Roland SP-404 MK2: I sampled the world's largest pipe organ

[@leeromneyrose8089]

Always excited for your uploads. You have a beautiful and unique attitude towards music and the way you present your work. It’s usually in the wee small hours of the morning here in Tokyo that I get the notification and promptly open. A consistently serene and stimulating pleasure.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Thanks! That's really nice to hear.

[@comradestannis]

@@DavidHilowitzMusic Good job overall. I just discovered your channel. Really neat.

[@oakspro2998]

So glad to see this covered on your channel. I work in the Wanamaker office building and try as much as possible to catch the daily performances from the balcony. Never gets old.

[@DodoDiaz]

Love the channel! There is a myth that Dilla made "Donuts" on his death bed and that he made it on a SP303. According to the book "Dilla Time", it was confirmed by the ones closest to him that the initial iteration of that album was made on Pro Tools. Further on, he made those beats at his L.A. home and not during his stay at Cedars-Sinai.

[@jean_voyage]

Thanks for reminding us. It should be evident to anyone familiar with timestretching that the stretch on that Jackson 5 sample could not have been done on an SP303.

[@полное_пузо_хинкалей]

the channel "digging the greats" made a great video about the album and its history! the significant part of this album was actually made on sp303 while he was at the hospital, but the legend isn't entirely true - he even took a small trip to brazil while making Donuts, and used some sort of DAW to complete one of the beats

[@swaroopa1965]

'Dilla' is overrated

[@bjenzweiler4577]

I had the opportunity to see the inside of this organ a few years back. It was an amazing experience with rooms upon rooms of pipes. Some of those pipes are smaller size of your pinky while others 4 stories tall! The nice people who repair this instrument do amazing work for a hidden gem of Philadelphia. Oh. And the sampler is cool too. It's always fun to figure out a new work flow with a device. ;)

[@matts9871]

ohh, that was a beautiful snippet of a rendition of the Mufasa leitmotif from The Lion King 😆 another fantastic video as always, that little thing is so versatile! you inspire me so much musically 😊

[@coondog7934]

3:59

[@HeisenbergFam]

You got nice knowledge to sample it so well, respect

[@sbirkkk]

Waltuh

[@Crudely-Drawn-Cupcake]

Jesse! We need to make music

[@dja.selekta]

Fact check.. According to his Book Dilla Time Jay Dee used Pro Tools to make Donuts, the SP303 doesn’t have time stretching.. I have it in front of me.. stop spreading misinformation

[@comradestannis]

You're... you're Heisenberg!

[@MikeMuncher]

There is often a decidedly Mister Rogers-esque feel to your videos, particularly the ones with excursions such as this one. Calming, educational, warm and inviting. I appreciate that more than you could know in this day and age! (Trusting that The Mouse doesn’t hear that one bit of the organ performance…The Mouse is alllllways waaaatching…)

[@jerrymartin79]

Thrilling!! Thanks for showcasing the Wanamaker organ! What a fantastic fusion of my interests here - I’ve been following your channel for some time as I am falling deeply down the rabbit hole of pipe organ sampling (Hauptwerk - pipe by pipe sampling - I’ve learned a lot from your file preparation, cutting, looping - you have been an inspiration) - in the Hauptwerk world sampling the Wanamaker is a dream project… it’s such a thrill that you showed up and grabbed some sounds like that!! 😊

[@lordflatworm]

Very cool. The 404 is my favorite instrument I’ve ever played.

[@CxdyCxdy]

ill watch any video u drop from start to finish

[@FearlessP4P1]

Wow I love the magnificence of that building. I live in south texas where everything is around 80 years old, so we rarely produced any architecture of that sort.

[@pablo_costas]

That Lion King tune sounds insane in the pipe organ super cool video!

[@DanielHolter]

My youngest son just took his first job in Philadelphia, so now I have the first entry on my new list of Things To Do When Visiting Kiddo. Thanks, as always, for the unique and fascinating background on this beast, David... super cool!

[@ChuckNorrissH8ter]

I have been researching the 404 recently, and boom, my favorite youtuber drops a video about it. Is this a sign? I was drawn to the chromatic mode because it reminds me of your super sweet "Grid Instrument" software. I never want to use a standard piano keyboard again. Grids for life!

[@water_with_lemons]

Thanks for the video! I just bought one of these a few weeks ago as a “learn a new hobby over the summer” resolution. I’ve been really enjoying it and have actually used some of your sample libraries from previous videos so this video feels especially relevant. Keep on keeping on!

[@natter3122]

your way of using the sp 404 is so cool, im glad to see other people showing me new ways to use a device i thought i had already mastered

[@jakefearon3390]

Always excited whenever you upload! Love your work David

[@dado__]

The moment I read "world's largest organ" I was like "is he going to the Market Street Macy's?? OMG OMG". So yes, I did expect you to say "go to a Macy's"! Me and my mom legit saw a group of organ enthusiasts there one day on the escalator that were going up to a private tour of the organ insides. It's always great to see people enjoy one of Philly's (relatively) hidden treasures. Tip for anyone visiting the city: they have concerts at around noon. I'm pretty sure you can check the times online, and since it's in a Macy's it is, of course, free.

[@rosky_m]

it amazes me how me an my short attention span can look at the same instrument for a whole nine minutes without much variation but not get bored in the slightest. u make great videos

[@ivbox]

You are so good at telling the story about the instrument. Thank you, this is really engaging.

[@__Jan___]

Fyi: You can apply fx only on selected Pads if you want. Therefore you have to work with the remain button and 'deselecting' Pads. I'm very exited to see more content with the SP. I hate this piece of gear, but also love it. And thankyou for the great content you always publish!

[@tahantomusic8904]

Uhhhh was that the Lion King? I mean, epic choice for a song to play in Macy's. BTW Love your videos and your Decent Sampler program. I am updating my Music Tech curriculum for next year and might show my students some of your instrument sampling videos to show more examples of what sampling is. Thank you for your work and your creativity.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Ah, that's really nice to hear!

[@PimWesselsTube]

That was definitely The Lion King! Can you make that recording available somewhere? Great work! Really enjoying all your videos!

[@pem]

writing about you and your plugin as part of my passion project, love decent sampler keep making banks and working hard ❤️

[@essp404]

Its a sick unit isnt it, Alot of people have said that the learning curve is tedious, but like you i found it fun... Love the idea of sampling that organ - Nice job!

[@dedicatedspuddler7641]

I've never even considered something like this SP404, but your video makes it quite interesting. Also, Decent Sampler is awesome!

[@shayes.x]

Rob Scallon recently did a video on an organ built out of a cave (the cave is the organ), I immediately thought of you as it would make a cool DecentSampler pack!

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Ah, I've heard of that. It's a dream to someday see/hear it in person.

[@Dross_Fabrication]

@@DavidHilowitzMusic you've gotta go see it. Though, it'd be very hard to sample it, unless ya could locate each note and record from near the source.

[@mackie32x4]

Thats a good way to put it...slowly but surely as it takes alot of time to remember the workflow.

[@vaguephoenix3512]

damn you are very hard working, your stuff are great thank you

[@krazywabbit]

"Sounds decent" Decent sampler approves

[@APEX.ULTRA.]

Wow this was an amazing presentation of knowledge and history

[@aramdavid]

As usual... Phenomenal video.

[@andybungert]

Wow on so many levels! Every time I look at the 404 mkii I am wowed, but also sooooo very intimidated by all the functions and possible learning curve.

[@AtomicCatacombs]

03:59 that Lion King music! Must've been amazing to hear that being played live, sounds so good

[@RichardStroffolino]

I was hoping for the Great Stalacpipe Organ but honestly this sounded so cool!

[@graxxor]

That organ is one of the most epic sounds I have ever heard. It reverberates through your entire body...

[@RadioBluesPR]

Welcome to the club!

[@koj1luna]

One of your best videos yet! The SP-404 MK2 is so awesome and I’m glad you’re enjoying it :)

[@riftwytch]

I need to visit Philly sometime, just to experience this organ. And maybe do some shopping. I don't suppose anyone will ever do a sample library of this organ, though. Ot an IR of the space. In can only dream...

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

That was my first thought! Although...I feel like it would take ages to do it properly.

[@Netm8kr]

Welcome to the 404 Family. You’ll fit right in. Let me know when your ready to customize you startup screen, as I make them. Keep up the great content. 👍🏾✌🏾✊🏾

[@harperellenburg]

I’ve been thinking about getting that sampler for a few months now nice to see it in action. Great video as always David.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

It's very cool, but there's definitely a learning curve. The effects are fantastic.

[@alasdairsorley]

the sound of the organ is so nice, gotta go see it sometime

[@cs9102]

I'm going to cry I'm so excited. I love your videos and the sp404 is my goto, so I'm just freaking out

[@MatthewSwasta]

I live in Luray Va and would love to sample the Caverns "Stalacpipe" Organ. It's spread across 3.5 acres and you are literally inside the instrument as it plays. The stalactites are lightly hammered to produce the tones. Mechanically, it needs some work on the actuators and electrical components, and there is a audible electric buzz or hum that is not very musical. Otherwise, it sounds hauntingly cool.

[@jebstuart3162]

I've heard this one! And the one in this video. Definitely two of the coolest instruments I've ever heard

[@ChrisTackettMusic]

I've heard the Stalacpipe Organ and it's long been a dream of mine to have an idealized (non-buzzy, smoothed out clanky noises, and edited for consistency note to note) version of it. Sampling is perhaps the ideal way to make that into a "real" musical instrument and not just a novelty. (It'd probably wind up sounding a lot like a chrysoglott, a stock theater organ stop somewhere between a celesta and a vibraphone with the motor off, but still.)

[@ChrisTackettMusic]

Of course, a big part of the charm of the Stalacpipe Organ is that it's spread out in a huge space and while the bulk of the sound comes from an electronic amplifier and speaker it's still amazing to hear the sounds coming from all over the huge cavern room where it's located.

[@MeAndTheBean]

You might like this video from Rob Scallon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIaaoqaXi8uhY5o

[@MatthewSwasta]

@@MeAndTheBean yeah, that was not long ago. Disappointed we did not know about his visit. Luray residents get in free and it would have been cool to meet him.

[@Nocturnx]

the 404 is such a great machine, I hope one day I have the budget to get one to mess around

[@RaskolnikovR]

great video ! excellent tutorial on the instrument with an historical flavour

[@candyblnket]

This channel is probably the most knowledgeable, down to earth channel i’ve ever watched. Keep up the good work, David.

[@montageofchips]

can't wait for new vids! I love this series

[@SmileytheSmile]

"This land" sounds freakin' gorgeous on it.

[@PeterKNoone]

Great video. Stop tempting me with cool new gear!!!! :)

[@ciaranwright4361]

Love you're videos!

[@forrestpatterson6053]

That was incredible!

[@kelownatechkid]

Um.. WOW! This is fabulous!

[@dja.selekta]

Fact check… Donuts was not done on the SP303.. Madvillain was. SP303 has no time stretching, He did Donuts in Pro Tools. Dilla Time confirms it. I also have the SP303, and the Mk2

[@byhawks2197]

Really cool video! Thought I would just watch a beat making video and got a great history lesson also 🔥

[@DJ2109]

Very cool and informative!

[@morskasvinja2049]

wow amazing

[@daneguitarist1]

I loooooove my sp404mk2, i use it practically every day i made an ambient track like the first week or two i had it on my channel gerbil hamster records, its so awesome cant wait to see what you do with it

[@jakehendriksen2841]

This is 🔥🔥🔥!

[@sirnigelcogs]

That reminds me of the old tracker programs on the Amiga.

[@dankygnome5083]

I love your channel btw!

[@gracelessgames]

Seems like Roland finally perfect the SP with the chromatic mode! And there's a tiny screen! The last one I had was the SP-404SX 13 years ago...

[@gordon_lamb]

that organ sounds so amazing

[@doctordisco6547]

Your vids are incredible 👌

[@michaelmiller7928]

Do you have any idea what was playing at roughly 3:50? That is not a piece I think I have heard ever and am captivated by it.

[@mraycgz]

Moving that note over to add reverb was kind of like what we used to do when we only had 4 tracks. We called it bouncing tracks.

[@thewisefromwest6941]

Got heavy tribe called quest's 'can i kick it vibe' from organ notes

[@kaitlyn__L]

I adore "behold your New Church - Wanamaker's department store!" so much

[@TimothyYshurakhuno]

Sweet and wonderful story here😊

[@roeangphotographybali]

Its amazing this kind of department store still exist. I mean, that organ!!

[@VJFranzK]

0:55 best ever "mall music"?? cool project here!

[@achook9474]

Question 🙋‍♂️ does the sp404mk2 have a glide/pitch glide function between pads? So that when playing a bass let’s say it slides up or down from 1 note/pad/pitch to the other note/pad/pitch? Thanks

[@lsswappedcessna]

everybody gangsta till the boardwalk organ is fully restored and then you have to sample it instead

[@robertbright947]

I was lucky to live in Philadelphia in the late ‘80s until ‘96 - Wanamaker’s was the best! I went to the tea room at the top - one of the prettiest dining rooms in the country and not expensive - I only got to hear the organ a few times - and they had one of the best post offices also in that store since John Wanamaker was US Post Master during the Taft administration. Alas, his descendants did not know how to keep their stores thriving.

[@glenesis]

Nice snipe, Dave! ✊🤘🙌

[@Coblasteus]

Can we have a full version of the song? So nostalgic and reminiscent of a time I wasn't even born in...

[@adrians.basave1282]

I will not make the same mistake of thinking if I buy this I'm gonna be able to be as good with it. Did this with the Maschine Mk3.

[@hadademian2752]

Your hands are aesthetic looking Dave. Incredibly aesthetic.

[@robertoriggio117]

You could have applied the reverb effect only to that one sound without affecting the other sounds using the busses, no?

[@I.O.M.]

Short cut is assign the pad to Bus 2 using the remain button and that will be the only effected pad. The default is all pads are assigned to bus 1.

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

Ah, thanks! I learn something new about the 404 each day. :)

[@I.O.M.]

@@DavidHilowitzMusic NP. Lots of great short cuts and work around. Such a great box.

[@nevets0910]

Amazing! and wow that organist played some Hans Zimmer Lion King

[@ricardomilice2470]

Hey, I live in Philadelphia….. nice video 👊🏾👊🏾. Did you make that drum kit…..if so can you share it. I love the texture of it.

[@ashleyprincewashington2130]

Love this video!!!❤ Do some more videos on the sp please bro🔥💯💯

[@danielbarry5547]

I so need one ! Also a macys that has a organ player is too wicked hopefully they still have a nike section😂

[@Carlos-vf9yq]

best content in this plataform

[@DissonantSynth]

Commenting for the algorithm

[@DominoChild]

i hope you post more videos with the sp

[@sardoniceheleno.7452]

Amazing video!! How Hard would it be to actually source a pipe organ with all the notes from every keyboard and pedals? I guess it would be an insanely time-consuming work but the results would be magnificient, plus, i've seen your video regarding the creation of sourcing in your musical softwet programa, i must congratulate such a gargantuan love and dedication put in every of your projects!

[@jexmartinez9343]

Nice ❤

[@Alfonsogoliardo]

Great video! Also, anyone knows the song at 3:49 ???? It's so beautiful!!!!

[@Robert08010]

Dude, when I saw the big eagle, I said "That's Wannamakers". I had no idea that was bought out by Macys nor that it still existed.

[@lilelly16]

Not me just crying casually to the background organ music of the Lion King. (I do wish I could hear that performance in full.)

[@GravelVoice30]

Uh huh huh. You said "sampled a large organ." Uh huh huh. Uh huh huh huh.

[@biggestblimp]

With what gear are your doing the actual sampling?

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

I love organs, so when I will come to visit you, you have to take me to Macy's to relish the sound of the instrument 🙃

[@DaverTheDave]

literally just bought a sp404 sx a couple of days ago and you upload this haha

[@yadralf5476]

what mic do you use to record? :)

[@DavidHilowitzMusic]

To record my voiceover I use the Shure MV7. To record the organ in this video I used a Zoom H4n.

[@phillipconnell2461]

At 7:55 that lead line sounds like the Green Hill Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog. Especially the tone

[@kenra2964]

Why is it in a store? Oh my goodness, so beautiful

[@roflyanchikoff]

Скажем спасибо Паше Технику за популяризацию данного инструмента!

[@dwellerinblack7816]

Yoo, J Dilla actually didn't use the 303 to make Donuts.