Roland SP-404 MKII Creative Sampler And Effector Overview:

The ultimate SP is here.

Roland SP samplers are the bona fide kings of performance-based beatmaking celebrated for their distinctive sound and ability to create rapid-fire beats anywhere anytime. Carefully refined through community feedback and extensive research and development the SP-404MKII is the ultimate SP sampler. It’s faster and better than ever with a vivid OLED display expressive new pads expanded effects fluid sequencing and sampling and a massive library of authentic sounds to inspire your music.

Features

• Vivid OLED display for visual waveform editing full menu access and more
• 17 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with no-click design for smooth playability
• Faster workflow with quick startup and load times 16 GB internal storage low-latency pads and rapid sample editing
• Compact ultra-lightweight design (2.4 lbs./1.1 kg) with versatile power options: USB-C mobile battery (via USB-C port) six AA batteries or AC adaptor
• Extensive onboard effects including SP classics like Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper new Lo-fi Cassette Simulator and Resonator effects and dedicated Vocoder Auto Pitch and Guitar Amp Simulator effects for the mic/guitar input
• 32-voice polyphony 160 samples per project and 16 internal projects for expanded programming possibilities
• Blazing onboard sample editing with real-time or auto-chop mode auto BPM detect envelope pitch shift and resampling for layering sounds and phrases
• Pre-loaded sound library with 144 high-quality professionally recorded samples and patterns
• Extensive customization options with removable metal faceplate downloadable outline template multiple screensavers and personalized startup logos
• Upgraded I/O includes 1/4-inch line in/out 1/4-inch mic/guitar input 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphones outputs and 1/8-inch TRS MIDI in/out
• New resampling workflow for re-recording with various effects for detailed sound design
• Audio capture and streaming supported with mobile devices and computers via USB-C*
• Skip Back Sampling to automatically capture up to 25 seconds of audio from your last performance
• Bus FX for layering multiple effects with customizable routing for creating intricate sound textures
• Adjustable quantization and shuffle percentage across multiple note resolutions to customize swing
• Pattern sequencer with the ability to create full songs with BPM per bank ideal for running backing tracks or programming performances
• Chain patterns for automatic playback and use Pad Link to trigger up to four samples with a single press
• DJ Mode enables new approaches to live performance by manipulating and mixing two separate audio files
• SP-404MKII editor software for Mac and Windows provides direct sample access detailed waveform editing sample management pad assignment and import of MIDI files and legacy SP-404SX and SP-404A projects

Bigger better faster stronger.

The SP-404MKII has everything people love about its predecessor—with some serious upgrades like 17 ultra-expressive pads and updated knobs for smooth hands-on control. And beatmaking is even quicker with speedy boot time swift project loading and sample import and easy project access via 16 GB of internal storage. Longtime users and new beatmakers alike will feel right at home with the intuitive layout and classic SP effects plus a revamped sampling and sequencing workflow Skip Back Sampling for quick performance capture DJ mode to mix beats live and more.

Guerilla beatmaking.

People who make music with SP samplers love the rapid workflow portability and tactile approach they offer. The SP-404MKII takes this experience even further retaining the lightweight-yet-rugged design while adding features that make it even easier to create in any scenario. Bang out beats anywhere with AA or mobile battery power capture audio from or stream direct to your mobile device via USB or collaborate with a partner using the dual headphones outputs and mic/guitar input.

A sampler with soul.

With the SP404MKII’s vivid OLED screen and zoomable waveform view sample editing is smooth like butter. Chop up samples by tapping out edit points in real time or use auto chop to slice samples automatically. Then finesse them with envelope and pitch shift and use the new resampling workflow to re-record patterns and effects layers for detailed sound design. And with Skip Back Sampling you can instantly grab those golden moments by capturing up to 25 seconds of audio from your last performance.

All about effects.

Process flip and twist your sounds with legendary SP effects and a selection of new classics. SP staples like Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper are now joined with powerful additions that include Lo-fi Cassette Simulator and Resonator. Layer and route multiple simultaneous bus effects for intricate sound textures or plug into the mic/guitar input and jam with ready-to-go Vocoder Auto Pitch and Guitar Amp Simulator effects.

Performance-tuned sequencing.

The SP-404MKII gives you the flexibility to create patterns with unique feel and energy. There’s adjustable input quantize and shuffle for custom swing Pad Link for firing off multiple samples with a single tap a Roll button for variable note repeat and BPM-per-bank for instant tempo changes. It’s also possible to organize patterns for different sets and chain them together to automate playback. With your hands freed up you can stretch out on the SP effects controls or let rip on your favorite synth.

Sound stash.

Dive into beatmaking with the pre-loaded sounds in the SP-404MKII’s blazing-fast 16 GB of internal memory. There’s a huge collection of curated samples to choose from and plenty of room to augment them with your private sound stash. And you can now load even more sounds at once with 160 samples across each project for expanded performance and beatmaking combinations.

Break beats. Not banks.

You shouldn’t need to take out a bank loan to make beats or produce tracks. The SP-404MKII is more powerful and more affordable than ever making it easy to add its rapid workflow and characteristic sound to your existing setup. And with all it can do the SP-404MKII may be the only piece you need for production and performance.

Specifications

• Maximum Polyphony: 32 voices
• Recordable Data
• Samples = 2560 (16 samples x 10 banks x 16 projects stored in internal storage)
• Patterns = 2560 (16 patterns x 10 banks x 16 projects stored in internal storage)
• Internal storage
• Size 16 GB
• *Including preload data
• Maximum sampling time: 16 minutes (approximately 185 MB per sample)
• Skip Back Sampling: 25 seconds (capturing the last moments of performance)
• Internal Data Format: 16-bit linear
• Import Format: WAV AIFF MP3 *SP-404MKII APP supports WAV AIFF MP3 FLAC M4A.
• Sampling frequency: 48kHz
• Pattern Sequencer
• Resolution: 480 ticks quarter note
• Pattern length: 1 to 64 bars
• Recording method: Realtime Loop Recording (with shuffle quantize function)
• Effects
• Multi-effects: 37 types
• Input effects: 16 types
• Pad: 16 pads + 1 sub pad (Velocity-sensitive pad)
• Controller: Control knobs x 3
• Display: Graphic OLED display
• External Storage: SD card (sold separately) for backup restore import and export functions (SDHC compatible)
• Connection terminals
• PHONES jacks: 1/4-inch phone type Stereo miniature phone type
• LINE OUT (L/MONO R) jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (impedance balanced)
• LINE IN (L/MONO R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type
• MIC/GUITAR IN jacks: 1/4-inch TRS phone type (for MIC) 1/4-inch phone type (for GUITAR)
• MIDI (IN OUT) jack: Stereo miniature phone type
• USB terminal: USB Type-C (Audio MIDI)
• DC IN terminal
• Power Supply
• AC adaptor
• USB bus power supply (USB Type-C port 1.5 A ormore)
• Ni-MH batteries (AA HR6)(sold separately) x 6
• Alkaline battery (AA LR6)(sold separately) x 6
• Current Draw
• 1100 mA (AC adaptor)
• 1500 mA (USB bus power)
• Expected battery life under continuous use
• Alkaline battery: Approx. 2.5 hours
• Ni-MH battery: Approx. 3.5 hours
• *This can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries capacity of the batteries and the conditions of use.
• Accessories
• Quick start
• “Read Me First” leaflet
• Roland User Registration Card
• AC adaptor

SIZE & WEIGHT

• External dimensions: 177.5 (W) x 275.8 (D) x 70.5 (H) mm7 (W) x 10-7/8 (D) x 2-13/16 (H) inches
• Weight (excluding AC adaptor): 1.1 kg