Roland SP-404 MKII - Beatmaking + First impressions

[@loopop]

Always a pleasure to hang out with Accurate :)

[@Xandalfo]

I won't even buy it but love to watch all the videos about this awesome gear from all of you guys

[@WAVYFUTURE]

between both of your channels I have bought and sold so much gear. Thank you!

[@RedMeansRecording]

Awesome to watch you vibe on this

[@shaunmadison99]

Hey! You're dope!!!! Hope all is well, peace and blessings to you bro

[@Koopakid917543]

I've had the original 404 on my list for years and I'm glad I waited. This is exactly what I was looking for, it fixes all of the issues I had with the original

[@AccurateBeats]

Sounds like a perfect fit

[@sinewaymusic]

This video was the first one that finally made me understand how this thing is supposed to work. So you can record a pattern with just the bass line, and then another pattern for the melody, and then you can resample both into a combined version. If you're unhappy with the mix, you can go back to the individual patterns and tweak, play back again and skip back to get a new combined sample. When you're ready for final composition in a DAW, your original patterns/samples are still there (assuming you didn't overwrite them with the resampled versions) so you can still do some professional mixing of the individual components of the track. I'm thinking that something like this would be cool as a music sketchpad on the couch, but I couldn't understand how I'd go from the couch to the DAW until now. Of course, I'd still love to play samples chromatically and polyphonically when recording into the sequencer, but I realize that that's not what the 404 is about. Or maybe it will be able to do it at some point in the future.

[@I___Love___U]

I have no experience with an SP but after watching this I’m considering picking one of these up.

[@CoolCalmMaurice]

Holy Crap!!! 16 levels, mute groups, chopping feature!! Crazy, this is dope!!

[@AccurateBeats]

It really is. It’s gotten almost every single thing I was missing on the SX/A

[@WillStufflebeam]

@@AccurateBeats ​ That's awesome! It's always great to see a company actually listen to their users and continue moving forward with new product releases that include what the community has been dreaming up and hoping for. I tend to be pretty computer/DAW focused in my workflow at this point (Maschine, Ableton/Push, etc.), but I have been toying with the idea of a 404 for a while now, and I definitely now have my eyes on this one after watching your (fantastic) review! Thanks for putting it through its paces for us! Regarding what you said above -- "it's gotten **almost** every single thing I was missing on the SX/A" -- out of curiosity, what other additions/improvements would have made it a "perfect" update for you? In other words, what's hiding behind that "almost" in your reply?

[@christianthompson1473]

@def creator yep, this thing has half the features of the Akai Force, but size does matter.

[@miseryloveseverything]

I can't believe they've gone and done it, this is everything the SP should have been from the start. I can't wait to get my hands on one after failing to sell my old 404A :')

[@kalubandali2241]

why would anyone buy the old one?

[@johnsmall3084]

If you don't want to be reliant upon looking at a screen. I beieve you build a different relationship with the equipment when you don't need to use the screen most of the time. The mk2 has a lot big pluses; however if not making music with the old one you probably won't make music with new one.

[@AccurateBeats]

I couldn’t agree more! I never saw this one coming

[@whereisthebalance5732]

@@kalubandali2241 for better gritty sound

[@SonicScholar]

@@johnsmall3084 Well said! The same with the MPC 1000 in comparison with the MPC One. The small screen on the MPC 1000 enables me to do things by ear instead of by sight which for me is more enjoyable as I get in the zone that way. Obviously for this to work on any groovebox it has to have a great, simple and intuitive workflow first which the MPC 1000 is renowned for.

[@projectz975]

was expecting this thing to be way more expensive, its amazing what you can get from a $500 sampler these days!

[@Verysickbeats]

So glad they made up for the SP404a, dope review bro! Will be buying

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks for watching!

[@destructo7916]

Thanks Accurate, I was hoping to see an early review from a trusted source.

[@AccurateBeats]

Thank YOU :D

[@christianthompson1473]

Should be one coming along soon. 😶

[@1G0R16]

Now SP-404 is like compressed MPC 😱💪🏻

[@AveMcree]

Well, yea!

[@AccurateBeats]

Not very far from it. At least the sampling parts of an MP. 😀

[@kidkaru5783]

Finally a companie that listened to its community. this thing is fire 🔥,

[@AveMcree]

AKAI says "hi"

[@teddybearasaurus]

@@AveMcree and then drops the mpc studio 😂 though honestly I can’t knock that without trying. Wanna buy this one though.

[@cufocufo]

Resampling the chromatic notes so you can use them in the sequencer is brilliant. Thanks for the awesome idea, and fantastic video all around.

[@lundsweden]

I wasn't into the SP404 up until now, despite it having a lot of strengths, like price, portability and great FX. But now, that screen really brings this machine alive, no more 1980s alarm clock stuff! The time stretching is so good too, brings this up to date!

[@AccurateBeats]

I couldn’t agree more! The SP has always been great but this update really takes it a couple of steps further!

[@davidholmes3776]

Agree. I wouldn’t have bought Blackbox if this had been out at the time…

[@jKHAHN215PA]

14:34 I appreciate your vid’s explanation walk throughs and the scratching ! SUPER DOPE!

[@poporowyo]

I always love the stop motion unboxing

[@AccurateBeats]

Point taken! ❤️

[@nyer007]

what an incredible sampler ! Thanks for the video

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks for watching it :)

[@djphlegm]

Thanks for your review. Just put my pre-order in.

[@RAMENLECHUGA]

can't wait for mine to come in march

[@LaidbackSounds]

That s the best video i saw for the sp 404, ya the Nordic DJ Premier for sure !!!

[@Sarah2ill]

LOVE THE INTRO!!! Super sick!!

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks Sarah!

[@GameBrou]

Hey bro! Just watched the premiere with you. Dope!

[@AccurateBeats]

❤️

[@realzneo]

Please go on for days! Finally it's here! Thanks for the review!

[@Maochan81]

When a new sampler is released I only want to watch an accurate review :)

[@lilmissbeats]

ok this is a HUGE improvement - thanks for the really great video. I don't need to watch any other reviews after this... hopefully I can get my hands on one here in South Africa... eventually :)

[@AccurateBeats]

It really is huge! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you’ll manage to get one soon enough :)

[@beaulachance7439]

I love watching you work, Accurate

[@mpbangamusic9673]

Nice one Accurate. Looks like a dope unit! Love the way you just dived straight in the session....no BS

[@Freight_Up_Trucker]

Wow! Seems like they checked all the boxes and still portable. Thanks for the awesome review AB!

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks for watching

[@CourtneyHawkins]

Excellent video Accurate!

[@9thchord]

And after the Premiere here I am as I promised 😊

[@AccurateBeats]

I appreciate that!

[@spvidz]

Awesome stuff man! So hyped on this release.

[@Worlds_Boro]

Great Video, Glad to see your doing well, Peace and Blessings.

[@anttmarlomarl]

love the song you chopped one of my favorites

[@GuitarsAndSynths]

Love mine in terms of how immediate and easy to use compared to other samplers like Octatrack.

[@bboydreaded]

Wooop. Don’t need one. But I will prob get it anyway. Lol. Love this shit.

[@AccurateBeats]

Haha! I totally know the feeling

[@hOPk1rk]

You rock Accurate, thank you! And Roland, I love you & take my money!

[@AccurateBeats]

Thank you!

[@gooneybird808]

Dope the right people got there hands on this

[@KC-lg8qf]

Very cool demo of this machine. I have never used one of its predecessors. My head is just spinning with all the things you can do here. Seems like a bit of a learning curve for the workflow but a fun unit to get to know possibly.

[@kvnklbngr4801]

Same here Kevin, I'm gonna be brave and try to work myself through that learning curve. Greetings from Germany, Kev ;)

[@KC-lg8qf]

@@kvnklbngr4801 greetings! Enjoy!

[@andrewiley8240]

Nice tutorial! Looks like Roland improved a lot on the sp404 with this upgrade. I Like the new chop mode feature. Now we don't have to always go back and mark new points. They have improved pitching function as well. Can't wait to get one of these! Would be a great addition to the workflow! 👍

[@AccurateBeats]

Yupp, this is a very powerful upgrade. Just a great sampler :D Really great

[@ambrushadam]

Really dope that you can record your guitar or bass directly to it, kind of miss that on the MPC live 2.

[@MadRevoltMusic]

Get a jack to a left and right spilt and you can plug both guitar and bass in and record! Plus the new update you can now usb hook up interfaces 🙌

[@audreyazwell]

Great job showing this off Accurate!

[@Gang_Sine]

Thanks for this. I’ve watched alot of videos on here and this one really made it all click for me.

[@McN4styFilth]

Legitimately want this

[@Ulvens]

So awesome! Watched Loopop's first, then right onto your video. Thank you!

[@AccurateBeats]

Thank you!

[@SlapUpMill]

Dope beat bro. Can't wait for my SP to turn up in 2029

[@davidscott2095]

Thank you for the video, Accurate. Blessings!

[@AveMcree]

Damn, you killed this review bro.... Sheesh, I need to think about life!

[@AccurateBeats]

About to watch yours just now! I appreciate the support my dude!

[@SilverWizy]

Seems like it's time to get this little dope machine and make beats on the road !! You always give great reviews brother, thank you !!

[@nlvq]

thank you for making fantastic content. so underrated channel

[@Blogspierre]

Dope as usual. Question, please. Could you try using, like, an Anker power bank to USB-C, and see it the unit can be powered by it, please? The manual says 1.5 amps or greater. Most of those packs put out at least A2.4. The 1010 Music Blackbox runs well w/ an Anker.

[@GarrettGrimm]

Awesome! Can you record a sample while the sequencer is playing on the MKII?

[@CXtheproducer1]

Skipback sampling has been the Fantoms for years👍🏿 🙏🏿 for your video

[@sapbucry]

Thanks a lot. Great to see workflow of someone who used this line of devices for years. I got MKII today, I was wondering why would I want to control the volume for the whole group, now I know :) Even that it is simple device to learn how to do stuff, the workflow and how to utilise it all is a different story. Thank you so much, now I know one example way based on your experience. Cheers man !

[@tonyparsley7431]

Thank you for knowledge My Brother.Play on Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@BIGPUN4EVER]

Already pre-ordered, cant wait to get mine! I think it ships out this month 🥳

[@FrommaxkMusic]

thanks for this big Video / now step closer ❤

[@nexuzeb79]

well experienced sp user! Thanx for yet another inspiring clip, Sir! Can't wait to get my hands thisone 😎

[@AccurateBeats]

Thank you! ❤️

[@obiwan7136]

Bro, a question, if you produce your beats with the Mk3 machine or with the SP 404, for example, how do you mix and master them? With the devices or do you use a DAW? Ok, that was two questions now😁

[@AccurateBeats]

It changes from time to time but I normally export my loops as audio to apply UA-plugins or such on the computer.

[@obiwan7136]

@@AccurateBeats Thanks for the information.🙏🙏 I really appreciate it🙌

[@AntonyNorthcutt]

The fastest hands in the business!

[@LittleMusicBoxes]

hell yea, great beat and scratch session!

[@chrisstylez5770]

Dam that beat is fire 🔥👍🏾

[@AccurateBeats]

Thank you!

[@freejazzbone]

nive vid, May 2022 now, what's your opinion at this point A Beats? Are the MIDI notes fixed for each bank? So could all the pads could be played/sequenced by an external sequencer as long as each bank was assigned a different MIDI channel? Or, can the MIDI notes be changed per bank? thank you,

[@NoelLeeman]

Great video. Do you have a rationale or preference when it comes to picking what goes on what pad. Drums, samples, resampling stuff etc...

[@Tapepusher]

Will the fx apply to both external audio and all the internal samples simultaneously? As in, can you have a synth running through it and have the fx apply to that and the samples together?

[@CaseyMoo1]

Instant subscriber. Excellent!

[@hellantt]

Superb!

[@AccurateBeats]

🙏

[@oldneab7854]

Best review of this!

[@cuddysoup]

Legend with the gear man. Hope to be at least half as nice as you are with the mk2 someday! Super insightful and helpful video as always! Much love brother

[@AccurateBeats]

Thanks a lot!

[@SandcastleTheory]

This is Roland we're talking about; so, of course, there had to be a face-palm moment: not being able to record chromatic notes into the sequencer... Yep, that qualifies. LOL... Oh, Roland, one day you'll understand. Cheers!

[@chroma-agogo]

haha true. pray for firmware

[@brownbubbletheory]

I was thinking the same thing

[@AccurateBeats]

Well… It is a bit unfortunate but much better than the old versions. Let’s hope for an update 😀

[@elwoodg29]

but you can make your sample into a chromatic scale i saw another producer do it

[@anatolianINVASION]

I was about to order but this in combination with not being able to change the pitch for all the chops at once stopped me. With all the new features it will annoy me as its nearly perfect.

[@prinzbach]

Great demo!

[@simondanielssonmusic]

When you're talking about artifacts when doing pitch shifting I just get excited. Pitch-shift artifacts are an easy way to add glitchy textures to a beat. Just ordered a mk2 this week, it'll probably take until march/april to arrive but I'll wait!

[@jupitor919]

Thanks for this- I was wondering about a lot of the stuff you covered-

[@tobiaslofi]

So it’s like a mini Maschine/mpc now! Wow

[@AccurateBeats]

It’s actually not far from it!

[@theelectronic4051]

I’m no expert but wouldn’t put it in the same ball park as the modern MPC’s.

[@tobiaslofi]

@@theelectronic4051 I mean price wise even after the price reduction it's a $500 device which given the fact that a MPC One is $600-800 ... MPC One is great value and the SP404 is a bit expensive in comparison. But even a Roland mc101 costs $400-500 and I would much prefer the SP404....

[@dennissantana970]

WOW, GAME CHANGER FOR THE 404............

[@AccurateBeats]

For real

[@Teddyrobinson]

Does the Skip Back function work with external audio? Like with your bass guitar?

[@aounms]

Yes 😉

[@Teddyrobinson]

@@aounms awesome

[@That125Kid]

Wuss good homie trying to figure out how to change midi channels on the sp404mkii so I can sequence from the ASR 10?

[@mrolliepoper]

i havent watched you in a couple years glad youre still going strong!

[@premiium]

Damn, this is pretty good. I like the new look, never had one but it looks way easier to navigate than the older one.

[@dmazemason]

Wowwwwww, great video man

[@timrichter5853]

such a great overview! thank you!

[@AccurateBeats]

❤️

[@eddiefoster9562]

I'm amazed how quickly you were able to make this video after the product premiere 😅

[@dannyvalentino328]

Most likely he had it for weeks to get acquainted with it and also made the video ahead of launch and just had to upload it on the agreed date.

[@eddiefoster9562]

@@dannyvalentino328 Yeah it was a crap joke 🙃😅

[@100bpm7]

I think this is a huge step for Roland. They have finally created the most user-friendly interface in their samplers. If they add time stretch, it will be the best opponent for the akai mpc 1000-2500

[@AfferbeckBeats]

I guess you could already do timestretch now that is has both pitching modes. If you wanted a sample to be stretched longer at the same pitch, you could pitch it down with 'vinyl' pitch mode to get the length right, then resample it then pitch back up using the normal 404 time stretchy pitch mode.

[@100bpm7]

@@AfferbeckBeats It all depends on what goals you are pursuing. For me, time stretch is a convenient tool to form the necessary loop drum part quickly and without a long process of finding the right speed. In the rest of the functions, Roland managed to make the necessary set of features.

[@mikedegrazia]

Really dope feel bro...might have to go pick one up.

[@sukrampalang7464]

i used the sample to flip just a few days ago and cant remember anymore the name ;) Good job and get well soon! good luck for future and may buddha bless you and your family! one love

[@eliottgualdi5424]

Hi, I need help I’m searching a way to sync two samples together on the sp 404 mkii from weeks and I don’t have it. Do you know how to quantize perfectly to play some samples at the same time ? The only quantization I found is in the resample rec mode but no way to have perfect loops. Best regards, Eliott

[@fgpd7710]

Yoo first time I watched one of your video I swear you had an eye patch on. Glad to see your face is lookin purty!

[@bernardos7636]

Nahnahnah I like the inconvenient way of workingflow on the old school ones

[@seanbussie7480]

as usual you make it look so easy !!!....another great video...Hey Accurate...where did you get that desk from..Im in the market for one to put in my studio !!!...thanks !

[@230leo8]

That looks so fire tbh. Love the new internal memory and the mobile battery spec on the thing. And the display. of course.

[@purplepink3969]

and in general the beat is so nice ,nice vibes best part for me start from 14:00 xd

[@hardwani]

Really great tutorial!

[@heyjamesguesswhat]

I've been looking at the SP to compliment my MPC workflow, but damn if this doesn't look like it could maybe even replace it.

[@allieboy181]

Why would one need both?

[@isaiahhudson5470]

That’s what I’m saying 😭

[@sinewaymusic]

@@allieboy181 Good question. I'm happy with my MPC One, but there's something about the 404 that attracts me. And I'm not even really into sampling, I'm more of a synth guy. But what I like about it is the immediacy, the portability and the way it forces you to use a completely different workflow, which in my experience always leads to new creative ideas.

[@DeffBaer]

didnt the recent update for the MPCs add "skip back sampling/record" thing?!? or am i mixing things up here? dont they have something similar? like a "i played something while i pressed play and didnt record but it sounded dope so MPC pls save my ass"-function? anybody know? i dont own an MPC yet.

[@q1sy]

Retrospective record - Shift + Record, introduced in 2.8

[@AccurateBeats]

Ah… Theres always something, right? You’re 100% correct. I just haven’t incorporated that in my workflow on the MP. Thanks for watching

[@WhiteWhiskerMusica]

14:40 is amazing bruv. master hip hop work there.

[@wiggesobk]

This looks great!!!

[@DJDigitalJosh]

Great Video Accurate! It really painted a good mpc1 / 404mk2 comparison in my head. Really wish you could record the chromatic notes in the sequencer. Seems like the sequencer needs an upgrade. Like 16 channels of midi sequencing since it has midi in and out. Does it still only do the 2 midi channel thing or can you mess with all 16 at 1 time?

[@Mrlinesss]

thats a hell of a machine 🔥🔥🔥

[@juice__dabarber]

a little more step by step accurate just seeing you hit and fly threw everything your doing its hard to understand but I must say the new sp-404 is dope

[@dirckxd]

Pre ordered!

[@AccurateBeats]

BOOM

[@mykhailshavkunov7345]

thanks for nice review, you are definitely skilled with this machine already, impassive! looking like it's gonna be me first 404, feeling a bit spoiled now =)