404 Schizo?

5_ELEMENT_NINJA · Post by **5_ELEMENT_NINJA** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:01 am

Peace All,
I had a question for those that use other samplers and sequencers besides the 404.I currently use a 404 as well as the mpc1000.But for some reason I prefer usin just the 404,even thou its way more limited than the 1000 I feel like ive made the best stuff in my life usin the 404!The thing is,I have a love hate relationship with the 404 lol.The mpc is dope dont get me wrong but it seems to me the 404 is more musical and more spiritual as well.So my question is do any of you feel the same way?soory for the rant but just had to express this!
peace!

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:21 am

i have a 2000xl and a 1000 in their boxes, i have the 404 ready to go.

kristoffer1989 · Post by **kristoffer1989** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 6:12 am

I'll just qvote myself from another tread here in the Sp-404 section:

The Sp-404 is dope! The thing is, you use your musicallity in stead of just computerstuff... You are actually playing and recording, not just programming.
I am a musician i play instruments, and thats so mutch more satisfying than programming computer!

I love my sp-404!

pt3r · Post by **pt3r** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:00 am

Same here, I'll never get rid of my 2kxl though, since that box brought me back to hardware production and the fun of beat making but the 404 is where it's at. I feel you on the musical/spiritual thing, it may sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo if you never used a 404 in your life but those understand the little box know what you're talking about.

Cheenergies · Post by **Cheenergies** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 7:47 am

When I first got my sp404..I was confused...I didn't know how to sequence a pattern at all...I just tried a few times and put it down for months at a time. But, then I just perservered w/ it, and its only now that i'm liking what i can do w/ it!

I used to f*ck w/ reason a bit and was wanting to do the whole cubase or logic thing, but now I don't need it at all. No computers. I don't even think I need an MPC.

Imma dig in them charity shops, get me some 10p, 20p LP's, sample stuff, collect drum samples add efx, and make beats. Oh and record em on my lil Micro BR, then add vocals w/ a mic I should get next month.

Wallah!

pt3r · Post by **pt3r** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 8:55 am

Perseverance clearly pays off :-)

J.Daniels · Post by **J.Daniels** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:52 am

I sold my sp12 turbo over my 404 recently. The sp12 is one hell of a dope machine no doubt, but i still just felt like picking up the 404 instead and seeing what i could do with that. In addition, its the ultimate live tool and continues to amaze audiences who just wonder what the heck it is!

Although, I have to admit that im really into laptop production now with fxpansions guru and digital performer. but i keep a healthy balance of both, whether its just recording final tracks from the 404 or just passing samples and effects back and forth.

J.Daniels · Post by **J.Daniels** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:54 am

Also, I dunno if anyones noticed, but the audio quality of the 404 is very pleasing to my ears. Its very musical and adds a nice little bit of compression. Just take a listen to all the tracks made on 404's on this forum, and you might hear what im talking bout.

Cheenergies · Post by **Cheenergies** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 12:40 pm

Yea I agree. It def does sumthin to the sound when you sample. It kinda crunches it all into some bittersweet compression. I used to use my sp w/ headphones all the time, but when I connected some speakers to it, I could really hear the quality! Jus BANGIN!

CONCEIT · Post by **CONCEIT** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 4:14 pm

I like the SP-404 because it forces you to push your creativity due to it's limitations. And once you realize you can make good music with the machine it inspires you to see how you can freak your next beat. I am a MPC 2000 head myself but after using the 404 I won't say I think it's way better than the MPC but I do feel some of the music I have made on the 404 I would have never thought of doing on another device or it would not have came out the same if I had. As someone mentioned above, the sound that comes out of the 404 has got really dope feel to it as well.
I have friends with huge studios and equiptment that bug out on the compression and crunchiness that comes out of this little box.

Kuraden · Post by **Kuraden** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 5:35 pm

I love the SP-404 because it's just easy as hell to use. It's not as complicated as the other machines and you could have a beat done in 5 minutes flat, even if it's your first time using it.

Dj Frantic · Post by **Dj Frantic** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:48 pm

Im feelin the simplicity and workflow most of all. AS ive mentioned b4 ive used tons of stuff.. I used to work at a music store and always got the dope deals

I had a 303, reason, Live, MPC2k, Electribe ES1, SP-505, Ensoniq EPS, and the SP-404. I have to say that the 404 is about tied with the EPS as my favorite. And when I add the compression from the vinyl sim and use the lo fi and get a very similar sound to the EPS. I chop heavy when I sample. I usually try to get alot of 1/4 or 1/2 note samples and play them all back in different patterns. This takes me forever on every other sampler.. but with the 404 its a breeze. That mark button is genius ! it adds feeling to chopping your samples and save a grip of time. I love it. Everything thing about this thing is musical and expressive. Word to the SP !

5_ELEMENT_NINJA · Post by **5_ELEMENT_NINJA** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:53 am

pt3r wrote:Same here, I'll never get rid of my 2kxl though, since that box brought me back to hardware production and the fun of beat making but the 404 is where it's at. I feel you on the musical/spiritual thing, it may sound like a lot of mumbo jumbo if you never used a 404 in your life but those understand the little box know what you're talking about.

True, Its like Luke Skywalker when he was blind folded usin the light saber lol!
YO peace 2 all who posted makes me more hype about the 404!Its just a trip that such a tiny box can make such dope music!I know its the person not the machine but i do believe this box lets you tap into your creative juices like no other!
peace

606man · Post by **606man** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 1:45 am

The sp sound has real character which has to be heard to be believed

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 4:07 am

stop hyping up the 404 sound. Wait till they are no longer in production , then start the hype.