I searched for advice for the beginner sample artist, but I couldn't find any.

I just ordered an SP-404 from musician's friend for $345 shipped.

I've never done any kind of sampling before ever. Just a few questions:

Does it come with a CF card? If so what size?
Where can I purchase a CF reader? Where do you guys purchase yours?
Can anyone give me a link to a thread on here for advice for beginner SP users????

I can't wait for it to be here!!

good choice on getting a roland 404. in my opinion its the best sp ive ever owned, however each has their own unique things that make them special, I just love my black 404 with blank buttons. at first it was really weird and my beats sounded weird because i didnt know how to use it and was worried for a bit ( couple weeks ) that i would suck forever, then it all came back and I was making bangers again in no time. i dont think i will ever need a visual wave editor again, i can change the start point while the sequencer is running,. what more can you ask for.

im just typing lots because i love the 404 , yes . if i could i would take it to heaven with me when i die, because i couldnt imagine not having a 404 ever. i want another one to sample sequences with auto record to bang loops out and sample them , yo the shit is easy once you get the swing of it , however i heard lots of pretty wack beats and even made a few myself, so just take your time, read the forums and everything should fall into place.

leater.

Hey Amnesiac70,

Here are a couple of answers:

Does it come with a CF card? If so what size?
Does NOT come with a card. You can only use up to 1GB cards. I got Sandisk Ultra II 1GB cards on ebay for $10 US each (shipping included.) I would recommend getting them before your SP-404 arrives. I waited 'til it arrived and went nuts 'cuz you don't get much internal memory to play with.

Where can I purchase a CF reader? Where do you guys purchase yours?
I got my CF reader on amazon.com. I believe I paid $13 US.

Can anyone give me a link to a thread on here for advice for beginner SP users????
Do a search for "beginner" or "noob" and you'll find plenty of tips and help. Also, search "SP-404" on youtube and you'll find some tutorials.

Hope this helps.

Read the manual.. its a little bit 'weird' sometimes. .in its explanations.. but that will be the first place to start.

Awesome!

I just ordered a 1 GB sandisk CF card and a reader on ebay.

Thanks a lot for all the help. Can you think of anything else I would possibly need??

I'm going to run it through my home stereo amp with floor speakers. I would like to sample vinyl from my turn table.

Would I need a mixer at all or any other equipment??

Good move on the CF card and reader, you will definitely need it. I have been able to find some decent deals lately on eBay for CF card lots. The SP-404 has RCA in/outs so your stereo should be sufficient as long as it has the same.

How many CF cards do you see yourself going through???

I've got four cards and have only used one. I back sounds up onto a hard drive on my mac.
Get a second card just in case though- you never know when a card will go corrupt.

You will need a phono preamp if you wish to connect a turntable directly to the SP-404. A cheap mixer will also do, if you are not very concerned about audio quality.

i have about 6 or 7 1GB cards. i usually buy them in lots on ebay. right now only one is full but it never hurts to have a backup or five.

i got 8 CF cards totally filled with drums and other stuff, with the most recent one also being filled up with samples from half finished beats i can't bring myself to delete, but i feel like i could be comfortable with 10 cards, with heavy re organzing of drums samples, and leavin two cards totally empty pad wise so i have all the room to chop, sometimes i'll chop stuff across like 5 banks to get all the things i want, and nothing is more obnoxious than when you know what you want to chop and there is absolutely nothing you want to delete to make room for it

the SP just came in the mail. They sent me a keyboard/midi controller case for it. It's waaay too big. What should I use to transport it??

Too bad I have to work tomorrow. Can't do much tonight.

Can't wait to dig into that manual!!!