404 vs 404sx

[dossy]

i was wondering if anyone who has used both machines could tell me the difference between these two in terms of sound quality? i have the original 404 and love how big and colorful it sounds.. i have read in different places that the 404sx does not have as big a sound in terms of compression.. is this true? thank you in advance for any help

[IIIII]

there are a couple of threads comparing them. i'll just say i had both, sold the og and i like the sx more. search for the threads, a lot of good info is already out there that would take me a good minute to write down.

[dossy]

yo thanks IIIII, after reading another thread i read you post

yo so i have both the sx and normal now. from the get go i noticed...
-way faster. i don't get blinking LED's after i record/delete etc.
-all pads are sampled as wav's from the get go, no exporting needed! you flip a beat record it to a pad and you can just copy it off the card. nice
-some effects are different... better reverb, with more control. wah is more robust... but vinyl sim is WACK. it sounds more realistic, but no more of the knob one compression 'trick'. but compression effect sounds better.
-nicer orange lights
-function button makes certain things quick and easy, like input/output gain, backups and pad exchanges.
-ALSO has different buttons but same layout. so custom faceplate is still interchangeable
any questions? i can do some experiments/comparisons for anyone curious



My question is can you get the sidechain style compression on the sx like on the original 404?

ps, if you have any questions about the 202, 303, or 505 let me know

[IIIII]

compression acts the same, maybe a bit less sensitive... and I use vinyl sim for new, secret purposes, annd effects layout (the numbering) is dif so if you have a custom faceplate with the mfx list its going to be dif from the og 404

[dossy]

ahh i see.. so when you say compression is the same do you mean compression on the original 404 mfx12 vs 404sx compression or vinyl sim on the original 404 is stronger than compression on the 404sx?

in other words is vinyl sim compression on the original 404 stronger than compression on the 404sx? in your opinion of course..

or are you comparing the original 404 compression to that of the 404sx compression?

thank you again

[IIIII]

the 404 compression 12 to 404sx compression 12. the vinyl sim compression is different, its not as strong(usually a good thing). the sx has no compression in the vinyl sim, so you don't have the option of a more subtler comp. i think all the pro's of the sx are much more useful in spite of that one effect, and as i said, i do like the new vinyl sim.

[dossy]

i see. so is it safe to say you can achieve the same compression feel with the sx compression as if using the original 404 vinyl sim compression?

i'm very close to buying this based on this one thing lol

[IIIII]

... prob not. its a unique sound

[dossy]

ok thanks

btw Meow Johnson sounds very nice.. is that a 505 beat?

also like ICUP, is that all 404sx?

[IIIII]

yeah 505. icup is 404sx... just traded the 505 for a sampletrak but the 505 is sick if you ever come across one pick it up

[dStx]

yeah 505. icup is 404sx... just traded the 505 for a sampletrak but the 505 is sick if you ever come across one pick it up

Hey man, I'm liking your beats alot. Just curious, for ICUP (and other 404sx beats) did you use the pattern sequencer, or resample them onto sample pads?

thanks