sorry im a noob, with the pitch shifter can i change the pitch of any sample to fit the key of any pattern? if so how do i k no what key i changed it to? do i have to just do it by ear?

i guesse it has to be done by ear. As you probably noticed the pitch fx on the SP sounds like shit.

what's the one on the 404SX like? the new mfx that is just called 'pitch'

The one on the 404sx still sounds like shit. In my opinion it's the smells like roses variety of shit though.

try using the mfx 19 chromatic ps. it tunes like steps on a musical scale and sounds better i think

when i make a beat the only thing i don't do with my 404 is pitching shit... i prefer to use the pitch of my turntable or the pitch shift on Acid Pro 6.0, pitch shift is the only real lack of the SP series in my opinion.