obv sp12/1200 emulation will always b inferior 2 any sound produced by the machine itself, but beyond sample rates every machine has its own character n we'd all do well 2 embrace the limitations/advantages o each n judge accordingly.
tru the 404 can sound a little tinny comparatively but i also own n use a 303, 505, 606 and mp1000, they all have their own unique sound, they can all serve a purpose in the broader process/practise. there r heaps o discussions in the board archives discussing n comparing 303/404/505 lofi/sampling rates. i do tend to use the 404 more as a hub simply for speed/capacity reasons.
sometimes i have 2 sample 2 (or thru) the 303 or the mp 2 get the basic sound i'm after, 404 and 606 most always in the chain. my process order isn't static, switch it up constantly. use cassette a lot 2 get warmth if needed, either as clean as possible thru graphics eq in2 stereo deck or rough grimy n mono in2 little portables wi playback speed adjust, can b implemented at any point in process.
plus o course the sp effects can b handy to add some colour/dull it, big fan o radio tuning n using the djfx as a pitch shifter.
my bad, didn't realise u were talking specif about the crunchy emu sp sound. in regards 2 roland/boss sp machines - no contest the first lofi sampling rate on the 303 n the 505. i like 2 eq highs out a bit after also.
yeah its a good idea to eq out a bit of the highs afterwards, or even record it to tape afterwards cause that usually does that quite a lot on my machine
i record my miniak out through the headphones output (mono) cause im lazy if that counts haha
sorry if this has been talked about a lot, i shouldve known really
i definitely want to pick up either a 303/505 (got the 404 and 202) anyway