Creating beats from your own sample sets remains one of the most effective music production methods. We’ve selected some of the best budget samplers to get you started.
Whether you synthesize your own drums, cut samples from vinyl, or use pre-created sample packs, a sampler is a powerful tool for manipulating these sounds and building drum patterns and loops that have character and personality.
Best Budget SamplersChoosing the Best Budget SamplersBest Budget Samplers: AKAI MPC SampleBest Budget Samplers: Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. IIBest Budget Samplers: Roland P-6Best Budget Samplers: Sonicware LIVEN LoFi-12Best Budget Samplers: Elektron model:samplesBest Budget Samplers: 1010music nanobox tangerine
Choosing the Best Budget Samplers
Some samplers have great sound engines with precise tools for working with digital audio, and may even have features inspired by classic samplers from the 1980s or 1990s.
Meanwhile, others have more groovebox-orientated features with effects and powerful sequencers for building complex arrangements on the fly.
Best Budget Samplers: AKAI MPC Sample
The newest kid on the block is AKAI’s MPC Sample, bringing the legendary MPC workflow to a budget-friendly device that’s perfect for aspiring beatmakers. While the MPC Sample (read our review here) obviously cannot do everything the bigger MPCs can, it excels at the basics: instant sampling, chopping, and sequencing in true MPC style, without all the ballast of the professional MPCs. With 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory, it also leaves most other budget samplers in the dust. And when you’re ready to step up your game, you can import MPC Sample projects into the MPC software or current standalone MPCs.
AKAI MPC Sample · Source: AKAI Professional
One of the MPC Sample’s main strengths is its inspiring selection of hands-on performance effects. In addition to Pad and Knob FX, there’s a Flex Beat engine that can shake up your beats and sequences in true DJ fashion. And thanks to the rechargeable battery and built-in speaker, this compact budget sampler is perfect for making beats on the go.
The AKAI MPC Sample is available from Thomann*.
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AKAI Professional MPC Sample
Customer rating: (18)
$379.00 / £339.00 / 389.00€ at
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Best Budget Samplers: Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II
An instrument by Teenage Engineering is somewhat unexpected on the list of the best budget samplers. After all, the Swedish manufacturer is best known for high-priced gadgets such as the OP-1 Field and OP-XY. But Teenage Engineering has also made the affordable and fun Pocket Operator line for many years, and the EP-133 K.O. II is a direct descendant of the tiny, pocket-sized PO-33 K.O.
Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II 128 MB · Source: Teenage Engineering
Featuring six stereo or twelve mono voices, now 128 MB of memory (up from 64 MB at launch), a powerful built-in sequencer, and pad-controlled punch-in effects, the EP-133 K.O. II is an inspiring sample playground that makes it easy to make your own beats (read our review here). It can sample via the built-in microphone or line input, or you can import samples via the Sample Tool application.
Teenage Engineering also makes the EP-1320 Medieval, a variant of the K.O. II loaded to the brim with medieval sounds. Now that’s something you don’t see every day!
Both versions are available at Thomann*.
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Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II
Customer rating: (70)
$299.00 / £268.00 / 305.00€ at
Teenage Engineering EP-1320 Medieval
Customer rating: (14)
$329.00 / £295.00 / 335.00€ at
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Best Budget Samplers: Roland P-6
A member of the AIRA Compact family, the Roland P-6 is a pocket-sized sampler with six tracks and 16 voices of polyphony. Samples can be played polyphonically and chromatically, so you’re not limited to one-shot drum hits. You can sample via the line input or built-in microphone, or import samples via the P-6 desktop app. The built-in sequencer offers 64 patterns with up to 64 steps.
Roland P-6 · Source: Roland
In addition, the P-6 offers a range of performance effects such as a looper, filter, scatter, and vinyl simulator, as well as master delay and reverb effects. It even has a granular mode for serious sample mangling. A resampling feature lets you turn the results into new samples. The P-6 runs on a built-in rechargeable battery, so it’s perfect for sampling on the go.
The Roland P-6 is available at Thomann*.
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Roland AIRA Compact P-6 Sampler
Customer rating: (41)
$175.00 / £158.00 / 179.00€ at
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Best Budget Samplers: Sonicware LIVEN LoFi-12
Here’s one for all fans of that punchy vintage sampler sound! The Sonicware LIVEN LoFi-12 offers a 12-bit mode inspired by the sonic aesthetics of early samplers like the E-mu SP1200 and AKAI S900. That said, it can also sample at high quality.
Sonicware Liven Lofi-12 · Source: Sonicware
The onboard 4-track sequencer offers parameter and sound locking, so it’s surprisingly flexible for just four tracks. You also get 11 track effects and eight master effects, including cassette tape, and vinyl simulators. If you’re after that lo-fi sound, the LIVEN LoFi-12 is one of the best budget samplers for you.
The Sonicware LIVEN LoFi-12 is available at Thomann*.
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Sonicware LIVEN Lofi-12
Customer rating: (17)
$275.00 / £246.00 / 278.00€ at
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Best Budget Samplers: Elektron model:samples
Strictly speaking, the Elektron model:samples isn’t a sampler, as it cannot sample on its own. But the groovebox is the most affordable way to perform and produce with samples using the Elektron workflow, so we decided to include it. The model:samples offers six tracks, all of which can be used for internal samples or MIDI. It’s also got the famous Elektron sequencer with parameter locks, micro timing, trig conditions, and real-time or grid recording.
Elektron Model: Samples · Source: Elektronauts
The Elektron model:samples offers 64 MB of sample memory and 1 GB of internal storage. It comes loaded with lots of high-quality sounds, but you can also import your own samples via USB. A generous array of knobs and buttons provides instant real-time control.
The Elektron model:samples is available at Thomann*.
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Elektron Model:Samples
Customer rating: (190)
$295.00 / £266.00 / 299.00€ at
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Best Budget Samplers: 1010music nanobox tangerine
Calling the 1010music nanobox tangerine a “budget sampler” might be stretching it a little. After all, the smallest sampler on this list is also the most expensive. But if you’re looking for a pocket sampler that you can take anywhere, the nanobox tangerine is hard to beat.
1010music nanobox tangerine · Source: 1010music
Inside the tiny orange housing is a fully featured high-quality sampler with 24 stereo voices. It samples via the line input at 48 kHz / 24 bit and can stream samples of up to 4 GB straight from a microSD card. The maximum recording time is over 4 hours! The nanobox tangerine also supports multisamples with over 500 samples and lets you resample the audio output without patching. Everything is controlled via a 2” touchscreen, two rotary controls, and four buttons. A surprisingly powerful sampler that fits in your shirt pocket!
The 1010music nanobox tangerine is available at Thomann*.
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1010music nanobox tangerine
Customer rating: (7)
$389.00 / £355.00 / 399.00€ at
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More about the Best Budget Samplers:
All about samplers
Thoman’s guide to Grooveboxes
Videos:
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