Sound comparision test: s1100 vs mpc2500

I did a interesting sound test with this two samplers under the exact same conditions. I recorded a sample from a Commodores record using a Technics SL 1210 with Pro-Ject preamp into the Akai S1100 and MPC2500 at the same level, then played the sound at full velocity and recorded the results with my MPC1000. This is a fair way to compare the record and playback sound of two samplers.


Source > AD mpc2500 > DA mpc2500 > AD Digital Recorder (Sample02_2500.WAV)
Source > AD s1100 > DA s1100 > AD Digital Recorder (Sample04_s1100.WAV)
Source > AD Digital Recorder (Sample05_original.WAV)

AD - Analog to digital conversion
DA - Digital to analog conversion

Download test files:
...

The differences are very clear. One sampler clearly changes the original sound, the other reproduces the original with good fidelity. I can say I was suprised with the results!

THIS TEST WAS NOT ACCURATE, THE MPC 2500 HAD EQ AND COMPRESSOR ON. SORRY FOR THAT, I'LL POST NEW RESULTS SOON.

Test continued in this thread: http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=64599

cool, i cant really hear a big difference, maby I'll take a listen when I'm wide awake.

so which one do you thing came out better? its hard to hear it on my speakers at work?

Use headphones if you can't ear enough detail with your speakers.

Better is subjective. The fact is the 2500 clearly changes the original sound, too much in my opinion, wich might be ok if thats the type sound you want, but in most cases I want the sampler to reproduce the original as clear as possible and let people transform the sound manually as needed.

There are alot of variables to consider when doing an accurate test. Did both samplers sample the sound source playing at the same level? How much of the samplers input gain was applied to the incoming signals? (diificult to apply the same settings). How about the output gain...were both samplers playing the sample back at the same levels? Also, was the MPC 2500s compression and EQ applied to the incoming signal?

I do hear the difference, the S1100 does the same thing to the sample but with not as much intensity as the 2500, by reproducing mids/low-mids, close to the original sample. In my opinion 2500 sounds better than the original sample itself , felt more realistic as If I was listening to the band live by adding more detail and dynamics to the sample, making it more interesting IMO.

jahrome wrote:There are alot of variables to consider when doing an accurate test. Did both samplers sample the sound source playing at the same level? How much of the samplers input gain was applied to the incoming signals? (diificult to apply the same settings). How about the output gain...were both samplers playing the sample back at the same levels? Also, was the MPC 2500s compression and EQ applied to the incoming signal?

Sorry, the tests were not accurate because the mpc2500 had EQ on as a master effect, and I didn't knew. I'll do the test again and post the results.

Otherwise the tests were very accurate. Yes, the source was at the same level. The preamp doesn't even have gain control. The samplers sampled the sound nearly at the same level (1% possible difference error). The output gain was exactly the same because the digital recorded use had the same rec gain in both cases.

I'll post the accurate results soon.

Are you sampling using the analog or digital inputs of these samplers? Also, both of these samplers have record gains which do affect the incoming signals.

jahrome wrote:Are you sampling using the analog or digital inputs of these samplers?

As I described above I'm using the analog inputs.

jahrome wrote:Also, both of these samplers have record gains which do affect the incoming signals.

I know. I recorded both at around -2db peak, but as I said before there is a small error margin.

Test continued in this thread: http://www.mpc-forums.com/viewtopic.php?t=64599