Alright, so here's the thing -
I was trying to figure out a way to MUTE certain pads (while playing) at certain spots in the track, either to build momentum, or suspense (usually it's the drums in question) - doesn't matter really, you can use it for a lot of things for sure...
I'm talking about pads playing, and you muting them here and there - without actually stopping them, having to chop them up, or use the 'mark' button.
Here's an example I'm working on right now :
I have a long drum sample (16 bars long), it's dynamic, a lot of things are going on - it's a basic kick/snare/hat, so I have space for more rhythmic elements (percussions and maybe even another drum colored and pitched differently, I love using that shit).
I also use - don't laugh - a sample of a whale song, picked up online, and it fits beautifully with the drums, but when fiddling around in cubase (I mostly use it to beef up samples, and to chop them meticulously) I noticed that muting drums here and there (oh, you know what I mean - think the proper term is 'DROP THE BEAT') does miracles.
But, alas, to use it like that on the sp 404 sx - you'd have to chop them to oblivion, or do sorcery with the' mark' button.
Or would you?
In comes the DJFX LOOPER.
You all know the score, and that's probably the first thing you say to anyone using the sp 404 sx, and DJFX LOOPER for the first time :
'Set the CTRL2 button to 1.0, and don't ask me why'
Yeah, but here's the thing - you put the sample on loop, set the CTRL2 button to 0.0 (it doesn't matter where the CTRL1 / CTRL2 are) and then just by turning on the DJFX LOOPER you can mute instantly above mentioned pad.
Theoretically, by using the 'remain' button, you can create groups of pads you can switch on/off without having to stop them, chopp them, etc.
Don't get me wrong, I love choppin' up samples and then reorganising them in weird ways as much as anyone
but I can already see this could be a potential life saver, especially when you have longer samples.