>
> Can the SU700 actually record audio signals inputted through using the
> 'audio in' pad? Could I have samples looping on other pads and record
> vocals as part of the mix?
You can not sample external signals while the SU700 is playing. The
resampling function is limited to bouncing track or tracks (including any
real-time tweaking you do).
>
> I know that the SP-808 can do this but my problem with the SP-808 is
that
> I heard that it's not quite the best thing for sequencing rapid note info
> (e.g. using pads to tap in individual drum sounds to create a pattern).
> That's why I took a look at the SU700 -- because it seems to have pads
that
> actually allow a user to build up patterns based on individual hits.
This is true. The SP808 has some issues with how short a sample it can play
and how rapidly the pads are triggered. If building up loops with samples
is your goal the SU700 is a much better instrument then the SP808. Of
course the Akai MPC series is really the benchmark for this.
>
> By the way, how 'intuitive' is the MPC at handling loops? Can you tweak
> loops in realtime to get a 'perfect fit' or match the tempos of different
> samples?
>
Sucks! At least in my experience with pre-XL MPCs. Best to think of the
MPC as a single shot sample triggering sequencer (mouth full!!). The XL
adds looping and some features for tempo shifting or pitch shifting the
loops so this might be better then it was. But I find the effective way of
building loops that need to have tempo adjusted in the MPC is to just
sequence each hit. This sort of implies something like ReCycle if your into
grabbing loops from recordings. Unfortunately the MPC series does not do
SCSI sample dumps so it is not a joy to use with ReCycle.
With out a doubt the SP808 is easiest to use for sampling things and then
getting the loops adjusted right. But it is done with a clever way of
showing what tempo the loop is currently at while you adjust sample length.
On the SU700 once the loop is trimmed you have something like a ReCycle
effect going on for the looped pads. Trimming the loops though is pretty
much a by ear only adventure. Not a great job on the ease of use here but
adequate.
> I saw some info about the MPC2000XL that mentioned that it now supports
> 'multitracking'. Does that mean then that it can be used in a similar
> fashion to the SP-808 -- recording vocals to a sample pad while the
> previously recorded elements are running? Can the SU700 record audio to
an
> empty pad while playing back previously sequenced data?
>
I don't think this is true with the XL. I believe this is refering to the
fact that the XL now is multitimbral - up to four sample sets active a t
atime (like having four drum kits).
While the SP808 can sample while playing up to three of its pads (as well as
grabbing audio in) it will not be something you can do in the middle of a
song if the SP808 is part of the ongoing song. The reason is that the SP808
stops playing after the sample is taken.
As mentioned above the SU700 can not sample external material while playing.
Frankly I am not aware of anything that can do this in a live situation.
Maybe a sampler?
drk
www.delora.com/music
