Blue Haze wrote:If you think about it they both have samplers one phrase and the other both phrase and keygroup. Even so what really counts are the SAMPLES one loads or record into them and how well you can manipulate them into decent compositions.
Samples, samples, samples, GOOD Sounding samples!!!! Take a MOTIF, VIRUS, Massive, Novation, G-Series, Grand Piano or whatever it all boils down to the samples. It is not like it used to be to find libraries for Akai samplers compared to software which is why alot of users have a extra keyboard sampling workstation setup along with the mpcs which they mainly use as the sequencer and drum module.
Obtaining samples and access to great samples makes a huge difference in the sound in one production whatever sampler you are using within spec concerning bit rate and the a/d converters. Samples, samples, samples, whether loop, one shot, or phrases is the key.
Your ear to pick great SAMPLES or access and ability to find them or get them.
Hence it is why a sampler technically should never become obsolete only the automated features get better reducing time editing, programming, and mixing SAMPLES.
Agreed that the ability to have 'good' samples can help in the sonic fidelity of your production - but some of the romplers you mentioned have very clean and well recorded samples - I know that I love that 'Full Concert Grand' on my Motif XS. In the context of an accoustic instrument sample you'd want that to be pristine and crytal clear (generally).
But some of the best tracks I've heard are using one-shots and looped samples that are grungy as hell and it's not really the sonic quality of the sample, but more the way it's been sliced and diced and used within the context of the track. If you heard that sample track isolated - you say that sounds like 'sh;t' - but in the mix it's fire.
Again depending on which type of track your working on you may want pure and crytal clear drum hits from a professional library or you may want to use some drum 'one shots' captured off vinyl or whatever.
In most cases, a sampler is the same as the next one in terms of quality (assuming similar bit depth/sample rate) - but it's how you use the sampler as a tool to be creative with your sample and make it fit within the composition of your track.
The individual sampler's toolset and effects, compressors etc etc. can be used to further enhance the sample - but that's a whole other discussion.
That was a long way of saying 'I agree'....lol