prices are retarded for anything beat related on eBay. It's funny seeing these Japanese cats post SP404's for 500-600USD too.

What is more pathetic is people actually paying that cash though.

Damn, that's crazy to hear the prices are going up on those SPs. I guess I'm lucky I copped a brand new 404sx last year for $300. I wouldn't pay that much for a used SP, no matter which model. But anyway, as Mr Debauch mentioned, the way they can be used with an MPC definitely makes them valuable.

for the 303 at least.... it's an addon for the mpc IMO if you plan on making beats with it being involved somewhere in a song..... standalone it's for sound design (some neat pad sounds come to mind by warping the hell out of samples) and that stuff can be recorded into a daw to mess with further. Sequencing is a joke, and too I wish it did pitch adjustment (actual pitch changing, not pitch shifting)

mr_debauch wrote:for the 303 at least.... it's an addon for the mpc IMO if you plan on making beats with it being involved somewhere in a song..... standalone it's for sound design (some neat pad sounds come to mind by warping the hell out of samples) and that stuff can be recorded into a daw to mess with further. Sequencing is a joke, and too I wish it did pitch adjustment (actual pitch changing, not pitch shifting)

I'll agree with this.

I do use mine a lot with my 3000, it fills in a lot of the shortcomings of the 3k very nicely. I guess I'm just a little annoyed with what I see as excessive praise for the SP coming from Stone's Throw/Dilla fanboys.

One other thing, I got mine for $30 so maybe I take it for granted...had I paid a price closer to fair market value I would probably try and max its capabilities out rather than just use it as an effects box.

Thanks for the info dudes.

Sounds like a handy machine, if it can be had for $150-$200. I love the flow on the 2kxl, but I really miss a high pass filter or EQ. The SP looks like a good option to add some sculpting function and the ability to bake on some reverb to one shots.

What do guys working with just the 2kxl of similar do in order to layer samples and loops without clashing low end? I have been cutting the lows on my dj mixer before sampling as a work around. But this is hit or miss because you really need foresight into how you are going to work the sample into you beat in the first place.

it is what it is... i don't know what stones throw guys think, nor do i care.... but if dilla made a **** album on a 303 then that is some dedication.. he clearly had a stock pile of smart media cards lying around... and let's not get it twisted..... that shit was recorded and **** with after the fact. It wasn't right from the 303 to the CD pressing plant.

It is 100% an fx box........ with a sampler thrown in. most samplers the fx are the addon to the sampler, on the 303 and arguably the 404, it's an fx box with a sampler thrown in. I look at the 303 like a stack of double cassette decks and a milk crate filled with guitar pedals and a fist full of patch cords crammed into one little plastic shell.... is it high fidelity? **** no... are the fx something you cant get elsewhere? nope.... it is the conglomeration of all it's features crammed into an alarm clock that gives it it's influential (due to workflow) sound.... if you don't have a hardware mpc, don't bother. As a matter of fact, if you don't have a 2000 or 2000xl... don't bother.

BoyOfVirtue wrote: Really, the biggest use for me are the filters.

Agreed, can't have enough filters

mr_debauch wrote:but if dilla made a **** album on a 303 then that is some dedication.. .

Thats a funny thing to imagine. Good post