.

[MadTrucker]

I skipped the 303 in my evolution...started with the 202, then the 404, then the 404SX, so all this talk of the 303 pad action sounds crazy to me. Are they not just stiff from being newer? All I know is that I mashed the holy hell out of my 202 buttons for years without a single problem, and I am a dude who has killed several computer keyboards and replaced drum machine buttons on my old RM1X several times.

I have the PadKontrol, and I personally do not get the hype. It's cool to hold in your hand like a painter's pallette, for a different feel, but when it's sitting on a table and I bang the pads, it moves and jumps because it is so light.

I like to work mainly using the SP pads too, to keep a seperate sampler/Kaoos work area away from my software/sequencer operation. What is the difference between SP buttons? All I notice are that the old pads seem a touch smaller, right? Do the 404 pads never break in fully?

[wax inspektor]

damn... couldn`t find them...


all i have is this:

IMG_5996_640x480.JPG (42.22 KiB) Viewed 2833 times

IMG_5997_640x480.JPG (46.03 KiB) Viewed 2833 times

[wax inspektor]

Do the 404 pads never break in fully?

nope... it`s just the material rotten, so that pads don`t come up anymore...
I had 4 pads that were completly ripped out of the big mat.

So the contact on the board won`t get damaged by no matter how hard you fuck with them bastards. you even could play your samples with your fingers after the pads are removed (TAKE THE SP OFF THE WALL 4 THAT), so technicly it`s way different than a mpc pad...
(no velocity, simple on/off switch)

You can get replacement pads directly from Roland.
Prolly no classic 404 anymore though...

[shabbster]

buy a padkontrol/MPD/triggerfinger

bit more expensive, but will increase your finger pleasure

Are all functions on the 404 controllable via a MPD/triggerfinger. everything like recording, resample, changing banks etc.?

[formal]

If you connect via midi you will only get 2 banks of sounds from the mem card. There is a work around if you are just planning on sequencing on the internal 404 sequencer. It is a pain, but here it goes.

Every time you want to access a new bank of sounds turn the 404 off.

Before powering on press and hold the pad number of the midi channel you want it to receive on. While holding the pad turn on the 404 and the number will appear in the LCD screen. Changing the midi channel changes the banks of sound you can access.

You will not be able to use the midi controller to control all functions of the 404.

[shabbster]

damn, so when the pads die one day, the whole machine will become useless. that kinda suck when there wont be any replacement from rolands side.

[formal]

Call and buy replacement pads now while they are still available. Or your other option is to buy a spare 404.

$50 for pads or $150 for another 404. You gotta remember the 404 is a budget sampler. When it breaks they want you to buy a new one.

[shabbster]

yep absolutely right.
any links where to by spare maps?
I am from europe but doesnt matter in the end.
thanks

[formal]

Call Roland directly and they will either tell you if they have them in stock or if any of their vendors/repair shops might have them.


http://www.rolandus.com/support/interna ... ntacts.php