Hey SP-fam,

After lurking on here for a bit, it seems like the sp forums are a lot more of a chill bunch than the mpc-forums.

As a quick background, I have been using a MPC2500 for about 3 years now, sampling vinyl, breaks, whatever sounds good. (http:tunnelno5.bandcamp.com) I think it's about time I've wanted a new sampler and I'm so curious with the SP404sx. I love how you sample by ear, how small the sampler is, and it just sounds really nice.

After getting a general feel of the SP, I came across a more specific question. I am fully aware that the SP's don't have a tune sample function like the MPC which I rely a lot on.

1) I'm aware there are two methods of making a loop, the first using the sequencer, and the second just recording it onto a pad and trimming the start/end.
2) I can get a drumbreak looped on the SP404sx using both methods, however, how do I get a sample looped on top? For example, if the break is 94 bpm, and the sample loop line I want to overdub is 82, how do I do this? In my MPC, I used to just change the tune of the loop line to get the 82 to 92 bpm. Do I just have to keep sampling the record with different speeds?

Sorry for the long read, you can probably tell how much I'm itching, haha thanks!

hit the time/bpm button and turn the time knob to timestretch your loop to match the drums. there will be artifacts and clicks but if you're only stretching within 10 bpm or so it won't be too bad. its in the manual.
also i believe the 202 and 505 have chromatic pitch if you need that

peace

It might be worthwhile to just buy a 202 on a whim and start playing around… if you like your results you can bounce it to your 2500.. I do this with a 404 and a 202, but I am planning to buy an MPC sometime in the near future just to get more chop/sequencing options.


I love the 404. I've had one since they were introduced to the market.. I've also had a few 202's.. so I would definitely recommend both devices

Hey guys, thanks for the answers. I ordered my 404sx, hopefully I will get it in the mail by next week and my 2500 can take a little break.

I've been doing some research on the 404sx until I get it, so I was wondering,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJl6agjRjIE

What's happening at 2:15? It seems like pad 2 and pad 4 are lit up and looping. Is the keyboard sample on pad 2 and the drum loop on pad 4 or vice versa? How did he get the two samples to fit together without a pitch shift, was it pitched correctly on the turntable before sampling?

Thanks for the patience guys, the workflow seems so different but natural on the SP's.

I'm going to take a guess and say he's just playing pre made sequences that were recorded from the MPC2500. Each pad is like it's one beat/sequence. I would also say that all tempos were decided beforehand and samples were pitched and beat matched before they were put on the 404.

thanks^

it also seems like the effects on the 404sx can be applied to pads and not sequences?

You can apply effect to one or more pads, or all - which ever are triggered in that sequence will have the effect.

A lot of folks will resample (ie, add a sample to an effect) beforehand to get around the 1 effect limit, like adding reverb to a snare first as a new sample, then on overall sequence (effect across all samples) add compression/bit crush, etc.

this is a hella setup you're working on here. best of both worlds.

@OP

CHOP CHOP