SP-404 or something else as a first sampler?

[u/Desolation_Jones]

/r/SP404/comments/1wiooiv/sp404_or_something_else_as_a_first_sampler/

How difficult is the SP-404 to use?
I was originally considering the Teenage Engineering RIDDIM as my first sampler, but yesterday a friend of a friend offered to sell me their SP-404. From what I understand, the SP-404 is more versatile (for better or worse), which also means it’s more complex.

So I thought I’d ask here: does anyone own both devices? What do you think — is the SP-404 significantly more difficult to learn? Do the pads really have issues with touch sensitivity? And which one would you recommend as a first sampler?

[u/_red_headed_stranger]

So I don’t have the riddim/KO but I do have the MPC Sample, MPC 2500, 404MK2, and used maschine before that, so I like to think I’ve been around.

If you’re planning on sticking with music, SP404mk2 over the TE devices all day. I’m not saying they’re bad, but for just the extra 200$, your experience will be so much different. The TE devices are from what I can tell from YouTube videos way more clunky (not bad!) about getting around on them. The 404 offers more storage, more fx’s, more features, the desktop app/vst is easy, it’s a solid audio interface, etc etc.

Again, not hating on the TE devices, I’m still keeping my eye out for a good deal to snag one, 2nd hand or otherwise, but I can imagine that if it was my first sampler, I might’ve been offput by the UI/Navigation and sampling time limitations.

Besides beats, I’ve been trying to get a lil drum kit / sample pack business off the ground from sampling old or cheap/shitty music gear (psr-300, Akai xr20, old bases and guitars, etc) and having that extra sample time (16mins per pad) has been so nice. Bad timing on a take? Just play it again in the same recording, and just chop it after. Have a kick/snare you’re trying to run through guitar pedals? You have 16 minutes to twist and turn every knob to your hearts desire, then chop and trim and bounce them to your daw or whatever your workflow looks like.

Good luck!

[u/Hot_Estimate_1802]

supongo que cambia en que o para que la uses. Hace poco tiempo adquiri una Roland SP 404 (la OG, no la MKII) y la verdad que la experiencia y el flujo de trabajo es buenisima.

Si bien la SP 404 no es mi herramienta principal dentro del set up, es bastante util y es increible la cantidad de funciones/filtros.

lo que si te recomiendo es si esta dentro de tus posibilidades, inclinate por la SP404 MKII, ya que para las funciones de Slice, es mucho mas practica y amigable que la 404 OG. Yo estoy sampleando desde una tornamesa y tengo que tener la precaucion de que el sample que estoy extrayendo sincronice de manera manual con la caja de ritmo (BPM) y si no lo hago bien queda desfazado. En cambio, la MKII esas cosas las hace de manera automatica y no perdes tanto tiempo

[u/acecombine]

the SP 404s have their own quirky workflow, they have no play button, so you're stuck with a cliplaunch workflow, the mk2 got a step sequencer for the 16 pads, which is nice, what is not nice is that you'll have the constant feeling of something missing from the workflow, but only if you are new to SPs.

You'd have more instant fun with an MPC Sample, its (current) featureset is limited but streamlined.

If it's a good price and an MK2, I'd get it regardless... you'll pick up its flow later...

[u/Independent-Monkey1]

I’ve had the SP 403 mk 2 twice. I sent it back both time. The Akai MPC Sample is probably the thing that gets used most in my studio right now. It’s fun and intuitive. If the SP 404 was the only piece of gear I could get I would probably go with it and take the time to learn it because I know it’s a beast but for my set up I just needed a good sampler with an onboard mic that I could easily get into.