6 months with 404sx, no beats yet

[iThinkTooMuch]

Ive been trying to make shit with 404sx for the past 6 months that i have owned it, i know all its functions but no matter how hard i try my beats sound weak. I also dont know how to find samples yet because all i use is youtube, and i have no vinyl player so i cant go crate digging yet. I know many of you use DAWs along with your SP's, and yes i do make a lot of stuff on a DAW, but i was just wondering how i can get started with this shit?

My problems:

1. no sample sources
2. using some jdilla/boombap addict/boombap kits i have downloaded from the net, sound weak even with isolator on them.
3. idk where to start, on fl studio i make beats so quickly and here idk what.

Not gonna lie ive never sampled in my life (of course i have put beats over loops other people made/for remix competitions, but i still havent sampled intricately, which is how i wish to do it ).

I wanna rework the sample so much that its not just a loop with a beat over, i feel like thats cheap cuz sometimes people take a sampled loop with drums already in it and then they add a kick and snare and (djfx looper) and say it is their beat...lol.

Id appreciate any help.

[Dr Van Nostrand]

cool it with this troll-like posting crap, you posted the same thing a few weeks ago, just keep working at it, 6 months ain't shit dude

[AGE]

1. You have a sp404sx? Anything can be a sample source. You're not limited to vinyl or youtube.. Try using the built in mic
2. Try layering drums. Eq, compress, vinyl sim, etc.
3. Maybe stick to fl.. If that works best for you.

Keep at it tho, man. Trials and errors

[hseiken]

If you hate 404 that much, sell it and move on. I know a couple of people that might be in the market for a 2nd hand one. HINT: Plenty off people on this site will probably take that burden of your hands.

[thx]

samples here: http://link.autistici.org/search.php/thx/samples
the sp-404 got midi in. you need a midi out on your audio interface to connect midi out (interface) to midi in (404) with a midi cable
ciao

[thx]

more samples here: viewforum.php?f=14

[spwarlock]

Don't give up man.for samples try sampling something you already like and make something new from it.It beats the hell out of sifting through obscure soul and jazz records(unless thats what you like)You literally can sample anything...and can make just about anything out of it if your good.Then just add some drums and...voila!

[booyungg]

ay dood u cant find sudden inspiration or talent on a messageboard.
im weirded out by the fact that nobody have told u to stfu yet lol

[timmytoga]

Bro, it ain't the machine. You gotta grit your teeth and make a bunch of bullshit that no one likes before you can make good shit.

Like, I can't just read about how to do skateboard tricks and then expect to be able to go out and do them. I have to go out and physically try to do it, OVER and OVER and OVER.

You gotta decide in your mind what you want to do with your music and manifest that with the machine. No amount of technology/ technique/ knowledge is gonna do that for you.

Friendly advice: Listen to music you like and consciously pick apart what elements you like. Try to apply it to your music.

[Kei Kurono]

I think that when we first start we make the mistake of wanting to start dropping hot shit right away (at least I did lol)
I'd say just make beats for the practice learn how to sequence drums and layer samples,basslines, etc. You can also sample cds and just pitch down the track on a program if you need to. Join the battles on here even if you think your beat is weak you'll still learn from it and listen to how people chopped and flipped the same sample.

[skinny.b]

It's important to remember that your final output is a tiny percentage of what you're actually doing, if you don't enjoy the other 99% of the creative process then what's the point? It's about the journey too, not just the destination.

[Nosmo King]

god some of you guys are dicks. seriously if you cba to encourage somebody then dont bother discouraging them.

in this situation its just like your mum used to say... if you cant say something nice...

[hseiken]

That guy seems to be discouraging himself by comparing everything he gets his hands on to shit he already used rather than trying to figure out the gear and how IT works. Some dude complaining about having gear for 6 months and he's not making 'bangers' the he could in 3 minutes on fruity loops, well, to me, he's using the wrong gear and should get rid of the 404. That's just me, tho. He already found some shit he's fine with, no need for him to be up in 404 especially if he thinks it's some kind of status symbol or will magically make his beats better.


Just my two cents.

[formal]

HERE COME THE DIX!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PouzlO653Zc


ahhhhhhh yahhhhh!

[skinny.b]

Mine was an attempt at encouragement, apologies if it came across as anything but. No offence intended. Just keep at it, make music, feel good