SP-404 - tricks 'n tips thread

actually the guy i talked about flying lotus is in the stonesthrow fam so i think madlib does it the same way and if he doesnt he probably just use a harddiskrecorder as a "sequencer"

yes! copy patterns works this way i just tested it, so that actually means if you load a backup file empty pads in the loading pattern will not overwrite anything because theres no function assigned to them.

i just try to COPY SOUNDS and that also works! along with the marking points and LOOP or GATE functions.

who else is willing to share his tricks?

bring this thread back.

One trick that i use in almost all my songs, is that when i track my 404 beats to my 8 track, i leave alot of the samples on the "djfx looper", and if you turn it on with the cntrl 3 while those samples arent playing, all those samples cut out and you can bring them in and out in real time. It just creates a sense of diversity and can make a 1 bar loop sound like a 16 bar loo(when done effectively).

I dunno if that qualifies as a tip or trick, but ill post more later anyway

Lampdog wrote:Isn't there a 404 forum somewhere for this?

co sign

actually there isnt a 404 forum. and i really dont see the harm of having a 404 thread, its not liking there flooding this forum?

plus, how is discussing the 404 any different to discussing any other non-mpc peice of gear?

NOW THERE IS! http://www.killbridge.com/sptipsntricks
i didnt have the time yet to post anything yet but feel free to post knowledge or ask questions.

Chulukinat wrote:NOW THERE IS! http://www.killbridge.com/sptipsntricks
i didnt have the time yet to post anything yet but feel free to post knowledge or ask questions.

nice looking forum. i'll spread the word to any SP-X0X users that i know of.

Good looking out! I'll spread the word.

The Stones Throw message board was always a good place to discuss the SP303 as they had a lot of Madlib wannabees over there. Boards been down since Dilla passed though.

Chulukinat wrote:NOW THERE IS! http://www.killbridge.com/sptipsntricks
i didnt have the time yet to post anything yet but feel free to post knowledge or ask questions.

im there!

I searched my ass off for any forum discussing the 404 before i bought it(thats how stumbled across this joint)

Quick questions

1. I understand tit uses a SD card, so do I just dump all my old mpc wav files and it work?. Can I place them into folders or just the root directory of the card?

2.How do I browse the sounds, can I audition them. My only worry is without a display it take a long time scrolling through all my kicks, snares, hits etc.

3.Slicing, trying to find some videos on YT but nothing that really answered my questions. If I record from vinyl, make it into a perfect loop how do would I then slice them on to say 8 pads. Is it similar to mpc slicing but without the display?.

3 -> you can´t chop your sample automatically. you´ll have to do it the oldschool way...

do not expect the 404 to work like a mpc.

why no 1000 with jjosxl?

This will become your new best friend

All your samples need to be renamed in order to be able to import. ie:

3. Re-name Samples as specified below:

Rename .wav files: - - Rename .aiff files:
SMPL0001.WAV - - - - SMPL0001.AIFF)
SMPL0002.WAV - - - - SMPL0002.AIFF)
SMPL0003.WAV - - - - SMPL000E.AIFF)
SMPL0004.WAV - - - - SMPL0004.AIFF)
SMPL0005.WAV - - - - SMPL0005.AIFF)
SMPL0006.WAV - - - - SMPL0006.AIFF)
SMPL0007.WAV - - - - SMPL0007.AIFF)
SMPL0008.WAV - - - - SMPL0008.AIFF)

Note: Do NOT mix WAV and AIFF files

Also when it comes to chopping you basically do it old school with your ears using the mark button and then you can go in and tweek start and end points with a nob but you have to get close to it in the first place. Like the guy before me said dont go into it expecting a mpc with these samplers you must completely let go of what your used to and relearn to make beats but its tons of fun.

Thanks sounds like maybe it isn't for me.

I owned a mpc1000 but I hated the pads, tried one with the fat pads too while I was in London and it was better but still not the same as my fav 2500.

UK prices are too high, if I get one it has to have jjosxl together so I can save some cash.