SP-404.

I'm sorry to post this here, but unfortunatly the Roland SP 404 doesn't have its own forum.

What do you think about this thing? It seems to me it can to everything the MPC can do, and even more. Exept for the "16 levels" button, but the same thing is possible with the Resample button.

And another question.

I have a Technics SL 1210
and Pro Tools Mbox,
Behringer HPS3000 (they are very good, but are so good that I don't need monitors??),
am buying the SP 404.
Then I was thinking about monitors and 5 channel mixer.

I would connect the SL to the SP, SP to the Mbox, Mbox to the mixer, mixer to the monitors. Is that correct?

it seems like a great machine to me.

but not even remotely comparable as far as versatility.

it is a basic phrase/loop sampler.

and it has cool effects. thassaboutit

Sequence, built-in mic, two sampling modes, quick sampling, compact flash, CD quality, imports/exports Wav, line in, line out, sub-pad, drummachine, even more sample banks then the MP. Seems good to me. Is there anything more i really need?

I thought about the 1000, but thats too expensive in my opinion. I think this is a good way to do-it-hardware, and not spend too much money.

I would get a mpd 16 to go with it,so you get bigger pads and mpc feel.

Resample and 16 levels is really not the same thing...resampling is far more cumbersome and takes up a LOT of memory and time to do what you can do with 16 levels.

Yeah I know. But I'm not gonna pay 2x or 3x the SP price, for that button.

I love the 404!

Sure im saving up for 2500, but this little thing here is great for spontanious, no frills beats. Whenever i look at it, i feel like using it. The effects are great and its portable! Yesterday, i took it with me to the library at my university, plugged it into a TV, stuck in an old war documentary, and sampled away!

Sure its limited, but that can be considered a strength just as much as it could be considered an inconvenience! The limitations force you to use what youve got to its full potential..

Plus those effects are damn fantastic!.....

Yeah exactly.

Does anybody know of people who uses the SP 404? I know Magnif from Lawless Element uses it. Madlib and Saul Williams have been spotted with the 303.

i have a mpc2000 and a sp404. The sp404 is cool, for built in fx, a lot of sampling time, easy to use - but it cant f*ck with the mpc.

Thats the problem. Nobody says why the sp cant **** with the mpc. Does it only sound better? "IT'S THE **** M..P..C!!!!". I've read the manual back and forth, it looks reeeaal good.

the mpc is a lot more precise. you can see the sound in wave form and chop it or trim it or whatever. You can add decay/attack to the sound,easier pitch change and the sequencer can do a lot more. has swing options, has very percise step edit feature.

the sp404 has a very basic display. chopping and trimming is not as percise. the pitch change is very limited, and sounds processed. The sequencer is very basic,no step edit,no swing. The sp is not a machine of percision. usually you have to keep things simple-that may be a good or bad thing.

I bought one...but returned it due to it just has 1 midi in and no outs and you can't lay drums over samples......

3rik wrote:you can't lay drums over samples......

Im pretty sure you can...

anyways, all of those "limitations" can be beneficial in other ways.
Personally, i think the 404 and MPC's are different machines, used in different ways, to create different types of songs...

They compliment eachpother more than they cancel eachother out....

Juxt, you're the first one who brings good reasons. One guy I fought with didn't say anything, just "it's wack"-"it's for beginners"

You're right about the trimming. It isn't precise. That's correct.

But about the midi, I have mbox, so if I would use a keyboard or something I would plug it in there.

You can lay drums over samples.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... arentId=84

Press videos, and then "Using sequencer"