Ok, this is my setup right now:
MD Mk2 (non uw), for the drum sounds. extra synths and stabs and arrangements are triggered by the machinedrum to a sp404sx that just works as a dummy sampler (it just throws loops or one shots). everything is in song mode because i play guitar and i just press play and the machinedrum and the sp404sx do all the job.
The keyboard player in the band (he plays an analog keys) suggested that i might replace both machines with the rytm, using long samples there to replace the sp404sx, and anything that the rytm lacks can be solved by sampling.
So is this possible? i can throw a 3 minutes loop with the rytm in a track? i know that the engine of the md an the rytm are very different, but how can work for my setup?
my band is pretty non-elektron in some way… we play mostly indietronica/noise-ish stuff with bass guitar, electric guitar, analog keys and the machines. and vocals. so the idea is to not use the rytm for techno but for something just a bit different.
maybe the octatrack is a better option but all the tutorials and guides that i read alienate mine. rytm sounds a bit more fun, to put just some samples there and just making the basis of a song, then playing guitar in top of that.
any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks!
Hi there.
There’s a small bunch of SP404sx users here. I’m one too.
You should do a forum search - you’ll find a bunch of ideas around this topic that’ll be helpful, and will save people having to go over things too many times.
In a nutshell, IMO, you should keep the 404 AND get the RYTM. Don’t forget to sample the fuck out of the MD, both one shots and short loops!
I wouldn’t think of the RYTM as being a loop sampler replacement per se (but it will do that job - just remember the inbuilt sample length limitations), and not EVERYTHING sounds good through its circuits - the 404 makes a really nice point of difference there.
But I’d only be doing this if you’re ready for a non MD sound. You’ll also get microtiming which I couldn’t do without, as an ex MD UW owner.
Just remember that, unlike the MD, the RYTM on its own will not be able to sequence the 404.
Feel free to ask any particular questions.
PS the RYTM is great for “not techno”. I couldn’t not use those kick engines though… damn.
that for the kind answer. i will do a search regarding the sp404sx.
the 404 it’s an ugly machine but yeah it can be very practical. didn’t knew about the sample length limitation. good to know! i will do some search and come back later.
So, so far what i read, there’s a 2:50 min limitation for the lenght of the samples. That’s okay, i use longer samples in some tracks but that’s because i’m lazy,i can work it out 
The other big annoyance that i’ve found is that it doesn’t save the tempo in each song. that’s a pain in the ass. it’s workable, anyway, i guess.
The AR will give you instant, powerful vibes and improvisation, no doubt, but don’t be put off by the learning curve in the OT.
If you know what you want the OT to do, and if you stay focused on it in a per task capacity, it won’t take long to get that sorted.
I would say keep the SP404SX as well. It’s great for adding effects. Right now I use mine as a quick jam recorder. RYTM goes into OT, OT into SP404SX. So much fun can be had by adding the SP’s effects. I don’t think the RYTM will have enough sampling time for backing tracks, but you could use the RYTM to trigger the SP’s long samples.
How would you trigger the SP with the RYTM, out of interest?
How would you trigger the SP with the RYTM, out of interest[/quote]
I was using the SP’s sequencer to fire off longer samples by syncing it to the RYTM. If you could change the MIDI out note numbers on the RYTM that should also work.
How would you trigger the SP with the RYTM, out of interest[/quote]
I was using the SP’s sequencer to fire off longer samples by syncing it to the RYTM. If you could change the MIDI out note numbers on the RYTM that should also work.[/quote]
No midi out on the rytm yo. The port only sends clock.
Yeah you’re stuck with syncing the SP404 clock to the RYTM but it certainly can not trigger the 404.
The 404 sequencer is a real drag IMHO and I’ve gotten the best out of it as an instrument when I sequence it from an external device like OT.
If you are in a band, go for the Rytm. The pads make it a very tactile and expressive instrument in terms of triggering sounds. You can even morph and tweak the sounds with the pad pressure. Got a static loop? Work the pads, baby! Sickness.
Also it’s got analog filters and overdrive so your samples get a very warm organic flavoring that could be great sonically in terms of mixing in with a band.
And as far as triggering the 404… the new Rytm OS PDF says:
List of changes from OS 1.20 to 1.21 Changes
Added midi output configuration EXT for the pads. This means you can play the pads and send only midi, without triggering the internal sounds.
I haven’t tested triggering anything yet, but it certainly seems possible now?
That sounds great if it is the case, and I look forward to trying that, but that doesn’t mean the RYTM will output those notes from the sequencer.
The 404sx had its own pads - I can’t see why playing it from the RYTM pads adds any huge value TBH?
I almost popped on an MV, had a lot of the SP series, not the 404 and close to buying one, even just for its portability.
A thing to note, unless specs have changed the RYTM only plays samples in mono. So if you intend to use loops or samples with lots of side info, they aren’t going to sound great, especially if you are not hot on mono compatibility.
I forgot to reply. haha! I use the SPs sequencer to fire off the SPs samples. The RYTM just sends it sync to start and stop it’s sequencer.
the RYTM can’t sequence. An MPC500 is really small - almost the same footprint as the SP404 - and offers sequencing.
I think going from MD+404 -> Rytm+MPC500 will get you the best lateral change. Plus you can run the audio out of the MPC into the compressor to keep your samples + loops juicy 