Just ordered an SP-404. Looking for advice

[Amnesiac70]

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!!

[tape smoke]

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.

[agradecido]

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.

[cartesia]

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

[Amnesiac70]

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??

[jgsiv]

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.

[Amnesiac70]

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

[agradecido]

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.

[chemisferio]

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.

[jgsiv]

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

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.

[Dr Van Nostrand]

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

[Amnesiac70]

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!!!