Roland SP404 Sampling Workstation
Built in microphone. Realtime looper. 12-voice polyphony.
Overall User Ratings (based on 50 ratings)
Submitted January 10, 2007 by a customer from bellsouth.net
"Great Machine"
Great workflow, tons of sampletime, Great control of samples, Its everything u need minus pitch control and pattern copy. For a good price and portable !!! Go buy it now !
Sound
The sound is FAT ! Roland is making the best sound sampler today. The FX are cool also. They are differnt. Very unique sounding.
Features
Workflow ! thats the biggest feature on this. I think this a sampler more for those of us who have been producing for years and just want something simple that gets the job done right. Thats what this machine is. Everything is right there where you need it. and everything works nicely. You gotta have some tight rythim for the sequencer though. I give it an 8 because I think it lacks 2 important things: Sample tuning and pattern copying (or pattern re-sampling). Oh.. and battery power is awesome ! load up some samples and make beats sitting by the ocean breeze at night and make beats !
Ease of Use
Cant get any easier than this. I give it a 9 because the sequencer isint very tight. You have to be on point.
Quality
Its made very well... I actually broke mine tho. The volume got stuck all the way down.. i'd move the knob and nothing would happen. To its defense though I literally took it everywhere I went and it was banged aroudn quite a bit.
Value
Yes...I think $255 would be a bit more fair. But its worth it.
Manufacturer Support
When it broke they were helpfull... But its wak that its only 30 days labor on the warranty.
The Wow Factor
I had to sell mine cuz I was broke. I need a new one asap ! lol
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Abstract Hip Hop
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Submitted March 19, 2009 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Just have fun and stop complaining!!!"
Overall the only things the sp seris needs if it wants to dominate the portable sampler game is to change the fact that when you do a pattern that all the patterns you do have the same tempo WACK!!! and have it come with a compactflash card. Other than that I'm sick and tired of these people that go on any site and complain about it dosen't do this or that you have to have talent to do this stuff. 20% is experience 20% is knowledge 30% is having a good ear for music and the other 30 is just being talented. So i will never sell my sp 404 because its too easy and i'm having fun do what I do. Peace One Love
Sound
The sound that comes out of this is crystal clear and very nice. It also depends on what samples you put in that makes it sound good. If your samples sounds like crap going into the machine chances are its vise versa coming out.
Features
The features are great.27 mfx effects is a good start for anyone.12 good pads and I know they'll never compare to akai's but there better than the old groovebox plastic buttons LOL! If roland want to improve on anything have a compactflash card built in so people that have ideas that they want to lay down don't waste time on buying 1gb flash cards that stores don't sale anymore.
Ease of Use
This is so easy to use its not even funny. Pattern select record pick the pad you want the pattern assigned to hit record and begin. read the manual can help too if you don't know what your doing.
Quality
Its made very good but i wouldn't drop it on the ground or something. very light easy to carry.
Value
It should cost now $200 because its been out for a while but for $395 its a deal just go to a music website that let you do a payment plan like ZZOUNDS.COM!!!!!
Manufacturer Support
Didn't need it unless you need to know what to add to it.
The Wow Factor
been wanting it for two years finally got it love it!!!!!!!!!!
Musical Background:
activve Musician
Musical Style:
Music thats it!
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Submitted February 20, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Theatre sound magic box"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Yup, I'm happy with it and if I can get people interested in renting it I'll buy another.
Sound
Sounds fine so far.
Features
I'm using it strictly for sample triggering at this point and it is exactly what I needed, plus some features that I may take advantage of later. If you're doing sound in theatre and don't have access to an Instant Replay, this is a great investment. Only criticism is that the internal memory is a bit chintzy, but I'd just as soon use the CF cards anyway.
Ease of Use
pretty easy. The file import is kind of wierd, because it uses a proprietary file format and has no USB file transfer capability, so you have to put wav or aiff files on the CF card and do a real-time conversion process (i.e., a 2-minute wav file will take two minutes to convert). Then you can load the CF card back into the computer and delete the wav files to save space on the card. On the other hand, it's a fairly logical process except for lots of obscure button presses to start the import process. I'm using this as a sample player so I really haven't gotten too deep into the beatbox functions.
Quality
seems very solid.
Value
OK, the essential here is that I needed something for a theatre project where the operator could play back sounds in tight sync with stage action. Minidisk can cue pretty tight but not tight enough for this one, plus you have to let sounds play out before you play the next one, and a month rental of a 360 Systems Instant Replay was 50% more than the purchase price of this box. Of course it's not perfect but for the money and for my application it's darn close. I think it could pay for itself within a few months in rentals or as part of my sound design biz.
Manufacturer Support
Unknown, but I've never had an issue with any other Roland/Boss gear either. I have some very basic Boss digital delays from the 80's that I still use now and then.
The Wow Factor
It's practical but it's also hilarious to play with. When I was testing it out one of the wav files I loaded was the old Peter Gunn TV theme. While it was playing I used the tap feature to set the beatbox tempo reasonably close to the wav file and had really stupid fun putting hip-hop beats on top of Henry Mancini.
Musical Background:
semi-pro musician, theatrical sound designer, composer
Musical Style:
jazz/world/some pop
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Submitted June 22, 2007 by a customer from gmail.com
"Bigger and Better than a Gameboy."
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zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I plan to be satisfied by this for the rest of my life. It seems new now, and 10 years from now with be semi-vintage already.
Flexibility (creativity on our part) and intuitive operation all make this a keeper. A powerful tool in the hands of those who take time to learn patterns and sequencing.
I've had the 404 for over a week now. The learning curve is great.
Sound
The sounds are as diverse as your imagination if you prefer. Resampling can layer as many effects to a sample as you desire.
Sampling sounds are as clear as you intend them to be. Sounds are "thickand well pronounced", not "Rich and lush" (it is a sampler and effects module, not a 3 grand synth.
Features
Plenty of effects, BPM Looper, DJFX Looper, Subsonic, Filter + Drive, Delay and Pitch are all of my favorites thus far.
The features are simple. Learn the SP style operating system in a day or two, begin sampling and sequencing.
Work flow can be intuitive and amazing if you take time to use quality samples (Using the "Mark" function and the "Start"/ "End"/ "Level" to time in and out points of sounds ).
Ease of Use
It's real simple to operate this small, simple and entertaining piece of musical equipment. Please allow yourself some time to become familiar with patterns. This allows you to play along, performing live edits while sequencing.
CF card is mandatory for any serious musicians. Larger canvas.
Quality
I felt like the 404 wasn't as massive as I had imagined. It's just heavy enough (without batteries) to sense what kind of circuitry is hidden beneath the shell. I'm sure with batteries it would feel as solid as I had originally imagined.
It would be a cinch to take this on the road. Mind the KNOBS and all is well. And no dropping of delicate electronics. I'm sure if the 404 were dropped enough, it may suffer damage as any piece of musical equipment would.
Value
I somtimes have a friend drum with me while I alter the rhythms. There is an "EXT Source" button to use this as an effects board. Switching through effects between phrases is tricky yet fairly easy.
I can sample directly into the 404 from my mixer which provides me with acoustic sounds from mics, more drums from my TD3, and samples from synth. Great asset to work-flow.
Manufacturer Support
Haven't had to contact Roland. You get what you buy.
The Wow Factor
Finally adult toys without any perversion?! The pulsing blue light is definately a draw in a Gameboy-like sampler.
I can barely fathom what will become of my musical creations as I become more comfortable using this machine.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist, Recording Engineer Student
Musical Style:
Electronic, Acousticelectric, Electripop
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Submitted March 12, 2006 by a customer from verizon.net
Roland SP404 Workstation Customer Review
i actually owned it for about a month and had to return it due to money difficulties and have been greatly missin it and fiendin for another one ever since. and as soon as i got $400 again im runnin back to the store to cop another one
Sound
the effects sound dope , the only drawback is u can only use 1 at a time but u can get around it by resampling the sound with the effect on it to another pad . so u can pretty much use all the effects u want that way.i took one of the preset hi hats that the piece came with added a compressor to it , resampled it , added a reverb resampled it again and ended up with a ill original sounding snare. deffinitly dope for wildin out with sounds. plus the subsonic bass thing is cool, if u need a bassline and cant find one to sample which happens all the time
Features
like i stated previously its pretty dope . i got an mpc 2000 and although its a sick piece of equipment capable of amazing things, some of the stuff the 404 allows u to do in terms of manglin sounds with the fx opens up a lot of apportunities that u cant do with an ilder mpc model
Ease of Use
very easy
Quality
i m not one who particularly cares for looks that much but i wasnt realy feelin the sparklin blue screen thingy. looks kinda toyish with all the bright lights and stuff however the blinkin orange lights do serve a purpose and r needed i just wish it didnt look so radio shackish
Value
i wish it was $300 rather then 4 but all in all its worth it
Manufacturer Support
the manual is idiot proof and designed really well with things repeated over and over so by the time u read the whole thing it sinks in
The Wow Factor
see above
Musical Background:
beat maker , producer, turntablist, recording engineer, music fiend
Musical Style:
gritty hip hop
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Submitted February 3, 2006 by a customer from bellsouth.net
"nice piece !"
I think this is a sampler I will use for a very long time. I have a full array of software/hardware samplers but the fact that can work on my tracks ne where I go on a machine that gives me as much flexibility as this thing is dope !
Sound
plenty of headroom when recording samples, phat full sounds.
Features
Great set of features for the price range. Patterns sync up automatically unlike the old 303.. this is a big upgrade. Also 16th triplet and 32nd note quantizing is a welcome addition. The subsonic effect is sick ! Sample editing is very simple. I do wish it had swing and step editor though.
Quality
Very sturdy, it take it almost everywhere I go and its been droped banged and throw around quite a bit and still holding strong.
Value
much better than the electribes IMHO
Manufacturer Support
havent needed customer support. I give it a 10 because roland makes the best manuals.
The Wow Factor
looks nice.
Musical Background:
Producer, Turntablist, Music Sales, engineering
Musical Style:
Abstract Hip Hop
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Submitted April 9, 2010
"4 is not a lucky number. Don't Buy."
I was going to by the cheaper portable Akai mpc for a little bit more, and I wish I would have. . . . Darn.
Sound
It sounds pretty good.
Features
Same features as the 303 plus it can take batteries and has a built in mic(which sound's like crap, but duh)
Ease of Use
I used my sp 303 forever so it is very easy to use.
Quality
Compared to the sp 303 it doesn't hold up as far as matching loops that lock their bpm instead of fading. If you play the pads too fast they don't fully respond( which they do on the sp 303)
Value
Buy a used sp-303 if you can find one, it will make you much happier.
Manufacturer Support
I have never talked to anyone that works for or is affiliated with Roland or Boss.
The Wow Factor
It does have a digital screen that changes between three colors to the bpm, but I would rather they put the time and energy into making it as solid as the 303 or better. They made a flashy toy.
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Submitted January 26, 2008
"First Sampler and made an lasting impression."
This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Wonderful product. Beats Software Sampling by a mile. Makes the creative Music process flow more smoothly.
Sound
CD quality sound without a Computer.
Features
Quite a few and they aren't monotonous considering its size. Useful and creative also.
Ease of Use
The Manual was short and straight to the point. Took less than an hour to get the basics. The rest is up to the user.
Quality
Plastic bottom, metal top. Ins and Outs had no hum and pads are fast responsive.
Value
Cheaper than an AKAI, yet just as effective.
Manufacturer Support
No need. Roland products are top-notch.
The Wow Factor
Saw it and I had to get it. It's quite desirable by look and price. Dig the lights.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
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Submitted July 4, 2007
"i could hug it"
sequencing is the only problem i have. the real time pattern recording is ok but step editing and recording would make this an ace. this is such a rad piece though, it allows me to be composing beats and sounds on the fly where ever i go, using the noise around me is a pretty incredible, so portable.
i really love it, i could hug it.
Sound
the sound is quality, ultimately whatever the musician makes of it. yes it is quite expressive. It helps me get the sounds i hear in my head onto tracks. this can work with any musical style, just takes the ear to place it right. specifically with it i use an electribe emx-1, microkorg, and tr-707.
Ease of Use
the interface is as intuitive as it can be for its size and number of buttons and knows.
very tiny learning curve(an hour or two)
Quality
yeah, this is a pretty sturdy build, least i hope... is there something ya'll know that i don't?
ha
Value
YES
The Wow Factor
VERY COMPELLING AND APPEALING
like that guy said like a gameboy just way better or whatever.
Musical Background:
professional musican/producer
Musical Style:
indie electronic
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Submitted June 29, 2006
Roland SP404 Workstation Customer Review
Verified Customer
zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
Sound
I returned the first one I got thinking something was wrong but.....it has a hum and a hi frequency buzz (like a hi F# note) that's especially aparent when you record, the buzz is recorded onto the track, and it's noticeable, especially if you hit multiple pads (it adds up). This is more like a toy .
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