Boss SP-303
{{short description|Music workstation}}
{{Infobox instrument
| name = Boss Dr. Sample SP-303
| image = Boss SP-303.jpg
| caption = Boss Dr. Sampler SP-303, with cords and adapter
| background = electronic
| names = SP-303, 303
| classification = {{hlist|Sampler, sequencer}}
| inventors =
}}
The Boss Dr. Sample SP-303 is a discontinued digital sampler from Boss, successor of the Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample.{{cite web | url=https://www.boss.info/us/products/sp-303/ | title=BOSS - SP-303 | Dr. Sample }} The SP-303 was revamped and redesigned in 2005, and released as the SP-404, by Roland Corporation.
Features
While the Dr. Sample SP-303 may lack some of the features seen on other hip hop production samplers such as the Ensoniq ASR-10, the Akai MPC, and later SP installments, it however has many other unique features that make up for that. Like the SP-202, the SP-303 utilizes 8 pads, 4 soundbanks, and an external mic.
The sampler provides up to three minutes and twelve seconds of sampling. The sample time can be expanded by the use of SmartMedia cards (8MB-64MB supported). The SP-303 features twenty-six internal effects that can be applied to samples and external sources as well. Some of these effects are Filter + Drive, Pitch, Delay, Vinyl Sim, Isolator, Reverb, and Tape Echo. Another notable feature is the built-in pattern sequencer, where loops and patterns can be programmed.
Musicians
{{hidden|style=float:right; clear:right; margin-left:1em; border:1px #aaa solid; width:22em|SP Lineage|
The following list is a correct order of each installment's release, as an attempt to help musicians avoid any confusion.
{{see also|Roland Corporation|Boss Corporation}}
- Boss Dr. Sample SP-202 (1998)
- Roland SP-808 GrooveSampler (1998)
- Roland SP-808EX E-Mix Studio (2000)
- Boss Dr. Sample SP-303 (2001)
- Boss SP-505 (2002)
- Roland SP-606 (2004)
- Roland SP-404 Sampling Workstation (2005)
- Roland SP-555 (2008)
- Roland SP-404SX (2009)
- Roland SP-404A (2017)
- Roland SP-404MKII (2021)
}}
The SP-303 is often praised by various musicians for its unique sound qualities, specifically its pitch and compression effects. Frequent SP-303 and 404 user Dibiase said of the sampler, "The difference between the 303 and SP-404 is that the vinyl sound compression sounds way different in the 303. It has a grittier sound."{{cite web|last1=Sorce-1|first1=DJ|title=303s and 404s: Mr. Dibia$e Pt. 2|url=http://heavyinthestreets.blogspot.com/2013/07/303s-and-404s-mr-dibiae-pt-2.html|website=Heavy in the Streets|date=11 July 2013 }}{{cite web|first=Gino|last=Sorcinelli|url=https://medium.com/micro-chop/dibia-e-discusses-303s-404s-mpcs-and-tape-hiss-48a2f26a5bb1|title=Medium/Micro-Chop: Dibia$e Discusses 303s, 404s, MPCs, and Tape Hiss|date=January 15, 2016}}
The sampler has often been used live and in the studio by artists such as Animal Collective, Panda Bear,Lennox, Noah [http://pitchfork.com/features/guest-lists/6544-panda-bear/ "Pitchfork: Guest Lists: Panda Bear"], Pitchfork, February 15, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Four Tet,Murphy, Bill [http://emusician.com/interviews/emusic_electric_motherland/ "Pro/File: Electric Motherland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107202643/http://emusician.com/interviews/emusic_electric_motherland/ |date=2009-01-07 }}, Electronic Musician, Jun 1, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Madlib{{cite web | url=https://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2005/05/mad-skills | title=Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine | Stones Throw Records | date=8 May 2005 }}{{cite web | url=https://themostunruly.com/blog/2019/3/12/madlib-sampling-in-the-studio | title=The Most Unruly Clothing | work=The Most Unruly }} and J Dilla.Aku, Timmhotep [http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2006/04/fantastic-voyage "Fantastic Voyage"], The Source, April 05, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2011. Dilla famously used only the SP-303 and a 45 record player to create 29 of the 31 tracks from Donuts while hospitalized.{{cite magazine|last=Aku|first=Timmhotep|date=5 April 2006|title=Fantastic Voyage|url=http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2006/04/fantastic-voyage|magazine=The Source|access-date=22 September 2017}}{{cite web | url=http://www.stonesthrow.com/news/2006/04/fantastic-voyage | title=Fantastic Voyage | Stones Throw Records | date=5 April 2006 }} Madlib produced most of the collaboration album Madvillainy, by using a Boss SP-303, a portable turntable, and a cassette deck. This including beats for "Strange Ways", "Raid", and "Rhinestone Cowboy", which were all produced in his hotel room in São Paulo.{{cite web|url=https://www.stonesthrow.com/news/mad-skills/|title=Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine|website=www.stonesthrow.com|date=8 May 2005 |quote=Just these little box machines, like the (Roland SP) 606 and the (Boss SP) 303. I like the 606, 'cause it has a gang of effects on it. I like an MPC too, but these are so easy to just turn on and use... I like to move quickly, and these little boxes are easy to use. I can be up in my hotel room in a different city, and just hook up beats right there. I don't like to spend more than 10 minutes at a time on a beat. I get bored and have to move on to the next thing.}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/sp303.php BOSS SP-303 Dr. Sample | Vintage Synth Explorer]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100922060252/http://www.bosscorp.co.jp/products/en/SP-303/ BOSS Global Official site]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150409223936/http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/Aug01/articles/bosssp303.htm Boss SP-303 Sound On Sound review] (archive.org)
- [http://sp-forums.com/ SP-Forums.com - An active forum dedicated to Roland's SP range]
{{Roland Corporation}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roland Sp-303}}