In this blog post I’m going to discuss the genre defining impact of the Roland SP line on hip-hop.
The BOSS Dr. Sample SP-202 was released in 1998 for triggering sound effects and looping samples, it was the first of the SP lineage and it was the predecessor to the sampler that would change lo-fi hip-hop forever, the Dr. Sample SP-303 (released 1998). Even though the 303 had lesser onboard sampling time then the 202, its iconic vinyl sim and tape echo effects immediately made it a great choice for hip-hop beat makers looking for an all-in-one sampler.
Madvillainy
My introduction to the SP-303 was through Madvillain’s (MF DOOM and Madlib) critically acclaimed 2004 album, Madvillainy. Madlib’s eccentric sample choice and gritty sound intrigued me instantly, so I looked up his equipment, which sent me down a rabbit hole.
Madlib made every single beat on the SP-303 (accompanied by a Fisher-Price turntable and a borrowed tape recorder) in a hotel room in Brazil [1].
Boss Dr Sample SP-202
(Courtesy of Boss)
Madlib’s SP-303 setup in Sao Paulo, Brazil (2002) Photo by Madlib.
Madlib’s bare bones recording setup with the 303 ignited a culture of “making do with what you have” in the underground beat-making scene.
Donuts
Courtesy of Stones Throw Records
Donuts by J Dilla was released on February 7th, 2006, on his thirty-second birthday, three days before his death. It is probably the most influential instrumental album in hip-hop, receiving a score of 10 out of 10 on Pitchfork (2013, Nate Patrin). Dilla recorded the album while undergoing treatment for lupus in a hospital room on the SP-303 and a portable turntable [2].
Conclusion
The two most influential albums in lo-fi hip-hop history were made on the SP-303, immortalizing the machine. Its effects, the finger drumming techniques used on it are iconic, but more than anything they helped me understand that as a producer, limiting your tools, greatly expands your creative abilities.
Earlier this year, I finally got my hands on the SP-404 mk2. For the first three months I had it, I didn’t open Ableton, I became a much better producer. When I finally did use Ableton again, I became an exponentially better producer, I knew which tools I wanted to use and I knew exactly what needed to be done.
The SP-303 did for me, what no-one else could have. It made sure I never felt limited in ability, despite my limited resources.
References