The Boss Dr. Sample SP-303 is a discontinued digital sampler from Boss, successor of the Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample.[1] The SP-303 was revamped and redesigned in 2005, and released as the SP-404, by Roland Corporation.
 Boss Dr. Sampler SP-303, with cords and adapter | |
| Electronic instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | SP-303, 303 |
| Classification |
|
Features
editWhile 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
editThe following list is a correct order of each installment's release, as an attempt to help musicians avoid any confusion.
- 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."[2][3]
The sampler has often been used live and in the studio by artists such as Animal Collective, Panda Bear,[4] Four Tet,[5] Madlib[6][7] and J Dilla.[8] Dilla famously used only the SP-303 and a 45 record player to create 29 of the 31 tracks from Donuts while hospitalized.[9][10] 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.[11]
References
edit- ^ "BOSS - SP-303 | Dr. Sample".
- ^ Sorce-1, DJ (11 July 2013). "303s and 404s: Mr. Dibia$e Pt. 2". Heavy in the Streets.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (January 15, 2016). "Medium/Micro-Chop: Dibia$e Discusses 303s, 404s, MPCs, and Tape Hiss".
- ^ Lennox, Noah "Pitchfork: Guest Lists: Panda Bear", Pitchfork, February 15, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ Murphy, Bill "Pro/File: Electric Motherland" Archived 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine, Electronic Musician, Jun 1, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine | Stones Throw Records". 8 May 2005.
- ^ "The Most Unruly Clothing".
- ^ Aku, Timmhotep "Fantastic Voyage", The Source, April 05, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ Aku, Timmhotep (5 April 2006). "Fantastic Voyage". The Source. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Fantastic Voyage | Stones Throw Records". 5 April 2006.
- ^ "Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine". www.stonesthrow.com. 8 May 2005.
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.