SP 404sx Setup and Tips

[Kurtz&Oswald]

Hi ! I'm new in this forum (I'm from France so sorry for my english), and I've just bought the sp 404sx. I'm rather satisfied with the product but I can't do what I really want to. I want to make beats like Samiyam, EQ, Madlib, etc. and I thought that it would be really easy and intuitive with the sp (I want to get rid of the computer).

In my head, that was :

- turntable plugged-in the sp
- I sample smthg
- I chop the sample on the sp
- I make the beat
- I add some bass via the mic input
- I add comp, eq, etc
- I record the whole thing on the computer (Audacity/Cubase...)

In reality, sampling seems to be impossible (I have to edit samples in Audacity ?) because the -30/30 thing is just to truncate the sample and the mark is just useless imo.

Moreover, I don't get the point with the mic input. Is this impossible to have a "normal" rec with it ? I want a metronome and to record it with my beat on playback...

Well, can you describe me in details how you proceed to create a song because I'm a bit lost even if I like this machine. Please help me

Thank you

Kurtz&Oswald

[yo-yo crunch]

I want to make beats like Madlib and I thought that it would be really easy.

well there's your first problem...

In reality, sampling seems to be impossible (I have to edit samples in Audacity ?) because the -30/30 thing is just to truncate the sample and the mark is just useless imo.

really? most people on here love the mark button & find it very quick

Moreover, I don't get the point with the mic input. Is this impossible to have a "normal" rec with it ? I want a metronome and to record it with my beat on playback...

you'll probably have better results with the rca's than the mic in

are you using pattern copy to create variations? thought that was one of the major features of the sx

[melodious]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UTVn4dEnOM

Mujo just used the resample method.

[springwater]

Best resample video ive seen. No talking, to the point. Is nice!!!

[Leptic P]

bienvenue , c'est loin d'être impossible de faire un beat avec le sp 404sx mais il y a un temps d'adaptation c'est sûr

[Kurtz&Oswald]

Aaaah c'est plus facile d'exprimer ses idées en français

J'imagine qu'il y a un temps d'adaptation mais est-ce que toi par exemple tu utilises ton pc en plus de la sp pour sampler ou faire des patterns ?

@yoyo crunch :
- I didn't want to say that making beats like Madlib was easy but the way to create it (the intuitive way).
- How do you use the mark ? Because when I use it, it is not accurate at all and I can use it only once.
- You mean that I can have the metronome and the playback whith the rca ? And if I want to record from my bass guitare, I don't know how to use the rca.

Thanks for your answers.

K&O



[EDIT] That video is really nice. I think I'll take the way of resampling method.

[Dr Van Nostrand]

you use mark to set the rough points, then fine tune with the start/end controls, super intuitive, fast, and easy, just keep playin with it and you'll get the hang of it

[Leptic P]

sorry to speak french mais oui je sample et découpe dans le sampler , essaie de mettre sur loop quand t'ajuste tes samples start et end et quand ça loop bien , normalement c'est bon . you're a beginner or an old schooler ?

[ImOnlySleeping]

the -30/+30 start end point process can be used more than once. For example,
- Hit start/end and turn the knob all the way to the right and hit start/end again.
- This second time turn the knob all the way in the opposite direction as the first time (Left for this example) and THEN hit start/end and turn it in the direction originally desired (Right in this case).

This process can be repeated multiple times until the very end or start of the sample recorded.
If you do this fast enough like Ive learned, this truncating "problem" is non existent.

I know you want to record the bass along with the song while its playing but its not possible with the 404, i think you might be able to (re)sample the ext source on the 303 only, from what Ive read.

There is a way around this somewhat..
- Play along with your pattern using ext source to hear your instrument.
- Practice your bass line or etc with the pattern playing so you can get the timing down.
- Now find a metronome, online or an app or something and play along to it while you sample your instrument.
- Then just truncate it to and add it in your pattern.

Another way is to record the instrument onto a cassette tape or computer while the the pattern is playing. Then sampling it from the tape or comp onto the 404.


Aside from all this, read your manual and learn how to do everything. READ it.. It shouldn't take too long and shouldn't be looked at as a chore.
Also check this section and Production techniques and just read stuff. People have found so many ways of utilizing and working with the 404s limitations.

[Kurtz&Oswald]

Thank you for all your answers !

I just created my first song which you can listen to here : https://soundcloud.com/glorys (check the "Maïa Gave Me The Rythm").
I used the resampling technique + audacity to chop the samples and record the stuff.

I'm more and more happy with the machine

[hseiken]

Just like any other tool, the more you use it, the more fluent you become with it and creative it becomes. Keep at it. The track you posted was pretty dope.