Boss SP-202

Manual is good....everyone says rolands manuals suck...I've never had a problem figuring anything out...but in all fairness, I do get alot of people e-mailing me for help... The editing is a pain at first....for loops....no visual...all by ear...press a button to set the first mark, then press the button to set the other mark...if it don't match up...try again...tricky, but there are tricks...if you need help, e-mail>>>

Its polyphony is 4...but 2 in typical use...the button are hard and fat, but since all you have to do is push them to hear your sample...they do the job...comes with the following effects: ring modulator, 2 filters, pitch control, delay, and a time adjustment... the effects are as easy as pushing a well marked button and turning one knob...It can be expanded with 2mb and 4mb smart media cards...with are kind of needed unless you are doing very small, low-fi samples... people usually bitch and say they only use the hi-fi setting (31.25 kHz...not cd quality, but close), but there are reasons for using the other sampling frequencies...for instance, I use the built in microphone and sample at low-fi 1 (7.81 kHz)...I get behind my drum set and play a beat or two... I then edit it and get some amazing sounding loops...and put filter #1 on and it does a little something extra to it...sometimes good, sometimes bad...but just experiment...if you are looking for a professional sampler...spend three times the money and get an Akai or something....if you want something to experiment with...this is the best at the low end... I've seen alot of established band use this machine...it is almost disposable if it breaks....just go to the classifieds and get another for $200...yeah, I know...I'm poor too! I feel people are too hard on these low-end machines....they want top-o-the line equipment for bottom of the barrel prices...be real...this kills the Yamaha SU-10 (another great low-end sampler for totally different reasons)....this thing is the best piece of equipment for the money...find it used as low as $175...you think this is limited...try the vestax dsg-05...that's limited...but anyway, in all seriousness...this is a limited machine...it isn't an all in one workstation, but it is cheap and I think it will be looked at as a classic later on down the road.
note: I love low-end equipment and like to work with limitations...I tend to think of equipment in terms of what it can do and not what it CAN'T do....plus it is always nice when you squeeze something great from what other people consider garbage.

Works well for hip-hop...and dj applications...I've seen it used in "Rock" bands...but everybody wants to use all the same equipment (TR-909 and TB-303)...instead of figuring it out for yourself... fuck that analog shit (just kidding)....go digital...and create some new sounds....just remember, all those dance sounds were made by specific equipment, but it is the person behind the equipment that innovates a style of music...do your own thing. The on-board effects are ok...ring modulator is cool...filter one is good...filter two is a bit much...

yeah, I would depend on it...I would use it in gig without back-up...but if you can't handle your equipment crapping out on you...go spend real money on real equipment...this shit is a toy compared to an Akai MPC or a Ensoniq.....it is plastic and light...just don't drop it...aaaaahh, if you do...throw it in the gutter and go buy another...I saw Trans-Am, Cibo Matto, Takako Minekawa, and Add N to X.. all use it in live shows...

rolands cool...I guess...they always have manuals...they don't answer the phone sometimes... but hey boss products are cheap...so you get what you pay for...

I would definetly buy it again...I would sell my dads beer can collection to get another...I would sell all my moms hummles...shit I might buy another for back-up tommorrow... I've been making music for 6 years or so...I use mostly boss products because I want the very worst... I use: Boss VT-1, Boss SYB-3, Boss DR-5, Boss DR-55, Boss DR-660, Boss DR-110, Boss DR-202, Roland MC-303, Yamaha CS-01, Yamaha SU-10, Vestax DSG-05, Boss PC-2, Boss HC-2, Paia Gnome, Casio SK-200, Casio SA-38, Alesis Nanoverb, Harmoniphone, a Bass, an acoustic guitar and a Drum Set....The SP-202 is my favorite piece of equipment..for fun anyway...and link it up with the other plastic wonder, the DR-202 and forget it...the cheapest work station out... I love everything about it...I got what I payed for...I do wish it had some sort of visual aid for editing...but I can live without it...and I can't live without the SP-202.