Originally leaked on Reddit last week, the SP-404MKII SP sampler is now been officially announced.
Roland announces the SP-404MKII Creative Sampler and Effector, the latest generation model in the legendary SP compact sampler series.
Having had a Reddit leak last week, there was growing interest in exactly what Roland would release. SP samplers are popular devices and are loved for their distinctive sound, quick user experience and portability.
The MKII is faster than its predecessor and includes a divided OLED display, new pads, increased effects, improved sequencing and sampling and a significant library of sounds.
Further upgrades include enhanced project access via 16 GB of internal storage, preloaded with a large collection of curated samples. Users can create beats anywhere with AA or mobile battery power, interface with mobile devices via USB, or collaborate with partners using the dual headphones outputs and mic/guitar input.
The SP-404MKII has added Skip Back Sampling giving beatmakers the ability to recall up to 25 seconds of audio from the last take. Similar to how Ableton Live 10 added Capture MIDI – you can always recall that “perfect take”,
Legacy FX staples such as Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper remain but are complemented with new bus brothers such as Lo-fi, Cassette Simulator, and Resonator. Users can also plug into the mic/guitar input and jam with ready-to-go Vocoder, Auto Pitch, and Guitar Amp Simulator effects.
The sequencer now has 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 a BPM-per-bank for instant tempo changes. It’s also possible to organize patterns for different sets and chain them together to automate playback.
Don’t like what you see? Join the growing gang of SP users who enjoy customising their hardware as with the SP-404MKII users can download a faceplate template to create custom overlays, style their startup screen with personalized logos, and select a screensaver that matches their creative vibe.
The SP-404MKII App syncs with the Roland Cloud Manager on a Mac or Windows computer. This app provides an improved workflow with a large sample waveform view, a pad matrix for sample and pattern management, easy import and export of files, and the ability to convert legacy SP 404SX and SP-404A projects to MKII format. You caThe Roland Cloud also houses the Beatmaker Sample Packs, an exclusive series of sample collections to inspire productions on the SP-404MKII.
The SP-404MKII Creative Sampler and Effector will be available in the U.S. in November for $499.99. Find out more on the Roland website.