The End of Lofi (Bad Gear - SP-404 MK2)

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Welcome to Bad Gear, the show about the world's most hated audio tools. Today we are going to talk about the Roland SP-404 MK2. Is this creative sampler, successor to the Boss SP-303 used by famous artists like J Dilla and Madlib and competitor to modern groovebox es like the Elektron Digitakt or Akai MPC ONE the end of lofi?
Chapters:
00:00 Intro tune
01:01 Overview Roland SP-404 MKII
01:14 Classic Boss SP Workflow
01:46 Sequencer, TR Mode
02:15 Resampling
02:28 Additional Features
02:51 Display, Waveform Editing, More Features
03:15 Skip Back
03:22 Sequencer Features, DJ Mode
03:33 FX Section, Vinyl Effect
03:53 More FX, Input FX
04:20 Specs, SD Card, Limitations
05:03 What Else??? (Pricing, Custom Skins)
05:13 Hate
05:35 Jam 1 (Lofi House)
06:32 Jam 2 (Lofi RnB)
07:31 Finale (Lofi Jungle)
08:01 Verdict

[@AudioPilz]

Audiopilz: *slaps roof of YT channel* Full Tracks, Extended Jams, Sample Packs: www.patreon.com/audiopilz Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/audio.pilz/

[@artisans8521]

Most fun aspect: To resample a pattern on the fly you obviously don't use any resample button, you idiot, you copy a pattern, hit shift + pattern select and voila you may select a free slot, now lighting up in a pale ominous blue instead of the freindly reassuring red, and after a pause, voila a perfect loop.

[@dreamdealer]

Florian proving once again that there is no bad gear, there are only bad users. You make any instrument sing, man. Fantastic work.

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@djkanyon]

There is no such thing as bad gear. It's just a price tag. Volca proved it... Right price tag can make or break a synth.

[@natasarch4650]

RIP Moog@@djkanyon

[@juliansmith4153]

The TE choir is actually just bad though lol

[@williambrown319]

@@juliansmith4153 that's not a synth. It a phsy opp

[@ionianechoes]

They named it 404 so you'd never know if it's booting up or crashing.

[@kenfusion]

😆

[@AudioPilz]

Lol, good one!!!

[@kekethetoad]

404: Function Not Found

[@Johanthegnarler]

😂

[@sirpatrickofgoober6603]

😄

[@lindasson]

There's just something about vibin and rocking out on the SP-404MK2 that I can't explain. I own a MPC X SE, but nothing compares to the fun I have creating on the MK2 🙏🏾✊🏾💚

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@GODInTheWax444]

Guerrilla beatmaking at its finest. I have a MPC One and feel the same way. I'm often hunched over my 404 mk2 compared to my MPC One, and I have every plugin Akai makes for the thing... lol

[@thebl8nlyblatantnetwork]

Facts just got mine and it’s day 5 now figured out most of everything made 4 beats so far.., I think it makes me make beat different too when I jump back on the Mpc

[@SlickGriminals]

I respectfully disagree. The sp is a toy in comparison imo

[@brianrainsfordmarshall2692]

Finally! I've used the MKII to make 100% of my music since getting it in January '23. I've made more music since then than I ever have, really feels like I found my perfect piece of gear. Great to see it get the Bad Gear treatment. ❤

[@AudioPilz]

Nice, thanks!!!

[@rosscostuart3409]

Easy to make lame hip-hop with 1 piece of gear

[@Ferrous_Bueller]

@@rosscostuart3409which one of your uncles touched you in the wrong place to make you a bottom feeding troll?

[@astr0sauce]

@@rosscostuart3409more gear = better man over here

[@zoid3515]

@@rosscostuart3409 Easy to make lame hip-hop with any amount of gear, and it's always the miserable ones that make the lamest music

[@danpreston564]

Back about 10 years ago when I was hanging out as part of a deeply alternative and chin scratchy music scene in the uk, every single act that came to play in our gallery space used at least 1 SP404 OG or SX. I remember one night where there were 5 of them set up across 3 different acts. It was the most ubiquitous music box I’ve ever seen. My old machine spent half its life loaned out to other people for their live sets. I hope its descendants continue to be made and used in live music long into the future.

[@maxoreilly]

That was my experience too, and I used a 555 on stage myself. We can probably thank Animal Collective/Black Dice for that SP era, lol.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, same here in Austria!

[@RebeccaTurner-ny1xx]

Here in the depths of northern England, most bands have yet to catch up with technology more recent than the Gibson Les Paul and a Marshall stack.

[@sawtooth808]

The beauty of the SP 404s were, you weren’t tied to desk with a bulky unit (try putting an Akai MPC 2000xl in your backpack 🎒) you could do compositions in a dirty warehouse (running on batteries 🔋 definite plus) a parkette, or (cringe at this thought) a Starbucks while having tea or coffee and a scone.

[@karlofandango6108]

​@@RebeccaTurner-ny1xxthere is hope in the North! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6u8mmufpreciqcsi=ZyUx4BO3uXxQ2_S1

[@WilliamTan-yp1ud]

Finally! Ive been waiting ages for you to take the SP for a ride. It is my main thing. It was fun to watch you make a track. thanks for all the work you put into it.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice, thanks!!!

[@doppelganger8659]

When you approach this machine after years of using the 404sx and mastering it, you fly around this thing and it is an absolute joy to use. It incorporates, arguably the best features from every SP into one machine, while also giving you class compliant audio and midi over usb. I have noticed that most people that are criticizing it are trying to use it to make EDM

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@HotStrange]

The class compliant usb is what does it for me. Pair that thing with the iPad and the possibilities are endless. Throw in the 101 I’ve got a killer setup all ran on usb for audio and midi.

[@tomb6576]

It's been a journey with it here! I had the same frustration with it when I first got it because I was expecting a groove box out of it but it's a sampler through and through. I do wish it had better midi implementation and chromatic sequencing tools but as an arrangement and sound manipulation tool it's great!

[@tomb6576]

​@@HotStrangeI absolutely adore it with the 101

[@ludotex]

I think this is a box that just doesnt need anything else. It shined in your house jam by itself, no need for more. I loved that jam I could easily listen to complete tracks like that.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ludotex]

Thanks for keeping the pace every friday@@AudioPilz 💪

[@ColonelForkEyes]

Agreed, I loved both the house and jungle vibes on this

[@sawtooth808]

@@ColonelForkEyes The SP 404 mk2 really shines at doing ambient music (!)

[@matusbartko2824]

​@@AudioPilz❤

[@armignac]

Thanks for another great Video! You can always get good sounds out of anything.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@TheSciHi]

This is the first time I tick the "Disagree with Florian" box. Hear me out. As an unproud owner of this supersized calculator and having dabbled in Elektron stuff in the past (while still having Model: Samples), I have to say that SP-404: The Sequel looks only simple at the first glance, but once you start dig into it deeper, man, the hell of secondary functions, weird button combos, sub-menus to sub-menus makes your head scratch until the flesh pops out. It's just too damn small for what it can do. On the other hand, once you get past the initial Elektron intimidation in f.e. Digitakt, everything's smooth, hunky dory and most of all-logical. What I get from SP 404 is a love/hate relationship and I both regret and don't regret buying this chopped down cash register. Still, especially with all the firmware updates it's one of the best low-to-mid priced pieces of gear Roland has put on the market in recent years. So me thinks it belongs in "Bad Gear" Hall Of Fame (Shame?) wholesonelly and at the same time it does not at all. Cheers. Keep doing the great job, Herr F.!

[@dracul74]

Nice. It’s one i won’t sell. It can be used in so many ways… standalone music maker, just a sampler, a loop maker (my fav), an fx box, dj tool, a music recorder…. I’ve even hooked it up to my daw and used it as an outboard fx unit and re-sampler. I don’t use it on every song… and don’t typically make full tracks on it… but do use it and enjoy it.

[@AudioPilz]

That sums it up nicely!

[@dogsandyoga1743]

Exactly...

[@treetopjones737]

I'm old enough to remember when a DJ was a guy who literally just played records. Going back before my time, Michael Caine remembers when it started, the idea of a guy in a nightclub putting on a record was a strange idea.

[@decadesofsegregation9677]

This is the best sampler I have ever used

[@mikemeengs5720]

I just ordered one for my DAWless setup, and man...I'm VERY excited! Thanks for the video, Florian...this thing is gonna push my tunes into the next level, I have no doubt!

[@bradleyhove4177]

Seeing the workflow of this compared to the old SPs and an MPCs, and then this video put me over the edge, ordered one yesterday. Your videos are terrific marketing.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@forcefieldsound]

what a masterpiece, every video on this channel is gold but this one truly amazes me✨

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@Avgustovsky]

I'm a person of simplicity: I see a new Bad Gear episode - I smash the thumbs up button.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@sawtooth808]

Me too 🙋‍♂️

[@chrism5931]

Your new vid is checking all the boxes, as usual man. Keep it up!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@andyinderbyshire]

Great timing! I was actually looking at this as an option. There seems to have been some significant updates since it was launched. Saw the new Korg thing and have already written it off. Nice work on the video as usual 👍

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!! So. Many. Updates.

[@kaarefestvog6540]

The first thing I thought when I saw the new Korg is - straight to Bad Gear.

[@notjux]

Perfect timing! I just picked one of these up a couple days ago. I completely understand why the 404's workflow isn't for everyone, but as someone who likes to sample their synths, the skip back feature and the ease of resampling are game changers for me. While the MPC One does something similar and more, the 404 still does what it does better.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@dracul74]

I own both (Mpc and sp)… both great. I personally prefer the Sp for making loops, resampling and as an effects unit and Mpc for making full beats/songs. They actually work well together… at least 4 how I use them.

[@noisetv1863]

The skipback feature is awesome! And the MK 2 probably beats Korg's new $1000 Kaoss Replay thing...

[@mudi2000a]

The new Korg thingie is pure Bad Gear material.

[@dracul74]

@@defcreator187 u can think whatever you want bro… I am not a Roland fan boy. It’s one of many tools I use. That said a ton of boombap from that era made on early SPs… just so u know. You should checkout someone like nonjuror if you dig that style. Some where he plays guitar are very cool (imo). Anyway, good luck.

[@daneguitarist1]

I love the sp so much! its awesome it got on the show! This is one of my favorite pieces of gear, so much fun and so great sounding!

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@daneguitarist1]

@Teoma eh I don't like it The sp is better so far

[@MrPrincepop]

As always, I appreciate all the work that goes into these videos! Going back to read the meme that flash by is my favorite. 😂

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@stopmikeandjim3196]

After having stretched the definition of "audio tools" last week, Florian now pushes the limits on "hated.". ...and now you've covered my entire setup with the exception of my Hydrasynth.

[@AudioPilz]

Mmmmmmmh, Hydrasynth;)

[@mycosys]

The advantage of DIY synths - no matter how bad it is Florian cant get one XD

[@wichitawwojak3786]

Hydra is Good Gear, we can't have it on here.

[@mycosys]

Is that a dare, @@wichitawwojak3786?

[@treetopjones737]

@@mycosys Reminds of build your own Paia synth ads in the 80's.

[@deebaker4671]

The machine is dope ! The problem is in the creativity of the user. If Dilla & Madlib made classics with the very limited SP 303 and you can’t make banging tracks on the 404MK2, then you are the problem. Just keeping it 💯.

[@AudioPilz]

Word!!!

[@HotStrange]

JpegMafia made Scaring the Hoes entirely on a 404 (not sure which version)

[@kamikaze6295]

True

[@jbbrolic]

Dilla allegedly making Donuts on an sp-303 is an extremely dubious claim... People who would know (producers interviewed) said it was MPC 3000, he probably used the 303 for a couple effects or something

[@rafael_sampaio]

Man this groove 5:35 is killer!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@freesora6267]

First video ive ever seen by this creator, and its on one of my favorite pieces if gear. Loved this a lot, very informative and im glad it showcases the many many imperfections and tedious task of using this groovebox.

[@paradockz]

compact sp-1 is actually an amazing idea. great episode, loved the end jam!!

[@ambrosiajam8008]

Just picked up an S-1 and have been kicking around the idea of getting the 404 so it was really cool to see them in action together

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@DonLuca27]

Seconded! A successor to the legendary Yamaha SU-10 would be more than welcome (no, the PO-33 is not a successor).

[@afreezaphorogiancossack2194]

LOL

[@camofpv]

Po-33 has an amazing workflow. I love it for that. I hate it for low quality of sound and screen that’s beyond pointless. Also very not precise encoders.

[@slapdash1438]

It's good to see Florian recognizing companies that still fail to satisfy our analog needs👏👏

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️Roland❤️❤️❤️

[@pnutbuttajellee1394]

But its...digital and runs on a...computer chip(semiconductor) 😳

[@istvantoth7431]

Roland truly excels in failing us on that. They have been releasing plastic digital trash in the last, what ... 10-15 yrs?? With a history they have?? That is what's called a "demise".

[@treetopjones737]

@@pnutbuttajellee1394 Semiconductors are the basic materials needed to make chips and integrated circuits.

[@MrMarcLaflamme]

Guessing this video was supposed to be released back in 2021 shortly after the gear was dropped but it took until now to figure out how to use the damn thing. That being said, incredible tracks! (also loved the Eastwest sample library floppy disk lol)

[@AudioPilz]

Lol, shots fired;)Thanks!!!

[@23jackleeder]

I just heard that the new Korg kaoss Replay is STBD (straight to bad gear) Great episode this week once again!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! It truly is;)

[@chrisienni8798]

i think penicillin is effective against STBDs?🤔

[@rodrigolaporte274]

AWESOME as usual!!! Now I love my sp404 mk2 even more

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!😀😀😀

[@zeronyne]

I’m so glad this was featured here. Now I know this thing may be usable. :)

[@AudioPilz]

It totally is!!!

[@MinPlanck]

Iv'e just come out of surgery, still buzzing off the meds and feeling generally shite. That guitar center MEME had me literally crying with laughter! Cheers man. Love the vids.

[@v1sq]

Having TWO different ways to power the 404 on the go was a major selling point for me. Collecting samples in the studio and chopping/jamming in the park or on my couch is peak comfy.

[@rorz999]

Yeah it is really good for that. A shame it drains AA batteries so fast though

[@noisenotsongs]

@@rorz999 You should buy an external battery and plug it to it. It last a long time like that.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@dykodesigns]

That new Korg thingy reminds me of the SP-404. My first impression of it was: "It's a straight to bad bear product". The S-1 on the other hand is a real winner.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@maxspencerkarinen6463]

From what i can tell the korg thing can do some stuff the same as a sp404 but worse, but its main focus is on live performance and importing tracks youve already fully made elsewhere

[@Judasz696]

@audiopilz you are like a internet urban legend hero synthesizer community desperately needed. Good job!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@rorz999]

Great video and I agree with your assessment of the unit completely. Please do a video on the Pioneer Toraiz SP-16. The most slept-on sampler of all time!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you, great suggestion!!!

[@LynxSocial]

I agree 💯 it’s my favorite sampler ever too!

[@bike.krueger]

Those stock samples instantly remind me of cursing at this piece of kit. Well done, Florian, you know how to trigger those feelings right!

[@AudioPilz]

Sample-based PTSD;)

[@rorz999]

They brought back PTSD for me too lol

[@Rr0gu3_5uture]

Thanks for featuring footage of the modern Roland Owners Manual. It triggered my Pavlovian fear conditioning so badly, that I had to take 40mg of Propranolol and lie down for half an hour.

[@AudioPilz]

Yeah, there should be a trigger warning

[@MGoolas]

Just when you thought that Octatrack has more complex key combinations than a UMK3 Brutality, here comes the 404 mkii to give electron a run for its money

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@harrisbeatsfrankou6304]

You've not come up and I had a flu, good to see you again Champ of bad gear!

[@AudioPilz]

❤️❤️❤️

[@dk101likeu]

2 thumbs up for the Smoke on the water riff...Damn man.. you always make my Fridays epic!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@randynovick7972]

Thanks for covering this. I've always been curious about the appeal - and as much as I am enjoying the Digitakt... I'm still curious! Thanks again, Florian.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! A Digitakt it is not;)

[@isaiahromero9861]

Same

[@dracul74]

I have both. I prefer Digitakt for drums and either use Sp as a sampler (playing chords, etc) or as effects processor (digitakt into sp) or a loop maker (sample something, chop, effect and make a new loop)

[@avengingsylph]

This is why I want a Digitakt too @@dracul74

[@bldcaveman2001]

I want a nine hour mix tape of that last jam!

[@Jason75913]

Me, too

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!! Shameless plug: full tracks can be found on my patreon❤️❤️❤️

[@martinlemay7037]

The pad quality is so responsive and expressive that i always use "fixed velocity".

[@Gonga_P]

Thank you for saying what needed to be said and then sharing sick 3 Jams. You are a beast

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@ericvernooij2917]

Yes! One on my go-to instruments makes it onto Bad Gear! I love the SP-404 Mk2! Yes it's frustrating at times, and the workflow is definitely clunky, but 16 minutes stereo sample time per pad? Can't beat that at this price point.

[@AudioPilz]

You got a point there

[@SlickGriminals]

I saw a used octatrack for 600. The mpc live used can go for 400. The SX can do wayy more than 16 min per pad and it cost around 250 used. You can definitely beat it.

[@SlickGriminals]

Who knows how many minutes a pad can fit on koala a 4 dollar app??

[@blotharkheim]

I love mine. More polyphony when resampling makes it way easier. Being able to resample with an external instrument is also a game changer. That is something I had wanted when working with my SX. Some people still prefer the limitations of the original, I am happy with the updates. The whole SP series is iconic. Each device has it's own charm.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@deadnameisdead]

Thanks that you include my memes from the sp404 subreddit

[@AudioPilz]

Immer gerne!!! Besten Dank!!!

[@PiriakaTrackwrecker]

Killer beats as usual. I found the 404 really hard to learn but great fun when you do. Live looping would infinitely improve it tho.

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@tradrudeboy]

I really like mine. For me, it fills the gap between my DAW and my standalone gear really well. MPCs are just a DAW in a box at this pont, and Elektron gear is both unintuitive and incredibly expensive. The 404mk2 is also incredibly portable and acts as a really good 2x4 mobile interface. I can set up with my laptop, 404mk2, and a volca or 2 just about anywhere and have all the FX, sampling, looping, and FL Studio access I need.

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@dracul74]

I like my sp too… but will say that I was very negative on Elektron until a learned to use mine and now own several products that I feel will be with me for a long time. What is cool is that once you ‘get it’… all their (Elektron) products work similarly and lots of possibilities open up … making the price seem almost worth it :) Just my experience….

[@nickynocknoo]

What better way to celebrate the delivery of my new SP404mk2 today! *Turns 303 winyl sim to 11*

[@AudioPilz]

Crank it!!!

[@pipsix]

Oh yay! I love you vids. I do like my SP404A. I bought it at the end of last year intentionally getting this older model because of the limitations as I'm learning. I didn't feel I needed the newest model.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@t3hjnz]

A fantastic tour of another piece of only-bad-in-the-wrong-hands gear. Thanks, Florian! And a belated congrats on 100k subscribers, I maintain that you run the most underrated synth channel in the YouTubiverse.

[@Jason75913]

There are true underrated channels around, this isn't one.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@turtleCalledCalmie]

awwwwwwwwwwwwww yess another episode, another great Friday

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!! Have a nice one too!!!

[@totaled_camry]

"skipback helps you find out that the beat you just recorded wasn't so rad after all" 😂 ahhh i love my SP

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@MichalSada]

I use it for live recording of external device, juno X. After that I separate loop from skip back and use it in my beats workflow on SP

[@petea]

Man that was good!! And I totally have that Halloween costume :D

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Lol

[@Berus7777]

This was spot on, and another great video. It also was the deciding factor in my 2 year back and forth struggle over whether to buy an SP-404 MK II. (I won't.) 4 years ago when I bought my first piece of Elektron (the Digitakt), I did so after worrying about the learning curve/menu diving, but took the plunge. It was initially fairly rough, but, over time I came to understand the work flow, and realized that learning the DT had put me in a good position to learn the other Elektron boxes (aside from the Octatrack, to an extent.) The takeaway: The struggle with Elektron's workflow was ultimately worth it, because I now have 5 boxes here that I know how to use, and Overbridge is now working well. The SP, however... different story. I see much more of a dead end there, and the work to rewards ratio is far less favorable. I don't see an understanding of the SP transferring to much of anything else that would be of benefit. Korg's new sampler will probably end up here at some point, and it will be interesting to see how it compares with the SP. For the time being, I think that if I want to go deeper into sampling, I'd go with a blackbox or possibly even the tangerine - both are flawed, but they're also much easier to use.

[@noisenotsongs]

it really is not that hard to use at least it was not for me. There are a lot of video on youtube explaining the machine. you just need to remember some shortcuts at first but very easy and didcatic machine imo. The step sequencer is super easy to use. Much more limited than an octotrack tho but that's what makes it fun (jonwayn's video makes me want to cope one, but it's super expensive still)

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@SumnSumnSumnHTK]

I absolutely love my 404 buuuuutttt I never use it to makes beats standalone. I love to run synths through it and love the effects for performaces. I also often find myself recording my drums into my daw through it.

[@AudioPilz]

Nice technique!!!

[@Jason75913]

MC-707 is even better for that.

[@SlickGriminals]

Do you feel like it’s underutilized? I feel like it’s just an expensive effects pedal

[@mathieurose]

that korg kaos replay is next

[@AudioPilz]

I don't think I'm gonna make it onto Korg's shortlist any time soon;)

[@slipknotboy555]

Great episode as always! I agree with your assessment; this probably wouldn't work super well as a "centerpiece" for me. That's just me, though. Also, B&B "slots" (a staple) to "Finger bang" - meme game always on point, heh

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@heidichatbot1943]

Ich steh gar net so sehr auf die Hardware, aber ich komm immer wieder weil Deine Videos und der ViBE einfach saugeil sind. Cheers!

[@AudioPilz]

Vielen herzlichen Dank!!!

[@unclebuttonz7865]

Amazing video as always... say, when are you gonna get around to the Yamaha QY70 or QY100??

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Yeah, I should definitely tackle those beasts...

[@ajplays-gamesandmusic4568]

I just bought a used SX last week. :)

[@AudioPilz]

Classic!!!

[@milk1fan552]

Damn, just when i was looking for a new sampler. I guess you sold it!

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@UltraLab157]

Great stuff! Could you review some more samplers please?

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Great input!

[@lairdkilbarchan]

Meanwhile....Audiophiles the world over spend vast fortunes to avoid all this sweet, digitally recreated hiss, distortion and crackle. 😂

[@AudioPilz]

It's absurd, I know...

[@treetopjones737]

I have wondered if Portishead drives vinyl fanatics nuts. 😄

[@lairdkilbarchan]

@@treetopjones737 😁

[@trevor_mounts_music]

audiophiles have a house full of overpriced shit and don't really enjoy music...unless it's that dire straits album they all crease over 😂

[@AdamsOlympia]

@@trevor_mounts_music "Audiophile" is a broad term, encompassing everyone from people throwing away thousands of dollars on audio cables, to those of us who just like great sounding headphones and speakers and don't fall for the snake oil.

[@Cogswatchbacon]

Was just putting a 404 mk2 set together. Excited to see all the reasons my plans are DOA lol

[@AudioPilz]

Definitely does the trick in a lot of situations

[@adammercysystem6450]

Nice long wooooooooorlds in this one Pilz! Made me smile 😂

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@hoobastank118]

Highlight of my week sir!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Have a nice weekend!!!

[@hoobastank118]

Thank you man! I will dedicate all my mediocre synth endeavors to you!🫡

[@shthouserat]

My last sampler was an Ensoniq ASR-X with a total 16 seconds of sampling memory that took about a minute and a half to load from a floppy 😅. hard to be disappointed in the 404mk2, and yet in some ways i still am😂. Mostly solid tool though, glad i have it. Great episode!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!! Love old ensoniqs!!!

[@rorz999]

I feel you, I'm definitely glad I have the 404 MK2 and wouldn't sell it, but it still frustrates the hell out of me sometimes lol

[@3D6Space]

I recently did a deep dive into the late 90's Roland MC-50 MkII and wish I had one back in the day. I hope you get a chance to review it. You may need some floppy discs!

[@AudioPilz]

Great suggestion, thanks!!!

[@jamez9021]

Worth every penny I spent on this little piece of magic

[@wrmusic8736]

It's very nice that Roland decided to include the HTTP code for their own creativity into the product's name

[@AudioPilz]

😂😂😂

[@fanusamurai]

I won’t lie, that “retro jungle mashup” is way better - and more original! - than 85% of the DNB released today. Great job ok 👍🏻

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@bo-bodad8253]

ALways enjoy your take on gear!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@nonyobiz-records]

the intro this time was actually sounding good!

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@HisXLNC]

For true, lo-fi authenticity, you should recorded this episode on VHS.

[@sawtooth808]

Or process the output through a liven sonicware Lofi 12, if Florian chooses to go lower fi, he can ask Sonicware “to borrow” a liven Sonicware Lofi 6 (hint hint hint 😉)

[@AudioPilz]

Beta Max

[@EsotericOccultist]

You should let the viewers pick 5 pieces of bad gear and then you try to make the best song you can with their chosen configuration.

[@AudioPilz]

Great idea, thanks!!!

[@starpause]

My first music gear was an sp202. Years later returning to Roland through the sp404mk2 has me grinning like a kid again!

[@Adrianadadrian]

Talented genius! Well done as always.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you so much!!!

[@G.GordonMidi]

It’s not Friday til I have to hit back-15-seconds button multiple times to read some cat froot loop meme haha

[@AudioPilz]

Brøther!!!

[@tru4158]

Do the minilogue XD It's a reverse DX... A modern (mostly) analogue synthesizer with many limitations made by a Japanese company And seems pretty "Bad" to me 😊

[@AudioPilz]

Great suggestion, thank you!!!

[@tru4158]

Yes the Korg army is waiting 😉

[@mudi2000a]

@@tru4158yeah I think recent Korg gear has a lot of Bad Gear potential, maybe even more than Roland. Only Roland just has more gear available I guess.

[@117lyrics]

jam 2 sounds exactly like a tribute to nujabes' luvsic. excellent stuff as always

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@fender97]

I like that. Sounds like you can get some original grooves from it. Nice

[@AudioPilz]

😀😀😀

[@lundsweden]

Roland should learn from Elektron and put a decent sequencer in this... as it is I'll definitely pass. I have a Digitakt and cant see how hard it would be to borrow the best bits from the sequencer. The timing nudge +/- feature and a bit of real time phrase sequencing would be enough IMO.

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@martin_the_artist_]

Bad gear or not, this thing sounds really good!

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@allthatforwhat]

All boxes ticked: All of my gear has officially been roasted.

[@AudioPilz]

Congratulations, Bad Gear Bingo!!!

[@Jason75913]

Yay, opening footage is from my favorite movie! That jam1 is sweet, but that jam3/finale ruled, I am a sucker for '90s sounds.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@distantcomets]

I really really really wanted to like this thing when I bought it and was excited that the screen might help alleviate the cryptic nature of using the pre mk2 versions. Sadly the button combos did in any hope of an easy workflow for me. Can it be learned? Yeah, of course. Is it worth it if you are already used to other flows like the MPC or Elektron? Not if you're not a masochist. Respect where it's due though. It's spawning a lot of new competitors in the sample market and obviously has a storied heritage. To each their own!

[@AudioPilz]

These are horrific!!!

[@noisetv1863]

It's nowhere near as bad as Elektron

[@distantcomets]

@@noisetv1863 Maybe, but also nowhere near as useful! Say what you will about the Elektron workflow, at least it's consistent. Learn one, and you're 70% there with all of them. Go ahead and try using your SP404 learnings on your TR8s. Or MC707. Or SH4D. Take your time, I'll wait...

[@lordflatworm]

Best intro tune yet imo. If my house were on fire this is what I would grab, then maybe my wife and kids. Jk I don’t have a wife and kids because I’m a hobbyist electronic musician.

[@AudioPilz]

Family first;)

[@DoctorNemmo]

Sounds beautiful, man.

[@AudioPilz]

Thank you!!!

[@HeladoInfinitopop]

You can resample patterns into pads with the latest firmware. BPM sync works perfectly for me at least!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks for the heads up!!!

[@camerakungfu]

I'm just glad they didn't design to use a proprietary media card.

[@Jason75913]

They aren't Sony

[@AudioPilz]

Agreed!!!

[@daishoryujin95]

Using a sampler as a guitar pedal definitely sounds like the kind of hipster-y thing I might find myself doing.

[@AudioPilz]

😂😂😂

[@noisetv1863]

Great fx in this box!

[@therealone1288]

It does have several amp sims you can use in a pinch but it's not replacing any amp vsts anytime soon

[@mudi2000a]

Given the price of some boutique pedals the SP-404 looks like a good deal actually

[@rorz999]

The amp sims are decent, as are the other FX. So it's not even a hipster thing for a guitarist to get, it's quite a sensible purchase

[@JakeSweeper]

Had mine for awhile, and I'm still working on learning it. Though to be fair, I am dragging my my feet of the learning. :)

[@AudioPilz]

👍👍👍

[@Area51Resort]

I'm buying one! Nice work!

[@AudioPilz]

Thanks!!!

[@miamha]

I wonder if I could make a quick quid or two selling a sample pack of vinyl hiss recorded from my cheap Amazon turntable and second hand 7" singles 🤔

[@AudioPilz]

I'm pretty sure the internet is flooded with this

[@Seoras111]

I asked my AI, but even it didn't know which CD's you used for the mashup (sigh), sad times... Incidentally, I would really love to see what you would make of the Moog Theremini 🙂

[@AudioPilz]

Great suggestion, thank you!!!

[@glowinggrenade]

*puts flashing on flashing warning before you can read it* "Yep that works"

[@AudioPilz]

It was an artistic decision;)

[@SnatchNuman]

Nice, love the RnB jam. What is Love, can't unhear that vocal sample 😂

[@AudioPilz]

Good ear, thanks!!!

[@daemonelectricity]

If those are the second best, what are the best pads you've ever played?

[@AudioPilz]

Beat Kangz Beat Thang (everything else about it sucks tho;)