How could I use a Roland Portable Sampler?

Killens84 · #1 01-23-2013, 11:33 AM

I have access to a Roland SP-404SX Portable Sampler anytime I want to use it. I play in a 5-piece band, and also a spin-off trio with myself, the drummer, and the keyboard/guitarist from that band.
I'm clueless about the practical uses of a sampler like that, and I'm wondering what all I could do with it in my full band or trio. Anyone got any ideas of how I could use the sampler to enhance our live shows?

Crater · #2 01-23-2013, 12:02 PM

A sampler is a very open-ended tool for creating and making music, practically all hip-hop is sampler-based music. Basically, there are two types of samples: loops and "one shots". One shots could be sounds like sound effects or flourishes. Loops are rhythmic samples that are meant to be played continuously (looped) in time with the song. Drum loops are common of course, but any musical phrase can be looped...drums, keys, guitars, vocals, whatever... A lot of possibilities to fill out the sound of your band.

DiabolusInMusic · #3 01-23-2013, 12:08 PM

I am not familiar with that particular sampler but I have used a sampler live (I used a looper to run samples, Boss RC-20XL) I used to play in a stoner rock/doom metal band and we played a bunch of ambient type stuff with some twisted bible quotes and general santanic type things. A few folks got it, some were offended (just as good if not better than getting it) and most people couldn't care less and continued drinking.

If you plan on playing with a looper live your entire band needs impeccable timing and will take a lot of work to do well, the drummer will also need a click so he can properly time the loops.

metaball · #4 01-23-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

If you plan on playing with a looper live your entire band needs impeccable timing and will take a lot of work to do well, the drummer will also need a click so he can properly time the loops.

+1
also for example, if one absent minded player decides to kick off a song in the wrong key, the rest of the band may be able to adapt on the fly, but the sampler cannot without throwing off the tempo.