this link lets you click on a close up pic! it looks dope-

http://www.roland.co.jp/products/jp/SP-555/index.html

Oh, oh, what do I see here? A control for overdubbing? Now if it had something like a transport control with play, pause, fast forward and rewind, along with a radout on the display...

Hmm, I better think about this first.

EDIT: It's only powered by AC and no option for batteries.

You can use Babelfish to translate the pages:

http://babelfish.altavista.com/

looks like the same shit as a 404, doesnt look like they even put in a pitch shift

wow. That thing is huge. With that size, they could have build in a real screen, I mean look at it.And I had to giggle when I read the words 'super filter' on the button.

I just noticed. If the pads are the same size as on the 404 (and they are) that thing is 2 sp404 wide. Thats way to big to carry around.

performance-wise, this has some great features the 404 lacks

i bet it'll cost a fair bit though

It looks mad, especially the live looper, new fx, midi out(!), computer compatibility, velocity sensitive pads and d-beam synth!

Although i wont be upgrading my 404 to it anytime soon. Mainly because, the reason i dig the 404 so much, is that its so compact and portable. Its a very simple peice to navigate, and all these extra features and pads make it now double the size and in addition, most of these features arent nessessary at all!

Also, the biggest drawback of the 404 is the pattern sequencer. Its barely usable! and to see that roland havent updated it(judging by the manual), is very dissapointing. Almost everyone at this forum uses the 404 as a mini-mpc beat machine, apposed to live DJ tool that it was intended to be. and it is now obvious that roland have ignored their key demographic for grooveboxes like the 404, as this sp-555 is clearly targeted towards live dj's with the looper, d-beam and other add-ons. Even check the pics of dj's using it on the roland site..


The MPC500 is too expensive and the workflow of that machine isnt very desirable. If roland catered more towards the beatmakers(who are clearly taking advantage of the 404 more than live dj's) and offered a decent sequencer with ease of use, and portability of the 404, they would clearly have a winner. well maybe next time.....

i am feeling the fact the the operation and button functions is the same as the 404/303, so the intuitive great workflow remains. The live loop capture for me is a great alternative to the basic sequencer. I think its gonna be dope for 404 users. As long as the sound engine is identical to the 404 i will be happy. peace to all and a blessed weekend!!

also another thing-- i am not sure but i think that live loop capture feature is going to eliminate the need for the flying lotus trick. ??

Yeah, in the next version, which could be named...wait for it...the SP-666!

Although, i gotta admit that im curious to hear the "lo-fi comp" effect.

For what it's worth, Roland has some videos up showing the 555 in action.

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=902

im diggin this big time. Live loop capture is what sampling has been missing for years...being able to sample while you play your sequence