This is the third in a series of SP-sampler collaborations with DJKENTARO. Our last interview was conducted soon after the release of his original debut album Enter. The album achieved "more than I had expected," according to DJKENTARO. It earned a Top-10 ranking on the American iTunes Music Store's dance chart, and also gained him a firm footing in Japan and overseas. In the two years since our last interview, DJKENTARO has remained active, completing a European DJ tour, releasing a mix album, and participating in numerous summer festivals.

Tell us about your upcoming album. DJKENTARO: It will be completely different from the first. That album had elements of my hip-hop influences and was more of a self-introductory album. I will be approaching my second album completely differently. What is your production setup like now?

DJKENTARO: I've been minimizing my music production setup, the centerpiece of which is my laptop computer. Laptop computer specs are now on par with desktop computers. I'm also on tour fairly often, and a laptop computer lets me write songs while I'm on the road. I wanted to get used to that. For example, I connect pads and Roland synths [Fantom-X6, SH-201, etc.] to my computer, and can record audio in real time. Next, I move them around or cut them up, and then do some knob tweaking to refine the part.

How do you incorporate the new SP-404SX into your setup?

DJKENTARO: The new SP-404SX comes with great effects, and I feel that effects such as bit-rate reduction and delays are very useful in production. Even in the past, I've loaded stuff into an SP sampler, applied effects to them, and recorded the sound directly into my DAW program. With the SP-404SX, I can do much more.

What do you have in mind? DJKENTARO: Well, because the sound quality has improved so much with linear [PCM format] support, I can sample tracks that are in production as-is. For example, I could sample a 2-bar beat, filter it to make it sound like it's been manipulated manually, and bring it back into the DAW program. That should result in something interesting.

It's true that with linear PCM, sound-quality concerns are a thing of the past. The SP-404SX's sound has improved dramatically due to higher sampling quality and optimized effects. Based on that, I'd like to ask you, what is a sampler's role in a DJ's arsenal?

DJKENTARO: We DJs who work in real club situations refer to samplers as "pyoon-pyoon machines" (in Japanese). In other words it's a sound-on-cue* machine. In terms of sound effects, you could even sample your name and use it during the opening. In that respect, the SP comes with its own effects so you can tweak knobs to do a lot of things in real time, including playing loops and scratching them. It has become my assistant. With the SP-404SX and its excellent sound quality and large capacity, you can load long audio material and use that instead of a record, and you can use it in a more DJ-ish kind of way. I've been using SP-series samplers for quite some time now and my feeling is that there's nothing else out there that compares.
*The act of instantly delivering a sound on cue and on beat, usually by pressing a pad or other trigger.

What other possibilities do you see for the future in terms of making music with the SP-404SX? DJKENTARO: One of the compelling features of SP-404SX is that it delivers great performance in such a small form factor. I always take it with me on overseas tours. Of course, I use it for production as well. With a laptop computer and a battery-powered SP-404SX, I can set up my production rig anywhere I want – in a club, even in a restaurant or on the bullet train. Thanks for this great toy [laughs]!

Exactly. When I see you using the SP, it really does feel like you're playing, having fun.

DJKENTARO: It's very important that you're able to play around with your gear and have fun with it. When you do, something creative comes through you and that's what turns into a song. I always get the urge to play around with new gear. It's easier to play around than reading a manual. No matter how high the level of quality is, it's no use if it's hard to use. A fun machine like the SP gives me motivation.

Finally, you've been using the SP series for about 10 years, including your amateur years. Why do you trust the SP series, and why do you continue using it? DJKENTARO: I've been using the SP series for quite some time now and my feeling is that there's nothing out there that compares. It's easy to use, the pads are easy to press, and the sound quality is excellent. It comes with all the features that I would want for my performances. There's no other sampler like it.