Roland U.S.

Portable Power-Sampler with FX

More Info

Two Sampling Modes
The name Roland is synonymous with “great sound,” and the SP-404 doesn’t disappoint. The sampling and playback quality of this instrument, affordable as it is, is crystal-clear Compact Disc-grade. You can record audio directly into the SP-404, or import/export industry-standard WAV and AIF files via CompactFlash card. Fear not, lo-fi lovers — the SP-404 also provides a Lo-Fi sampling mode, so you can scorch, roast, and crunch your audio if desired.

Realtime Pattern Recording
After the SP-404 is loaded with the audio of your choice, the fun begins by creating custom beats and tracks via onboard pattern sequencer. This easy-to-use sequencer allows up to 8,000 notes to be recorded in real time. For perfect playback, your pattern data can be quantized to the note value of your choice. Up to 24 patterns, each 1–99 measures long, can be stored in the internal memory simultaneously. On CompactFlash cards, you can save 96 additional patterns with 8,000 notes of recording capacity per card.

Quick Sampling & Editing
If you need to capture audio fast, the SP-404 provides an easy, efficient sampling engine; just connect an audio source or external microphone — or use the built-in mic. The SP-404 can house up to 24 samples in memory simultaneously. On CompactFlash cards, you can store up to 96 samples; if you use a 1GB CompactFlash card, sampling times can be as long as 772 minutes (!) in Lo-Fi mode, or up to 386 minutes long in Standard mode. The SP-404 provides sample-editing tools for setting start and end points, adjusting levels, and more.

29 Onboard Effects
Twist, bend, and animate your audio with the SP-404’s expressive effects, and manipulate them in real time using the front-panel control knobs. Shake the walls with Subsonic. Drive the dancefloor wild with the BPM Looper (grab a region on the fly and loop it) and DJFX Looper (change speed and reverse audio to get a turntable scratch-like sound). Also offered: reverb, flanger, delay, Voice Transformer, distortion, filter, Slicer, Isolator, Vinyl Simulator, and more. Best of all, the SP-404’s effects can be applied to multiple samples simultaneously or live input signals. You can also select the multieffects directly by pressing the MFX button and the corresponding pad at the same time.

Onboard Microphone & I/O
An external microphone can be plugged into the SP-404’s mic input and used to capture audio, but those who want to sample fast and spontaneously will love the built-in microphone. Just aim, point, and record! If you want to sample pre-recorded sounds, simply connect your CD player or sound source to the SP-404’s line input jacks (L, R) and sample away. For playback, the SP-404 offers line outputs (L, R) as well as a headphone output for privacy. A MIDI input connector is provided for controlling the SP-404 externally.

CompactFlash
The SP-404 comes equipped with an industry-standard CompactFlash slot that accepts cards of up to 1GB capacity. You can even import WAV and AIF files into the SP-404 via CompactFlash, and vice versa. CF cards are handy, reliable, and readily available on the mass market.

Portable Power-Sampler with FX

Specs

Maximum Polyphony

12 voices

Internal Memory

Samples

24 (12 samples x 2 banks)
* Including Pre-loaded Samples

Patterns

24 (12 patterns x 2 banks)
* Including Pre-loaded Patterns

Memory Card (CompactFlash)

Samples

96 (12 samples x 8 banks)

Patterns

96 (12 patterns x 8 banks)

Sampling Frequency

44.1 kHz

Data Format

SP-404 original format (.WAV/ AIFF import/ export possible)

Sampling Mode

STANDARD/ LO-FI

Sample Edit

Start Point, End Point, Level, Truncate

Pattern Sequencer

Maximum recordable notes

Internal Memory: Approx. 8,000 notes (Including Pre-loaded Patterns)
Memory Card (CompactFlash): Approx. 8,000 notes

Resolution

96 ticks per quarter note

Pattern Length

1-99 measures

Recording method

Realtime Loop Recording (with quantize function)

Effects

29 types

Signal Processing

AD Conversion

24 bit

DA Conversion

24 bit

Display

7 segments, 3 characters (LED)

Onboard Mic

Mono x 1

Connectors

LINE INPUT Jacks (L, R), LINE OUTPUT Jacks (L, R), Headphones (PHONES) Jack (Stereo 1/4 inch phone type), MIC Jack, MIDI IN Connector, AC Adaptor Jack, Memory Card Slot (CompactFlash)

Power Supply

DC 9 V (Dry Battery LR6 (AA) type x 6 or AC Adaptor)

Expected battery life under continuous use

Alkaline: 6 hours
* These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

Current Draw

300 mA

Accessories

Owner’s Manual, AC Adaptor (PSB-1U)

Size and Weight

Width

178 mm

7 inches

Depth

257 mm

10-1/8 inches

Height

72 mm

2-7/8 inches

Weight

1.3 kg

2 lbs. 14 oz.

excluding batteries

*The specifications are subject to change without notice.

Insider

Downloads & Updates

Downloads & Updates

SP-404 System Update Version 1.04

This is the latest operating system update for the SP-404. Please refer to the "readme.pdf" document for the update procedure.

This update resolves a .wav file export issue where the length of the exported sample was incorrect.

The downloaded file is compressed as a .zip file and will need to be unzipped using either WinZip on a Windows PC or StuffIt on a Macintosh.

If you need, you can get WinZip from the following link:http://winzip.com

If you need, you can get Stuffit Expander from the following link:http://www.stuffit.com/mac/expander/

SP-404 Factory Data

This download contains the original factory data for the SP-404. Please refer to the "SP404Restore_readme.pdf" document for the loading procedure.

Note: This file is compressed and will need to be uncompressed after downloading. Windows users can use WinZip to uncompress the file. Macintosh users can us Stuffit Expander to uncompress the file.

You can get WinZip here

You can get Stuffit Expander here

Support

If you have questions about operating your Roland, BOSS or Edirol product, please check our Knowledge Base for answers to the most common questions.

You can also contact our Product Support department by phone or email.

In addition, we have a library of Product Manuals and Support Documents that you can download and reference. If Support Documents are available for this product, they will be listed below.

Support Documents

Sampler Compatibility Guide (PDF)

Check this PDF document for compatible drives and RAM.