Hello everyone, first post here and an sp-404 owner for about a month. Currently, I only have the sp-404, but I'm hoping to expand since over the time I've had this wonderful machine I've realized how unintuitive the pattern sequencer is. Below is a summary of what I want to do, my only question is can it work like this an what type of interface I need.

I want to buy FL Studio and a MIDI controller, something like the launchkey. I'm hoping to be able to use the MIDI controller to control FL studio, and have the sp-404 running into the daw for sequencing. Basically, can I make beats with the sp-404, record directly into FL Studio while simultaneously using the midi controller to record something (like synth) over the sp-404 beat? Basically, my goal is to have the sp-404 playing my beat while using the MIDI controller to layer melody on top, all while recording into daw sequencer. I realize I'll need an interface, but before I buy all of this, I want to know if it will even work as I want it to.

Thanks in advance for your help.

You can record the audio of the 404 into fl. Edit it so that it loops and then play a melody with a vst later. Doing it simultaneous is pointless and I'm pretty sure when your recording you can't do that anyway. But yes fl can do that. The MPK mini is a good alternative to the launch key....since your gonna cop an interface. The launch key is made for like ableton because it's like the launchpad. It works for every DAW it's just tailored to work with ableton.
Also if you want to sequence the 404 perfectly you can buy a midi to USB cable on eBay for 5 bucks or get an interface with midi in and outs and buy a midi cable.
PM me if you have questions about this setup

Thanks!

fl studio 11 launchpad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG5U3pM1FW0

I'm giving him an alternative to the launchkey because he needs an interface and an mpk mini could save him some money to be put towards a good interface.
Your link doesnt help anyone.

The novation stuff is now able to work with FL. Great. It doesnt help the OP

He has a 404. Even if he wanted to perform live...he probably wouldnt use FL. He'd use his 404

Im sure FL studio can record incoming input and midi at the same time. Never did it to be honest but I can totally see how it would work because fl studio record is global so as long as you have a midi input working, it should record those notes once you hit record and also grab the input. Thing about fl studio, its a pain in the ass to route things. I had a hell of a time figuring it out but once i did, it was like "oh". But honestly, you should use the edison editor to record cause its sort of like a "recorder/editor" so you can go nuts, becord chunks of shit, then select chunks and drag em into the timeline to arrange. Would make sense to record one at a time but i can see why you wanna work on the fly, just get busy and get er done. Hopefully you have some extra hands or some shit.
As far as the midi controller, not sure why people suggested a launchpad, just grab the smallest controller you can find for cheap and you got keys.
Oh, and fl studio has made it so you can work like you would in ableton. With their launch clips timeline thing, worth checking into.