Learning the S2400, Thoughts, and Some Sounds // Isla Instruments S2400

[@drfangaz-pronouncedlikefan4019]

Scott hold the Shift button down simultaneously with the settings buttons to enable your settings. Under Global Settings hit the enter key and uncheck the Fader Lock @Start box. That's the reason you couldn't adjust the volumes of the samples using the faders.

[@ScottBrio]

Amazing, I'll give this a try! Thanks dude! 🙏🙌

[@GoldToni-z2t]

besides the distracting background music this is a super inspiring video and you present the machine with a great positive attitude. thank you!

[@cryingjordan8842]

Can you explain the setup you have that allows you to record anything from any source in your room? Thx!

[@ScottBrio]

Sure! My computer is hooked up to my MOTU 16A audio interface. Ableton all my computer programs run through that. All my synths and drum machines are run into the 16A. In the MOTU ATV mixing software, I have an aux send that sends all channel's audio to the record/sample input of the S2400- a stereo 1/4" cables run back to the sampler. This way, anything playing through the 16A can be sampled by the S2400. It's a dream. At the drop of a hat, if I'm watching a tutorial, digging for samples, in Splice, Ableton, a synth or drum machine, etc I can hit [Sample] on the S2400 and start recording. Chop it, edit, slice, etc and start working on an idea. It's a bit of a setup but I can't recommend it highly enough :)

[@madeithappen8158]

Helpful video, thanks for sharing! cool to see the workflow and hear the sound of the S2400. dope machine!

[@hiphophobbyklub]

I love the SP-1200 video's.

[@KabsterMaster]

A W E S O M E ¡¡¡ one S2400 is coming to be part of our studio. Great video bruh

[@ScottBrio]

Glad you enjoyed it! More on the way soon! 🥳🙌

[@FunkyRob]

Did you ever figure out if you can record the filter after the synth line was laid down? Also, I couldn't tell how you figured out the volume issue.

[@ScottBrio]

I haven’t had time to figure out the filter automation yet- that’ll be something I attack this next week. As for the volume thing- I realized that the default state of the S2400 (no buttons pressed) is “mixer mode” meaning the faders control the mix of all the pad sounds. If you click “level” it brings you into level record mode that sets the levels for the recorded parts. Realizing that made mixing on this thing way easier :)

[@digablecrates1691]

You can record the filter (and/or filter movement).

[@ScottBrio]

@@digablecrates1691 yes you are correct. I figured that out after recording this video. Unfortunately it’s not constant filter and volume movements- it only records the state of each every time a note hits. Not good for smooth filter sweeps, but great for high hat volume modulation and stuff :)

[@digablecrates1691]

@@ScottBrio yeah - that is something that would be nice to request for a feature update.

[@mattjones4765]

Woohoo another house head on the s2400! Welcome :-D

[@lownrgy]

I dont know why but Im not hearing E-mu magic with ISLA house demos

[@mattjones4765]

@@lownrgy there's a process of down sampling and playback settings to get the 12bit sound - demos on my channel are in the hi res mode, not the lower bit.

[@neighbourmusic]

@@lownrgy i just got mine and that was my initial reaction a little bit - but im gonna solve that by creating all og samples using emax and asr10... then youre cooking with gas

[@AFmajorbeats]

Can you please tell me how I would just sync that to my live 2 for now and use it as the interface? I've watched the tutorials and just don't understand how to connect it.. all of this is new to me.. I just want my live 2 to sync to that

[@kevinbraiden9142]

Would love to hear more about how you have gone about routing everything into the S2400. I have had some success there with a patch bay and a mixer but I always have to unplug something depending if I want to sample or if I want to direct record into my DAW. Maybe I just need more channels then the 8 than my Focusrite has or maybe I need a mixer with better sends (or any sends) so I can route just one/two channels to the sampler? How have you done it?

[@ScottBrio]

Check my video called "The MOTHER of all RACK MIXERS". I got a Roland M-480 a few months ago that I plug all my synths and drum machines into. It's AWESOME. That goes into my Scarlett 18i20 and then I monitor through a Mackie Big Knob. I hooked the inputs of the S2400 up to the 'studio outs' on the back of the Big Knob- they're just an extra output, and my Big Knob is the last stage of audio for everything in my studio. This way all I have to do is hit 'Sample' on the S2400 and it's listening to the rest of my studio. You could also do this with a standard mixer- just hook the S2400 up to a stereo Aux or FX send. You do need to turn input monitoring off on the S2400 though, or at least send it to the headphone output. You'll still be able to hear the sound from your monitors and see the waveform on the S400 but there won't be any feedback or phasing issues. *EDIT* after writing this I realized that I couldn't play back the S2400 while also sampling the way I had it hooked up because using the Studio Outs on my Big Knob would feedback the S2400 itself, so I instead hooked the input of the S2400 up to AUX 1&2 on my Roland M-480 line mixer. Now, I can send every channel of my M-480 into the S2400 for sampling except for the S2400. Now I can playback my song AND sample at the same time from anything in my studio :)

[@kevinbraiden9142]

@@ScottBrio So does that allow you to choose what channels to send to the s2400 (any channel sent to the Aux mix on the 480 is going to the sampler otherwise it goes out the mains)? My stupid mixer only has a mono FX/Aux mix (I didn't understand what I needed when I bought it) so I don't think I can do what I want. :( The price is right on that m-480, but it looks huge!

[@ScottBrio]

@@kevinbraiden9142 It is massive! BUT I've got the rack space and for 48 inputs it's actually pretty small! The Aux/FX sends on the 480 are mono as well I believe- it's actually pretty common. I went back and forth if that's something that I cared about but I'm using it currently and not missing the stereo information, although if I can find a way to send it stereo from the 480 I'll do it... just more to think about 😅

[@tolookatyou]

Great video!!!!

[@ScottBrio]

Thanks dude! 🙏🙌

[@Dispatcher813]

How much and where can I get one these days

[@ScottBrio]

Islainstruments.com - retail is $1,499 😎

[@Dispatcher813]

@@ScottBrio Thanks cant wait to get mine they said I can expect to have it by end of August.

[@ScottBrio]

@@Dispatcher813 Woo congrats dude! You’re gonna love it 😛🥳🙌🏼

[@kevinbraiden9142]

Amazing, Great vid! Would love to know if you figure out the volume slider issue and the filter automation.

[@ScottBrio]

It could be a bug- they're still frequently releasing firmware updates but I'll be making frequent videos with this thing, so I'm sure we'll have an answer soon! Glad you enjoyed the video- cheers! *edit* I realized that in it's normal state (with no function buttons highlighted) the S2400 is in 'mixer mode' naturally, so any fader settings you have set will control the "mix" of the song you're currently working on. Level mode apparently sets recording level of that particular track/pad.

[@MrCosmicVictory]

i lost track of time watching, didnt notice till you said how long you been recording for. good video though, im curious between this or the mpcX. i already have the mpc live but i definitely want more buttons and knobs. this 2400 does need an "undo" button though

[@ScottBrio]

If you already have an MPC Live, definitely get the S2400. It has a sound and workflow that no other sampler has. It’s better than the SP1200. For real. It takes some learning because it’s not as obvious as an MPC but it’s super powerful for coming up with ideas quickly. An undo button would be nice but honestly I haven’t found a need for it. The “hold to erase while playing” erase function is so fast and easy it’s basically undo. And replaying your parts leads to happy accidents. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@777wisdom7]

@@ScottBrio Better than an SP1200?......I beg to differ

[@ScottBrio]

@@777wisdom7 1TB SD cards, USB transfer, zero processing wait times, smaller size, more intuitive with the same familiar workflow, 99% similar ring, crunch, and punch, at a fraction of the price of a 40 year old drum machine sampler… yeah, it’s better in every way 😉

[@777wisdom7]

@@ScottBrio You just proved my point The SP 1200 is 40 years old and it STILL WORKS The S2400 has great specs, workflow and sound as you have brilliantly stated. Will your S2400 STILL WORK 40 years from now I guarantee that someone will be playing an SP 1200 in 2060 that will STILL WORk I make beats on my iPad will it still work 40 years from now? probably not

[@teomage978]

boom bap machine

[@Manmademadman]

god dammit Scott, this is an AWESOME video. I just got an S2400 (I too owned every sampler ever) and am madly in love. For the clicks: make sure you update the firmware AND reboot. I had this exact same problem, and it persisted until i power cycled.

[@ScottBrio]

It’s just the best! It’s got so many quirks too- like samples playing a bit differently one minute vs the next, everything feels so organic and alive and unpredictable. It’s SO GOOD! I did update the firmware (thank god it’s so easy) and it did help with the clicks- not gone completely but much better and honestly something every sampler suffers from. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video so much! Haha I’ve got two more I’m working on now that I think you’ll like too! Link me to what you make with your S2400 sometime- I wanna hear it! 😜🙌🏼

[@mr-nr4td]

For a second, I thought it was the Liberty-Biberty guy.

[@asynchronicity]

Great work!! Please do one on resampling while filter tweaking or on modulation automation if it does that.

[@ScottBrio]

I’m so glad you enjoyed the video! I haven’t actually done any resampling just yet but I’ll add that to my list for sure. Thank you for the suggestion 😜🤘🏼🙌🏼

[@putoparri]

Hi Scott, nice video! can I ask you how did you find the build quality? looks good in the videos but I did find kordbot's build quality so incredible low that makes me doubtful about this second instrument from same company.

[@ScottBrio]

The S2400 is built like an absolute tank. Best build quality I’ve ever felt, and I’m not exaggerating. Top quality parts all around. The Kordbot was Brad’s first device and meant to be small and portable. The S2400 feels like it’s built to last as long as the SP1200 or longer. Lots of thought and consideration into each part of the device, from the pro-AV buttons like you find on lighting consoles, top quality faders and pan-pots, thick pads, and OLED screen with a wide viewing angle. Nothing to worry about :)

[@brokemanmusic2587]

I like how this machine looks!

[@ScottBrio]

Same!

[@brokemanmusic2587]

@@ScottBrio this is a classic

[@ScottBrio]

@@brokemanmusic2587 Hands down- a classic that'll look great in 20 or 30 years no doubt.

[@brokemanmusic2587]

@@ScottBrio you are right! Now if the beat thang would have listen to the people that machine would have been a classic

[@ScottBrio]

@@brokemanmusic2587 oh man the Beat Thang could have been so special. Such a great idea and cool look but way too toyish in my opinion. Sounded great though! It’s a collectors piece now 😜😄

[@GriffonRed]

Is this device hard to learn to use?

[@ScottBrio]

Super easy, compared to most hardware samplers and especially DAWs. Sounds better too.

[@Seanrayamusic]

Mine should be coming soon! 🤞🤞

[@ScottBrio]

YES! Lmk when you get your shipping notice! 😆

[@gazfunk]

Wouldn't an MPC do all that a lot faster for less money?

[@ScottBrio]

MPCs these days are like an iPad with Beatmaker 3 and pads. They’re powerful and fun, don’t get me wrong, but the S2400 has a workflow that the MPCs can’t really emulate. Also the sound. None of the modern MPCs or even the older ones sound like the S2400. Everything you put in it sounds better, punchier, grittier... plus that SP1200 ring. I suppose it’s hard to put into words. I’ve tried both and all I can say is while they’re definitely similar products, they couldn’t be more different. The creative limitations of the S2400 often make you think differently and yield great results.

[@gazfunk]

@@ScottBrio I guess I'll have to try and get my hands on one. Maybe I'm just too used to the MPC workflow .

[@wadeteo8282]

Should I sell my MPC X for the Isla 2400? Hmmm

[@ScottBrio]

Depends on your style of music honestly. Look into the limitations of the S2400 and make sure you’d be able to still make your tunes on it. IMO it’s the better sampler, but again, check the videos and judge for yourself 😋

[@mrgrinch]

I would love more than eight voices.

[@ScottBrio]

Same, I can understand why they implemented the limit though. I wouldn't be mad if they added more tho!

[@digablecrates1691]

8 voice polyphony limit without effects or the actual analog filter board (planned as a daughter card) is sort of odd for this day and age.

[@backseatsamurai]

great video! thank you.

[@tali813]

Even though the Beatles had 4 tracks, they bounced tracks too.

[@Mach3Bgc]

Very good video sir. Isla Instruments should give you a kickback on future Sales :)

[@ScottBrio]

I doubt it 😂 but I'd totally love to work with them one day. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@mojoenicosia1026]

Yeah Buddy

[@ISLAInstruments]

[@jdpower6360]

My little bedroom’s the same way. Bed and 30K in gear.

[@ScottBrio]

That's just how it be sometimes 😄I actually enjoy it. Wake up, make music, go back to sleep.

[@soulscientific2685]

guess what im getting with my stimulis check lol

[@ScottBrio]

I can't think of a better way to stimulate the economy 😆🙌

[@dennissotomayor6440]

Finally got my shipment email

[@ScottBrio]

Wooo! You're gonna love it!! 🙌

[@80smusicproducer]

I appreciate the review of this piece of gear but “Your job as a music producer is to take sounds from places and put them together in a way that makes people feel something”. That’s about as narrow an articulation of what a great producer does as I’ve heard.

[@ScottBrio]

Well, it's a quote from Ill Gates and it's helped me make great music and not worry about "originality" so much. I'd say it's a pretty broad term actually. Glad you enjoyed the video! 🙌🏼

[@80smusicproducer]

@@ScottBrio I appreciate the ref. It sounds like a quote from someone whose never spent a day helping an artist articulate their vision, collaborate with other musicians in the process and been responsible for several hundred thousands of dollars of budget. Other than that it’s spot on. Lol. Actually it’s probably an accurate definition of someone who makes music not for mass commercial consumption from bedroom. (I don’t mean you specifically and I don’t mean to offend) but it is detached from the traditional roles of a record producer.

[@ScottBrio]

@@80smusicproducer I guess so- I'm pretty sure he does artist development so 🤷‍♂️ I will say his music is a bit more niche as he makes bass music so you're correct there. I guess it's all just semantics though- I think his only point was to not worry so much about making every sound for your music for scratch and just make good music, which is advice I get down with :)