Roland SP-404 user reviews ( 8/10) - 16 user reviews

• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  Characteristics

  Jam-packed for it's size and price, without making you jump through 500 button-combos. Everything is nearly self-explanatory, with a small bit of re-reading bits of the manual to "get it". Light-up buttons make it great for a darker area, you can have the area around the LED pulse to the BPM. The effects are nice for a unit this price, controllability is easy, and you can throw it in and use the effects on inputs-in. Lots of banks, a huge improvement over the last 303. Built-in mic and of course- it's battery operated. Make beats on the bus. The "sub pad", when hit, plays the last pad you hit on the 1-12 area. Perfect for rolls and doubling up. But I will say- I really really wish it had velocity-sensitive pads. I mean, this can be remedied by resampling your snares and such at lower volumes, but it's annoying. This thing is awesome for DJing though- whether used for live effects or sample triggering. Say you made a new track- throw it on and use it that night. The pads are crisp and hit on time. But watch out for the pitch- as usual, it sucks when pushed past the +/- 3 area. A very, very good multi-use machine, especially for the price.
  
  
  
  $400 USD

  Utilization

  Very easy. Pick it up and start hitting away. I figured out most of it within 20 minutes of tinkering with it.
  
  
  
  Metal faceplate, rubber pads, plastic bottom. Haven't had many problems with it's durability yet, it has a semi-heavy feel to it. I was quite surprised by the quality feel of it, a major jump from the sp-303.

  Sounds

  What more can you say? 44.1khz cd-quality sampling. It actually doesn't weaken down bass. Straight-sampling. You can also EQ while importing (helpful if you're importing directly without a mixer/anything else).

  Overall Opinion

  It's a great machine. Yes, you can make beats on it. But be warned- the sequencer blows hard. It sucks. It's best just to hit them live into something else. Other than the sequencer and the non-velocity-sensitive pads, it's a complete machine for sample triggering, looping, and basic effect-functions. Quality through and through, and can support up to 1gb compactflash cards.
  
  
  
  Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
  
  Posted by: nickp ( 3-, 2006)
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• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  Characteristics

  Amazing efx section! 'DJ Efx Looper', 'Sub-sonic' are some of the new stuff. Really kool stuff! BAttery operation!! sampling is very easy. resample, trim, loop, reverse. editing is simple too. sequence section: very simple to make patterns: many features for u to play around with. very light!
  
  
  
  Price paid
  
  
  
  $285

  Utilization

  This baby will shoot your music production speed to the roof!!
  
  
  
  I'm using it for 3 months. No problem.

  Sounds

  Fantastic sound! 24 bit! sampling from other media (cd, tapes) is very easy with superb quality. In-built miic usage not recommended. But there is an external mic input; use it for your field recording (battery operation!!)

  Overall Opinion

  Sexy!. looks fantastic beside my 2 cdj turntables.
  
  
  
  Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
  
  Posted by: abba ( 1-, 2006)
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• 12/14/05

  MGR/Dave Small's review "Roland SP-404 Sampler"

  Characteristics

  Utilization

  Sounds

  Overall Opinion

  Have been playing acoustic and electric guitar for over 35 years, both professionally and as a hobby. Have a home recording studio and a home performance stage where we hold monthly house concerts. Play mostly jazz, light rock, and vintage country. Playing style: chord/melody, finger-picking; use thumbpick and Alaska picks on three fingers.
  
  
  
  Purchased late November, 2005 by mailorder from Sweetwater. Price: $395, including shipping. Planned to use the device to trigger drum fills, intros, and endings in my one-man-band configuration. Also wanted to add a few sound effects. All of this is controlled by a foot pedal. The unit has met my expectations quite nicely.
  
  
  
  The SP-404 has striking visual appeal: what appears to be a brushed aluminum finish with flashing amber buttons and a green pulsating light that flashes in time with the beat, or that just flashes when there is no beat. Nicely laid out control board; large buttons; well-labeled. I also like the fact that it is compact. Some might prefer a rack-mount version. Importantly, the manual is easy to follow, quite unlike some Roland manuals of years past.
  
  
  
  I have not found a way to copy patches from one location to another and I do not think it has this capability. The internal memory is very limited and a couple of Flash cards will be needed for most users. You cannot turn off a sample while it is playing unless you first go to the Loop mode -- a minor hassle. The external mic jack accepts a quarter-inch plug; an XLR jack would have been nice also. These are not major complaints.
  
  
  
  Build quality is first-rate. It feels light but solid. Controls will withstand normal-to-hard use. The most important thing is that the sampled sounds are outstanding; what you put in is what you get out -- no degradation of the signal that is perceptable. I am very satisfied in this regard and that is the main reason I am going to hang on to this unit.
  
  
  
  The SP-404 really fills the bill as an entry-level and/or special-purpose sampler. After many experiences in using Roland equipment, it has helped to change my mind about Roland with regard to ease of use and decipherable manuals. On the one occasion I had to contact Roland customer service, the reponse was quick and informative (the call was about how to connect the SP to another MIDI device). In sum, I have no regrets about purchasing the SP-404. A happy camper.
  
  
  
  This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com
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• 02/06/13

  pulvonium's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  See other opinions

  Utilization

  Completely neophyte with this type of machine, I e got out quite easily with the manual.

  Sounds

  Correct for my use

  Overall Opinion

  I purchased this product for launch in condions sounds and live only for that.
  
  I need a device that responds instantly, if possible with a button sound.
  
  This device was recommended to me for this purpose and has fully met my expectations very specific.
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• 05/05/12

  covax's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Practice but limited"

  Characteristics

  See data sheet.
  
  The RCA plug is not magic ...
  
  The knobs are soft but pleasant.
  
  It's a bit boring sometimes to adjust the contours of samples but to control the effects it should.
  
  
  
  Samples are recorded in the length you want. Depending on the way to work, it may prove valuable.

  Utilization

  Getting started is easy. It's nice.
  
  The sample editing is limited but may be sufficient.
  
  Effects have little control. Again it may be sufficient.

  Sounds

  The converters are good. To say they are clear I'm not sure. However, I do not think they degrade the sound, it is just a little different. In this price range is pretty good.
  
  
  
  I joined the opinions regarding changes to the bpm of samples that distort the sound completely. Indeed inaudible.
  
  But overall, the effects are pretty good. It remains consistent with all.

  Overall Opinion

  Everything depends on the use made of it.
  
  I've owned for 2 years. Never able to properly use the pattern sequencer. Must say, its use was limited to throwing one-shot effect with or without a complement to other machines.
  
  I insérais also a synth (Micron).
  
  
  
  In this application there is super-convenient. On occasion it's worth it.
  
  The machine is extremely strong, it seems indestructible.
  
  
  
  After if it is to create beats I think the disappointment will be at the rendezvous.
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• 10/15/11

  deums's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " can"

  Characteristics

  effects, so good!
  
  
  
  memory: you have to buy maps or often be doing the transfer, or have no need of many samples.
  
  
  
  the connection is good (may be missing a rehearsal MIDI).

  Utilization

  The general configuration is it simple? vi vi vi!
  
  
  
  The manual is clear and sufficient? vi as
  
  
  
  Editing sounds and effects is it easy? sounds okay, blah effects via the two knobs is not the top.

  Sounds

  The A / D converters and D / A are transparent? not. In addition, it will not change the tempo too, especially the slowing because cutting ..... means more than that.
  
  
  
  The effects and filters are effective? they would be if the control was better managed.
  
  
  
  The dynamics are respected? is very average!

  Overall Opinion

  How long have you use it? several years.
  
  
  
  Have you tried many other models before buying it? a box!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  What is so special that you love the most, least?
  
  
  
  +
  
  
  
  the mobile side
  
  the use of effects for other devices
  
  
  
  -
  
  
  
  monitoring the effects
  
  
  
  too bad there have not more than controls (general) through noon to integrate it into the HS at home.
  
  
  
  the fact of not being able to loop the line (if required feedback hack (they have the function only on the SP555))
  
  
  
  bpm in the non syncro
  
  
  
  having to put all the samples in pattern in advance in order to put the tempo then (via soundbite micro sync)
  
  
  
  sound lousy if you slow down the bpm (unlistenable)
  
  
  
  the microphone is a shit, or it is badly placed in the machine, or both (the record is pathetic)
  
  
  
  
  
  How would you rate the quality / price? a total rip off (it goes that I had bought too dear to US
  
  
  
  With experience, you do again this choice? no, but I use it anyway since I still have. (The so called new SP 404 named "SX" is in the same vein .... shit!
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• 10/31/10

  tom.saouz's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Everything has been said in other reviews

  Utilization

  Simple configuration but may be too simple to record-level samples: very apreoximatif ...
  
  The manual is clear and simple
  
  editing and sound effects is easy

  Sounds

  Very Good sounds nearly perfect with 24-bit converters, but I noticed a small noise when the pads are flashing ..
  
  the effects are nice except a few who are bof
  
  dynamics is observed has almost

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for 7 months and I think it is really good
  
  I have not tried other models
  
  I love the sound quality is really good
  
  value for money is really good!
  
  With the experience I REFERRED the same choice:) Although I
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• 08/01/10

  goka's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " expensive toy"

  Characteristics

  everything has been said
  
  pads buttons everywhere, but much to learn ..

  Utilization

  use is fairly simple but the foutage of mouth for my liking:
  
  No-correct interface to work with so no sampling precision to make this what this thing is built, the sampling
  
  -A memory card that costs not included with the skin c..
  
  obviously because the machine has no memory super
  
  - A recording made more than doubtful and approximate
  
  brief

  Sounds

  sound effects and very average

  Overall Opinion

  short I bought to add electronic sounds / samples on stage in my rock band
  
  but I soon dropped the case! no commercial use is possible with this toy amateur dj's .. because it is nothing other than that .. I knew the toys cheaper and more fun than that in musical
  
  but hey since I discovered the world of machines I hope all the electro stuff is not foutage of mouth like that because I feel if I'm going to make something ..
  
  to prevent
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• 04/02/08

  odonaxavierodona's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  All is said below

  Utilization

  ...

  Sounds

  ...

  Overall Opinion

  I possde for 3 days, I wanted to buy new (349 Euros) in possder a story in an impeccable state, with original power (because the heat quickly branded) and manual (in French & English).
  
  
  
  Possdant dj Boss Sp 303, I had no trouble mastering the BTE is the same but with more memory, especially the Wave and AIFF formats, a few more effects and a micro Intgr and it runs on batteries (for info: 9 LR06 batteries or AAA 1V5, autonomy? Do as I advise you alkaline: just over 6 hours, attention the more you use the bass sounds, the more the batteries wear out quickly).
  
  
  
  This is an extremely good sampler sold, trs complete and the report quality price (I remind you that I bought new) is excellent.
  
  
  
  Choice again, without any hsitation
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• 01/02/08

  Tom29100's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  See more reviews

  Utilization

  ""

  Sounds

  ""

  Overall Opinion

  I'm using this sampler for a year now and since that is only happiness ... !
  
  
  
  Sincerely, facing such a product, the report qualitprix is ​​unbeatable. The sampler provides all the functions sufficient over 29 effects! We also use a face trs intuitive, edition of practice patterns I find, Night with the "quantize" that s' avre very useful.
  
  
  
  The sound is CD quality, nothing to say of the cot if n is a lightweight breath al increase in the master ... The pads are hard and good stuff like the way (I have quite a mop!)
  
  
  
  I appreciate also the possibility of an internal MIDI connections for connecting my keyboard ac matre. Taking phone and the internal microphone is cleverly penss tools.
  
  
  
  A brief sampler VERY GOOD dtour worth a place with dignity and that before other MPC and KORG AKA home. THANKS ROLAND!
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