Roland SP-808
A discontinued Groove Gear sampler with Zip drive storage.
Last updated
The Roland SP-808 GrooveSampler and its upgraded SP-808EX/E-Mix Studio are discontinued digital sampler, synthesizer, and music sequencer workstations. They belong to the Groove Gear line from Roland and Boss, which also includes the more popular Boss SP-303 and Roland SP-404 models.
Features
The original SP-808 GrooveSampler can play up to four stereo samples at once, supporting sample rates of 44.1 and 32 kHz. It provides a maximum of 25 minutes of stereo sampling at 44.1 kHz. Unlike later SP models, it lacks USB and CompactFlash card options; audio samples are stored, read, and transferred solely from the Zip drive rather than internal RAM. To maximize Zip disk space, Roland did not use AIFF or WAV formats.
A D-Beam controller is included. The SP-808EX upgrade adds a virtual monophonic synthesizer for the step sequencer and D-Beam, along with vocal effects, guitar multi-effects, a 10-band Vocoder, Voice Transformer, Mic Simulator, and DJ-oriented groove effects. Expansion options include the OP-1 interface (6 analog outs, 2 digital I/Os, SCSI) and OP-2 interface (XLR I/Os, digital I/O, SCSI). Storage and transport methods remain the same as the GrooveSampler.
Did You Know?
- The SP-808 was originally released in 1998 and updated to the SP-808EX in 2000.
- Slipknot member 133 used the sampler for several years.
- DJ and producer Rekha Malhotra is known to have used the SP-808.
More in Roland Synthesizers
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Roland SP-808 (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced