Roland SP-404SX Portable Power-Sampler w/FX (SP404SX)

I've been through a few samplers in my time including and MPC 2500 and a Maschine but this has proven to be the best value for money and the most fun to use for beat making.I've managed to successfully build straight up hip-hop bangers and mellow lo-fi beats with this box, all of which have a very characteristic sound. I've also done live DJ sets thanks to the stupidly long sample time allowed on each pad.If you like loops with a heavy humanised feel or want to venture into the lo-fi world this box is the one. Sometimes you'll be amazed at what comes out of it. The resampling method means you can 'bounce' and easily build loops/beats. (Youtube it if you're not sure how it works, its really simple). Alternatively you can finger drum and trigger your samples live whist recording to an external unit like a laptop...or another sp :)The SP does have a pattern maker but it leaves a little to be desired and I've struggled to use it due to its bad quantising and general poor quality. I haven't mastered it but I know artists like Samiyam have produced entire albums using it so there is definitely scope to have it in your workflow if you wanted to. Its fine if you don't though - you can just build beats with resample or by bouncing to an external recording device!The built in effects are really amazing - everything from simulated vinyl to chorus and distortion effects. Resample means you can also combine effects (you can't use more than one at a time by default) to generate some really interesting vibes.Sampling is so quick and intuitive but appreciate that trimming etc is done entirely by ear. There is no way of looking at wave forms with the SP its all about listening and using 'trim' points for the start and end of samples. Like other reviews have mentioned you will be getting audio into this box in minutes of opening it and building your first beat almost straight away.In terms of sampling external sound you have the standard phono input on the back so you can use any sound source you like as long as you can eventually make it go through a phono lead or some kind of adapter. There is also a standard jack input on the front so the only limitation is your imagination really. One amazing feature of this sampler is also the built in mic for recording sounds wherever you are. Don't forget this thing can run on batteries as well so its really portable which is great for soundscapes and getting noises around the house to put in your beats.The pads feel good, they've got a nice grippy texture and dont mind a bit of abuse. the numbers have started to wear off slowly but they aren't even really needed. They are backlit and all the indication you need is done through this. Be warned though if you are coming over from an MPC you might find the transition a bit challenging at first.There is a bit of a learning curve with SP when you come from a traditional sampler that rely so much on the sequencer, but once you realise you can build beats with 'resample' you start to realise the possibilities of this unassuming box. It doesn't come without limitation but they almost shape the way you make beats and there are ways around everything. I've not wanted to move back to my MPC since getting this beast. It takes time to master but the journey is fully worth it.

The SP-404 is one of the coolest little boxes you can buy. You need to think of this thing as a musical instrument. It has it's limitations, but so do guitars. If you're into making music, and actually feed off creative restriction as well as creative freedom then I can heartily recommend a 404.You can split the 404 into 3 sections. A live sampler section, a sequencer and an effects unit. You can use these in any combination or on their own.The sample pads are not velocity sensitive, but velocity data can be sent over midi if you want to trigger samples with another midi device like a keyboard, MPC type device.The sequencer is a bit clunky to use and I've tended to sequence samples on the computer and export them into the 404 as loopable phrases. You can then switch between these and trigger stuff over the top and use effects. I'm sure people with more patience can get a lot out of the sequencer though, which allows you to record and quantise the triggering of pads/samples.There are some really cool and characterful effects on the 404, you can have loads of fun with the delays, DJ randomiser type effects, reverb, bit crush etc. These can all be bpm synced to an external clock source like that from your DAW.When syncing to a DAW, you can get some latency, which is fine for live, but if you're recording you'll probably need to nudge it back into place.There's a little mic built in, which picks up a lot of the noise from hitting pads, or just touching the thing and it's not very good. That said it's really useful for getting little ideas in, or grabing sounds on the fly to effect. There's also a mic input so you don't need to use it anyway.This version of the sampler has an SD card slot (and card included) which is a massive step up from previous versions that used Smart media cards, ergh. There is no built in memory bank like it's predecessors, but that actually makes a lot of sense. With all sounds coming from the SD card you can switch out cards for different sets or songs without having a load of unrelated sounds on the first few banks. It's probable that the internal memory on older models was just out of necessity due to the low capacity of external storage cards at the time.It also takes batteries! So you can do all this music making on the bus. I love this thing, it's the kind of musical instrument you develop a relationship with, you accept it's flaws and use your initiative to get around it's shortcomings. So if you want to be able to do everything a million different ways, then just use Ableton. If you're ok with a little hard work mixed with instant fun, then get this.

Great machine for producing and making live effects. The fact you can sample anything so fast without connecting wires is one of the best features for me. It is simple to get into if you have used samplers before. I Can carry it about with me without question if need be. This is good for making lo fi quality gritty hip hop beats . Only thing is I paid for shipping charge included for delivery and when it reached UK it got held by parcel force where I Had to pay and extra 30pounds. Other than that. Im a happy constumer

Very good value for money sampling unit. What you put in is what you get out unless you tweak it a bit or change it out of recognition with the excellent effects (far better than I expected for this kind of money). The SD card slot enables immense memory. Very user friendly controls..you,ll be sampling within 10 mins of opening the box. Would have got 5 star if all inputs were 1/4" jack with XLR for mic but its really no hassle.

I had it from Thomann. It is nice thing but only for beginners. After 2-3 days I got tired of it. Some bad things about it: you need to remove card and stick to your PC in order to transfer samples, it used to freeze for me when applying effects. I returned it because of that actually. I also hate the red numbers, too aggressive. but that's manufacture's fault. I am buying SP 555 to see if I like this one. So far the videos are much more fun for it.