Hello!

First post here, just found these forums after picking up a SP-404SX yesterday. Got some beginner questions:

1) Is it possible to control the patterns in the 404 using MIDI and an external sequencer? I.e., can I send signals to tell it to play pattern 3 (bank B), then pattern 2 (bank A) etc? From what I can see, one can only control the samples? Is that right?

2) About resampling: Page 26 in the user manual, bullet 10, says that you shall "press the pad to which you want to resample". I guess they mean that you shall press the pad where the you have the sample that you want to resample? I just got confused, since bullet 7 says the same thing...

3) Is there a way to listen to a pattern, and appying effects to one of the samples while playing the pattern? So you get a feel of how the sample with sound like toghether with the other samples in the pattern.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Mats

hey mats, good choice!

1) yeah, using midi you can control only samples. Pattern control unfortunately not supported.

2) at first I also got some problems with whole resampling thing, but just follow the manual, and you'll be good. You just hit resample+rec, "destination pad", rec, and desired pad you want to resample ( it will start resampling when you hit any pad for the first time ), when you're finished, you hit rec once more

3) yeah, just play some pattern, exit pattern mode, hit the desired effect button, and to select the samples you want the effect to be applied to just hold down REMAIN button and select desired samples. You can select all the samples at one time by pressing remain+effect button. to de-activate it, hit this pad combo once more.

peace man, I hope you gonna fell in love with 404(sx) like all the fellas out here. and read the manual like 2 times at least

Big thank you for your prompt reply!!

Yes, I think I will like the 404. But I need to give it some time I guess. It's my first sampler, and the whole concept is a new to me (I'm a guitar player).

Another question: Can anyone recommend a simple/cheap hardware sequencer (that can master the 404, a porta studio and some other devices)? Or perhaps a good Linux sequencer (I'm running Ubuntu)?

Thanks!

Best regards,
Mats

as for the hardware sequencers for 404 I'd suggest some cheapest mpc 2000.
For five days now Ive been playing with the XL version, and so far Im STUNNED. It's absolutely fantastic, as a sequencer especially.

Also the Sequencing abilities of Yamaha RM1X should not be underestimated as I heard a lot of positive things about it.

I wont tell you much about linux software though

Okay, thanks for your tips! I'll do some research on them.

/Mats

I know this isn't much help, but I can say that I absolutely know there IS powerful audio software available for LINUX. Try searching for Linux + DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), I know there is one in particular that is good. I just can't remember it right now, and I have to run so I can't look it up. But, it's out there, it should not be too hard to find.

If nothing else, I believe you could simply run a Windows or Mac emulator in Linux and then run whatever software you desire (REAPER is cheap).

Ardour is a great program for ubuntu. its very similar to adobe audition, but im not sure if it can sequence hardware or link in any way

About the Linux sequencer...

I have just found one called Rosegarden. Seems very competent. Now I just have to get Linux to recognize my MIDI interface, get the JACK daemon running etc etc. Should not be too hard... or...

oh god jack was a nightmare in ardour on my laptop. i wish i could give you some tips but i think i made it work by accident and just didnt mess with the settings after that

Im exited to hear your work, I use the 404 sx as well , add me on myspace, Im new to 404 sx and just starting to upload work for EP , I really like what the 404 is capable of , I used to have MPC 1000 very nice hardware, I dont know why MPC 2000 is so good, never researched it ,maybe I will one day , good luck on SP 404 sx friend, cheers

http://www.myspace.com/selbstist