Acoustic Sampler

[magoo]

Need help in researching acoustic samplers. Have never used one before but can see the need for one in my studio.

any help appreciated.

Magoo

[regebro]

Whats an acoustic sampler? Is that when you record when you kick your sampler because it's not working?

[magoo]

Well, I might not have used the correct name for what I'm looking for, but what I want is something I can record a live sound on and then sequence it digitally to use within a song. Whatever the name of that piece is, I'm looking for some help to get results without spending a lot of money.

Thanks,

Magoo

[mikeh]

If you are looking to sample accustic sounds (horns, drums, etc.), and then trigger those sounds useing either a midi keyboard or sequencing software, I would suggest an Akai S2000. They are dependable, easy to use and there are a lot of 3rd party samples in the Akai format. I'm not sure if they still build them, but I do know you can still buy them for under $1000. Naturally, Roland, Yamaha and everyone else has good samplers - only you know how much power you need and how much you want to spend.

If you're just looking to sample short sounds like (car horns, etc) for effects you may be better off with a phrase sampler - these are more designed for a quick sample, (rather than long samples, looping, etc). You can get phrase samplers for a couple hunderd bucks.

Also keep in mind most samplers only have 2 outs - so if you are looking for the sampler to create several sounds at once while using it to sequence you not only need a better (more expensive) sampler - but one with maybe 6-8 outs.

[LongWaveStudio]

isn't the S2000 expandable. ive got just the stereo version but i cant pull it out to check for an expansion slot...anyone know the answer?

get an S5000 if you can afford it. that big screen makes me go wild everytime i turn it on. the S3000XL is a great sampler too.

[Automaton]

I'm pretty sure the S2000 is expandable to 8 outputs... The S5000 has only gone down in price. I bought mine when they came out for around $1,800. Now they are like $1,300 at GC. Its a bad ass sampler though. About to put the USB card on mine so I can use the AK.SYS. software.

[magoo]

I love this medium. It would have taken alot more time to get the info I need to set this system up the right way first. I have finished the studio and am putting the lighting and music gear in as we speak. Can't wait to use all the new equipt in the new room. I still have to buy two new mic's and need suggestions. I need them for recording acoustic guitar and vocals. all acoustic stuff will happen in the sound booth. You can always get ideas from GC, but after all, there just sales people and would sell you anything. Youu people have all used this stuff before and have nothing to gain but helping someone else. I appreciate all of your input and will keep watching the new posts, so I can help where I can.

Thanks alot,

Magoo

[mikeh]

Yes, the S2000 can be expanded to 8 outs - which I neglected to mention in my post - thanks for pointing that out. I didn't know the 5000 had come down that far.