Roland SP samplers are the true leaders of performance-based beatmaking, celebrated for their unique sound and ability to create fast beats anywhere, anytime. The SP-404MKII is the ultimate SP sampler, meticulously improved through community feedback and extensive R&D. The SP-404MKII is faster and better than ever with a vibrant OLED display, expressive new pads, expanded effects, smooth sequencing and sampling, and a vast library of authentic sounds to inspire your music.
The SP-404MKII is everything you loved from its predecessor, with a few serious upgrades, including 17 highly 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, Enhanced DJ mode to mix between SP patterns, and more.
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.
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 40 seconds of audio from your last performance. Firmware update v2.0 adds the legendary VariPhrase timestretching algorithm, allowing you to stretch a sample’s pitch and time with superior sound quality and less audio degradation.
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. Firmware update v2.0 adds new MFX including Cloud Delay, SX Delay, SX Reverb, and Backspin while new input Harmony Effects will expand performance possibilities for vocalists and instrumentalists.
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 organise 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 favourite synth. 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.
UPDATE v3.0: New performance workflows, a majorly boosted DJ mode, improved MIDI sync for jamming with external instruments, and a ton of additional enhancements. Thanks to extensive artist and user feedback, the v3.0 update ensures your SP-404MKII keeps improving to inspire new ideas and performance approaches.
Melodics finger drumming lessons for your Roland SP-404MKII is now available. Get started HERE!
Features
- Vivid OLED display for visual waveform editing
- 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 (1.2 kg)
- TR-REC style Step Sequencer for classic approaches to programming
- Chromatic Mode recording plus polyphony and scale setting for deeper control of melodic and harmonic programming
- Onboard effects, including SP classics like Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper, new Lo-fi, Cassette Simulator and Resonator effects
- 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
- 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 customisation options with removable metal faceplate
- 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 40 seconds of audio from your last performance
- Bus FX for layering multiple effects, with customizable routing for creating intricate sound textures
- MIDI CC for program change, controlling effect parameters, and more
- Motion recording for sub step, pitch, and velocity
- Multiple power options (USB-C, mobile battery via USB-C port, six AA batteries or AC adaptor)