this thread is going at ludicrous speed, part II confirmed.
6 Likes
Write to Roland support
2 Likes
I donât agree at all. I think the SP 404 mk2 is brilliant and I enjoy it very much. My brains work differently with it and that is a welcome change from my other stuff.
Different results which supplements what I already archieved.
And I like to switch back between these different workflows also.
For some reason I experience the SP as more audio focussed.
I only want it to be as rock solid as it was in the previous version. I never filed a bug report (do you say it like that? not a native speaker) in my life.
Yesterday and today I filed two, for three bugs.
7 Likes
The mk2 journey = hating rejecting, accepting adapting, creating loving.
16 Likes
Iâve completely 100% ignored this device since it was released, simply because I didnât need any new gear. Honest question, as a person who owns every piece of Elektron gear except the SID station and Model: units, what unique traits does the SP-404 provide that the Elektron boxes donât. I mainly create experimental/ambient tracks. Sell me on it. Or maybe, donât. Cuz I donât want GAS.
Swap out the ST for a DN and thatâs been my set up for years! Elektron sequencer with a SP is crazy fun!!
2 Likes
Thereâs a much larger variety of effects than what an elektron device offers. You have lots more polyphony (32 voices) plus it samples in stereo plus each project can have 160 samples.
Itâs more about recording audio loops than midi loops, though the sequencer is getting to be formidable (though still quaint compared to the elektron sequencer). It reminds me more of the OP-1 where youâre recording audio loops and laying on top of those audio loops.
This workflow sort of forces you to commit to ideas rather than endless tweak. Itâs very much a âcommit and move onâ workflow which is definitely a hill a lot of people find hard to get over.
You use effects to manipulate samples and resample that and then use effects to effect the new sample and you do that over and over. You can resample on the digitakt and Octatrack but it doesnât feel as quick as in the 404.
I still like my Digitakt and Octatrack more but the 404 is definitely a unique way of making music.
15 Likes
Its core workflow is a simple sampler with super cool effects! Everything else is a welcomed addition!
Iâve had a 404 with an Elektron for a while and they compliment either well! Second hand market is reasonable right now so you can probably try it out without much loss!
5 Likes
it is really great for drifting abstract stuff. noise etc. i like to make a bunch of very long and minimal loops on different pads, layer these, resample, add effectsâŚon and on.
iâve hardly ever used the sequencer, itâs super clunky and limited and canât hold a candle to elektron sequencers.
think of it as a very deep looper with some great effects and very intuitive user interface.
6 Likes
This is true! Itâs nice to have a simple sequencer built in but Elektron has me spoiled!
1 Like
Going back to this livestream, if you can deal with the audio issues, there really is a lot of great stuff in here. Someone in the comments made markers as well.
https://www.youtube.com/live/AmHhCqfiN3U?si=fsOiq9GCpAb8xMzz
Anyone know where that free 404 Day beat tape they released is available?
7 Likes
recording and organizing content on the OT is stupidly annoying⌠you get something into a buffer and then itâs like a 20 step process to save that to a file in a reasonable manner. on the sp404 to record incoming audio to a new slot permanently itâs 2 or 3 buttons. same with resampling with new effects overtop. it means that while sampling other gear or building a beat your brain can stay in creative mode and never has to stop and let the other half of the brain take over until the beat is done.
the sequencer is nowhere near as powerful as an elektron device, so if you want to make detailed p-locked exact tweaked and edited beats the elektron devices fair much better. but for quick building and saving and playing back of ideas it is way faster IMO.
TL;DR: in a lot of elektron devices the power comes from the potential for complexity. In the SP-404 the power comes from the simplicity of operation (secret key combinations excepted⌠i donât use any of them)
5 Likes
Thanks for the link, really helpful. Though I didnât know dibiase became a te head.
1 Like
I ignored this unit as well for a very long time. As someone who has owned every Elektron box but the model:s, analog rhythm, and Sid station. I think the sp404mk2 can compete with the OT but easier to use and âbetterâ effects. The TE 133- KO2 (which by the way I decided not to purchase lead me to look at the 404MK2)
To me the many button combos are easier to navigate compared to the multiple steps I need to perform similar tasks in the OT.
To be clear the OT is an amazing machine where many happy accidents can occur but the I find myself more focused with the SP as opposed to the âhappy accidentsâ rabbit hole I go down with the OT.
I am now focusing on one device at a time, that being the sp404. I do see myself self getting a second unit and incorporating the OT.
2- SPâs and and OT
Edit:
Reading back on your post I will say that the OT sequencing my Virus TI2 leads me to believe that OT is probably a better choice for experimental/ambient music. The OT sequencer I think is quite suited for this. Will have to try SP> TI2
Also at $500 I donât think you can find anything thing nearly as feature rich as the SP
3 Likes
Yup !
This is what like to do drifting ambient noise. Thanks!
Thanks for the input. And thanks for making the black Machinedrum faceplate. I still have yours on my unit to this day.
1 Like
Wow and Thank you !
Got the footswitch setup for looping. It works great! I wish I had a longer TRS midi cable, but the longest from Boss I saw was 2 feet. Iâd like 4 at least to have the SP on the table and the footswitch on the floor, but I can get around it by putting the SP on a low stool and the switch on the floor.
6 Likes
Hosa CMM-105 3.5 mm TRS to 3.5 mm TRS Stereo Interconnect Cable, 5 Feet is currently USD $6.95 on Amazon. Works like a charm.
3 Likes