What's up guys,

I've had the sp-404sx for few months now and I was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on whens a good time to use the QUANTIZE button and explain it in the best layman's terms as possible. I have no experience prior to this machine, but I think its fair to say I know all the functions of the 404sx.

Thanks!

p.s. random tricks and tips are greatly appreciated too!

soundcloud.com/johnsondontsurf

Sometimes it can be cool to quantise the snares to 16ths and the first kick you hear as your pattern starts, now you have a solid timing helping backbone to work with.
Now you take off the quantise and free drum in all your kicks (except the very first one). This way your kicks have a free moving feel while and the first kick keeps it all together in time, this first kick stops that problem of accidentally free drumming your first kick too early after the pre recording count and losing it from the recording.
Anyway now record the hi hats unquantised also,
Another thing is to layer up that snare with un quantised snares over the top to add a swingy shuffle sound

now the beat will have the illusion of sounding unquantised and free but with good timing.

Thanks a bunch, dude. I'll try that right now. When you record a pattern sequence how long do you usually put the length at? I usually use 2 or 4 .

thanks again



soundcloud.com/johnsondontsurf

dude your soundcloud rules!!

sick stuff!!




[url]soundcloud.com/johnsondontsurf[/url]

I never quantize, I'm forever off time! ( that line said "on time" before I corrected it. . . its still kind of bullshit with all the looping I do..
BASICLY,
I BREAK STENCILS AND MAKE PENCILS AND PADS DO MY THING WITH ME


this sparked that rhyme, thanks!

and LCW, I would try that method out if I wasn't so insanely stubborn. <that's me looking in a mirror

I never use quantize on 404. Sometimes, I might load something that is 'computer perfect' onto 404, but then it's made imperfect again because you can never loop things perfect by ear, you only get approximation.


Oh, one time I used the PC sequencer for 404 to spit out a selection of Amen break patterns, but again, I recorded them to tape and resampled them back in, triggered without assistance.

Quantize is good for certain kinds of music, for others, it's an option.

[quote="RockySullivan"]dude your soundcloud rules!!

sick stuff!!
quote]

Thanks man I appreciate that a lot. This technique is just one of a few that works in some situations.

But I totally agree with everyone that says they don't quantise, by totally bypassing the traditional use of the sequencer (with or without quantise) and using the resample method, I've found it becomes so easy to lay down and switch up different timing grooves, which can give a unique feel to every track and give it more life. I wish I found out about it years ago.

if using the sequencer, i'll often quantize snares to quarter notes, trigger the sample at the top to quarter note, then everything else is unquantized. it still sounds like nothing is quantized. i can make a 2-4 bar beat in like 30 seconds this way

Quantize is for babies haha