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 Post subject: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Tue Jul 28, 2009 10:49 am 
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Hi,

Everybody is claiming the superiority of the sound of the sp-303, I would like to see how different is the sound in reality.
Can someone be so kind to post 2 audio samples, one done with the 303 and one done with the 404? Try to use the same sample source...
It would be interesting to see if the difference is really so clear..

Thanks a lot!


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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:02 am 
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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 2:52 pm 
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BUMP

I'd like to see tha results too! :)

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:29 pm 
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Disclaimer: I only have an SP-404SX but no SP-303, so my opinion on the SP-303 is based upon the music I've heard on this forum. Check the "Your Music" and "SP-303 Tips and Tricks" sections for examples.

Keep in mind that I'm pretty pedantic when it comes to sound quality - if I can't record properly so the recording sounds exactly or at least almost like the original output from the machines I record, I'm pissed. I couldn't live with onboard soundcards on PCs for example - they're horrible.



From all I've heard there is no such thing as superiority of the SP-303 - on the contrary: It sounds all muffled and lofi, with a severe cut in high frequencies, and clearity isn't there. The SP-404SX on the other hand, pretty much stays neutral in the best sense - what you put in is what you get out of it. I've used 10s of different drummachines/samplers/synthesizers/grooveboxes in the last years and my audio interface/mixer/amplifier/speaker combination is proper, so I dare say I am able to judge here.

That means, the use of the SP-303 is limited to music where such a sound character is desired and sought after. To make it clear, muffled sound without much high frequency content is what people generally consider as "warm" and/or "raw". Hiphop/Rap/Triphop and the likes come to mind.
The SP-404SX, on the other hand, is much better suited for anything else where you want your machine to sound generally clean and proper. You're always able to add dirt afterwards where desired - while being able to maintain an overall good quality of the whole mix.

I am very aware of the fact that many people here really like the sound character of the SP-303 - it sure has character. Just none I'd personally like. The technical sound quality is simply too bad for my needs.

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:21 am 
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I have the sp202, sp404, & sp404sx. I think the 202 & 303 sound quality is identical, based on my buddy's 303. So, you have three types of sound here. My styles are hiphop, industrial, noise, etc. On my 202 I sample exclusivly in the "lo-fi 1" setting, and my samples are all loops mostly a couple of bars long. I sample NY style hiphop from the 1995 era, so making a Wu loop more raspy only works in a club with heads or punks...for big party djs this would sound amateur rather than experimental. 202/303 is best for actual vinyl DJ rigs and nostalgia.

The 404 is a different creature. This one tries to be very "clean" b/w wide ranges on the effects to allow grit to be layered through resampling, but also those who like clean electro can sequence w/o the pops from the grit making seams.

Now, the 404sx, on the other hand, has continued away from the grimey roots of the Dr Sample in several ways. First, it comes loaded with preset sounds that are way more bright and punchy than the highest fidelity of the 202, and even slightly more vivid than the regular 404. Also, the SX has limited the extreme knob ranges on the effects to make it jaded to loose control of your tone. I hate that, because I'm not into clean electro...I like to mash my sounds to he'll, and the SX won't drive me all the way w/o nearly ten resample cycles. The thing does not specialize in "ugly" but sounds more like Justice/MSTRKRFT style of electric noise rather than Dilla/Doom/Madlib.

So, it's more pro for techno/electro subgenres, and no genre with nostalgia like vinyl. I'm still keeping my SX and selling my 404, b/ it won't makes the punk kids like me more. Thank goodness I keep my 202 in the rig, even though my power supply replacement (from Roland) is unreliable.

All units have a distinct character all the way down to the grains in the tone and how the effects grab onto those grains to create varying degrees of synthetic textures. In the 202 it's a raspy and warm character that it makes possibly, but the 404 character clearly has a digitized feel like comparing a Digitech guitar pedal to a more analog-style digital pedal. Both digital, but one is computery sounding with thin crisp tones and the other is more "raw" with a gravely potential and more loyalty to the low end and lower fidelity.


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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:54 am 
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Chiming in here... I'm primarily into lofi sound. I have a 202, 303 and 404SX. The SX on the surface seems much cleaner (the factory samples are defintely hella bright). The 202 is a dirtbag, much love for it too! For me, the 303 more like the perfect balance between these opposing forces. I find the sound very appealing when resampled and run thru it's effects. It's very easy to make things just kinda glue together with the 303 in a lofi way. The SX has been an eye opener because initially it just seemed mad clean coming from the 303/202. However, I'd have to factor in a few things. The 202/303 are older technology, totally different A/D converters, all different bitrates. The 202/303/404 also compress the files, where the SX doesn't. Also the 202 and 303 are old ebay snags which have probably been abused quite a bit... the outputs are noisy (especially the 202), while the SX is quiet like a mouse... so maybe some abuse with bring out some more character. That being said, I've found the SX really good for running into my external compressor (FMR RNLA) then into a the ol' 4 track then right back in the SX. In that sense, it's cleanliness is a gift, because sometimes I've found performing the same process with the 303/202 muddies it up too much.

I wish they would make a 303SX. Keep everything that gives the 303 it's character, but throw in a SD card, fast ass processor, and 12 pads. Still love the 404SX tho... it's just gonna take a slightly different approach.

When I get a chance I'll sample some stuff... maybe do a blindfold taste test. Upload the files but not id which are which. So you can see if you can figure it out based on the audio.

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:21 pm 
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Props ModuLR! You really summed that up better than I could, by mentioning bitrate. You also made me feel a little better about my SX, but now I kinda want a 303 as well.


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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:30 am 
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i have a 202, 505 and a 404.

i am pretty sure that the 505 has the same A/D converters as the 303 (someone can jump in here!), and i can mos def say that the 505 is dirtier than the 404.

the 404 is (i think) still a little gritty, but the 505 totally changes the tone of the samples going in and in resample and, as said above ^^ makes everything sorta gel together.

the 404 offers a much truer sample.

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:37 am 
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aight, the sp challenge! lol.

Samples are from a 202, 303, and 404SX ... and to throw in some curveballs, the lofi modes where used all the samples as well resulting in 8 samples. They are labeled A-H and in a random order.

so let's see how keen those ears are...

Peep the samples here

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 10:32 pm 
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Thanks for posting ModulR!!
Ima listen to the samples as soon as I have more free time.
peace man, and once more thanks!

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:42 am 
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def! I'm curious to see if people can tell what's what...

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 2:57 am 
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thanks for posting. i would be happy if i got just one right. let me know how i did

1) 303 in lofi
2) 404
3) 404 in lofi
4) 303
5) 202
6) 404 in lofi
7) 303
8.) 202 in lofi

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 8:06 am 
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a few more guesses and I'll reveal the factoids... hehe!

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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:27 am 
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Uhuu the thread is getting interesting ;) good! :evil:


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 Post subject: Re: sp-404 vs. sp-303 sound comparison
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 4:51 pm 
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you know, it's harder to figger out than i thought it would be.

if i remember correctly, the 202 / 303 have lo-fi, long and standard. here are my guesses:

A - 202 lo-fi
B - 303 lo-fi
C - 202 long
D - 303 standard
E - 404 lo-fi
F - 303 long
G - 404 standard
H - 202 standard

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