SP-404 - tricks 'n tips thread

mr_debauch wrote:^ yeah man.. you making power moves lately... I know this will tie everything together with the fx.. you got all those volcas and other small pieces so this will add onto any of those as well as add on the 2000. You gonna need a nice 16 track mixer soon.

Since the MiniBrutes were defective, and so were the Volca Basses that were at Guitar Center, I had to get my hands on the SP-404SX. I still got the other Volcas, which I'm gonna sample into the SP. On the go, I can sample from the iPhone or the iPod Touch, and I'll be sampling everything else. This gives me more freedom to be creative, rather than sitting in front of my gear, trying to get in that zone. Creativity always hits me when I'm on the go. So I know the 404SX will be the perfect tool to get really experimental with. I've watched a lot of videos on youtube for most of the SPs. So I have an idea what I can do, and the rest is up to my imagination.

Earlier today, I was looking at the Zoom R16 on Sweetwater's site. It's got 8 ins, records 16 tracks (8 at a time), records to SD, runs on 6AA batteries, can be used as an audio interface as well as a DAW controller, 2 built-in mics, USB, 2 R16s can be chained together, etc. Really nice for $400. I know this will really come in handy for all my recording needs, whether using it as an 8-in interface for Reason, or using it as a standalone with my outboard gear, or for recording a few guitar/bass jams with some friends. It really looks like a hell of a lot of fun compared to gathering around a computer to record. I definitely should spend some time reading more up on it. Looks like it's right up my alley.

It is just a stereo (2-in) interface, by the by.
You can dump your SD tracks to your DAW though with zero mess. The machine is bad ass for the price. Using effects and all that is a complete headache (for me) though. Forewarning!

so, got a little trick,

I own a 404 (not sx)
and when sampling a kick (or layering) and it needs something "special"
I use the fx16 Radio Tuning.
turn the knobs cut/res/drive all the way to the left or down.(like no effect???)
and listen what happens with the sub frequencies of the kick.


offcoarse the whole sample will sound a bit different after this editing,
but maybe some of you will enjoy this one.

Greets

^ that is dope.. because then you can use the isolator to cut out everything but the bass.. and overdub to another pad... then trim the bass a bit on it and play the two pads together

My 404 SX arrived today, new in the box. I only paid $300 for it. Definitely an awesome deal. I got a lot of RTFM to do now.

let me know how it goes, i have been toying with the idea of getting a 404sx. i love using my 500 and chopping by ear, so i think it would be a good fit. and the fact that they are still being made and not discontinued is a plus in my book..

distortedtekno wrote:My 404 SX arrived today, new in the box. I only paid $300 for it. Definitely an awesome deal.

mine was $170, like new in box :p

I got a lot of RTFM to do now.

nope, that thick thing is about a dozen languages, you only need to read about ten pages if that
its a way simpler machine than an mpc, i only remember referring to the manual a couple of times
enjoy it!
be forewarned, however, that the battery life aint great, especially when resampling, copy, & editing

Yeah I was glad to see that it's only around 50 pages. I haven't had much time to read it. But it's a fairly intuitive machine from what I've noticed. Thanks for the warning about the batteries. I'll probably end up stocking up on 2 sets of rechargeable batteries if I see the need.

A 404 has been on my radar now for a tad o' time. What is a fair price to pay for a second-hand 404SX?
The price range seems to jump around quite a bit and I'm just unsure about the low-lows... probably get them with jizzum on the mic and crumbs between the pads. And that is if it works at all.

I'm not sure. I had to go for a brand new unit. I didn't want something that was jizzed on or dropped on the floor. You're better off buying a new unit for $300 if you get lucky on an auction that's starting out low, like I found.

I got a new workflow method that I'm really enjoying. I'm using the SP-404SX with my iPod Touch and several apps to sample from. I was doing this with my MPC2K. But this is a hell of a lot more fun, being that it's 100% portable. The Korg Volcas are also good to have for their portability. I haven't tried syncing the SP as a MIDI slave yet. But I'll explore that soon, and see what apps have MIDI Out, which may be worth using.

I miss sampling everything with the 202... that thing was too much fun. More samplers need mic's built in. The OP-1 is SO much fun because of that.


I'm going to install an SM-57 coming out the side of my MPC 1000 and throw the battery pack mod in the mix. SPC-4004CF.

Anyone know if it's unusual to wait a long time for account activation at sp-forums.com?

I signed up but still can't post...

dantana wrote:Anyone know if it's unusual to wait a long time for account activation at sp-forums.com?

I signed up but still can't post...

I'm having the same problem too.

This little box is so fun, I want to talk about first impressions and workflows.

sp-forums seems like the place, vexed I can't post. Came here and found this thread. I was an mpc-forums member back in '03-'04, different username. I recognize some of the names around here, still goin strong.