I got my SP808 just over 2 weeks ago, one of the first batch in the UK so I'm told, I ordered it soon as I heard about it and after I spoke to some knowledgable guy from Roland UK. Zip drive is brilliant idea, I recorded some audio straight off DAT on to Zip, can't tell the diff. other than a very slight rollof of top but to be expected (Source was 48KHZ and the SP808 records at 44.1KHZ and 32KHZ) Sampling and looping is very quick, the D Beam is very responsive and there is plenty of control on the virtual synth (JP). Mixing is allegedly 24 bit digital, Sampling compression is about 2:1 roland RDAC, again I cannot detect any noticeable effect due to compression, sound is warm (20 bit) , and the FX section is truly amazing! esp the vintage delay/flange etc. Midi control of sample pads is limited to 16 contiguous notes from a midi keyboard, though if you are quick with bank changes you might be able to get round this. , don't forget you can overdub on 2 more stereo tracks and bounce it all together in the digital domain. There is EQ control though I have yet to suss this out. BCK in the UK do a gig bag for it.
Amazing device
Regards Dave,
Rating: 5 out of 5
posted Tuesday-Aug-04-9898 at 11:03
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