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Apples to apricots here. The One is a luxurious full-on workstation with a superior sequencer, deep audio editor, multitrack recorder, multiple effects layers/instances and contains a programmable synth engine...the 404 is a just a little box of creative fun but feels more old school with all tactical controls and no touch screen. With Akai there are no limits, whereas the 404 limits you to be more creative with less - so it more accurately simulates the feel of traditional old school aesthetics and principalities of beat production. It's beautifully updated but still feels like the starving producer's basement analog tool. The The MCP X/Live/One are luxury samplers. This is a HUGE win for Roland.
Ease of use is the most important thing. With the mk2. Audio interface. Capabilities. Battery. , usb-c. Song mode . Small form factor. I’ll use the mk2 more than my mpc one I predict.
So glad I found this video! I really like your approach to comparison here, it solidified for me why the 404mk2 is what I’m looking for with my intended usage.
I own the mpc one and it has been a great and challenging learning curve with going from a traditional DAW like logic or ableton to a standalone and software unit like the mpc I love all that it can do and is capable of doing I have a lot to grow with it . And that's why I love the mpc you grow to get your own style out of it . I want the sp 404 to have the versatility and convenience of it . I loved this comparison.
Thanks for watching Zyair! I agree with you there- and that's just an overall thing to consider with the MPC- the learning curve! The MK2 is also pretty complex but not quite the MPC.
@@LiamKillen exactly. Thank you so the more you find more shortcuts and ways to get around. They both compliment each other well because where one lacks the other shines .
Maybe I just understand things more quickly, but I made my first beat and first complete song on my MPC One, the very first day I got it. The issue is more in how some things in the user interface just do not make sense or lack consistency. This, unfortunately, includes loading up samples / assigning samples to pads etc. Once you understand how to activate a plug-in for the synth expansions and load up a drumkit, it'll be extremely easy. The harder part is dealing with all the quirks of how some stuff just does not make much sense in terms of an intuitive user interface. I wish Akai would have sat down and discard a bunch of the 'old MPC' work flow and come up with something better. Having said that, the MPC One _can_ do pretty much anything you throw at it or want it to do.
@@PHeMoX I agree after having it for a good 6 months I can load up and start a beat instantly. It was tough getting use to in the beginning having never used a hardware as powerful as an mpc system but I'm loving what it can do and I've put my time in . Still learning . Because it takes a while just to get a good song going and mixed and everything
The things that make the MPC the winner IMO is it does everything you throw at it. The SP404 on the other hand does key things well and is laser focused on doing those thing great. I see my myself getting the ideas started in the SP and moving to the MPC for plugins and some polishing. Then back to the SP for live performance. This is what I told myself to justify the purchase, so we will see when arrives.
I know what you mean sgkountz and I can agree, however the SP-404 mk2 does allow for full beat / full song production. It's not that much more limited in a true sense, even when obviously it lacks the whole touch screen DAW vibe and user interface to go along with it. It's more old school in that sense. I do think the MPC One / Live / X can take the audio quality to a higher level more easily, just through the many FX you get access to (not just side chained compression). But even in this video, I was actually fairly impressed with the overall sound quality.
The MPC One looks fantastic and I love my Maschine Mk3, but I really really want an SP-404. Just looks like a super cool toy. Resampling stuff in there and using its effects looks very fun and interesting too.
@@LiamKillen I can see that for sure. I just feel as if my Maschine covers a lot of the use cases where I would want an MPC One over a 404 and the more compact form factor of Roland's device just seems neat. Being able to take it out in my backpack to the park or even into the backyard or wherever and just be creative with some samples seems fun. Of the three I've only used Maschine so I can't comment as well as you on the relative merits of each. Thank you for the great video! :)
I use the MPC One as my DAW. There's no latency, you can add HUNDREDS of audio clips, using MPC's Clip Programs, which work like Ableton Live's Session Mode. Plus, the MPC has mastering effects, synth bass and lead instruments, drum kits galore and on and on and on. It's awesome! And while the SP-404 is cool and portable, the MPC One is a reliable, professional music making work-station. Get one.
Thanks for the work. I will say, by way of critique, and as someone well versed w/ the Live / X / One ecosphere, that your familiarity with the One’s GUI / workflow has colored your perspective on its intuitiveness. It’s really kind of arcane in many of Akai’s design choices. Having also come from a more destructive OP-1 / Koala world (Not to mention Portastudios.. way back!), I see the MK2 as a more intuitive performance-based recording tool. Hunting down a stray feedback loop that’s bleeding into the next sequence, among 25 programs (or god forbid an individual pad effect nestled inside one) is something I’ll be glad to put down, from the MPC world. 👑
MPC one is a good machine for making beats in the classic way of musicians with Akai machines. But the SP404mk2 has the capacity to be an audio and midi interface for the device via USB-C. USB-C has the advantage of emitting sound from any external device plugged into that cable. an iphone, ipad, MacBook, android, PC... but the MPC One doesn't work that way and I see much more practice to capture audio instantly from anywhere. MPC one is a DAW, the SP404 mk2 is an audio-only sampler. MPC One just for using samples is very powerful, but if you demand plugins, its 2 GB of ram and its limited processor make composing with plugins a big problem. If we use both only for audio samples we will see that both are great, but the SP404 mk2 is the only one that works as a sound and MIDI card for any computer.
Despite the MPC being the obvious choice for those wanting a complete package, I still feel like the MKII offers something more unique in some ways, in terms of it not just being 'a daw in different casing'. 99% of people would be better off using a laptop than an MPC in terms of functionality but there's not much to rival the MKII as a small form factor device for live use/DJing etc - laptop with a controller is much clunkier than the MKII.
For me, the SP-404MKII is the instrument of choice. Anything with a big screen is a turn off to me since I sit in front of a screen all day writing software. The last thing I want to do is sit in front of a screen when making music. For that reason, I've had an OP-1, an OP-Z and now have a Deluge, a Verselab MV-1, a Circuit Rhythm and an SP-404MKII. The immediacy of the SP-404MKII is what makes it really shine. Here's my latest song made on it: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IRPWNC_6KNo.html
I don't mind screens, but touchscreen? Fahget about it. No way. Might as well have a mouse at that point. Touchscreens are too awkward. If I got a new MPC I would get the X because there are plenty of knobs, faders, and buttons. I have an MPC2500 and aside from the effects and portability, it does everything I need it to. I may get the 404 mkII and use them together.
This is a big factor for me for the same reason. I'm dying to get away from screens after working on one all day. So, the SP-404MKII is attractive for that reason. The MPC ONE is super cool though for those without those considerations. Plus, as @KingShaman said, the SP does have that traditional old school aesthetic.
@@ghanezu the SP-404MKII is much more immediate because it's not a synth. It trekked in your putting samples onto the SD card or sampling from other sources. The MV-1 is very deep by comparison.
The mpc workflow is really straight forward i learned the who thing in a couple hours if i couldn't figure something out id watch a tutorial its so nice to work with ...i know alot of people are put of getting one cause they are scared of the workflow but its so easy id recommend you to definitely get one...
I have the og Live and I love it. With the new 404 out, I guarantee that’s gonna put fire under Akai’s feet to stay competitive. That being said, the newest MPC update bringing class compliant audio interfaces into your workflow is a game changer.
1. If you already have the SP 404 MK2: buying the MPC One still makes sense because of the improved (performance) capabilities 2. If you already have the MPC One: buying an SP 404 MK2 makes less sense because then it basically becomes a cool fx module at best that you hook up to your MPC 3. If you have neither of them, go for the beast that pretty much has the best of both worlds: The MPC Live 2. Suddenly you realize that having good speakers on your groovebox is something you've always wanted and you will find yourself using this around your house everywhere.
I really disagree the MPC Live 2 has the 'best of both worlds'. It's just as limited as the MPC One in terms of realtime live FX mangling on whatever you have going on on your MPC. It's why the SP-404 mk2 or really any SP-404/SP-303 FX box is such a nice companion. Personally, I think the SP-404mk2 is a bit pricey at the moment, but at the same time it is stand-alone and fully functional as it's own complete sequencer / sampler too. Anyway, my point being, in no way is getting the MPC Live 2, the same as getting an MPC One and the SP-404mk2. Not remotely close. The MPC One + SP-404mk2 combo is way more worth it than just the Live 2.
@@PHeMoX Mobility and some cool FX are really the only things that the SP 404 MK2 has to offer over the MPC One. But that mobility becomes meaningless as you hook it up to the MPC One because of its superior pad performance and other capabilities. With the MPC Live 2, you keep the mobility and gain even better pad performance and more capabilities (I/O's, wireless, etc.). Sure, you miss out on some cool FX (for now) but the MPC is no slouch in that regard and new FX literally get added all the time. The SP 404 MK2 with its smaller form factor and screen, is by design more limited in how much it can expand its capabilities with firmware updates and can never hope to do the stuff an MPC can do. And used in conjunction with an MPC One it's really nothing more than an expensive FX module so overall, you're better off spending less money on a single device like the MPC Live 2 instead.
@@shark6350 So I’m not use to hitting resample to record. That’s was weird. It was crazy menu diving and I don’t wanna work harder to get an idea out. I do like the velocity sensitive pads, 303 effect, super filter and the look. Another thing I hated is the chopping wasn’t good but I come from IPad Koala Sampler, BeatMaker 3. The MPC is probably closer to the workflow I would like. I like super intuitive workflows. Press record press play and bam. Also the fact that you can’t plug-in and download latest firmware. You have to get a sd card and stick it into the computer then download firmware put it back in the SP hold shift click yes the power off then on again. 🤔 wowwwwww. 2 hours later I go to record and it doesn’t sound better than the iPad. I was hoping the effects were better and they were alright. For SP heads it’s probably the best thing ever. For newbies prepare to give all your time to learning. I ain’t got time for that much menu diving. Oh top of all that…there is no true way to stem the tracks out properly. Kicks, Snares, Hats, Keys, Samples, etc. This is 2021 going into 2022. Why?
I was surprised at how delightfuly simple the roland 404 mk2 was, after using the mpc one for so long, and having never used an sp404 of any model, I was not sure what I was in for, I do wish there was just one nice lithium battery since aa's will last you like 3 hours on the roland. I also noticed like you said the 404 does not like it when you hit multiple pads at the same time, all in all though it shines at its small footprint and amazing effects
MPC one is the best production hardware I’ve ever worked with and feel so blessed to have been able to get one. Oh and maschine pads are definitely not bad but the MPC feels so much more idk comfortable IMO
You can drag and drop samples onto the pads in the mpc either by a) plugging it in via USB in controller mode and using the software (as you did with the SP-404) to choose from drives on your pc or the SD card in the mpc, or b) going into the sample assign tab after pressing the 'browse' button in standalone mode and dragging and dropping them onto the pads with the touchscreen (you need to load the samples first this way, but once you get into it it's super quick, and you can load all samples from a folder using the shift key when browsing). I'm reasonably sure that you can swap pads much quicker with either of these methods too. MPC DAW/software is crazy deep for what is essentially free software, but as you've alluded to in the video, you'd need to be using it as your main DAW to get the most out of it as it isn't immediately intuitive, and the rewards in terms of workflow probably come further up the learning curve than with other software. Thanks for all the quality content! Also those skins are 🔥
Liam you are a true character... 👍 You're my new mentor that's for sure. Can't wait to get my MKII in. Love the way you clearly explained everything that you did in this video. Tip my hat off to you!
I dunno if it’s on purpose but the subtle humor in your vids is top tier. In terms of the video, I’m looking to get my first sampler. The Akai sounds great cause it’ll have stem support the only problem I have with it is that it’s not as portable as the Roland and the live 2 is just too expensive plus I feel they’re gonna upgrade the live 2 any day now with a new + model or if we’re lucky, a 3rd version!
MPC live I’ve had and MPC One SO CLUNKY the user experience is everything and MPC does not have that, SP404MK2 on other hand wow , game changer one of my best investments in last two decades in music equipment!
i think this is a really solid video. i dont even have either of these machines, just a maschine mikro mk2 thats collecting dust, but enjoyed the comparison regardless!
I’m giving a longing look to the SP-404. With the upgrades, especially the Screen, it will be a perfect addition to my live sets. Neither the SP404 mk2 nor the RC505 mk2 LoopStation are available to us regular folks until after February 2022. No Christmas for me.
Hiii Liam 😊 hope all is well. I picked the 404mkii. Mainly because of the size and price. Other wise if I had the space and money I’d get the Mpc. Both machines are pretty legendary 🤩 awesome video!
I have the following MPC ONE,LIVE,60,60II,1000,500,REN,STUDIO BLACK,ELEMENT,2000,2000XL plus SP404 mk2, ASR 10, Emu Sp 1200,MC 909, all are unique in their own way but I must say the sound quality ,the effects that can be combined per pad in the Sp 404 mk2 and then resampled with the pitch adjusted bring a Whole other level I have owned this unit for 2 months and found a lot of tip & tricks on ver 3.0
Looks like I bought the MPC ONE at a good time, and I was considering the 404 instead, but it wasn't available for 3 months. Having both must be great as you could route an output (using a usb interface to give you more ins/outs) to the 404 to take advantage of those cool effects. I'm a total noob with samplers and grooveboxes so it is proving to be a challenge , but having fun.
Awesome video man you really went in depth with the comparison. Those drums too are top notch ! I just wish you would’ve talked more about your custom pads lol. That makes a world of difference to the mpc one experience.
Great video and I agree with you! If you are new to the MPC world, it understandly can take some time and commitment to learn but when you do, boy you will be chopping and slicing your way to some really great sounds. The Roland is fantastic for someone who doesn't want to commit to the learning curve or have the MPC as their centre piece. Both are really great units.
I’ve had my MPC one for a year and a half so I can say as soon as you have your head wrapped around it and you have good workflow. It’s a wrap. But the SP looks so interesting
Liam, I'm working on my beat tape and for that I had to go back to my MPC DAW beats. So far it's been a slog and i can't trust it. It doesn't export samples sometimes. Sometimes doesn't load the Plugins etc etc. Probably it's just my bad PC,but still...
I think the MPC One or Live is an easier workflow for anyone who is new to these two machines. The SP has perks but I think it’s best feature is the effects. I with Roland would have focus more on the sequencer which is one of the weak points. Although the MPC sequencer isn’t great at all. I think all in all I would go MPC or get an IPad and Launchpad Pro Mk3.
My 404 finally came a couple weeks ago. Loving how easy it is to input my synths and guitar into it! MPC looks great but I already have a Maschine mkII.
I’ve bought Sp404sx and a Mpc 5000 in 2010 three years later mpc literally exploded and I was left with the sp. Since then it had water, double cream, and all kind of food spilled on it by my kids , took it apart cleaned it and it’s still working. Mpcs are delicate equipment and there is a lot of parts that can and are breaking.in my opinion the variety of use of mpc is limited. Sp can be used outdoors as a field recorder , I often use mine as multi track recorder.
dude love and thank you so much for the Whole Video, but mainly for the Mute Group Part... Im a beginner at the MPC One and tried for Weeks to let my Samples "slide" into another. what Stupidity of myself
Awesome video man. I’m using the SP404 with a Maschine+ as kind of a master fx unit with the ability to play samples or interlude tracks I make while I load up the next project in Maschine. You really need to try playing on a Maschine controller, the pads are 🔥
Link mode off is a killer on the MPC “meaning playing past slices” This is video is cool from your perspective but as a seasoned MPC user since the 60 when you know the MPC you fly through things quickly. You definitely got it down💪🏿 ALSO, all the current MPC’s sample slice the full 127 midi implementation where as the 404 only slices to 16 but it’s a workaround. I’m definitely getting a 404
You make the best point when you say you haven't gotten into the MPC Studio DAW because you already use Logic. To me with this comparison the SP-404 wins hands down. The MPC One to me feels like it's in this awkward middle ground where it's too expensive/feature-creeped to be this alternative to beat production with its own unique effects. Yet it's not feature-packed or robust enough to replace a DAW. If I wanna make a detailed, polished song I'll just use a DAW, the MPC One feels like you're just handicapping yourself for no reason, where as the SP-404 actually has features I couldn't get in a DAW like portability, the effects, ability to perform and more.
@@LiamKillen Well, I've been watching your video to find out if the SP could replace my One. I can agree with some of the points bubbly has made. After watching the whole thing I guess I'll stick with my MPC. Yeah, the workflow is a bit annoying sometimes but I really like the built-in plug ins. I been watching a lot of SP videos. For me it seems everyone is making this thin LOFI sound with it and so I'm still wondering if it can make "bigger" sounds too.
I think the key difference between the two that seems overlooked is the dramatic difference in versatility. The SP-404 is really a sampler first and foremost, so "making a beat" with it really means making some sort of hip-hop in the end, or at least a very very samples-based form of music. I haven't come across any reasonable examples of how other genres of music can be produced with ease, except maybe BoBeats remix of his own already finished song. The MPC is extremely versatile in comparison - it can be used to "make a beat" of any genre imaginable: techno, EDM, hip-hop, rnb, ambient, rock, pop, synthwave, etc etc.
@@chareslamb87 Yeah there are of course the obscure examples out there, but there's a reason why SP-404s are 99.9% hiphop dominated. The workflow just doesn't work well for any other genre unless you're prepared to bend yourself backwards to make music.
I absolutely agree with you there but also disagree! If you're talking from an FX standpoint the sky is the limit IMO. They def have a throwback/lofi quality that's for sure but they're diverse enough to use in lofi chill (of course) house and electronic: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9LMedQDWhKs.html I've also done some synthwave/ambient things as well. Here's a thing I did with the JU-06a: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Xz9kZPN11t0.html As for composing it really depends on the samples that you're using. I agree that there is SOOOO much (maybe too much) boom bap/throwback hip hop stuff with the 404 but by simply just speeding your samples or choosing up tempo samples and changing up the rhythm of your drums, you've entered a completely new genre. This actually sparks some ideas of how to step out of that lofi/boom bap genre with the 404.- should I maybe make a video on this?
@@LiamKillen Well, I absolutely agree and disagree with you too! Yes, as an effects box, it's very versatile, but you can't really compose music on it unless you sampled existing melodies into it. Your example with the JU-06A is a good one but it proves that point: you actually made the melody on another device, then you were able to generate interesting iterations of it on the SP-404. If you were stranded on an island with just the SP-404, you wouldn't be able to do much with it. With an MPC, you could create a full album. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the SP-404 is a creative beast as part of a larger set, but standalone, it's pretty darn limited.
@5:00 by the way, this is definitely user related. I don't want to sound rude, so didn't say 'error', but it kind of is. The MPC One actually has the same problem, because in reality the pads are not sensitive to a hit across the entire surface of the pad (ie. including corners), but more so only in the exact centre of the pads. This means if you try to hit the pad more diagonally due to finger drumming angles and simultaneous play, it can actually mistrigger or respond late. I had this exact same issue on the MPC One and had to slightly adjust my play style to fix it. It also helps to adjust the sensitivity and pad threshold value to something that allows you to hit the pad fairly hard. I would have preferred more of a lighter touch to respond, but the MPC One actually will start to double trigger and glitch just through basic play. Now don't get me wrong, with the other pad sensitivity and threshold values it is extremely playable and works fine. But my Maschine Mikro MK2 does allow for a more mellow play with higher sensitivity, without annoying double triggers or mis-firings. At the end of the day, I do wish the MPC One had bigger pads. They truly are a bit too small. I kind of think the SP-404 pads allow you to hit the pads more off centre, whilst still responding as their design is a bit different (ever so slightly more rounded on top). But I guess it depends a lot of actual finger drumming. Oh and last but least, the MPC software is kind of trash honestly. Using the MPC One in stand-alone is just way more straight forward. The software is a cluttered mess that does not feel like a DAW. And mind you, it largely does the exact same thing as when in stand-alone mode. It's not remotely close to the Maschine 2.x software or stuff like Ableton or even Reaper. It also can not really do more than the MPC One stand-alone, except for more audio tracks (which you do not have to use, there are plenty of work-arounds available including bouncing to a sample pad or bouncing to a single audio track) and for more extensive plug-in usage (yes, some are MPC software-only unfortunately and do not allow stand-alone use, but the better ones are stand-alone compatible it seems and possible to export from the software. It sucks this process fails to work most of the time though).
Ah I see what you're saying- in comparison though the 404 mk2 pads are a lot more sensitive and there's these double triggers happening which makes it harder to execute.
If I had to choose 1, I would go mpc for more flexibility and an almost complete all in 1 package. I have a live and have a mk2 coming in. You can't go wrong with either that's for sure. I think you are right that Roland is going to keep pushing out updates too. It's a beast of a little machine
I agree with your recommendation to go with the MPC first, but your point that one can't go wrong with either really depends on what kind of music you'll be making. If it's anything other than hip-hop, then you'd actually go wrong pretty badly with the SP-404.
Anyone that owned an RS7K and stuck with it knows how horrible and how rewarding steep learning curves can be. The latest gen MPCs have a steep learning curve and I think the oldheads without enough time in the day will probably still be learning it by the time the next gen comes out 😀 I'll report back in two years and let yall know how that's working out. I have a Live II and it's a very deep and flexible machine. I just wish it was available in 2000.
The SP is a down and dirty creative sampler. More of a sampling instrument. The MPC is a workstation built on a drum machine. The SP does what it does and does it very well. The MPC does more, but not as well or as fluid as the SP at what the SP is good at. Both are fantastic samplers, just with different approaches.
Great video. I’m be currently got an MPC Live II, and heavily considering switching to an SP-404. Have been an OG 404 owner before, and mostly what I miss from that was the fun and immediacy. The MPC can do so much, but I have to confess, I’ve never enjoyed my time using it. To me, it just isn’t that fun to use. (I’m sure I’d feel differently if I learned it inside and out). I’ve also got a Syntakt/Digitone, and I think sequencing the 404 with the Elektron boxes might be the setup I’m currently looking for.
The One is currently 800 - also sorry about the error! I corrected it on screen in the video. I was thinking in my own currency for that price (it's 1000 Canadian Dollars).
This has to be one of the best videos demonstrating music equipment. Pros, cons, how to use with great examples. I wouldn’t know which to get because you can edit with software. But if he would have given an opinion on live performance, well...
yooo someone might’ve posted this already but saw you were turning off the gate for each individual pad…pretty sure you can turn gate off/on the entire bank by pressing shift + gate-hope this saves some time!
I got myself the sp404sx as a fx processor for my MPC some time ago. I also had the modbapmodular per4mer module by that time. Per4mer appeared to be way better. So I sold my old classic sp404sx
oh really...interesting. I think you'd like the per4mer better than the MK2 as well (for FX). While there are some new FX the general "vibe" of them is very 404. That being said if you want to deep dive, here's a video going through all of the MK2 FX extensively! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Tl9kSiqOQLI.html
I have neither and will likely never get either (maybe the mkII?!?!) but still enjoyed watching and learning about these supremely popular pieces of music tech! K imma go order the mkII now. Jk… 👀… lol
For those on the waiting list, just heard back from Sweetwater. I'm on the top half and the appx. Time frame is Jan/Feb. So If you're not on the top half, take a deep breath, center, relax, and be prepared to wait awhile 🤪
When I was a kid I saved up hard for a Yamaha SU700 and despite initially finding the workflow a bit tricky I learned to love it. I had to sell it when I went to college and now I’m nostalgic for it but picking up an old SU700 seems a bit crazy considering how far the tech has come. Which of these two would you say is the closest to the SU700 in terms of workflow and capabilities?
Liam, I'm team YES to both! But upon further reflection, you did me no favors here - I'll have to add the SP-404 Mk2 as a complement to my MPC One. Once again, I have to have a long discussion with my wallet since we got into an argument a month ago about getting a Korg Wavestate after making a recent purchase of a Korg Modwave. So far, I may be losing these arguments soon as I am running out of excuses to justify purchasing more gear.
MPC display looks so much better here but my friend used his sp404mkll in conjunction with his iPad via the app Roland made for it . HUGE difference . Otherwise , great video and thanks for doing this .
That it is restricted to redbook audio (44.1kHz @ 16-bit) is an odd limitation, given it is $500 and has no keybed or such things that can drive up price. Not even an aluminum chassis. edit: and I read that the post effects aren't very good either versus the $500 MC-101, and then that would mean it falls behind even the older JD-Xi which has been $500 for years before the price hike (+$20) during the pandemic. JD-Xi is also 24-bit because I noticed that the noise floor of its main outputs is -120dB, well beyond the -96dB limit of 16-bit (typically ranging from -90dB to -70dB in actual practice depending on what gear we're talking about)
5:07 That's maybe because the rubber (latex) pads interact on each other. The SP404 has probably a to tight or to lose build frame where the rubber "pulls up" the pad nr13 when the second finger strokes pads nr14. So because of pressure on the 14th pads make you have less sensitivity on pad 13 and maybe around others too.
In the minute 10:45 when you are assigning samples to pads, after chopping you can just make a drum program instead of going one by one as you did my man, the workflow it's very easy tbh & also when chopping you don't need to hold shift for chopping, in the same window you can just click chop and adjust, Marlow digs channel and tubedigga are very helpful btw
I just want to say I have used both machines and I think they it's hard to compare mpc are great in dynamic sound full spectrum but u can make some serious samples on the 404 the effects are unreal but I don't think just one of them can do it all the akai is great but if I could only choose one I'd take the 404 it's special
I find that after all recent updates on the MK2 - they just keep adding new stuff to it and now it feels like a completely different entity compared to the MPC One.
I completely agree I love the 404 I go everywhere with it I got a great little battery pack the give me 8 hours of its like an instrument in itself I love you videos aswell sure but yeah to me the sp404 just makes cents I've used the circuit all over them but I find the creative complexities the come with the 404 just make it more great
The Mk2 feels more like a Sampler than the One. Just the fact that it has a very simple yet effective screen instead of a Phone Slammed in to a controller it's definitely a winning factor for me.
The MPC is way more powerful, and for that the big touch screen is required. You may not like it, but it's something for the beter of the device. Chopping, sampling, sequencing, the MPC is way more capable for all that. Otoh, the SP-404 is an unique device with and unique workflow that can lead to a great result. Also, using effects on a SP-404 is a performance by itself and very fun and creative, I love it.
@@gffg387 Absolutely the One is More powerful I'm just saying the mk2 has a different feel (more like an MPC 1000 with jjosxl) and I'm glad Roland went to this direction!(Still keeping my 1000) but so tempting!
Great video but regarding the MPC... RTFM! The software is ridiculously powerful & I'm sure you'll pick up 1 or two tips to help/improve your current workflow...
Well...It's kind of comparing apples and oranges. The SP series was never meant to compete with the MPC lineup... not even back in the day... that was the MV8800's job. The SP line up was meant to be used as a DJing Sampler. Its small footprint was so you could place it on a deck near your turn tables. That's why it has all those quick access effects and stuff on it. It however ended up being a device to compliment the older Akai MPC's that didn't have built in effects or allow you to re-sample. So if you had a 2KXL or the like you paired it with a 404. It's only in the recent years that Roland observed people were using this device for "beat making" exclusively and revamped it to add in all the beat making features that would make the unit ideal for that. In a strange why it's like they went down the list and checked off everything people wanted and actually put it on the machine. Now you can make beats on it easier but it still retains that charm and simplicity that the O.G. 404's had. That's the way I look at the MK2. It's literally every complaint about the old box not only fixed but taken to the next level. I wouldn't ever compare it to an MPC though it was never meant to be a replacement or a substitute for it. The 404 is meant to be a different kind of experience.It seems like some how the 404 got jacked by people making lo-fi music while forgetting it was originally adopted as a re-sampling tool for the MPC boom Bap community first... Which oddly enough lo-fi is just a low fidelity version of Boom Bap music. Some people will see something like this and get the impression they should compare an MPC One to an 404MK2 and that should never be the case. They're two different instruments with two different styles and approaches to making samples. The MPC being more technical and filled with options as the 404MK2 is just a small foot print sampler that focuses on simplicity to make music. The only MPC I would compare the 404MK2 to is the 2000XL or the 4000. That's the level it's on with its new features. But comparing the two is like comparing a 2022 Tesla to an 1982 Volvo.
The MPC 4000 has that whole synth dimension to it, on top of its sampling capabilities. You can use it for sound design, work on many envelopes, add layers, etc, where the 404 is more a « phrase sampler » like Roland used to put it (I started many years ago with the 202 OG model ;-)
Right, I'm not an expert with either but I'll add my 2 pence. The mpc is a more versatile unit, it has its own rechargeable battery and built in monitor speakers with more affects and mixing capabilities and ins/outs. The sequencer is 100 times better and there isn't much you can't do with it. It also has a direct link to your splice library and categorises folder by key/instrument/bpm etc, so for a sampler style producer it's easy to find samples in the same key to make a beat, one you get used to the workflow you can bang out your standard youtube producer style beat in like 30-120 mins, paired with splice it's got me throwing away beats I would of been proud of making before getting this unit as its that easy it feels like cheating, I feel I value my beats less now. The sp is fun and has fun effects that you can easily implement to make a standard beat sound interesting with little effort, the resample button allows you to get really creative with samples to the point where they are unrecognisable, you can spend hours just messing with a sample. The sequencer is inferior to the mpc but the limitations in the unit push you to be more creative. And the sound is 90's boom bap/lo-fi with minimal effort. The sp404 mk2 is great as just an effects module, wanna make your clean spending piano sounding like a 90s producer sampled it from Ahmed Jamal? Slap a 404 vinyl sim on it and go full helmet on the flutter, wanna make it sound dirtier? Resample it and add some lo-fi on it, wanna make it sound even dirtier? Resample it again and add saturation. It can be powered by its adapter, or batteries, it can also be powered by an ipad pro! You can also sample directly from the ipad pro both using the type c charger cable. So if you want to travel and have unlimited samples and extra power, bring your ipad pro and a type c cable, get a dual type c adapter and plug your ipad into the wall and the other side of the dual use to power/sample to sp. My only couple of gripes are sequencing in the sp and external sample size which I'm sure can be bettered with updates.
I will say, the MPC software isn't the prettiest. And having to pay for and learn a whole new daw (being an Ableton user) was a bit of a pain. Those small things aside. It does unlock some iLL features for you. Like my favorite, the access and ability to use third party plugins! That ish is hella sweet. I really wish it let you do it in standalone though. I'd be convenient to have them on the machine itself when needed but maybe in an update? (Looking😳at you Akai😊)
@@LiamKillen yep. I was a little hot about it at first. But it does change the game. Like, I'm using the Atlas plugin inside the MPC software. You can create drumkits at random! Maximizing the use of your samples. That includes the computer's library and the MPC's. (You have to copy them all to a place where they can be scanned but still.) Really helpful. Not to mention all the other badass plugins out right now. MPC+babyaudio's I❤️NY=🔥🔥🔥
Pls someone answer me. Can u actually make a song with the sp, can u actually sequence a 4 minute song and then export it. Should it be your studios center/brain of producing. Cuz i wanna make music without a computer and im think between the sp and mpc
Should I buy one if these, or not? I have a Maschine Mk3, and it’s pretty cool, I can’t lie, But I want a sampler that’s easier to sample, incorporates easy into most DAWs, and has that BOOM BAP sound. I like to produce hip hop LoFi, and chill jazz type stuff …..
Yes it's my bad! I made that correction on screen in the video. I was thinking in my own currency for the MPC One Price (Canadian Dollar). Our dollar is weak AF lol
