The 404's Best Friend

The Beat Conductor · Post by **The Beat Conductor** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:16 pm

I'm aware that most of you use the 404 with a computer and I'm just curious as to what role your computer plays in the mix?

80% of the time I'm working strictly with my computer, the other 20% is spent with the 404 as an effects processor. However, there are days when I just want to do everything inside the 404.

mostblunted · Post by **mostblunted** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:26 pm

I'm not using the comp at all. Recording to cassette and then track it in to the comp. No post work, keep it raw!

Adjust the volume of the samples in the 404, and if you don't need to record life effects, apply the eq effect to all samples and adjust the ranges til' you are happy.

balazs · Post by **balazs** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:03 pm

mostblunted wrote:I'm not using the comp at all.

word, thats me too. Everything done outside the computer. The only time a computer is involved is when I want to post the finished beat on the internet.

Hot Sauce · Post by **Hot Sauce** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 4:57 am

funk a computer

blast1 · Post by **blast1** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 6:25 pm

juxt wrote:
mostblunted wrote:I'm not using the comp at all.

word, thats me too. Everything done outside the computer. The only time a computer is involved is when I want to post the finished beat on the internet.

Huph · Post by **Huph** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:41 pm

I use the computer to edit my samples mostly. Sometimes to program drum beats that will play from the 404. I track out into my computer, both when writing and recording. Usually I'll start with some raw idea that I'll bang out into to the computer, then go into ACID or SoundForge and change the parts. As an example: initially a drum loop might be a 4 bar loop on repeat, played into the computer, then after I've worked out a skeletal structure for the rest of the samples, I go back to the drums (in my computer) and add in all the breaks, drops, bridges, rolls, cymbals and stuff. Shift certain hits around so they coincide with my ideas. Then it all goes back to the 404, so the drumbeat becomes a 2 minute sample that serves as the foundation for the live Bass and Scratching/Sampling.

I also use the computer pretty extensively to record the final mixes. Usually I track everything individually, so I can have as much control as possible when mixing. Luckily, I've found a way to record both my turntables to individual tracks simultaneously so I can scratch on both tables, and still be able to go back and tweak each individual part.

Oh yeah, and Timestretching. I stretch all my samples in SoundForge.

Euclid Ov Oåklånd · Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:57 pm

I use both, but seperately. If I use my 303 then that's all I use for everything and if I use a computer I don't run stuff through the 303 effects etc. Just depends on what mood I'm in.

dman5000 · Post by **dman5000** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 12:31 am

i track out to the computer all the time. i made one track where i recorded the main beat into the computer than tracked all the samples in separately. but unless you have some kind of auto-align feature this could get messy. right?
ive also read about but havent yet needed to try chopping and cleaning up samples in the computer first
and lastly ive messed with running accapellas or drums off the computer through the sp but thats kind of obvious

606man · Post by **606man** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:33 am

all I have to say is "10001011011010010111010001110101110101011".

I like computers - however they can often sound very cold on their own.

EG, I've been having a play with the Infamous FL lately - and while it's easy and fun to use (I can see why it's so popular :lol:

) - it sounds very cold and digital. Yes you can warm things up with the right plug-ins, but generally hardware has a sound that the 1s n 0s can't match.

That's why modern studios have both hardware and software :wink:

Euclid Ov Oåklånd · Post by **Euclid Ov Oåklånd** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:37 am

Yeah call me greedy but I need both to be happy when I go to make music. But in terms of hardware all I take is vintage stuff, all the new hardware basically has the same chips as software unless it's something like a real tube amp.

606man · Post by **606man** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:47 am

Yet somehow the tape delay in the SP sounds better than expensive plug-in versions. Same with compression - the hardware sounds way more punchy; the master compressor in the 606 is the very thing for making things sound 'big'. Then there's spatial effects, Space-D sounds heaps more exciting than any plug I've tried. Don't even get me started on filters. And all of this before even going to the effects that have no software equivalent, like Tumbling and Rotary.

I'm a plug-in junkie (techno music relies heavily on FX), but I don't use many anymore becuase the hardware sounds THAT much better. So, while there may be a bunch of 0s n 1s going on under the hood, they must just be better-programmed than their software equivalents.. :lol:

IIIII · Post by **IIIII** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:58 am

i only record into the pc since it makes the whole process very easy, the rest is all done on the 404

Hot Sauce · Post by **Hot Sauce** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 6:30 am

what do plug ins do people use with FL? i always thought it was "too expandable" if you know what i mean. i keep adding more plug-ins instead of getting more creative.

but i still love the step sequencer on FL.

LORD BEATJITZU · Post by **LORD BEATJITZU** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 4:51 am

The 404 best friend is a big sack of hindu kush!!

georgesbrazil · Post by **georgesbrazil** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:33 am

LORD BEATJITZU wrote:The 404 best friend is a big sack of hindu kush!!

This is true...I find if you combine that with a few sidecards you're in business on that there 404 thing.