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Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation

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Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation

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$406.01 Price Tier: Standard

5.0 (18)

2 Critic Reviews

2 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Roland SP-555

1 community setup

29 wishlisted

65 saved

Page last updated Jul 04, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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5.0 (6)

$406.01 6 available Used

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Average Price: $406

Standard/Professional

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Audio Samplers category, Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation, a powerhouse designed for the modern musician and DJ. This versatile sampler combines intuitive features with cutting-edge technology, making it an essential tool for both studio production and live performances. With 16 dynamic pads at your fingertips, trigger samples, loops, and effects with precision and ease. The SP-555's Loop Capture mode allows you to create seamless loops on the fly, perfect for those in-the-moment inspirations.

Dive into an array of on-board performance effects that transform your soundscapes in real-time. Whether you're adding a touch of reverb, creating mind-bending delays, or pushing your audio to the edge with distortion, the SP-555 empowers you to shape your sound with creativity and control. Plus, with its compact flash memory, you'll have ample space to store your custom samples and loops.

Seamlessly integrate your digital library with the included conversion software, allowing for effortless import and export of WAV and AIFF files. This feature ensures that your creative process is as smooth as possible, opening up endless possibilities for sound exploration. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring artist, the Roland SP-555 is your ultimate partner in sonic innovation.

Key Features:

16 dynamic pads for triggering samples and effects
Loop Capture mode for instant looping
Wide range of on-board performance effects
Compact flash memory for sample storage
Conversion software for WAV and AIFF file handling

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	SP-555 Sampler
Finish	Gray
Year	2000s
Categories	Samplers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input, MIDI Output, USB MIDI
Number of Pads	16 Pads
Polyphony	12 Voices

FAQs

Does the Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation support USB connectivity?: Yes, the Roland SP-555 features USB MIDI connectivity, allowing you to connect it to a computer for transferring samples and integrating with DAW software.
How many pads are available on the Roland SP-555 for triggering samples?: The Roland SP-555 is equipped with 16 velocity-sensitive pads, enabling dynamic sample triggering and performance flexibility.
What is the polyphony capability of the Roland SP-555?: The Roland SP-555 offers 12-voice polyphony, allowing you to layer and play multiple samples simultaneously without cutting off sounds.
Can the Roland SP-555 be used for live performances?: Yes, the Roland SP-555 is designed for live performance use, featuring real-time effects and sample triggering capabilities that are ideal for DJs and live musicians.
Is the Roland SP-555 compatible with MIDI devices?: The Roland SP-555 includes both MIDI Input and Output, allowing it to interface with other MIDI devices such as keyboards and controllers.

Videos

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Griffin Avid

Roland SP-555 Easy Sampling

Griffin Avid

Roland SP555 Sampler Demo

PMTVUK

Roland SP-555 Product Introduction Trailer

Griffin Avid

Roland SP-555 Sampler Overview Wrap-Up Round-Up: Banging Your Own Beat

gearwire

SP-555 (1/2) Overview

RolandChannel

New in the Studio - An Introduction to the Roland SP-555

Matt Greer Music

Why I'm selling my Roland SP-555

SPVIDZ

Mike Acosta - Roland SP-555 Sampler Overview Video

Mike Acosta

Roland SP555 Sampler With David Ahlund

PromenadeMusicTV

Roland SP-555 Sampler with Performance Effects

Gear4music Guitars

Reviews

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PROS

Transforms music making with onboard mics and ins for live creation
Ideal for fans of trip-hop, 80's and 90's hip hop, and RnB
Enables unique sound design and drum sampling capabilities
Facilitates creation of loopable phrases for dynamic performances
Offers fun and experimental sample creation process
FX Memory allows for assigning different effects to pads
Loop Capture mode for effective overdubbing and layering

CONS

Sequencer is basic, requiring workarounds for advanced use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation.

Features and functionality

0 0

The SP-808's reliance on a zip drive limits its practicality, as it lacks memory for seamless performance, unlike modern samplers.
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The SP-555 is viewed as the pinnacle of the SP series due to its versatility and performance orientation, making it a favorite among enthusiasts.
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The SP-606 can function as a USB 1.0 audio interface, controller, and sampler simultaneously, offering unique versatility for studio setups.
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The SP-606 allows two multi-effects (MFX) to run independently, enhancing its capability for complex sound manipulation compared to the SP-404 OG.
Source

Comparisons

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SP-505 offers better effects but suffers from poor pad quality compared to the robust build of the MPC 2000.
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The SP-606 is considered the most advanced in the SP line, featuring a 4-track sequencer and simple mono synth, but is still outclassed by the MPC 1000.
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Owners of both the SP-606 and newer models like the SP-404MK2 note the 606’s distinctive character and sound, which some prefer over the cleaner output of newer units.
Source

User experience

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SP samplers are praised for their immediacy, making them ideal for live looping and effects but challenging for complex song creation.
Source

Value and pricing

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Despite its capabilities, the SP-505 is undervalued in the market compared to the more expensive yet less feature-rich SP-404.
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Given its rarity in certain regions, acquiring an SP-606 at $250 is considered a solid investment, especially for collectors or enthusiasts in areas with limited access to samplers.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite its lack of portability, the SP-606 is favored by some users for its unique effects and four-track sequencer, making it ideal for more intricate sampling setups.
Source

Critic Reviews

Roland SP555

soundonsound.com

The Roland SP-555 shines with its real-time effects, making it a creative powerhouse for live performances and studio fun. While its sampling and sequencing features are basic and polyphony is limited, the on-the-fly Loop Capture and D-Beam controlled synth/filter add unique flair. The effects section, reminiscent of the Korg Kaoss Pad, is particularly impressive, offering a range of vibrant, character-filled algorithms. However, the lack of a bundled Compact Flash card, USB lead, and some buggy sample conversion may frustrate potential buyers. Overall, it's a compelling choice for those seeking innovative effects over traditional sampling prowess.

positive

Full Review

Roland SP-555 review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

Roland's SP-555 Creative Sampler Workstation impresses with its versatile features like seamless loop layering, serving as a USB soundcard and MIDI port, and a great range of effects. However, it falters with the requirement to stop playback for new recordings and lacks a pre-buffer in auto-record mode, leading to lost transients. While it advances from the SP-404, its inability to sample and sequence in real-time is a significant drawback, especially for live performers. The SP-555 is a mixed bag: fun and powerful, yet hindered by its lack of fluidity.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 18 Ratings

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fawbak

718

over 9 years ago

LOVE

Being able to assign different FX on separate pads using FX Memory is great. Loop Capture mode is awesome as it lets you overdub and hear what you are layering over as you do it, then lets you assign that recording to a pad.