Bunch of stuff...SP-404, new OS, etc.

I got just a couple of questions for ya...if any of them have already been mentioned, sorry for the repeat...I have been trying to keep up with everything on the site.

1. The new SP-404...what's the deal. I have the SP-303, which I love, and I have an MPC 1000...I don't like the 303 because it doesn't have MIDI out, and was seriously considering the 606 just for MIDI out purposes to sync it up with the MPC, but I'm not willing to drop $500 on the 606 for that reason alone when I got my MPC for $500...so is the 404 worth it at all...can I MIDI out a drum sequence from the MPC and use that in a sequence with a simple loop on the 303 (and 404) thru MIDI in...I read somewhere that if you have a 303 don't bother with the 404...anyone know why?...personally I like the idea of being able to go outside with a handytrax, the 404, and a laptop...not need any plugs, and just be able to make a beat...crazy

2. Since you are reading this post, I know it's been talked about...hard drives for the MPC 1000...I read that the HD10 or something like that can be used for the MPC...it's a 40 gig hard drive and its only like $30 and I can order it from akai direct...what does that mean akai direct...I was at there website and didn't see it...is it something I need to e-mail them about...I don't think it's out yet so is that why I couldn't find it...explain this to me...also, the whole 40 gigs won't be available till the new OS comes out and fixes the partition problem, sorry as this is asked all the time, but what is the latest news on when the new OS is dropping.....finally, black casing for the 1000, available to buy, from where, how much, when, etc....and are there any places you know of that do custom paint jobs on the 1000?

there's an overload of questions for ya...please help me out here.

The SP-404 has newer features than the old SP-303. For one thing you don't have to deal with those impossible to find memory cards that the SP-303 uses. It's really hard to compare the SP-606 with the other models because the SP-606 is a step up from them. If you need a portable sampler, then the SP-404 is the one to get. The SP-606 is a great entry level sample for studio use. You already have the MPC1000 so the only advantage in buying the SP-606 would be its software and getting more experience with a different type of hardware. View the Roland demos anyway and see if the SP-606 is for you.

Custom painting can get expensive but if you want it here is the best...

http://www.forat.com/service/

idralt wrote:I got just a couple of questions for ya...if any of them have already been mentioned, sorry for the repeat...I have been trying to keep up with everything on the site.

1. The new SP-404...what's the deal. I have the SP-303, which I love, and I have an MPC 1000...I don't like the 303 because it doesn't have MIDI out, and was seriously considering the 606 just for MIDI out purposes to sync it up with the MPC, but I'm not willing to drop $500 on the 606 for that reason alone when I got my MPC for $500...so is the 404 worth it at all...can I MIDI out a drum sequence from the MPC and use that in a sequence with a simple loop on the 303 (and 404) thru MIDI in...I read somewhere that if you have a 303 don't bother with the 404...anyone know why?...personally I like the idea of being able to go outside with a handytrax, the 404, and a laptop...not need any plugs, and just be able to make a beat...crazy

2. Since you are reading this post, I know it's been talked about...hard drives for the MPC 1000...I read that the HD10 or something like that can be used for the MPC...it's a 40 gig hard drive and its only like $30 and I can order it from akai direct...what does that mean akai direct...I was at there website and didn't see it...is it something I need to e-mail them about...I don't think it's out yet so is that why I couldn't find it...explain this to me...also, the whole 40 gigs won't be available till the new OS comes out and fixes the partition problem, sorry as this is asked all the time, but what is the latest news on when the new OS is dropping.....finally, black casing for the 1000, available to buy, from where, how much, when, etc....and are there any places you know of that do custom paint jobs on the 1000?

there's an overload of questions for ya...please help me out here.

1. i looked at the sp-404 when i was in sam ash yesterday. nice unit but [/b]does not [/b] have midi ports.

2. when i mentioned "akai direct" i was referring to buying directly from akai. the HDM10 is not a hard drive (for $30). the HDM10 is just the connecting and mounting kit for the hard drive. you still have to buy a hard drive separately. i gave the phone number on where to call to order this part. the reason why you didn't see it on their website is because this is a preorder. it's not officially out yet. will be though, in about a month. akai gave the model names of 3 tested hard drive that you can buy from your local computer store. the hard drive will probably cost around $65-$75 depending where you get it from.

with the way the current OS is written, the largest partition (usable space)you can have is 2gb. which is fine for now. when/if you get the HDM10 and the hard drive, you will still be able to utilize the drive but you will have 38gb (if you get the 40gb drive) just sitting unusable until the new OS comes out. the new OS should be out prior to December 1st.

The black casing is not current out yet. it will be. there are currently no pre orders for this yet. i will let you all know when there is. and for how much.

as far as custom painting the 1k, there has been a lot of DIY jobs. but if your paper is right and don't mind spending it you can check out: http://www.forat.com/service/

cool...thanks for the info, it cleared a lot of things up...as far as the sp-303 is concerned...the sequencer sucks, but if i'm making a beat with just a straight loop and nothing complex, i can sequence within the 303 and its fine...my biggest issue was drums so my question was is it possible to do my drums with the mpc, and then go MIDI out of the MPC to MIDI in of the 303 and sequence the drum sequence from the mpc with the loop on the 303 within the 303....

Why would u need midi to transfer when you could just transfer the compact flash since they both use it?!?!?!

Can an Akai sequence be read by Roland...I'm saying I am going to do my own sequence of drums in the MPC....then I'm going to send that sequence over MIDI to the roland and sequence the drum sequence with a loop on the 303...I could just sample the drum sequence off the MPC onto the 303 if I wanted to but I'm talkin about transferring it MIDI. I think the only way, if its possible, to transfer stuff from compact flash would be if I saved the sequence on the MPC, brought it to computer, resaved it as a wav, then threw it on a different compact flash card, then loaded it in the 303 (or 404)...but at that point I might as well just sample off the MPC...you have to format your compact flash card, I didn't think roland and akai could share the same compact flash card...lemme know if this is true...in all reality it's not that important cuz there are multiple ways to do what I want to do...just curious as to if I could do it MIDI...that way I'll hold off on investing in a 606 (unless of course I find it for a nice price) and most likely pick up a 404 so I can make finished mastered beats from scratch outside with no plugs...just a handytrax, a 404, and a laptop

On the sp404 you can export your samples to the flash card in wav or aif format...then take out the CF and put in the mpc.

man, sparq... you have good info... I think people should listen to you when you say wait for the next os

yeah sparq is a cool guy

1. i looked at the sp-404 when i was in sam ash yesterday. nice unit but [/b]does not [/b] have midi ports.

doesn't it have midi in? some diagrams i had seen said it did. i want to use it as a tertiary sequencer with midi synch as well as program stuff on it via the mpc.

Antonym wrote:

1. i looked at the sp-404 when i was in sam ash yesterday. nice unit but [/b]does not [/b] have midi ports.

doesn't it have midi in? some diagrams i had seen said it did. i want to use it as a tertiary sequencer with midi synch as well as program stuff on it via the mpc.

i'll have to look again. i don't recall seeing any midi in/out on it. from the specs that i've read, i don't recall reading it had midi.

i could be wrong but i will go back to the store and look.

filterthing wrote:man, sparq... you have good info... I think people should listen to you when you say wait for the next os

mikettm wrote:yeah sparq is a cool guy

thank you for the love. i'm just trying to help anyone i can.

sparq wrote:

Antonym wrote:

1. i looked at the sp-404 when i was in sam ash yesterday. nice unit but [/b]does not [/b] have midi ports.

doesn't it have midi in? some diagrams i had seen said it did. i want to use it as a tertiary sequencer with midi synch as well as program stuff on it via the mpc.

i'll have to look again. i don't recall seeing any midi in/out on it. from the specs that i've read, i don't recall reading it had midi.

i could be wrong but i will go back to the store and look.

ok, i was wrong (in a way) i just left sam ash and after holding a 404 in my hand, there is midi. ONLY ONE MIDI IN. no midi out.

yo sparq...lemme know how you like the 404 (and how much you got it for)...i have the 303 and I love it, I actually almost prefer sampling loops on the 303 over the mpc 1000...is it worth gettin the 404 if i have the 303 and an mpc...i'm havin a hard time justifying paying $400 for the 404 when i only paid $500 for my mpc....gimme some feedback

oh i didn't buy it. i just went there to check out some gear. and also just to proove to myself if it had midi or not.