SP-404MK2: You're Using It Wrong

Can I wait for the rumored "MPC Live Mini"? or will I just buy a 404, though I know it's not what I truly wish for? (Which is a small and lighter Push 3)

IMO, I have a SP808 EX from 1998, with a zip and jaz disk reader that were removable hard drives of 100 and 300 mega bytes, a lot of space to manage in the composition.

Yes, SP808 was sold as a remixer, a tool to make new flourishes, stunts and changes on top of an original song, with just 4 tracks you could make different lines of effects and loops on the song with very professional results.

It also has a JP8000 8-voice polophony synthesizer inside with 80 presets capacity and there are 808. (8 voices for 80 presets of the internal JP8000 synthesizer)
Ok, I have the SP-404 mkII, but before Roland released the Boss SP-202, E-mu released their SP-12 SP1200 Sample Player line, which consisted of Drum/samplers that could record and play small pieces of audio like 3 or 4 seconds of maximum memory capacity, you had to play with 12-bit sounds.

Ok, SP-404 It means that it has 4 tracks like 808EX, in this case for 4 different uses, looper sequencer, FX processor and digitizer, internal and external audio sampler, a mini DJ station to mix songs made with the machine or long audios . (according to Roland 404 it means those 4 tracks or 4 different uses).

It is even less autonomous than the previous ones, because they removed the microphone to capture ambient sounds, which was widely used for low fidelity sounds and there is his great success by J-Dilla, he loved to capture things with the built-in microphone from their studio monitors for that faded and dirty effect, I now do this with my iPad and the Koala sampler app (an app inspired by MPC 2000 and SP404).

People are disappointed because they believe that the SP404 is a hardware version Koala sampler, and Roland is not to blame for the things that people imagine, because SP has been around for many more years than the Koala sampler app, it is a reading error and understanding of information that is misinterpreted by the same people, because the manufacturer clearly says what it is.

It is not a DAW, it is not a classic MPC, nor a modern touch screen one, it is not a Maschine or an Electribe 2.

It is simply a sampler to create musical bases based on loops and resmapping and can be used as a classic Akai S950 style sampler that was used by DJ Premier together with his MPC 60 since the S950 does not have a sequencer or arpeggiator, these tasks were done by him. MPC60+S950 and he spent his entire life making music for his projects and currently also uses the same equipment.

SP404 mk2 is much better than an s950 and can do very cool things, it can also be sequenced with an old MPC just with the midi. This is where the SP404 mk2 wins with its extensive collection of real-time FX, while playing a midi composition from the MPC.

Thank you for making this informative and useful video. 👍

Well said 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I'm the 215 subscriber.

The limitations/quirkiness of the work flow are what makes it great imo!

DAW=infinite choices
SP404=turn brain off and make music

I disagree with it just being a "Lo-fi beat machine," because you can really make an entire pop song on the thing and perform it live with vocals using an external mic. Some of the worst content I've seen for the SP404MK2 is using it as just a Hip-Hop beat machine and I really think that the real strength of this instrument is the ability to turn anybody into a one-man band.

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I definitely treat my SP like an instrument and sampler for sound design and always run it into my DAW and do all of my sequencing and arranging in Ableton. I tried the full beatmaking thing with it and it's TOO limited for what I do, but it adds a LOT of unique character to songs when I really dive into the atmosphere created by really mangling samples. Great video 👍🏼👍🏼

When I need something sampled, chopped, and effected with no hassle I know what I'm reaching for. It's just too cumbersome for me in a daw. I sold my spmk2 at one point because I wanted to focus more on a daw but it just didn't work the same as the sp is when you're banging out on the pads, it just has a special character and feel. So I picked it up again for 300, I was amazed someone let it go for so cheap. Now I've ascended to a higher plane after my sp reawakening 😂

I have a MPC One which I love. I got the SP404 mk2 and it was hard to understand at first but you just have to buckle down and watch every video you can and learn it, and menu dive and learn everything

Very interesting self realized interpretation of this multi faceted machine.

Great video my friend and I couldn't agree more. To know the SPs are to love the SPs, and you just embrace what it is, and not try to compare it to any MPC or any other beat machine or DAW. Just subscribed to your channel fam!🙏🏾✊🏾💚

The only thing wrong with the 404 MK 2 is the DJ Mode, it totally makes no sense that the songs have to be preloaded on the pads to perform a set. I'm not sure why they don't allow you to preview songs on the fly? But besides that it's really no wrong way to use the MK2 it's a hybrid machine!

It’s first and foremost an fx unit with a sampler to assist a Dj

You’re so right! I had the 303 in the early 2000s and I made tons of stuff on it cuz I was SAMPLING! I got the 404 mk2 and just didn’t click with it because like you said I’m just loading pre-chopped up samples and not SAMPLING. Problem is I just don’t really sample anymore so I’ve been using it as a midi controller and audio interface, the pads are really nice as a controller.

Dilla didn't really use the 303 for Donuts or in the hospital. In Dilla Time, it is stated that he mostly used a computer to create the beats while he was at home between hospital visits

if you can get your hands on sp 555 or the sp 808 i guarantee even more fun

I have 3 new sp404 mk2 that i use to feed a few loopers. I can’t see them being lofi beat machines. They do so much more plus they sound dope. Anyhow I also don’t think you’re getting it either, but i guess that’s way it’s unique. It can be a different thing to different people

Nice one. Been thinking how to integrate the 404 into my setup and glad I came across this video. I think it CAN be the sole workstation for those who wish to dive that deep and accept the limitations but probably less frustrating to yake ypur approach.

The OG 404s were never created to occupy the project/production workhorse groovebox space that other sequencer/samplers did that the time - but as a compact sampler that could integrate into existing setups. By nature its role as a sample capture, mangle, layer device it was asking for its functionality to be hacked. I doubt Roland ever expected folks to sample and resample their way into arranging full pieces on it. The mk2 is so much like a DAW now that it adds precision and workflow improvements to that concept so people are using it as a standalone groovebox that has to do everything.