Using SP404SX as an FX module

[segadeth]

Greetings, I'm new here and w/ the SP as well (just got mine last week).

So I've heard and read a bunch of times that the SP can be used as an FX unit so I wanted to give it try.

The problem is though when I tried it using the out from my soundcard (Mackie Onyx Blackjack) and connecting it to the RCA ins on the SP and then connecting the output of the SP back into the input of my soundcard, I keep getting a lot weird feedback.

So I was wondering if you guys got any tips on doing this. I just want to apply the FX of the SP to the sound coming from my computer and then recording it. Should I use separate soundcards or 2 different softwares? I'm currently using FL but I'm looking forward on using something else (Reaper most probably) in the future since FL's recording capabilities aren't as straightforward as I'd like it to be.

[ellaguru]

some soundcards (fast track pro, komplete audio 6 etc) let you use the SPs as insert fx, using their own appropriate insert ins...check if your soundcard have those...i knew that programs such as Live got a sort of virtual insert to do that...

[kwazi]

I've used my 303 with a focusrite 2i4. the outputs you plug into your SP need to be able to send a separate signal than your master outs if you want to go back into your soundcard. if they cannot, then you get feedback.

[hseiken]

Optionally, you can work around this by recording the audio by sampling into 404, then lifting the sample back out by hand into your track on the compy. It's not perfect, but it's something you can do now that doesn't require buying anything if your soundcard doesn't have the feature you need right now.

[janglesoul]

I'm not the most knowledgeable and my DAW-experience is Live and not FL. Still, I doubt it's your soundcard that is the problem. I'd think it be a case of routing the audio correct. On a hardware mixer you would have a AUX sends for every channel. The audio gets sent out to FX and comes back through the AUX return where you mix it in with the Master.

Good luck!

[segadeth]

Geez thanks for the tips guys, apparently it could be FL that doesn't have an external FX support too. I can't find anything that says my soundcard can support sends. My only workaround at the moment is opening another instance of FL and then using different drivers/soundcards for each instances and then routing the output of the 1st one to the input of the 2nd one if that makes any sense. I used to have the M Audio but sold it. The NI soundcard is just too expensive though.

[segadeth]

BTW just added question if you all don't mind.

Will it make a difference when it comes to the quality of the sound of I just use the SP as an FX processor instead of recording the audio to the SP and then playing it back? I'm asking because I really want to have that distinctive SP404 sound on my tracks.

[blavatsky]

^ eh, not really.

So, the effects on the 404 (tape echo/compression/etc) are distinctive in their own way, but the basic AD/DA converters on the 404 are not really known for color/saturation/character.

If this was a 202/303/505 with the lower quality grungy sounding output, yes recording into it first rather than a thru-type FX would yield a difference...on 404/404sx/555 not as much.

[gaccu]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how to set the sp-404sx as an fx unit using ableton live to send and record the audio?

[ellaguru]

check the External Audio Effect on the Ableton Audio Effects tab. i never used it but i know that you can do it with that. It's like an fx

[segadeth]

^ eh, not really.

So, the effects on the 404 (tape echo/compression/etc) are distinctive in their own way, but the basic AD/DA converters on the 404 are not really known for color/saturation/character.

If this was a 202/303/505 with the lower quality grungy sounding output, yes recording into it first rather than a thru-type FX would yield a difference...on 404/404sx/555 not as much.

Thanks man, this helps me a lot. On that note, I'm interested on what are the effects on the 404 that you think is the most commonly used by arguably its most notable users like Dibiase and Samiyam.

Oh and so do you think the SP404's 16bit sampling will not make any difference at all?

[RzumA]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how to set the sp-404sx as an fx unit using ableton live to send and record the audio?

Make a new Track and set Audio Out to ext. Out and chose any Channel on your Interface aside the masterout. Then Route the Channel into your sp in. Plug the sp Outs to some Inputs of your Interface. Back in ableton you make a new audiotrack and set the proper Input.

You will Need an additional Output Channel on your Interface. It Must be seperate from your Master out, Else You will get that Feedback

[gaccu]

Thanks, I should be ok as I have an EIE pro soundcard. I will try it.

[formal]

OG404 and 555 color the sound. They both compress audio to proprietary roland formats and are 24bit. SP404sx is only one that doesn't compress files and read/writes directly to WAV/AIFF.

[segadeth]

OG404 and 555 color the sound. They both compress audio to proprietary roland formats and are 24bit. SP404sx is only one that doesn't compress files and read/writes directly to WAV/AIFF.

now this is really interesting as I am really more interested on digital lo-fi sounds and not the vinyl, analog tube warmth etc