Is the SP-404 good as a drum machine like the MPC500? I can't find any videos on Youtube where it's used for drumming rather than triggering pre-made loops.

It's at least as good as 500 when you want to make some drum tracks.

I typed "sp 404 drums" on youtube and the first video that popped up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eszkrM22 ... EE&index=9

plus you can mute em whenever you want
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuA8RgHa ... annel_page

hope you'll pick the "proper" gear

Thanks!

I wouldnt really call either of them drum machines..

It's actually only used to trigger dj drops during sets, other than that it's just a toy

Really? So I should not buy the SP-404 as a drum machine?

i bought mine as an expesnsive dust collecting ornament. just kidding.

yes man its as good as any drum machine out there. even better with fx and a dope sequencer . peace

The only thing it lacks that a lot of drum machines have is velocity sensitive pads. Otherwise it is a drum machine with a shit ton of fx and no preset sounds. It has pretty much the same sequencer as most roland drum machines. What it lacks in programming (step programming, and pattern chaining/song mode) it makes up for in live applications (pattern triggering, live fx).

It definitely works best with an external MIDI controller/sequencer. I use it with my Yamaha RM1X and its step sequencer and it really makes the difference with fast and complex rhythms, but I suppose that getting the hang of the 404's realtime recording is just a matter of practice.

Wouldn't a Korg ESX-1 be better then?

I was joking. You'll be surprised of how good the 404 is for making beats. And it's pretty good live as well.

Well, the Electribe is more expensive than the 404 for a start, and they are both aimed at different styles of music. I prefer the groovebox-style step sequencer because I have been using it since I started to make music with Fruity Loops, and because it is much easier and quicker for d'n'b drum patterns. But many people are more comfortable with pads in certain sample-based styles (breakbeat, hip hop), and in these I have to say the 404 works fine (although if you need velocity sensitive pads either go for an SP-606/555 or buy a MIDI controller with your 404). In any case, check out videos on youtube on both machines and decide yourself which way of programming suits you best. And of course, if you can try them at a local shop or something, do it.

Thanks, I'll try them both out!

There's one thing I don't get about making beats on the SP-404 though. What if I want to make a beat and I'm not sure of its BPM? So let's say that the SP's BPM is set to 120 and I start tapping a beat that's in fact 130BPM, how will it fit? How will I get a correct loop?

so it depends on whether your playin some different chops, a loop, or just a drum track, if your just playing the pads and not sequencing then none of it matters cause its your timing, and if its just a loop it should read out a BPM of what it is, but if you are layin chops or drums into the sequencer, you gotta figure out roughly what you should quantize each chop too (if you want to quantize) and you can change the BPM once the chops are laid out while the pattern plays so you'll hear when its workin good, it just takes some practice gettin used to layin down sequences, and there are plenty of tricks to get your chops laid in just right, i usually put air in front a sample if i am having trouble putting it where i want it in the sequence and then just quantize to the quarter or eighth note right before where i want the sample and then add the air and move it into place.........if you want a rough idea of a bpm though, you can resample yourself playin chops or drums to a pad, then play that pad back and mark it appropriately so it loops good and read the bpm on that

the esx-1 is more complete, but more expensive and, personal opinion, more electronic-house oriented (talking 'bout its own sound, pads etc). but it's a very good machine.