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Videos
Pickup Music
Roland SP-404: why it's awesome for live lofi (with BAD SNACKS)
Roland SP-404: why it's awesome for live lofi (with BAD SNACKS)
Pickup Music
Reviews
PROS
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Higher sound quality and more space than previous models
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Versatile: serves as a sample bank, drum machine, sequencer, and external FX unit
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Portable and well-built, encouraging creativity on the go
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Legendary vinyl sim compressor adds unique warmth and compression
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Intuitive and fun to use, even with its limitations
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Supports multiple memory cards for extensive sample banks
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Durable construction, described as "built like a tank"
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Offers a distinct sound quality that's warm and appealing
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Onboard mic and battery operation enhance portability
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Great for live performances with its beat and effects capabilities
CONS
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Considered "toyish" by some, with inherent limitations
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Lacks the intuitive workflow of more modern samplers like Ableton
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Some users find the sequencer lacking and not easy to use
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Vinyl sim compressor removed in newer models, disappointing some fans
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Can feel extremely limited and non-intuitive for new users
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Relies on user creativity to overcome its limitations
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 8 Reviews and 58 Ratings
971
portable & hot
great, great sampler. built like a tank. you can do beats on it. sequencer is ok, learn your ways - or resample.. or play live. whatever you feel like doing. you can also store beats on this, play them live etc. only reason to get this over the sx would be the vinyl sim compression. (it's almost as dirty as the 303, but there is a difference - especially when using the knobs in a rapid, live setting..)
85
more comfortable to use than the mpc500
even though it has fewer features than the mpc500, I think it's easier to chops samples, fast, very convenient, and portable,,
197
Amazing but not for everyone
The 404 is not a 'great' sampler. It's extremely limited and nothing works in any way that is remotely intuitive. But all the limitations of the product make it a great source of creativity and an amazing piece of equipment to write songs on or with. Don't buy this if you don't have the patience, don't buy it if you just want a cheap hardware sampler (MPC 1000, maybe?). But do buy this if you want a box that will force you to think outside of the box. Oh, and the Vinyl Sim Compressor is out of this world.
Preferred Settings + Usage:
THE VINYL SIM COMPRESSOR!!!!
5821
Old friend
Doesn't get a lot of play anymore, cuz well? Laptops, Ableton, etc. but I've had tons of fun with this little box. Battery powered and has some fun FX. I used to have two of them and that's definitely where I had the most fun – using both of them at the same time. I'm definitely a hardware guy so I'm keepin this last one. Probably should sell it but I know I won't be able to bring myself to.
24930
My old SP-808 had great FX too, glad to hear that's still true in these newer, smaller (much MUCH better) SPs.
101
superfast workflow
the sequencer sucks, i have to start by saying that. but it can be used...
besides that, the fx are great, on board mic is included, works with batteries. great portable sampler and super fast workflow. (you can sample perfect loops and fill up a bank in about 5 minutes with a little practice)
275
Awesome fx!!!!!!
Got this JUST for the effects, dont even use it as a sampler! Lol
Artist usage
Add artistIn the YouTube video "Tame Impala - FIFA 21 World Premiere," Kevin Parker can be seen with a Roland SP-404 in his setup. While it's unclear if it's the SX version, the sampler is visibly part of his gear.
In this video at 1:13 we can see Claire uses Roland SP-404.
At 13:22 in this video, otis can be seen using an original sp 404
The Roland SP-404 sequencer can be seen at 2:06 for a brief moment in the video titled, "A NEW PLACE 2 DROWN."
In the KFOG Private Concert video by Cumulus Digital, Tash Sultana uses the Roland SP-404 as their main drum sampler.
From Wax Poetics Issue no 31 p120 2008
What do you use to make beats? Are you messing with the MPC?
Well, I got a bunch of different shit. I like the [[Roland SP-]] 404.
The 404 is a nice, flexible machine.
Is that the one that Madlib uses a lot?
The 303 is what he was fucking with on the Madvillain shit. He put me up on it--the way it felt, and the way you can chop shit up and change it with the twist of a finger, without having to go too much into the parameters. You're spending more time typing on some sequencing samplers than you are actually doing music. The 303 gives that hands-on feel, and, I guess, the 404 is the big brother to that one. They updated it, put more stuff on it.... But I used the 404 and the [Akai] MPC1000 with the JJ OS in it...
"Yeah, I mean I'm not out there with a DR680 getting all Nat Geo in the field. I just use a Roland SP-404."
At 2:29, in this YouTube upload of the band being real silly gooses whilst playing live in their home studio circa 2018, you can see Joey fiddling with a Roland SP-404, dark colored version. It could be the SX or 404A, but its hard to tell.
In this image, it is possible to see Caribou using a Roland SP-404.
Sampler?wise, Weitz and Lennox favour the Roland SP404 and the more recent SP555. "The SP404 was just what we started using,” Weitz says, "'cause it was what we could afford and it was the most simple thing. And now it's become an instrument that we know really well. It's really user?friendly. You can do things in real time on it. So we've gotten used to them. We almost may be approaching a point where we know them too well and it's time to try something else.”
Nick uses the Keith McMillen 12 Step to trigger samples off his Boss SP-404 (original “OG” not SX or A). Nick has traditionally used his Boss SP samplers to store parts of Tera Melos songs like keyboard/piano chords, random dialogue, and extra noises.
Genre Affinity
1
electronic
38
2
rock
18
3
pop
14
4
hip hop
13
5
electronica
12
6
chillwave
12
7
indie rock
8
8
wonky
7
9
psychedelic rock
7
10
alternative dance
7
11
art pop
6
12
indie pop
6
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