True, though you can resample all day long.
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And pad link, which accomplishes something similar to layering multiple samples per pad.
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Pad link is awesome!
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Thanks to @NearTao and others, I know how to trigger pattern sequences remotely, which means that the Syntakt can run through its song mode pattern chain and the SP-404 MKII will just follow suit according to which pattern sequences are being requested through the Syntakt’s midi PC messages.
I’m wondering, is it possible to record that entire chain of pattern into a new sample when it’s triggered remotely like this? The use case is to record an entire jam into a new stereo sample. I’d hit Rec on the 404, then hit play on the Syntakt (in song mode), which is also sending midi transport messages. The Syntakt then runs through a series of local patterns as well as sending PC messages to the 404 to play through its corresponding set of pattern sequences, all while the sampling/resampling into a new pad continues.
Is this possible?
I think it would be unless I am missing something…
Why not just record the patterns into the 404 and chain them with pattern mode?
You’re eliminating steps and convoluted pattern change cc messages.
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You can play a pattern, and record to a pad, playing along to the pattern without recording the pattern to the pad, isolating the Syntakt. Then you add the new sampled Syntakt to the original pattern
I think he’s keen to multitrack out as much as possible from his live jams into a DAW (via overbridge) which is why I assume he’s keen to keep the syntakt separate.
I’m going to give it a go using your suggestion though with my TR8S!
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I know.
But why not just do it all in the DAW then? It just seems over complicated.
I need to stop responding to this thread. I love the 404 and get excited when I see people talk about it here, but lately it’s been about too many obscure hypotheticals, that would be answered if the unit was actually owned, and these were tried out.
The manual is very comprehensive, and straight to the point. If it’s not in there specifically, then it’s probably some unintended functionality.
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If you mean CC program changes, I think there’s a glitch.
But if you mean recording in a sequence or synth along with the 404 pattern playing but not recording, I would. It’s wonderful.
I have a TR8S and I used it along with the Prophet, going back and forth building up a track.
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Yes I meant the latter, playing in a synth and the TR8S and recording that, whilst the pattern isn’t recording - I need to get my head round that, but sounds really fun!
I am really new the the SP404 but there just seem to be so much ‘magic’ in it, I know that’s a weird thing to say or a cliche, but it’s how it feels. The slightly esoteric workflow probably just adds to that.
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I hope you do keep posting!! I’ve found some of your inputs really helpful in convincing me to get one, and then assisting since I’ve had it!
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@djst and other ‘nauts’… A nice and useful tutorial about ‘Pattern chaining’ and export to SD-card by SPVIDZ
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Cool. It’s actually easy. Just go into the Ext Input menu. Make sure the setting is on “Ext In” and not “Mix”.
And if you click the value knob, it gets you into some input effects that aren’t in the regular effects menu. Like Harmonizer and Guitar Amp Sim. Two of my favorites.
In that submenu. If you click the encoder, you can change the parameters as well.
Really great stuff.
I’m recalling this from memory since I’m not in front of my 404, but let me know if you need anymore info. I can look later.
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Awesome, thank you!!
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Yes, this is the video that prompted my question. It clearly is possible to record a pattern chain within the 404 itself, but what if the recording starts by pressing play on another device (say the Syntakt) via a midi transport message, will it still start the recording and also record the external in (the Syntakt in this case too)?
In this case, the question isn’t asked because I want to find a way to stem things out into the DAW, it’s the other way around. This would be making a new stereo sample with the sum of the pattern chain and the Syntakt all being jammed on together. A final mix if you will. The use case for me is to be able to send a .wav file to a friend with an embryo of a new jam made on the 404 and the Syntakt together.
If changing 404 patterns via PC (program change) midi messages complicates things, how about if I create the pattern chain from within the 404 as per this video, with the one difference that it’s the Syntakt that sends the transport message - will the 404 start its pattern chain resampling function anyway, and will it capture the external audio too?
Sorry you feel that way. There’s no need for you to reply if my questions annoy you. I’m trying to figure out if the 404 could work for me as the added sample spice for my Syntakt jams, and there are a few scenarios that are going to matter for me.
- I’d love to leverage the 404’s own pattern sequences so I can program things like polyphony/chromatic playback on a single pad (and I assume that this wouldn’t work via midi note messages since the manual says that a pad corresponds to a midi note #, meaning there’s no way to also send the chromatic pitch of that note via midi - if I’m wrong about this, if love to be enlightened!)
- I’d love to be able to use the 404 as a sort of portable audio interface too. When developing a jam on the Syntakt + 404, I’d love to be able to resample a whole jam and get a new wave file for easy sharing over the cloud. In theory it should work, but this is what I’m trying to confirm above.
- If none of the above works, as a plan B, I’d devote a midi machine track on the Syntakt and sequence pad playback all from the Syntakt instead and disregard 404 pattern sequences altogether. But if so, the question still remains: can you start to record into a sample and then have the Syntakt start playback (and thus send midi transport messages to the 404) and the recording doesn’t stop until I hit stop? Meaning, will it record the entire jam, along with playing the pads that are being triggered via midi, along with the external audio in and not have the recording get thrown off by the midi communications?
In many cases it is not. None of the three questions above are easily answered by reading the manual. The midi spec sheet suggests that chromatic playback of samples isn’t supported over midi, but there’s no mention about it. And whether a pattern chain can be resampled if record start is triggered externally isn’t mentioned at all. And the instructions for how to start a recording of a new sample suggests you start it by hitting pads, and it’s not documented what happens if playback starts from an external midi source.
Hence me trying to ask this friendly community so I can confirm whether the 404 is a viable option or not. Thanks!
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The answer is yes. Get one now and enjoy yourself.
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Was that also the answer to all 3 questions above or at least question # 3? If so, I probably will get one. Thanks. 
Hey! I couldn’t find this answer on this so maybe someone on here will know: is it possible to send midi to the SP from a trs midi to trs midi cable like this Boss BCC-1-3535 TRS/TRS MIDI Cable – Thomann Switzerland or do I have buy another Midi to trs adaptor? I wanna slave my SP to a SQ-64, which also use trs midi.
Thanks!