So, I don't actually have either. I'm super interested into getting into sampler based music, and have been trying to save up for an sp404 for awhile...but with obstacles coming up in the future, I'm going to have to wait.

And I've been super stoked watching vids of the 404 in use, and hearing beats made with it. But then I watched this cat Boon Doc chop up a sample using an MPC 1000 and it seemed like that thing was the real deal.

So what do you recommend, when I finally get around to it?

Save up a little extra for a second hand MPC 1000, or a brand new sp 404?

i'd go with the 404 first and then you can add an MPC to your setup later if feel like you need to expand your setup. i had intentions of getting an MPC 1000 when i first got my 404. i thought the 404/1000 combo would be nice but now im more leaning towards the 500 and adding some FX pedals and a synth to my setup.

I've seen that dude Boon Doc and he has some nice beats, but to be honest his shit isn't that great. All he does is take 2 bars (from a sample) then chops that into 16 eighth notes. Then lays out some drums and fucks around with the chops til something sounds good.

He's nice on it but you gotta get more creative with the chops! Or at least not do the same thing every time. Who's with me on that one?

Oh yeah, it's definitely simple stuff. I just like that style of hip hop with old soul/r&b samples. It just seemed like the chopping up process would be be way easier on an MPC.

I know vids and music can inspire you to get a machine but you gotta remember that all sampler/sequencers do pretty much the same thing. I am a sample based producer who owns a 1k and a 404. The only thing i really like better about the 1k is the pitch control other than that I dont feel limited by either machine. Even though to me the 404 has a better workflow and is more inspiring.

you're spot on re: chops, Olerud

i think the 404 helps you create more unique chop points and avoid some routine.

Olerud is definitely right. Dudes nice with that style, but that's been done ever since the mpc came around. If you want to step yo game here's what you do. \This will take two full banks to do\

On bank c make 4 pads with bass chops, 4 pads with instrument chops, and last 4 pads with Kick, Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat, and snare.

On bank d duplicate the bass and instrument chops on the first 8 pads but this time use resample to layer your Kick, Hi-Hat, Open Hi-Hat, and Snare over them and since all off this is multiples of 4 the kit lays out perfectly over each set of 4 chops.
Now on the last 4 pads of bank d make 4 combinations of the bass and instrument samples layered together.

Now just open up a recording program or mulitrack and play you whole composition live.

Get nice like that and I don't matter what sampler you use 'cause your playing a rhythm based song and the best rhythms come from humans and nature, machines are just an extension or magnification of that inherent ability.

Just listen to the beat on my soundclick thing called SpaceIsTheplace to hear how I used that technique.

pleeeeese not this again.....

We all know by now that the 1000 can mow lawns, cut hair, make tea, mind your kids, drive you to work....etc. Best machine ever.

Regardless of what you're going for, remember that it's not the tools that makes a great artist, it's the artist using the tools. What I mean with that is, it's possible to make sick beats on the MPC1000 like Boon Doc does (however difficult it really is, I wouldn't know), but the same is true for the SP-404. I've heard tons of great beats already all produced on just the SP-404 alone.

There's no doubt that both machines aren't quite comparable from a feature point of view, the MPC1000 clearly has more features, but that doesn't mean it's better than the SP-404. You can make great music on both machines, if you know how to handle them.

Don't let cheesy commercials or impressive artists fool you, any tool takes practice to master and some might never be able to produce beats like Boon Don on the MPC1000.

In all honesty there both dope machines but you should go to a music store and try them out yourself!1000 has mad features but I truly believe all those features only hinder you and take away from the creative process.The 404 or any other SP-xox machine is pure freedom!Free from menus and sub menus free from assiging your samples to a pad and having to scroll all your sounds into that pad etc!
Put it this way the 1000 is like a guitar with no strings,and every time you wanna play it you gotta string up the guitar and tune!The SP-xox is a guitar all ready to go boom!Dont let heads tell you that you need all this pro gear and shit!these so called toys is where its at!lol


and yo DR.SAMPLE mad props on how you made that beat I have a feeling that J DILLLA did the same shit for his beats for the DONUTS album!

Yeah Lord B,
I share your opinion that Dilla made Donuts with that process.He said that he wanted to go back to the basics because he was sick of fools jacking his ideas and what better way to use a 303 as an instrument and not sequence it then rearrange the results with Pro Tools.
The 404 and the 1k are 2 great machines but the strength of the 404 is the limitations and one is free to work on his ideas and get creative.

lol... Well, the MPC is a great sequencer. Ive never been a huge fan of it as a sampler but it gets the job done. But if you want just a sampler that will sequence itself then id say go for an SP hands down. And I would buy one second hand. Alot of stoopid beginners with no rhythm will buy an SP and say how wak it is but little do they know that they are the source of the wakness (this was me when I first got my 303...lol) anyway.... those people put them up on ebay so they can buy an MPC or something and u can get em dirst cheap. And if you want the best of both worlds you may be interested in the SP-505. Ive seen them go for less than $250 and they have alot of the good features of MPCs.

PSSL is clearing out they stock of 606s, so you might want to grab that shit. as soon as me tax check hits i'm all over it hope they got some left. i'm talkin 450 man give me a fuckin break.

http://www.pssl.com/

it's not on their site but call 'em up it's in the catalog.

After reading all the responses, I think I'm more inclined to go with the 404.

A lot of you brought up features as a negative/positive, and that's basically what I was curious about: both machines are capable of what I'd like to do, but does either have make/break features or interfaces that make them totally worth it in comparison.

I'm new to sampling, and I think that I'd definitely rather have a more user friendly machine that is more click and go. Apparently that would be the 404.

And yeah, I definitely understand the artist vs equipment thing. My main desire into just making generic hip hop beats really easily. I just am more of a solitary musician, and a sampler would help me create a bigger sound/do more complicated things without having to hire somebody to stand there and hit a drum at the right time or something.

The freedom/independence idea is definitely what I'm after. So I guess it's the sp404 for me.

You'll enjoy the 404 and it's can be found used for fairly cheap.