The 404 has never been the full package ..

The sequencer is a bitch for fluidity..I had the knack a 2 years ago but haven't bothered since

Resample can desynce if you play loops all the way through ( song duration .. Mine runs off sync always after a good 16 bars (with multi pads running ..sometimes obvious other times bare able)

To me its a sample storer/trigger pad/descent looper / qualiteee effects modular .. Can't haggle with the mfx!..

Before I sold my 404 (still looking for 505) I also used my 404 as a scratch pad recorder with other gear too, I used it for a podcast for level normalization and small sound effects and such and once I used it to record music off a tape so I wouldn't have to mess with busting out my computer audio interface.

It's just a good tool for all kinds of stuff..except sequencing.

i had a 404 once, i had similar problems syncing it via midi with a tascam dp01 or ableton live...i'm talking about sync clock troubles...mine started always 1/4 off the bmp tempo sync...

I don't really make beats on my 404 anymore either.

I just use it to gather a large amount of samples, then I use the magic mark button to trim them up, and then I sample it into something I can sequence properly with. I've always got it loaded up with a fresh set of batteries for catching those impromptu sample sessions

If the OG404 would save the BPM of the sequences after turning off the machine I think I would be much more willing to make full tracks with it, but as is it's too much pain and I find using resample to be pretty janky. I tend to get sample playback issues/glitches after a few resamples.

My introduction to 404 resampling was a case of love at first chop. My methods are crude so it works well for me. Chop it. Add effects. Get down. Minimalism maximized.

I've noticed the og 404 struggles more with staying on time than the sx. If you have the creativity and patience though you really can do anything you want on the 404 and get around it's 'flaws'

Even the manual say's the SX will drift over time.

Call me crazy, but I have no problem with using the 404 og/sx sequencer...

I like it.

I love the 404 for chopping samples and adding the lo fi goodness, but I sequence the samples using an mpc 2000 classic, I like to bring all the chaos into order with the mpc plus I feel like it gives the samples more of a punch!

A second system seems to be the way to go whenever feeling unsatisfied. I'm thinking of spending a day collecting and modifying samples on the SP. Then reloading them into Ableton and using my LPD8 to finger drum. Or maybe have 3 decks going and the third deck have loops.

I still love mine but even the loops that have been created out of the box (and in the box with tempo mark on) will, rather quickly, go out of sync. I find myself only ever using oneshot loops and triggering them as needed. The sequencer was still fine for me a few years ago but I haven't touched it in soooo long.

Honestly, I don't understand why any of the big companies haven't created a cheap quality sequencer. I know there are plenty; for example cirklon, OT, MPC which are all expensive but do a great job. I guess you could get an old MC but those aren't really that amazing. Finally, there are the two affordable options that I know of, the rs7000 and the electribes. I had the rs7000 and honestly didn't get on with it. Now the new electribes might finally make me happy but we'll see. I've never used an electribe before. Also, I guess the beat step is what I'm talking about but it seems pretty limited; idk bc haven't tried it.

I have the rytm and can honestly say it's the best box i've ever sequenced on. it's like the sp series and mc series combined. hands on, fast, intuitive and fun BUT it can't send midi WTF?! If it could simply send four tracks midi...

Final note; Does anyone else feel Roland has dropped the SP series entirely?

Roland released those new FA Fantoms this year which basically has an SP slapped to the top corner, but with more options. I think Roland is playing the wait and see game and milking the 404sx for all it's worth. Once the new tribes comes out it will put some pressure on Roland to put something out in that price range/feature list. It's just too bad Roland doesn't seem to give a damn about it's current user base and always leaves us in the dark and wishing we had the perfect SP.

the reality is that roland had made cool sequencers for cheap (boss dr660/770 or any MC groovebox line), or nice but not cheap sequencers (mc909, MVs...)...they could had improved at least a cool one for the SP line if only they had would (damn my english)...the 606 and the 505 are not that bad in therms of sequencers but, still, they lack of something (copy/paste parts in the same patterns, midi notes messages badly improved etc)...

Yeah when I get my hands on that new electribe sampler I'll be pushing that to the limits. Hopefully built in synths and drums will sound good on it's own or at least with customization. I have the EMX-1 but have barely used it since I bought it in 09, almost even sold it a few times. Mainly because some of the initial sounds sounded like midi or Super Nintendo quality 90s synths. After listening to house music on the Boiler Room for so long I've decided to check out the minimal house and techno hybrid scene and transferred all my SP, DAW, and drum machine knowledge over to tweaking the sounds on the EMX-1 to something better per song.

Anyway I don't know if these guys are just using the stock sound but here is the new electribe demo. I really want them to put out a demo of the sampler with boom bap, trap and trippy beat or dance music (Gold Panda or Blank Banshee style) on there so I can see if this will be a future machine for me.

https://soundcloud.com/korg/sets/electribe-demo-songs


Now as far as roland goes. I don't know I mean I guess a usb midi, DAW bonus, tighter sequencer and damn choke function would be a nice upgrade. SP's are always popping up in the underground circuit, so they've gotta be taking notes.

i like the 303/404 sequencer, mostly because its how i learned to make dope music, i guess a mpc is more legit, but im stickin with my guns on this one ,SP404 for everything