All user reviews of 4/5 for the Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample

The Boss sp 202 is an amazing sounding sampler both in Hifi, standard and Lo-fi mode, Lo-fi 2 isn't for me though as its too overkill. A sampler shouldn't always be judged by the sample rates, this sampler can do both clean(Hi-fi) and dirty very well. I know as I've owned many samplers that the dynamics and the filters are quality.

I like to pair up this machine with a tape deck and sample sample mostly in standard (standard starts to get pretty lofi sounding). Otherwise I might record a drum beat and melody from my 202 into my 303 then loop it and play the loops in the 303 sequencer then track it to tape or DAW. The lack of a sequencer makes this sampler difficult for a lot of people but I use it to give character to my hip hop beats. As for the sample time I just pitch everything up on my stanton st150 (50% pitch max) which is huge before sampling. The 202 can only pitch down so much. I might even sample straight from a tape decks line outs. The lack of individual pitching (Pitching every pad individually) was a handy cap but theres ways of getting round that by bouncing things back and forth from 202 to 303( or any good sampler or DAW) and back to 202.

I recommend this machine to lovers of Lo-fi though I would just as easily recommend a Roland Sp 404 as it can do Lo-fi just as well but different with its Lo-fi mode, bit crusher, tape compression and vinyl sim. I mainly bought this because I found an extremely cheap deal (50€). Just a 404 and tape deck, turntable, sound card is all you really need which is my honest and humble opinion.

Peace and love

What polyphony?

4 votes

What effects?

Pitch, time stretch, ring modulator, two filter types, loops.

How much memory as standard? up?

Internal:
4 minutes 20 seconds (level LO-FI 2)
32 seconds (level HI-FI)
Memory card (optional):
S2M-5: 17 minutes 51 seconds (level LO-FI 2)
2 minutes 14 seconds (level HI-FI)
S4M-5: 35 minutes 43 seconds (level LO-FI 2)
4 minutes 27 seconds (level HI-FI)

What connection (Audio, MIDI, digital ...)?

Headphone jack (stereo mini jack)
MIC
LINE OUT (L, R)
LINE IN (L, R)
MIDI IN connector
Jack for AC adapter (DC 9 V)

Is there an editing utility for Mac / PC?

It would surprise me greatly, the only function of the midi is triggering notes.

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple?

Once we understand how the registration and assignment of keys and their reactivity, it is clear.

Editing sounds and effects is easy?

So ridiculously easy.

The manual is clear and sufficient?

It is better to keep it at the beginning.

SOUNDS

The A / D converters and D / A are transparent?

Nah, it's not a big sound, and more in most cases it is better to settle for a mono recording and low quality to preserve the memory.

Effects and filters are effective?

Effective, but very few configurable, one volume pot and a single effect per sample, it is really light.

The dynamics are respected?

Stereo Hi-Fi, it can go, but it is used rarely.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?

Something like 10 years, the beast still works flawlessly, it is a rock solid, and a handy companion when you have understood and assimilated its limitations.

What is so special that you love the most, least?

+
Strength.
Simplicity.
The pads are very good.

-
No automatic calibration, manual calibration qu'hasardeux more.
Implementing twelve o'clock extremely poor, who use the reserve to anecdotal.

Did you tried many other models before buying it?

No, it was my first hardware sampler. I bought a zoom st-224 some time later, the SP-202 was already clearly exceeded.

How would you rate the quality / price?

At 80 € it's a bit expensive, but for a DJ who wants to make his debut on a relatively intuitive sampler (once mastered, sampling on the fly works very well as we avoid loops), it can do.

With experience, you do again this choice?

If mine was let go and that I lacked the means to integrate a sampler in my mix, I think so.