SP-404MKII Creative Sampler and Effector

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, onboard looping, and a massive library of authentic sounds to inspire your music.

Features

• Vivid OLED display for visual waveform editing, full menu access, and more17 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 (2.4lbs / 1.1kg) with versatile power options: USB-C, mobile battery (via USB-C port), six AA batteries, or AC adaptor
• 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
• Customize the look with the detachable metal faceplate, user design template, and support for importing your own startup logo and screensaver images
• Extensive onboard effects, including SP classics like Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper plus new Lo-fi, Cassette Simulator, and Resonator
• Dedicated Vocoder, Auto Pitch, Harmony, Guitar Amp Simulator, and Anti-Feedback processing 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
• New resampling workflow for re-recording with various effects for detailed sound design
  Loop Capture feature inspired by the SP-555 allows you to record, loop, and layer performances with effects in real time
  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
• VariPhrase encoder for high-quality time-stretching of pitch and speed parameters
• Groove Function inspired by the VP-9000 for adding swing and timing variations to sample phrases and drum loops
• Multipad Export for saving all samples within a pattern as individual WAV files
• Bus FX for layering multiple effects, with customizable routing for creating intricate sound textures
• Adjust quantization before or after recording and tweak shuffle percentage across multiple note resolutions to customize swing
• Pattern sequencer with BPM per bank and the ability to create full songsSequence patterns with real-time loop recording or TR-REC step input
• Chain patterns for automatic playback and use Pad Link to trigger up to four samples with a single press
• Motion recording for capturing dynamic changes to effect parameters, sub step, pitch, and velocity
• Sound Generator for creating and capturing basslines and melodic phrases
• DJ Mode with the ability to mix two audio files or patterns, manipulate eight cue points per sample, adjust fader curves, and much more
• Koala Sampler integration provides bidirectional sampling support and a dedicated control mode to manipulate the app from the SP-404MKII panel
• SP-404MKII standalone editor app for macOS 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
• SP-404MKII editor app also available as an AU/VST3 plug-in for music production software on macOS

*A supported iOS mobile device with a Lightning connector can be connected to the SP-404MKII via USB-C using the appropriate Apple adaptor cable. The SP-404MKII must be powered with the included PSD AC adaptor or six AA batteries (not included) in this circumstance. See the SP-404MKII Reference Manual for more USB-C connection info.

Bigger, better, faster, stronger.

The SP-404MKII has everything you love about its predecessor—and so much more. You get 17 ultra-expressive pads and updated knobs for smooth, hands-on control, plus faster operation with speedy boot time, swift project loading and sample import, and 16 GB of internal storage. Longtime users and new beatmakers alike will feel right at home with the intuitive layout and classic SP effects, enhanced with a revamped sampling and sequencing workflow, DJ mode to mix beats live, Skip Back Sampling and Loop Capture features, and many other powerful creative tools.

Guerilla beatmaking.

SP samplers are loved for their rapid workflow, portability, and tactile approach. The SP-404MKII takes this experience even further, retaining the light-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. Collaborate with a partner using the dual headphones outputs and mic/guitar input. Or capture and stream audio with your mobile device via USB. Onboard integration with the popular Koala Sampler app is now included, offering bidirectional sampling and a dedicated mode for hardware-based remote control.

A sampler with soul.

With the SP-404MKII’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, and then finesse them with envelope and pitch shift. Convert any pattern or pattern chain to a sample with the press of a button. Call up the Groove Function to add swing and timing changes to sample phrases and drum loops. And use Skip Back Sampling to instantly grab those golden moments by capturing up to 40 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 bus effects and motion record effect parameters for intricate sound textures and dynamic playback. Or plug into the mic/guitar input and jam with ready-to-go Vocoder, Auto Pitch, Harmony, and Guitar Amp Simulator effects.

Performance-tuned sequencing.

The SP-404MKII makes it simple to create unique patterns and infuse performances with fresh energy, thanks to versatile real-time recording, evolving editing tools, and our intuitive TR-REC step sequencer. There’s adjustable quantize and shuffle, a Roll button for performing and recording note repeats, and BPM-per-bank for instant tempo changes. Jam with samples live and organize patterns for chained playback in different sets. Sync with external MIDI gear and work with imported multitrack files. And use Multipad Export to save all samples within a pattern as individual WAV files for song development in your DAW.