Roland SP-404 MKII: What I Like & What I Don't Like about it

[@BoloDaProducer]

I stand Corrected: Song Mode does save when you save project.. I was Tripping!😂

[@antoineb2409]

Mine will be here tomorrow! I'm gonna figure this out lol I have an MPC X so I dont need it to be or do anything but what it does! I'm gonna have fun wth it though

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

My favorite thing about the SP404 Mkii is working with audio makes me commit and not spend time trying to fix mistakes. I love the human aspect or element of that. It feels like playing a real instrument. Play it until you get it right.

[@TheChameleon2008]

yup, and that feeling when you get it right is so awesome! This the thing i hate with all the programming in DAWs.

[@noebeyond]

1. Each sound is basically its own track 2. “Song mode” automatically saves, what are you using? 3. You can add individual effects on sounds but you need to print them aka resample them for it to save without having to recall efx settings, this can also be automated. 4. I agree with the track / song stem out would be nice. Otherwise it is still best to print them out via midi sync to the daw so you can add effects. What I would like to have is an extra octave on chromatic mode and note glides. That’s all this unit needs right now to make every type of beat. Great work Bolo.

[@dracul74]

Love your stuff. That said, I feel like you sorta just want it to be a Mpc :) Basically SPs are all about working in audio. So, take a dry loop … bus some fx… make different versions of the loop in audio. You have to lose that track mentality when on the SP and think of it more like painting. Last point… SPs excel at making loops. If you focus on making loops instead of song sections it becomes easier to use with a daw… as now you just drop the loops you made into the daw and arrange there. Just my .02. Great stuff as always.

[@tossowain8963]

Yeah- I wouldn’t entertain making a full song on an sp. It’s an ideas machine- quick chopping, looping and then to a DAW

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

I think the key to remember with the SP404 Mkii works primarily with audio. It’s not midi like in the MPC. I like just recording directly into the daw when I’m ready.

[@shawnward3160]

Ordered mine last week .. waiting at the door for it now.

[@palimo3653]

Get a life buddy

[@bboymac84]

Bolo is right Roland def need these cons addressed!

[@thebl8nlyblatantnetwork]

I was second guessing getting the sp 404 mk2and so glad I did … i learned the basic in a couple hours and was knocking out beats left and right (basic beats lol) still have more to learn but the update made this a so much better experience for me too

[@bigkingsha]

PROS: Agree 100% about the sound quality. I am completely blown away. These effects are crazy - matter of fact, the effects on the SP-404 are so good that I am less likely to attempt multiple layers of effects as I do on the MPC. These effects do sound more aggressive and robust, a small amount of tweaking completely changes the personality of a sound - whereas with the MPC they're more subtle...maybe thinner-sounding? However, I also agree about having the option to apply effects to sounds/pads rather than BUS a sound to the same four effects. Love the looper, but that Skipback feature is crazy too! 6 AA batteries, SD expansion and portability are all a plus. I do miss that old SP onboard mic though. CONS: Worlkflow is kinda quirky and I find myself wishing it was more like the MPC Live, but I recognize that the SP-404MKII is just a different, performative animal altogether and learning a new methodology of production breaks me out of my old conditionings and stubborn production curmudgeonry, thus extending the range of creative thought and different processes. It contains unique workflows for various production styles. The pattern sequencer makes you think and strategize, you must plan the beat in every regard. The LOOPER is like painting wet-on-wet oil canvases and the SKIPBACK feature is just the star of the show (for me) as it captures everything right there on the spot. So my CONS are really PROS that are basically developing my technique, even with my every gripe and grumble. WISH LIST: LFO's, LFO's, LFO's!! Imagine the power of a modulation matrix to animate a specific effect parameter....perhaps the amount of distortion in one of the MFX's or the Filter +Drive, while auto-panning L-R, while randomizing a start point of a loop!! That would be sick. All in all, this unit teaches me a different lesson every single time I fire it up. What I love most is the immediacy and the incredible sound quality of it. It's like the NORD of Samplers. The sounds are in the damn room with you, in your face. You really feel the fullness and richness of even the thinnest synth or most basic, boring drum kit. I owned the SP-202 back in the day and it was a nice dirty, lofi sampler with many limits, but Roland has scored big time with this box. I am eager to see what new updates/features will be available for it in the future. Good review!

[@twiglet2214]

When i read the word curmudgeonry i had to go and lay in a darkened room for a while to recover.Just ordered one so looking forward to getting started - youtubes are so handy for learning - in fact they are - fantabulous !

[@freshkidblaze]

I just got my unit Saturday and the things you don't like I don't like. Good thing those dislikes aren't deal breakers. I like the app a lot, especially if I'm using a loop and just need a few drums. Also, the learning curve isn't as bad as a lot of people claim it to be imo.

[@SMEL]

Great points Bolo! In my opinion the SP is more so made for live play, which lends to its amazing push for beats makers to be creative on the fly. It's not really build to sequence a whole production (but you can). Really no need to even try to tempo match etc. Get your sample plug and play and use skip back (i like what Bolo said on the use of the looper for one shots), assign pad and do that over and over. Practice your performance and tweaks of sampling. Hit record in your daw and watch the magic. OR... just use it as a straight up instrument into your daw. SP has its own sound!!! Once you use it, trut me, you will say from time to time, I need that SP sound for this one!!!!

[@OsschotUltra]

Pattern chains (song mode?) DEF do get saved when you save a project.. On top of that you can consider every sample on pad as a separate track. When you edit a pattern in tr-mode you can hold the sub-pad to switch between sounds and edit every "track" seperately. You just don't have a visual representation on screen like you have on mpc's.

[@CaseUltra]

Bolo the song mode does save with the project.. also you can export song mode into one single wav file onto a pad very easily with a click (a few clicks) of a button.. just go to pattern mode... press copy.. then press hold.. then select the pattern chain you want to export... select what pad to copy it to... and boom. You just easily exported your song onto a pad

[@GameRelated]

How do you then export that pad to the SD Card as the finished song .wav file?

[@CaseUltra]

@@GameRelated shift... pad 14... export to sd card

[@barrelofbugs]

​@@GameRelated up down up down left right left right a b a b start

[@DelainoBarris]

I agree and love my sp404, I use it more than my DAW since I bought it in Oct23

[@enzoblessedit2739]

The sound out the sp is amongst the best I’ve heard from hardware! Sequencing is annoying. I agree that fx per sound would be dope , at least a filter or EQ

[@Dcorumbeats]

Just took mine back after two weeks and the new update. I’m good. Getting the Mpc one and getting back to biz.

[@mikemeengs5720]

I feel like doing the same thing...I'm getting tired of trying to figure things out instead of making music.

[@Dcorumbeats]

@@mikemeengs5720 don’t get me wrong bro, I’m not bashing the 404. There are definitely things I like about it, especially the etx. However, if you have to choose between this and an mpc or even maschine, go w the latter bro. I will prob get the 404 later to use in conjunction with the mpc which would be crazy!

[@V3lll]

@@DcorumbeatsThats what I plan on doing now, got my one plus and really bees that sp for the sfx

[@ricardomilice2470]

The Sp 404 came a very long way from the early versions I still have Right now . I’m good, plus you can put it with Koala. If they listening to you, And they can add more features…:I’m all for it. lol I’m trying to digest what we got 😂.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

I've come to grips with the fact that we'll have to export beats Madlib style... Just arrange the beats and get the eq and effects how we want it and just dump the entire beat into your DAW or recorder and be done with it.

[@dennystreet2454]

In 2 days I will be an owner of SP 404 mk2 😌 🤙 🤘

[@TheChameleon2008]

SAME and i got to blame Marek!!!

[@joefather6084]

Got mine today!

[@fedexnman]

I used to have the Boss SP-202 it was fun . This thing looks fun too .

[@BossDrSample]

I'd like to try one of these. I've been using the SP505 for a few years now it's a dope machine

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

You can record to pattern and send the track parts back to pads individually or multipad out each patterns

[@mackie32x4]

When recording a sample in pause they need to move the REC a drop to the left so the level meter has better visibility. Its quashed in the corner.

[@I.O.M.]

Great vid. You can assign effects to specific pads but you are limited to bus 1 and 2.

[@DylanParisMusic]

Great video Bolo! Got one on the way, excited to learn it

[@ruffiankick]

Technically the pads are the tracks. With 32 note polyphony, you basically have 32 tracks. Shift + Reverse is your pad mute basically. Its weird but it works lol. Song mode is Pattern chain, you press hold while in the Pattern sequence mode.. and I couldve swarn its does save on its own.

[@THA-REAPER]

I just wish they had a convert function or expand their specifics on file types it accepts. Its frustrating when you get a whole bunch of packs on the SD just to later get the "Unsupported format" message when you bout to load them up. Sometimes it's like 30% out of the folder works. Then you look at the .wav details and they are all the same.

[@firebug1892]

This tool was created for on the go street production, I like that it doesn’t have separate tracks, that’s for house producers, simple is always better

[@N-spireyourbeats]

If the Bus are parallel in the fx settings you can hold remain and turn the fx per pad off. When you switch to the 2nd but hold remain again and choose the other pads you want use the other fx.

[@CUEME]

Roland had a program back in the early 2000 called Kinect with Cakewalk Music making Software, the program had an song arranger in it.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

If Roland just added the ability to punch in record patterns and not have to wait until the entire length of the pattern to pass before you can record would be great. Also if we could go forward and backward in measures to pinpoint where we want to begin recording or fix a mistake we made would be perfect.

[@TwinCitiesOxygen]

I’m down with this channel. Subscribed

[@towerrunner4675]

If they improve the song mode as you mentioned (storable), then they got me. Those updates made a difference! 🔥

[@CaseUltra]

Go ahead and buy it. Song mode does save with the project. Bolo had me double checking to make sure but he must have missed that. Song mode definitely saves with the project

[@andystandys]

@@CaseUltra Yeah, I was just gonna say that too. I've done projects in song mode and didn't have to re-create them every time I turned on the machine...

[@GA5aLaProd]

I sold my Sp404 SX just before the mk 2 was announced, in favour of the digitakt - I just bought the MK 2 last couple days, only for the looper and the audio effects - Want to see if I can retire the MK505

[@Ink0ne415]

Your speaking the truth on certain things it should be automatic.But I don't think, they thought a lot more DAW based producers or producers that would not usually use this underground secret would gravitate towards this unit. Cause i know i didn't i thought it was toy compared to what I'm use to using. I grabed it and instantly so the potential saying its all most there. Cause i didn't just see it as just and effects box.

[@guneskardes]

The looper mode is so cool but as I play and build up, every time I wish I could choose an empty pad and assign it for the recording before recording the loop (and the sample length should be preserved from the first loop) , so as I build up the looping beat, different recorded samples stays at different pad and could be isolated, muted or played solo at the assigned pad seamlessly. I know I can copy the what I record to a pad and I can keep on with that, the problem is the need to stop the on going music in order to go that direction and my concern is for the live performances. I know its close but not a loop station but maybe there is a way to do this, if so please enlighten me.

[@delfiobacco7156]

i dont know if i got you right but in the last update you CAN bounce the whole pattern chain as a unique file

[@CreamOfBeats]

Loading samples back to pads. Maybe I’m overlooking something, but I can save to the SD card, but when I want to bring samples back, I have to assign them individually. If I have kits of (example) 16 kicks on bank A, 16 snares on bank B, how do I save them so I can load them all back?

[@bedonemusic]

I like when I can take my SP404 to backpack and travel around the world ❤

[@TheChameleon2008]

yes and no since koala is also in your pocket 2 :)

[@bedonemusic]

@@TheChameleon2008I often use both at the same time, and now with the integration, it's even better 🔥

[@mikemeengs5720]

It makes something hum-drum...like traveling the world...worthwhile, doesn't it? 😉

[@TheChameleon2008]

@@bedonemusic word, the koala support was the reason why i picked it up to be honest and sold me pocket operators :)

[@bedonemusic]

@@TheChameleon2008 I will do the same This new integrations is so dope and we can even sampling stems from Koala ❤

[@stysnappin]

Have you tried the Circuit Rhythm? It doesn’t get much love, the new SP-404 release completely stole its thunder. It’s more limited than the SP-404, but it has 8 monophonic tracks, it’s workflow is much more intuitive and it’s perfect for one shot type beats. If you made a Circuit Rhythm one shots pack I would definitely cop it.

[@joshualane1716]

You can’t say “let’s just jump right into it” two minutes in after two ads.

[@holden4764]

The skip function on KZbin is a thing I’d investigate. It will help you to no end

[@joshualane1716]

@@holden4764I’m talking about his frontloading his video with multiple embedded ads (Zzounds and Analog) not aligning with his scriptwriting.

[@ZetaCarinae]

Super useful overview thank you!

[@uhuhtapes]

I think each pad is its own track. Perhaps they could make the banks act as group tracks.

[@FlatWHDF]

Ima actually get it!

[@TheChameleon2008]

same

[@joegrant413]

You're not trippin'. Common and frequent tasks like exporting a song should feel like "boom it's done" after some modest learning curve. FWIW, I work on UX for a living.

[@AprilRoxStudios]

I don’t like that Roland didn’t release SP404 mkiii with large colorful touchscreen and ease of use.

[@towerrunner4675]

That relation is true. Due to the OLED display it works with standard batteries - I prefer that.

[@0072gldnfngr]

Jokes aside, this was a good video. Very insightful. I’d be curious to know how is the 404 intended to be used and how ppl used the original one. Or is it just that, a thing Roland put together and it kinda is what it is and users can use how they want within whatever limits are available?

[@intricateinc8566]

@Bolo Da Producer, Is the beat review tonight or tomorrow homie? I have not seen notifications on the community page.

[@BoloDaProducer]

4.10.2024 9pm

[@intricateinc8566]

@@BoloDaProducer Thank you bro. I have been missing them. KZbin has been deleting my comments and messing with my notifications as well.

[@bboymac84]

Yea they need pad fx! Very true!

[@mgd9151]

Resampling the whole song is the same way it is done on the Roland fantom x8 as well. It's a Roland standard, maybe it should change but that is how they have been doing it.

[@CrownLifeTv]

You also forgot to mention as a "con" how you cant even preview sounds while your pattern is looping. Theres a way to do so, which seems a bit "extra" but you cannot literally go to shift import and preview sounds while your working on something.

[@dmks2146]

I'm in a love-hate relationship with mine. A lot of the features it now has are kinda tacked onto a machine that wasn't meant to do all that. It's all a bit messy coupled with some real killer features.

[@KallusGarnet]

Can i use it as a calculator?

[@billB101]

Even my 1988 Roland W30 sampler has filters on it. Why the Sp404 doesn't have it per pad is an absolute mystery really.

[@gadgetboy2000]

It does have filters…

[@TheChameleon2008]

its called FX and there are plenty

[@billB101]

@@gadgetboy2000 Not per pad it doesn't.

[@billB101]

@@TheChameleon2008 Not per pad.

[@TheChameleon2008]

@@billB101 no per bus. if you want it for each sound then resample.

[@Drrolfski]

Lots of key combos that you need to memorize with this device. And with every update it gets worse. The MPC is a much more intuitive device in that regard and I don't think the MPC is even all that intuitive.

[@durrcodurr]

I disagree. You don't have to memorize much -- at least I don't, and I do have memory damage (i.e. my short term memory isn't as good as it used to be, I'm 54 now), and I have no trouble recalling any of the workflows of the machine. Sometimes, I have to look a thing up in the manual, but it's mostly only things that I didn't know before. Muscle memory works really well with this machine. But perhaps the machine appeals to me and that's the real reason, IDK.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

Even Maschine Plus' work flow is easier than the 404 mk2.

[@VinylWave11]

The thing I dislike most about the Sp 404 is that it isn't an MPC. Joking kind of...I have had the SP 404 MK2 longer than my MPC X SE, but I connected with the MPC almost immediately. The SP 404, I am still having some reluctance using it instead of my MPC. I have used many hardware samplers. The Polyend Tracker Mini, its easy fun and immediate, but I use it mostly for ideas and field recording augmentation. Chompy, Hella fun. easy and does something different than any other sampler. I have a Teenage Engineering KO 2 coming, if Fed EX can get their act together and deliver it, because its already 3 days late now which is ridiculous. Nothing so far replaces what I love about the MPC. I do like how the SP 404 sounds. And I love the effects and I love using it with the MPC, it just doesn't replace my MPC even for an hour of work. Maybe I'll take a day and just devote it to the SP 404 MK2 and feel different.

[@micromonde]

Excellent overview.

[@jarikensenat1282]

After watching this video i think i will pass. Just got an mpc one just need to dive in there. Been out of the game for a while but ready to put in work. Thank you for the video.

[@CryptoLosOne]

How can this trigger video? For video djs. Visuals and music.

[@Outstanding.Bill87]

Your right exporting sucks, it’s actually so bad that my sp is almost full of beats and I haven’t exported any of them. You can put MFX on individual samples though you just have either resample that pad or add the FX as your sampling it into the unit.

[@CryptoLosOne]

So, you can’t save a project and come back to it?

[@sumithramachandranwatchyou5045]

Yes. Fx section is very confusing!!

[@stepbro2139]

TO ALL OF YOU PLEASE READ THIS TEXT: "TRY IT WITH THE KOALA SAMPLER APP, INCLUDING INAPP-ADDONS, THEN INSTALL THE LATEST UPDATES, ALSO FOR THE SP-404MKII & ENJOY ESPECIALLY THAT IT'S ALREADY PRECONFIGURED & RECOGNIZED WHEN CONNECTING BOTH TOGETHER". HAVE FUN :)

[@willybobo8846]

you can look at the sample as tracks and can separate sounds into there own patterns like tracks... but ya i agree with all that ... i didn't know you can't save song mode that just seems like they released the device still in beta, which could be good to get the publics feedback.... the fx routing can be annoying, should be able to at least just print fx to pad or pattern without having to resample... just EQ or filter per pad would help.

[@CaseUltra]

How do you separate the samples into their own patterns? Also btw song mode definitely does save w the project

[@willybobo8846]

@@CaseUltra that's good it saves... i haven't got that far in the SP yet... when you record a sample into a pattern with sequencer in pattern mode you can copy pattern out in stems by pressing copy and i think remain to choose which pads to copy... cant remember have to pick up the sp.

[@willybobo8846]

@@CaseUltra kzbin.info/www/bejne/gHazpqmpdp2XaNk

[@willybobo8846]

@@CaseUltra kzbin.info/www/bejne/oWbJfph9a5h_e9U

[@CaseUltra]

@@willybobo8846 cool

[@MrRobot24]

What would you recommend for an absolute beginner? I am researching and have set on either the 404 or Live 2. I also have an iPad Pro with logic on it. Do you think it would be easier for a beginner to get the 404 and use it with Koala and the iPad. Or better to go for the live 2 and have that as my DAW. Maybe you should consider showing that iPad workflow. I haven’t seen really anyone on YT with a 404, koala, iPad logic workflow. What are the pros and cons versus paying more for a live 2? Just an idea. I appreciate your knowledge and video quality.

[@towerrunner4675]

To me, the biggest difference is the song mode. If you need a real (track-based) song mode, get the Live 2. 404 has a pattern sequencer as song mode. Choose what feels more natural to you.

[@MrRobot24]

@@towerrunner4675 perfect, thanks. It seems that I should def be getting the Live 2.

[@SonicVibe]

Circuit tracks or rhythm is a great beginner device

[@aldogo95]

What is song mode?

[@DurtyCardiologist]

Get the Lofi-12 XT

[@vinylselektaz6475]

I'm surprised you didnt mention the roll function. It sucks. It's always off beat

[@billB101]

It's literally backwards.

[@SonicVibe]

The roll function I wish was ratchet mode

[@bryantsimpson5060]

Are you serious?????that's a ok instant no for me now...if the quantizing isn't right I can't even use that

[@Watani_Fahim]

We need individual track muting

[@supernatural802]

Fx per pad is a must. like there is no good reason not to have that feature.

[@billB101]

Filter and EQ per pad too.

[@gadgetboy2000]

That’s not really the point with the SP… apply effects and then resample is the way to do it. Remember it’s not daw in a box.

[@mgd9151]

I have one and it's cool for an effects unit and effects sampler to compliment other gear. Standalone it is just ok. Not enough outputs, bus system is wack, Poor menu system, bad midi implementation, none of these things makes it unusable just pretty limiting. I only use it for sampling away from my studio and then transferring them to my MPC once back at the lab. The whole workflow on this unit is destructive and poorly thought out.

[@whistletom]

It's actually the destructive workflow that I love about it. The problem with a lot of music software and hardware is that it is permanently open ended. Nothing is ever finished. An SP404 is a bit like using tape. It forces you to commit to your decisions. A different headspace and a different workflow. But it is what it is.

[@mgd9151]

@@whistletom I don't agree. Things are done when the artist says plus, destructive is ok when you don't have clients that pay more than $10 thousand a song. The unit is just cool and not much beyond that. I get who it's marketed to but there is a definite difference between hobbyist and pro. A better design and functionality and this box would be a hit, beyond what it is today.

[@0072gldnfngr]

7:04 well. Record it into your computer and the MPC software with STEMS as a work around! 😂😂💀💀💀 jkjk I promise I’m not one of those ppl. I just had to!!!!! 😂😂

[@Rodriguez-u3f]

you can add fxs to a pad

[@bryantsimpson5060]

Any mpc with the baby pads is not it.and these new software updates are destroying the product.the drum machine needs to stay drum and forget about trying to have all these synth sounds.they just won't cut thru the mix like a real keyboard

[@Rodriguez-u3f]

@@bryantsimpson5060 I know the mpc is the way to go to make instrumentals, I bought the roland sp 404 its ok but I need to invest in a mpc

[@alchemistrpm82]

Nobody should be cooking with MP3s dog

[@bryantsimpson5060]

Facts bolo loves mp3 I thought wav was the best way to go

[@1234DLTS]

Agreed

[@ayo2315]

I feel like a MK 3 is on the way soon 👀

[@__cal29]

What would they even add to a mk3? Only thing I would want is an internal mic again. Other than that, it’s perfect as is.

[@__cal29]

Also accepting any sample rate / bit depth for samples would be great too - I get sick of batch converting samples before putting on the sd

[@RoneySmithseedoflife]

I believe that virtually all of your dislikes will appear in future updates because none of them appear impossible. It is both odd and a no brainer how much Roland’s OS keeps the Fantom and other gear such as the MC-707 as close siblings but not Siamese twins when they could be lol 😂😂😂

[@EdwardJanuska]

The SP404 has too many weird key combinations to get a task done. No you are not tripping

[@cesarbarbosa4109]

“Avid”

[@fedexnman]

Lol funny call out Bowl low

[@SR3music12official]

Indian ritham sport

[@kierenmoore3236]

What’s the C word, lol?

[@towerrunner4675]

Converter (DAC).

[@dilach41]

The case that you are promoting is total bs and doesnt fit at all