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Boss SP-303

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Boss Dr. Sample SP-303
Boss Dr. Sampler SP-303, with cords and adapter
Electronic instrument
Other namesSP-303, 303
Classification

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.

Features

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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

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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 and Boss Corporation

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

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  1. ^ "BOSS - SP-303 | Dr. Sample".
  2. ^ Sorce-1, DJ (11 July 2013). "303s and 404s: Mr. Dibia$e Pt. 2". Heavy in the Streets.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (January 15, 2016). "Medium/Micro-Chop: Dibia$e Discusses 303s, 404s, MPCs, and Tape Hiss".
  4. ^ Lennox, Noah "Pitchfork: Guest Lists: Panda Bear", Pitchfork, February 15, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  5. ^ Murphy, Bill "Pro/File: Electric Motherland" Archived 2009-01-07 at the Wayback Machine, Electronic Musician, Jun 1, 2008. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  6. ^ "Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine | Stones Throw Records".
  7. ^ "The Most Unruly Clothing".
  8. ^ Aku, Timmhotep "Fantastic Voyage", The Source, April 05, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
  9. ^ Aku, Timmhotep (5 April 2006). "Fantastic Voyage". The Source. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  10. ^ "Fantastic Voyage | Stones Throw Records".
  11. ^ "Mad Skills: Madlib in Scratch Magazine". www.stonesthrow.com. 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.
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