Sp404 or mpc500

whats up people?

i got a MPC2500, would you suggest a mpc500 or sp404 for traveling & making beats, workin on shit?

The 500 is much more complete than the 404 , but the 404 is still a fun little all-in-one-box solution that let you make complete beats. The price tags of the 500 is a much steeper than the one of the 404. It depends on your needs and your budget.

The 500 has alot more features and youll be pretty familiar with the mpc format.

However, you can get a 404 used for around $275 apposed to a new 500 for $700(not available on the used market yet).

In addition, the 404 will give you a whole new way of looking at beat creation while still being extremely simple. Also, youll probably use it more than the 500 at home because it has a whole gang of really good effects and filters. Although it can be limiting and frustrating for people who are accustomed to mpc's.

To summarise, if your happy with the way you work and you just want a mini version of your mpc - and you have extra cash laying around- then go for the 500.

If you want something different that works in other ways than you usually would work a machine -and test your creativity- then go for the 404.

although, both are extremely powerful and will do the job...

eventhough i never tried the 500, I vote 500. The sp404 is ill,crazy FX, crazy sample time, sample time goes by flash card size, rca jacks, mic input , very sick and convienent machine. but it just isnt an mpc, youll see what i mean when u try to record a sequence.

The SP-404 is a very nice little sampler with a one track sequencer... with a ton of sampling time and nice effects.

The MPC-500 is a full fledged sampling drum machine with a 48 track sequencer for audio or midi, has better pads, and worse effects.

The 500 is the more capable machine...but you cannot go wrong with either. I am hoping Roland comes out with something to merge the 404 and the 606 together... ie battery powered, multiple tracks, small, good effects, etc.

Yoshimi wrote:The SP-404 is a very nice little sampler with a one track sequencer... with a ton of sampling time and nice effects.

The MPC-500 is a full fledged sampling drum machine with a 48 track sequencer for audio or midi, has better pads, and worse effects.

The 500 is the more capable machine...but you cannot go wrong with either. I am hoping Roland comes out with something to merge the 404 and the 606 together... ie battery powered, multiple tracks, small, good effects, etc.

I agree.......Roland does need to merge the two together. I can't believe the sp 606 has less polyphony than the 404 that's just silly........anyway I voteMpc 500.

ive owned both and id go for the 500 . it has about 50 times the amount of features than the 404( minus the ill fx) the 404 is more or les a sketch pad where u can make a beat but then u work urself into a corner and ure stuck whishing u made the beat on an mpc cause theres so many more different ways u can flip it . but thats just me, i love the idea of having all those effects on the 404 but dont tend to use em that much

an sp404 with the 1000 is wonderful...i'd have a hard time picking between the 500 and 404 though, but if it was the only machine i had, i'd probably go for the 500

id definetl buy the 500 , looks nice feels nice!

Antonym wrote:an sp404 with the 1000 is wonderful...

yea thats what i use

Antonym wrote:an sp404 with the 1000 is wonderful...

404 for loops, 500 for drums and chops?

yeah, but i probably wouldn't combine the 500 and 404. if you have that kind of money, get the 1000 and 404 because 1000s and 500s are almost the same price but def not same functionality.

404 most definitely for loops. get a sample looping good on the 404 for the wonderful sound and realtime effects, do drums and programming on the 1000 or 500...so nice. using a 404 as a module really kicks ass.

Antonym wrote:yeah, but i probably wouldn't combine the 500 and 404. if you have that kind of money, get the 1000 and 404 because 1000s and 500s are almost the same price but def not same functionality.

404 most definitely for loops. get a sample looping good on the 404 for the wonderful sound and realtime effects, do drums and programming on the 1000 or 500...so nice. using a 404 as a module really kicks ass.

Interesting, of course that makes sense. I would try the 500 rather than a 404 so you can bring it over to your 2500 if need be. I just got one for my 15 y.o. for that reason and plus it was on sale for 599. Cant beat that.

BDRAKE wrote:
Interesting, of course that makes sense. I would try the 500 rather than a 404 so you can bring it over to your 2500 if need be. I just got one for my 15 y.o. for that reason and plus it was on sale for 599. Cant beat that.

Nice choice for you son.I really enjoy the 500, as I'm sure your son will too.