Bad Gear - Korg microSAMPLER - The Lost Sampler???

In this episode of Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools, we are going to take a look at the Korg microSAMPLER. Is this alien-looking sampler keyboard the worst of the Korg Micros? Is it lost to the world?
Muzak: www.bensound.com

[@martindirkzimmer]

To me this channel is 30% about the gear and 70% about the presentation. Comedy gold.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@vprice509]

31.7%/68.3% imho. :)

[@MrMcbram]

And the absolute banger acid jams

[@davidpinto1195]

I laugh so fucking much watching these videos man

[@Madrrrrrrrrrrr]

And music/gear skills.

[@cstarcrusher]

there is a video of detroit artist Dakim .. boiler room set where he uses only this combined with a boss sp-505 running an infinite delay to create live some of the most forward thinking beats I've ever heard ..

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! I have to check that out

[@qjames0077]

Welcome to Bad Gear! The show where great music is made regardless of bad gear

[@PolicemanPlanet]

its not the SIZE of your gear, its how you use it ; )

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@Scyber_Official]

Hi, my name is Scyber, I own 2 microsamplers and I'm not ashamed of myself because they're awesome to perform live with.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, there are quite some people who really connect to them

[@mobith]

@@AudioPilz lol

[@BuddhaPhi]

This is my favorite hardware sampler - for sampling loops from external gear. It has so many flaws but when it comes to grabbing exact loop lengths from other gear it's great. I don't think I could tolerate using it live though. That bank load time....

[@michaels5166]

totally dependent on how much you can understand an instrument..good comment

[@drdelewded]

I don't use samplers or synths in general.. I just needed a device to fire off some movie clip audio, play an organ line and add SFX too for playing live along with a metal/punk band I play rhythm guitar for,. So this made the most sense. I bought it a little over a year and 1/2 ago before they started going stupid up in price locally used.. I though haven't taken it out of the box yet... Will try it out this week.

[@williamscerbo458]

The microsampler was my first piece of music gear in high school in 2011 and now, I've got fancy Ableton and eurorack shit but I still have 2 microsamplers. I used to make all my music on 2 of them midi synced to each other before I started using a DAW. It definitely has its limitations but that's part of what makes it interesting imo. If Korg released a revamped version I'd buy it in an instant.

[@AudioPilz]

A revamped version would be great!

[@JorgePena-mh5jl]

me too was my first machine in 2010 :) I am still with my microsampler

[@audioartisan]

The one and only sampler with built in Cigarette box holders lol

[@AudioPilz]

Korg knows the target group

[@andyq9669]

Those recessed knobs make little moats when you spill your beer.

[@jakeh2034]

@@andyq9669 or an ash tray! 😫

[@6pin66]

I think they might be meant for an mp3 player and perhaps the mini kaos pad thing . of course putting them in those gaps makes them near unusable . ah korg.....you've had better ideas .

[@jakeh2034]

@@sheateeley1 Probably just a joke since they fit (like how an atari 5200 has a holder for your beer). But..... since smoking in clubs was a thing, actual feature???

[@sharkinahat]

I had a Korean microwave oven in the '90 that had the exact same knobs.

[@AudioPilz]

...or the car dashboard from that time

[@funandelectronicswithb4894]

Fun tip: The keyboard mode uses a different Midi channel so this can also double as an external Midi keyboard in the setup. Change to keyboard mode and turn off the volume. Or layer sample and external synth.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, found this out when producing the underscores

[@ChrisSmout]

The holes at the top of the MicroSampler were designed to put your iPods in so you could play along to music from the iPod. Yeah, that aged well.

[@AudioPilz]

I've heard that, too. Still, contemporary phones don't fit

[@ChrisSmout]

@@AudioPilz The OG iPod definitely did, as did the second and third gens. I think you were also meant to sample from the iPod via line in and you could use the holes to stand it upright while you worked.

[@pianokeyjoe]

@@ChrisSmout yep! My first thought when I saw the holes closer was "iphone or ipod"

[@snoballuk]

Several shots in the official Korg video confirm it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2jEY5SQoJyhkKc

[@fisk0]

They really should've made it a more general purpose lip/shelf like Yamaha did on the CS1X keyboard back in the day (Bad Gear suggestion by the way, seems like a lot of people hate the sound engine and presets of that one). They intended it for the QY-10 "Walkstation", which certainly fit perfectly, but so does the modern Korg Volca line, Roland's PMA sequencers and presumably the more recent MC-101 and TR6S among many other devices in similar form factors (hey, you _could_ even put an iPod there. It wouldn't stand up, but it would stay in place).

[@AndrewTSq]

"when the samplers hit the mainstream market" *shows a Fairlight* :D love that humour. and great beat as usual. Keep em coming

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@snowleopard9749]

Sure, when musicians heard hits from the likes of Art of Noise and Kate Bush in the early-1980s, they rushed out and bought... Emu Emulators.

[@saftpackerl]

It was a tough decision for all those musicians: a house or a fairlight...

[@t3hjnz]

Holy shit, the edit with the AR48 halo around your neck and past-you saying "Zoom AR48" at the same time was pure genius.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! It's, after all, an episode about sampling

[@mikebailey783]

The level of creativity shown in every video from this channel is seriously high. It must take ages to put each episode together.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Exactly a week;)

[@jukkauh]

There is a very good reason the Microsampler's dials look the way they do: it was meant to run on batteries and sample things in the field. Like literally an outdoors field. As such, it was designed to be (and basically is) INDESTRUCTABLE. It is FAR more robust than the MicroKorg or XL. The Microsampler is also basically the last keyboard-oriented sampler in existence (I'm looking at you, OP-1), which makes it special. Too bad its memory is limited, broken into banks, there's no SD card, there's no way to upload/download samples over sysex, and the MIDI clock is broken beyond repair. Otherwise it's pretty nifty.

[@AudioPilz]

I agree!

[@KRAFTWERK2K6]

It is probably a lot cheaper than the OP-1 too. lol

[@BeefyTime1]

So it’s just good for changing the bit rate?

[@mightypea]

It really isn't indestructible, haha. Especially those mini-keys are prone to failure, but so is the power button. The recessing's nice, but let's not pretend it isn't just a fun but cheap bit of plastic.

[@sunnypedaal]

Load samples by usb ..( laptop not included :-) , i use my old macbook ) Also when synced it can sample and designate samples / drumloopscetc very quickly Same for resampling To me best portable fast sampler available, not the most features but all dedicated to live and fast kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIKxoKmflKiDqKM

[@Techwonderland]

This is all so good. You are a national treasure to Austria. Falco would be proud.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you! That's a heartwarming comment!❤️

[@shaft9000]

"Oooh. Rock Me, Whatever-your-name-is"

[@tubeMonger]

That Bobby McFerrin reference! There is so much tacit knowledge in your videos in an entertaining fashion. Thanks again for sharing. Really appreciated!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! He's such a great musician in so many ways!

[@PitWChannel]

I am hooked on your Bad Gear series! Great editing once again, and the creativity you bring in to showcase the devices is nothing but genius....

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!

[@darwinsaye]

Bad gear? Lol. No way. To my knowledge, this was the last proper sampling *keyboard* ever offered on the market. Way better than those stupid machines with a dozen rubber pads on them. 😁

[@AudioPilz]

We definitely need more contemporary sampling keyboards

[@johndoeiii6103]

@@AudioPilz I actually need one badly...my ideal sampling keyboard would be pretty much designed like the asr 10/eps 16 plus but up the amount of tracks to 24 at least, change the sampler to switchable 8-12-16 bit with variable 10khz-48kz sample rate, modern effects didnt mind the ensoniq effects but updated would be nice, I really feel like those keyboards are just extremely easy to use compared to alot of other ones(roland W30,casio FZ 1)

[@shaft9000]

HA. If it isn't 'good gear' somebody tell New Order, then :D Stephen Morris can be seen with it here on Emulator2-duty for _The Perfect Kiss_ in their Berlin 2012 set [@12:30]: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnPYYpmhnLqAbdU

[@nicolasdulaurans9187]

I agree. If anyone had a better alternative i will be really interested. Small sampler with keyboard.

[@JorgePena-mh5jl]

yehhh

[@arnoriva]

Thanks for the video ! I have two of them simply because they are good instruments for quick usual sampling operation. I love the 16 patterns sequencer which I can command others synths with. Battery powered is a good point, I usually bring it every where.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching!

[@alexriesenbeck]

Coming from a Casio SK-5 and Yamaha VSS30, this keyboard sampler was a dream come true! I hacked up my MicroKorg (which had a bad keybed) and attached it to the top of my MicroSampler so that I could have a hybrid sample+synth portable keyboard. The MicroSampler has features that other gear does not have even today. Yes, very limited in some ways, but extremely useful and creatively fun to experiment with! Record a sequence and put it into Auto-Next sampling mode, it will continuously chop up what it hears and play it back as your sequence. Also, I have no issue running the editor/librarian software on Windows 10, it works flawlessly. Maybe someday I will hold some Korg R&D guys at gunpoint and ask them kindly to finish the abandoned MicroSampler 2 Great videos as always

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Really? I couldn't even find an editor for Win10

[@jonbacon4364]

Such a great format - I always enjoy these little videos. Keep it up!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@farquoi]

Oh my god, a reference to the film eXistenZ? Absolutely delightful. It is true the recessed buttons look like a device from that film. What a find! You cannot unsee it

[@AudioPilz]

❤Cronenberg❤

[@tonytooke76]

Great video, it’s going to make me get mine back off the shelf. Haven’t used it in a long time but I love how quick it is as a sketch pad for ideas and great for live use. The resample feature is great for layering up effects and filters. It is most of all great fun to use and I’m definitely getting mine back out the box.

[@AudioPilz]

Have fun!

[@Roffzoff]

Great track at the end, super sweet Video Editing. I really enjoyed this one!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@ooktar]

I wanted one of these back in the day and I still kinda want one. Even with it's faults there aren't any modern keyboard samplers with much ease of use. I want a compact keyboard sampler ideal for live use.

[@AudioPilz]

True, I'm not aware of any new products like that

[@mikenoface]

The OP-1 is probably closest. Or get a 1010 Blackbox with a midi keyboard controller. When the Microsampler came out, I was hopeful it would be the successor to the Casio SK-1 that I've always wished for, alas I am still waiting.

[@ooktar]

@@mikenoface Op-1 is way too pricey and the format of the blackbox doesn't really appeal to me. I've been eyeballing the MPC One but waiting to see how well Akai supports it in the long run.

[@fantomaeronautics1148]

Ive got a brand new one for sale if you're interested

[@thetruemrstallings]

I use mine as a multitrack recorder with my MPC 2000 classic. Excellent combo.

[@AudioPilz]

Great idea!

[@lancepage1914]

I bought my Microsampler in 2010. It wasn't cheap. It is somewhat limited but it has charm. It has been a secret weapon of mine ever since. The main features and reason I bought it was: 1. It does low sample rates which sound gritty - a must for the music I make. 2. I use the effects and resample - they sound good enough to me. 3. I like the fact I can sample straight into Microsampler inputs or bring it anywhere and use the mic. It's not Ensoniq Mirage but it does a few things similar and it's small.

[@AudioPilz]

True that!

[@b.benjamineriksson6030]

So you don't bring your Ensoniq Mirage everywhere? Why? I usually bring it with me while commuting with the tram to uni.

[@MarkBayfieldvillageidiot]

A fine episode, loved the last demo you did in this here and the videos hilarious.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@IDigress]

That was a killer jam at the end! Great vid as always

[@PodmornicaFTW]

Hey - there's no need for menu diving - you can press edit and the corresponding key - every key is labeled for the appropriate part of the menu, and with this combo you just jump to it.

[@tomaspalmariello7911]

thats the coolest feature of the microsampler

[@AudioPilz]

Damn, was this in the manual? Mind blown! Thanks for that!

[@PodmornicaFTW]

Not at all, I appreciate your content immensly - it's fun, informative and gives info on consumer audio tools :D

[@patgillett1537]

Do I win a prize for catching the triple call back with the smoke pack in the slot? Great scripting guys! Great show and I'm happy I skipped this one. At the time I was considering picking one up but nobody was stocking them near me to test out in store. Dodged a big Korg Bullet! lol

[@AudioPilz]

They are nearly non-eXistenz in my area ;)

[@davesmith6794]

I sing lead in Pittsburgh's Rush tribute band, Distant Signals. I use this Korg sampler quite alot, in fact. (We're a 5-piece, not the original trio format) Even though we have a dedicated keyboardist, there are a lot of Rush songs from the 80's with massive amounts of synth lines and effects. We have this little beauty hooked up to a set of Roland Midi Pedals (PK-5, I believe off the top of my head). When our keyboardist's hands are both busy, I can use my feet to trigger any extra effects and sounds we've loaded into the sampler. Whether we download actual samples or if I hook one of my own synths into it and play the part we'll need, the process is actually very easy. I also use it for triggering a lot of backing vocal "stabs" or lines that I've prepared. Being the only vocalist in the band, most of my backing vocal stabs have to be triggered. Many of them are harmonized lines, and layering multiple vocal lines into one sample is actually pretty easy. Given the complexity of the music we play, I don't know what I'd do without this little Korg sampler!

[@JohnBeegPapaGardener]

Those recesses at the top are for standing your old timey teeny tiny smartphones in while jacking in to record line-in samples. :)

[@AudioPilz]

True but I still love the pack of cigarettes thing;)

[@AlexBallMusic]

The box of cigarettes that casually appears on the microSAMPLER at the mid-point was a beautiful touch. Also, your jams are hot. Hot enough to light a cigarette actually.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Talking about hot jams: our Korg DDM-110 is gonna be in Sam Battle's Museum of Everything Else😀

[@Rocco_Renzetti]

You should watch Dakim’s Boilerroom set from years ago. He does a completely improv set with this sampler and it’s unreal. Seriously, it’s become sorta legendary if you’re into off beat lofi boom bap.

[@AudioPilz]

Someone mentioned it on FB and I just finished watching it. Mindblowing

[@Rocco_Renzetti]

@@AudioPilz yeah I’ve come back to it several times, each time finding something new within the performance. It’s the fact that he plays the sample part without the listener hearing it drop the first time. Like some very strange form of beat making with a looper/delay that has the dry signal removed. But he can hear all those counter beats and poly timings in his head. That’s incredible.

[@nickarmijo1455]

Rocco Renzetti that dakim set is legendary! Funny enough the looper setup he is using where it loops the sample without you hearing the initial dry signal is just a Boss SP505. He’s turning the delay FX on and setting it up with a slow delay time, max feedback, and 100% wet. So you don’t hear the initial sound he plays until the delay repeats it. I believe he uses the microsampler to trigger the sounds running into the SP505’s delay. Crazy cuz that delay effect and the SP505 in general wasn’t designed for live looping. Just a crazy workaround. Also the SP505 is definitely some bad/underrated gear material.

[@Rocco_Renzetti]

@@nickarmijo1455 the 505 is a great piece of bad gear! I own 2 404 samplers and always wanted to pick up a 505.

[@danielhertzmaybe]

Mid way through the video I started thinking "damn this is going to be a weak one, I've seen Florian do better" and then I proceeded to witness one of the most epic jams this channel has seen. I'm impressed.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for staying until the end

[@BuddhaPhi]

Belated thanks for the video! First off, those big slots on top were meant to hold a phone - for sampling and to have someone to talk to while waiting on banks to slowly load. I'm in the minority but I've always loved this thing. It's one of my top 10 favorite pieces of gear I own. It has so many flaws and limitations but it does a few things well. Sampling is very easy and resampling almost makes you forget there is only one active FX slot. Using the bank editor software is almost mandatory (there are versions that still work fine win 2022 on Windows 10 x64 and Mac). As a bonus the MIDI implementation is pretty good and I have used a MIDI floorboard to control multiple sampling parameters via SYSEX commands and bypass some of the menu diving.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for watching! Happy to hear that it works for you

[@radical_ans]

Jeff Rosenstock has been using this on tour for years and I've always wondered what it was. Very cool!

[@AudioPilz]

Good to know!

[@ismaelcortesjr9281]

what actually amazes me is, the fact you make all this "Bad Gear" sound so good . Cheers Mate

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@edgararias6601]

Kind of cazy that I was eyeing one of these on the Bay yesterday and it shows up on today's episode. Great video!

[@AudioPilz]

Funny! Thank you so much!

[@superjubs]

always impressed by the performances on this channel

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@lolKbgTgm6621what]

0:35 The Microkorg *WAS* a success story - it's among the greatest-selling synths of all time. But it's like the opposite of the Velvet Underground - the Velvet Underground didn't sell many albums, but everyone who bought one went out and started a band. The Microkorg sold a lot of units, but everyone who bought one went home and noodled on it for a day or two before throwing it in the closet and getting a job selling cellphones or whatever.

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe I "underpronounced" the un in unlike. total success story ;)

[@pj3596]

Dude you rock! Love your content. So inspiring. It's never the gear but what you can do with it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@AJStudios18]

you’ve been so consistent with these videos, it’s super cool to see the steady climb of this channel

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@pieceworkstudios]

The cigarette box in the "what is this for?" Pocket 😂🤣😂🤣!! This guy's a genius and makes me laugh every episode while learning about these cool and weird instruments 👍

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@pieceworkstudios]

@@AudioPilz You are awesome man 👍

[@TenisDimants]

If you press and hold the EDIT button, over each key is a shortcut written, that is a great way not to menu dive. I missed that function at first glance also. Also many bands use these live to play back sampled other keyboards, like mellotron samples. Great episode, thank you. I realy like my Microsampler though.

[@AudioPilz]

Mind. Blown. Was this in the manual? Thank you so much!

[@TenisDimants]

I dont know, the manual was hard to read. Found that on forums with some other tricks, but that alone made it worth having. As it is easy to work with now.

[@boimesa8190]

Will it show u on the menu?

[@TenisDimants]

Boi Mesa If I understand correctly your question, then yes it will go there to the shortcut and show it on the screen.

[@FormatWarsBand]

It seems like it has a really cool workflow for recording samples to a key.... great if you want to create some quick one shots and not mess around with them to much or store them.... Great vid!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@ggoty]

I thoroughly enjoy when a new Bad Gear episode pops up on my subscriptions tab

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for subscribing! Notification gang!

[@futonblonde1476]

We use two in our band. Love these little guys.

[@AudioPilz]

Wow, two of them. They have become pretty rare

[@futonblonde1476]

@@AudioPilz We don't mean to gloat 😆

[@dannydr]

Man, I love this youtube channel and especially Bad Gear!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@dannydr]

@@AudioPilz no, thank you for all the great content!

[@jiproijackers7595]

And once again kudos for the eXistenZ references in this episode of Bad Gear. Truly delighted that I didn't get this one though. You sell it well but at the time this one wasn't for me. Funny to see you even dare to put it next to the akai s950. Would love to see you make an episode with that one. The s950 is hands down the best sounding sampler for drums I have ever owned. Maybe 'Best Gear' could be the next thing after bad and better gear? Not necessarily for you to break your bank account but to showcase to us, your loyal audience, the best gear you have lying around and what you can do with it.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks. Maybe Rad Gear ;)

[@jiproijackers7595]

@@AudioPilz Please make it happen. That would be so rad 😉

[@cosmicdrone5270]

Florian, you have done it again!!! Another dope video with some bada$$ gear!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@this_connor_guy]

Despite looking like a fisher price toy keyboard mated with a kitchen appliance, the only drawbacks for me are the lack of a full ADSR and multiple effects slots. For very basic sampling needs, if you're not looking to modify the sounds, it gets the job done.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed, the loading times are quite a PITA, tho

[@this_connor_guy]

@@AudioPilz I don't think I had too much of an issue with that, but then again I was really only using one bank the whole time.

[@hardlines2635]

Wouldn’t swap mine for a gold pig, friend of mine wants one and he owns a Kronos2, only complaint I have is the memory size, I also have zoom 48, £79 delivered, great fun, I upgraded my Boss RC505 from 4gb to 32gb, wish I could do same with micro sampler.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, memory upgrade would help a lot

[@joshwizinsky1979]

Wait, the MicroSample was "Bad Gear"????????????? i used to have one of these for sevral years and i used it religiously till i broke the sequencer knob off of it, i hoestly wish i still had mine :(

[@AudioPilz]

The hate I've found didn't fit onto one screen...

[@tomoflis5338]

Lol that "i already put it ob ebay" summs it nicely😄

[@AudioPilz]

I assume someone has more fun with it than me ;) Thanks!

[@AdrianGeorges]

Die Badgear Episoden sind einfach klasse. Fundiertes Wissen meets Unterhaltung. Danke vielmals.

[@AudioPilz]

Besten Dank!!!

[@anode8]

"Hardware sampler user interfaces have a long tradition of making you want to take up smoking again" LOLZ, I'm dead over here.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, smoking kills😅

[@maxamills1929]

2001 Chevy Cavalier interior level design

[@pianokeyjoe]

WOW!! So I am NOT the only that had noticed that monstrosity of a car!!! LOL!

[@AudioPilz]

Just looked it up. So true!

[@Ethyl.breaks]

My cavalier station wagon was my favorite

[@BeniRoseMusic]

Having owned a 2004 Cavalier, no wonder I always had an affinity for this POS.

[@mysticjuice3363]

You’ve easily become one of my favorite youtubers in general keep up the great work man

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!

[@null_state]

@3:50 i spit up some wine when i saw the cigerette pack appear in the ipod/phone cubby. I so vaguely remember demo'ing this "synth" years ago and completely forgot about it. Look forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks, hopefully your KZbin watching device didn't take any damag;)

[@wariusgaius]

Mangling sounds on this thing is a lot of fun. Loads of lfo action. And you can sample on various low sample rates. Effects are good. I think it’s a cult classic.

[@AudioPilz]

I concur, great FX

[@tomblaze2]

I have seen Mac Demarco and his band use these on stage the past 5 + years - search KZbin Mac Demarco Live Chamber off Reflection - It sounds like he may have sampled his Juno Synth into the Sampler

[@AudioPilz]

Just pushed play on this one. Nice!

[@AdjustableSquelch]

Stephen Morris of New Order was using one in the late 90's early 2000s to trigger samples for Blue Monday IIRC

[@dseivwright]

They didn’t come out until 2009 so not sure how New Order would have done that

[@bit-map]

Always a joy to see a new video by you. Maybe you can fit 2 Volca samples into those holes and create a Korg Frankenstein Sampler

[@AudioPilz]

Great idea!

[@dalaigalama]

The Bossa tune at 2:32 is marvellous!!!

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, kudos to the composer (it can be found on YT and it's royalty free) link in description

[@synthmalicious7541]

This is that one sampler that every band on KEXP uses

[@SparklesofGold]

hahaha! TRUTH

[@AudioPilz]

Lol, so true!

[@user-qf4zs6qj4c]

New Order used to have a few on stage. Air have one also.

[@indirektdjs]

At release I think Korg made a huge misstep with this product but NOW, where lots of their clients are looking for cheap and portable little tools the MicroSampler has finally found its market. Consider: you can get one for the price of a Volca Sample and it exceeds the Volca in almost every specification - plus it has a keyboard, effects, midi out, USB, easy sample import, direct recording, more voices, time-stretching... Very true that it was released in a half-baked state though. Not buggy but just not feature-complete. Volca wins in portability, immediacy, and general fun though I think. Kudos to Korg for making FUN gear.

[@AudioPilz]

I'm more Team Volca ;)

[@boimesa8190]

I don't know where you'd get this for the same price as a Volca sample but u need to tell me xD

[@indirektdjs]

Boi Mesa found one for 220 Canadian dollars on Kijiji but needless to say by the time I contacted the seller it had already moved. The one I have now was 240 Canadian +shipping (about 300 USD total) but the best deal I’ve heard is my old roomie who traded one for a used m-audio trigger finger pro :)

[@ForbiddenDuke]

"Hardware samplers have a way of making you want to take up smoking again" 🤣🤣🤣

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, especially those from the 80s;)

[@shigeon2668]

i would love longer bad gear episodes that go more in depth into how you use the gear and a rundown of the workflow while still maintaining the weekly upload schedule, that would make me absolutely overjoyed

[@AudioPilz]

Happy to hear that. I'll try to find some time for that

[@_catpants]

This is probably my favorite piece of gear, if you view it as an adult version of those old Casio sampler keyboards rather than a proper hardware sampler it makes a lot more sense.

[@robotunes]

Exactly! It's a grown-up SK-1. And of all the hardware samplers I've owned going back to the late '90s, it's the quickest and most fun. Microsampler and Octatrack are my two most-loved pieces by far. I love all the hate they get.

[@AudioPilz]

That's a very interesting angle

[@raidernationfullmoonrecord9516]

Baby asr 10

[@Shampoid]

this is totally me when someone gives birth to a sampler

[@AudioPilz]

In this case this was child abandonment

[@tsevetgestoorde]

Great episode of bad gear , again! Thank you!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@ObscureModules]

The demos you did on it are hilarious but also really amazing too I love them

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@NNITRED]

Thanx to this video the going rate shot up to $500 on the low end.

[@AudioPilz]

I think you're overestimating the reach of this channel

[@StephenMcLeod]

This was my first Sampler. I liked it a lot, as it was one of the few with a keyboard, but sold it because editing the parameters were limited to software that was Windows only or something, as you mentioned! A nightmare for me as an OSXer. The reset buttons were weird and awesome.

[@AudioPilz]

True, such a weird instrument

[@michaelh7972]

I love this channel! I've binge-watched most of the videos now and I have serious GAS!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! At least I'm not reviewing expensive gear ;)

[@elekktrikk_home_video]

That's so unbelievable. You review all of my "Ex"es. :D I loved the polyphonic chromatic function - and the batteries (yeah!) but hated the sequencer so much (honestly, I can't remember anymore why - sometimes that's the way with "Ex"es :). Great episode! The track at 4:56 is fantastic!!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@ChocloManx]

I played a gig with moon b in 2016. his live setup was 2 microsamplers and nothing else (maybe some effects). it was really great

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, I've seen a lot of great live acts using the Microsampler

[@DJDigitalJosh]

I had 1 of these too. I almost purchased it again a while back after watching all of the Microkorger's videos, but Thank God I didn't. I have a hardware sampler addiction.

[@AudioPilz]

There is no cure for hardware sampler addiction

[@erik_gerhard]

That “The Volca Sample Can’t Sample” meme killed me 😂

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, that one had me rolling too!

[@OCEANSINSPACE]

This is kinda a hidden gem in a goofy bad gear way. I like how we discover ways to make bad gear good haha! Cheers man@

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@pasowen]

"I already put it on eBay" was exactly my experience with my MicroSampler.

[@AudioPilz]

Maybe still wait a bit for the prices going up

[@tychothefriendlymonolith]

looks like a scientology e-meter with a keyboard.

[@AudioPilz]

Tom Cruise,...

[@josephwright5921]

I remember seeing this at Sam Ash Philadelphia. I thought it would be collectible one day because of the decimator effect.

[@sekrad8416]

One of the funnest things I ever bought. I think the recesses in the top were to hold an old school iPod for ripping samples

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@DionteBOOMstudio]

Yikes. Being a guy that only uses Korg gear (for now), this really hurt my soul.

[@AudioPilz]

Sometimes we all have to go through that

[@SyncdAlien]

What disappointed me the most about the design was the lack of pitch bend and mod wheels.

[@AudioPilz]

True, that would have been worth a mention

[@jukkauh]

Pitch bend is broken anyway: it steps horribly on the microsampler.

[@SyncdAlien]

@@jukkauh Pitch bend over midi?

[@jukkauh]

@@SyncdAlien Yes

[@SyncdAlien]

@@jukkauh Midi pitch bend is 127 steps of resolution, and I've heard the stepping or "zipper noise" as I call it on digital synthesizers.

[@kenfusion]

A sampler you can perform , sequence , layer . Live sample ... ok not live sample (load time) . I GASsed for this thing then couldn't find one . Akai MPX 16...same . Gone before I could jump . I may have to spring for a digitakt . Excellent episode, review , performance , gear - banter. And video production . Great jam , and use of Kronenberg. If someone samples you with one of these you will be assimilated by the KORG . Resistance is futile.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much! Digitakt is highly recommended!

[@superserge]

Great Job, bro! I first... noticed this sampler.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@snowleopard9749]

Fantastic "original" jam 4:55

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks! Had to fight some YT copyright claims with this episode ;)

[@NgaTaeOfficial]

Thanks Zero-G Datafile One! (I see you!)

[@spaceranger145]

I had one of these when they first came out. The machine could of done with a bit more time spent in the R&D process but sadly it had as much functionality as a 2010 iOS app. If it had envelopes, filters, proper loop points and a decent sequencer it would of been amazing instrument!

[@AudioPilz]

I wholeheartedly agree!

[@80iesDude45]

I still use my microSampler for livegigs. Underrated gear.

[@AudioPilz]

Lots of great live acts use it. New Order comes to mind

[@Robster881]

That track at the end was pretty ballin, ngl.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@darksidefarmer]

Ive never got the hate for the microsampler- its my favourite bit of kit, id never sell mine- I'd sell my digitakt 1st! I use all 3 sequencers from the beatstep pro on mine which really makes it a lot better.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice idea! I should have tried that!

[@omarsorianolopez5290]

I really wish that the Digitakt and Octa could have that same classic and super fast live sampling and slicing workflow as the microsampler.

[@markorendas1423]

mine is fine but I've just not sure what context to use it. Ya the bank managmnt and recessed control is odd but this bird rare as it is is still a enigmatic treasure for the damned and determined...

[@AudioPilz]

Yes, determination is key

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

The edition librarian software does work for me. Just gotta make sure ur settings are right in the microsampler

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

Happy you threw an amen break in there in a video about sampling!

[@AudioPilz]

I'm not 100% sure if it was the actual amen break. I lost track of what I was sampling 😂

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

@@AudioPilz 😂😂 I watched a second time, I almost thought it was funky drummer for a second but the snare tone was wrong. Definitely amen

[@richardtheneighbor1682]

The indie band grandaddy has used this before and you can see it being played on lead singers jason lytles tiny desk concert

[@AudioPilz]

Good to know!

[@evilrainbow]

Came here to comment this and now I have no purpose.

[@indirektdjs]

I love my MicroSampler!! Its charm is totally in its quirkiness. :)

[@AudioPilz]

It's quirky, indeed ;)

[@indirektdjs]

@@AudioPilz After a long search for a MicroSampler I managed to find one on eBay that had been modded and extensively gigged. It took me ages to get it cleaned up and back into good working condition but the effort was well worth it. In addition, I got a special value added treat: the thing was loaded with INSANE samples that had me wondering wtf kind of performances it was being used for. Many of the samples were in French and had a kinda experimental glitch hiphop / comedy show vibe. I've since repurposed those samples for a few of my own projects and ported them over to the Model:Samples so I can have proper envelopes etc.

[@delmod2]

I can’t figure out how to use the sound banks and find the sounds I sampled! If anyone has a tutorial I’d love that!

[@adastra123]

I still have one . I used it quite a bit for theatre sound fx and sampling from Kontakt5 with reverb so I could use delay on the Korg. I am still laughing at the "not an airport " with the bank loading. Its up on a shelf now as a decoration but I am thinking of taking it down again and feeding it with new samples from the Crave and Freak . As usual great video. If you are ever in Cork, Ireland I will buy you beer and dinner . You have a comedian and a talented musician in you .

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!

[@Firstinversion899]

Um, at 3:56 “suck a d**k-a, suck a d**k-a, suck a d**k-a, suck a d**k-a”. And props for the RNC Compressor.

[@AudioPilz]

Grammy for best lyrics 2020