Anybody know if it’s possible to change tracks without triggering the sample, other than on the touchscreen? If I’m editing the track settings, playback, FX, editing the sequence etc but want to switch to another track, I have to go back and then select the new track on the touchscreen. I was hoping I could do SHFT+PAD or similar but that doesn’t seem to work.
I have no doubt that I’ll run into numerous workflow quirks that may irritate me but I’m really enjoying this box so far, very easy to get something started and I’m enjoying digging into my sample library without a mouse.
Anyone got any helpful suggestions for any good free sample packs for these-particularly chord/synth/bass one shot stuff?? (The drum stuff included is pretty good straight off the bat for my needs)
I’ve never really used a sampler before other than a brief play with the Digitakt which I used the factory samples with.
I don’t really understand the process but assume I download them into Computer and then either use a USB drive or connect direct to computer and upload them onto this device… that is my understanding from manual etc… also I assume not fixed but I’ve read the only way to delete the samples is connecting to a PC-I assume that is still the case??
It can read samples directly from a USB stick or you can put the device into USB storage mode when it’s connected to a computer and then drag files across like it’s a regular disk.
The 8GB internal storage is quite a bit of space in terms of one-shot drums and loops. I was also pleasantly surprised too that it has a text search function when browsing, if you don’t want to dig into nested folders and look for samples by name.
You’ll think they are useless and cheesy at first, but Legowelt has some amazing sample packs for free. I have them all, but favor the Moog, Juno 106 and DX7 packs. Remember the SP-16 can resample internally. These are good bread and butter basic sounds from classic synths, recorded well by a guy who knows his shit and they are all a C note (afaik).
And yes, if you go to the settings menu (the gear symbol, top to the right) way at the bottom there is a USB mass storage mode. I always hook up the SP-16 to my laptop before I turn it on (USB obviously), turn on the device, then switch to mass storage mode. You’ll see a “Samples” folder. You can drag and drop whatever you want in there, file structure is up to you. Acts just like an external drive. And yes, the 8 gigs will seem like a TON. I have my top five complete drum packs loaded up with plenty of extra space.
no worries! Spread the love. Just remember at first listen you’ll likely be like “wtf am I supposed to do with this sh*t?” you just have to imagine the possibilities…the patches are the way they are so you have room to make something unique, unlike a lot of today’s over-processed sample packs where everything sounds polished : ) : )
Ha-thanks-I’ll bear that in mind… that is perfect though as someone who has not used a sampler much before it will force me to dive into it.
My plan (if I can force myself - I’ve already been Googling synths to buy to and run alongside this/feed this…) but my plan is to use this standalone for a while and force myself into a way of working-and not just scratching the surface then selling on for the next shiny toy.
I’ve been doing that for the last couple of years with gear since I got into all of this in 2019, and it has certainly helped me learn in some ways, but is holding me back in others. Hoping the fact that I got this used-can’t return and it would be ‘harder’ to sell that some other stuff I have had will force my hand! Once I have offloaded the TR8S this will be all I have left over (other than a TD3 which was to cheap to bother parting with) so as long as I can keep the credit card away I should be able to focus!!!
I’m in a similar position. I have terrible habits which I want to break. I don’t mind using music software and the tools that are available now can be very fun and inspiring but I need a break from the computer and I want to make music with a single self-contained box.
I reckon I might try rolling my own loops and sounds on the computer as one process, and then separately use that raw material in the SP-16 to try to make some tracks. The arranger is good enough to get something started and I can always export the stems to finish in the DAW if I feel like it.
I really think the you’ll like the SP-16. You’ll defo want some things to feed it (I’ve not been using anything fancy other than sampling my music collection, my Mono Station and iPad apps or VSTs from my DAW).
It is in, for me, a sweet spot where you can give it some…partially finished?..sounds and it has just enough going on to let you finish them. Additionally, the song mode is super easy to use and intuitive–furthermore, the way it exports wav files makes it very easy to get the bones of a track down and finish them in a DAW if that is what you want to do. Also, for me, it having Pioneer DJ Link is a huge deal as I can use it in my DJ sets with less hassle than other hardware.
It is really a diamond in the rough. I totally get why it it won’t be the right piece of gear for some people, but I love it.
Anyone who has had one of these and used it for a while… am I crazy considering keeping and pairing this with the TR8S…. I have an option to return that Roland, which would in effect pay for the SP 16 (I got it used) and I can see there is a lot of cross over in how I use them… BUT when I have played with them linked together it is a lot of fun!!
Can’t work out if I am being a bit silly and that the money from the TR8S would be better out into a more complimentary unit… but anyone more experienced with either or both think that this has legs using them together ‘post honeymoon’ period….??
Ha, I think you might be right… they do play quite well together at least initially.
One total noob question though. Live sampling something like the TR8S onto a the SP 16… how do you then work with that (I’ve never really worked with samplers before), how do you use that process live/when creating/writing etc.
So in this case, say I’ve got the TR8S playing a loop along with some samples from SP 16… I then live sample that TR8S loop into an empty pad so it’s playing there along with the other samples from the SP 16. What are the benefits given the it was already looping…? (I get it with a keyboard/guitar etc as can play a phrase in once and have it loop but less sure in something that is already looping by default.)
Not wanting to take this off topic and apologies for my total noob-ness… this is probably really obvious but any guidance to help me get into the sampling workflow/mindset would be great!
Nah - good question! I love live sampling. It’s super fast and fun. You can think about your SP becoming a multi track recorder for your 8s - live sample your kick, tom, snares all onto different pads. Then you can bounce those tracks / pads down to individual stems for later arrangement in your daw
: ) : )