I have been doing research on the sp-404 and so far, it has almost everything I want it to do for my situation. However, I am still wondering if it is capable of live looping. For example, looping 4 bars, activate the loop seamlessly, and applying effects. I mostly spin hip-hop. I have read that it can loop from the sampling banks but I want to be able to loop live.

I have been considering the Korg KP3 but I don't like the fact that you have to trigger the effect with the pad for I also plan on using my future effects/sampling unit for creating live beats with my turntable. i.e. scratch drumming. I have a loop pedal to do this and plan to use the sp-404 for effects on the samples I manipulate.

I know that the sp-404 is capable of more, but this is what I plan on using it for. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys, I heard this was the forum to go to for any information. LATER!!!

yea the sp404 can loop live music and you can use it to sample, loop up and then apply effects in real time, plus a whole lot more

hey Cheenergies how do you loop external sounds?
i haven't figured it out yet, can only seem to get short grabs using BPM and DJFX Looper effects

thanks cheenergies!!...thats just what I wanted to hear !!

Drewzle, hope you can figure it out...

Thanks for the replies fellas...i greatly appreciate it. Hopefully I can give my input as well someday soon when I am really acquainted my own sp-404....LATER!!!

oops! what i meant was you can use the sp 404 to put effects on a live loop(from say a loop pedal or other sampler etc)- to do this you just connect the sound source to to the ins at the back and then apply your efx, or you can sample the music, replay it from a pad as a (loop) and then apply effects in real time.

Sorry if I caused confusion.

ah right, thanks for clarifying

you got my hopes up!

If you're playing live you can create the illusion of live-looping by simply setting up the loop in advance. Thers's no such thing as 'cheating' when it comes to electronic music!

606man...you got a point. However, I like keeping busy. If I'm not, I tend to think more instead of feeling the mood of the music. When it comes down to it, its all about the feeling. Once I start thinking, I begin to think too technical and end up with a bad seamless transition.

By the way, thanks for all the input fellas!!

I haven't checked this out, and I don't expect it to work well without plenty of practice, but...

You can preset the tempo bpm to match the live feed using tap tempo.
Make the 404 auto trim the sample based on the length versus bpm you set.
Provided you start record on the right beat, you should have a loop that's ready to go off the live feed.

...at least that's what the manual seems to suggest you can do!

Anybody master it?

Cheers