I almost purchased the KO2, but then I realized that the SP was so much better overall. I’m just waiting to know if the inputs can actually be split into 2 mono instead of 1 stereo, like the digitakt.
Well TBH I’m also waiting for the rumored MPC mini 
I own both, they compliment each other. Recording the KO II performances and adding FX with the 404 is the way. Gives you an easy way to get it into a daw as well with the USB C audio of the 404.
SP Gang before KO2. Love em both. It’s like having a son and a daughter. Dog and Cat. About is different as they are the same.
I also own both and as I’ve already stated in the TE EP-133 thread, the more I play with the KO2, thw more I love and appreciate my SP404mk2.
Both are cool devices, but if I could have only one it would easily be the SP404mk2, no doubt.
For sure. I recommend KO2 to friends but only to the ones I know have other main samplers. kO2 can’t be your only sampler unless you aren’t really that into samplers imo.
That said, I haven’t touched my SP much since I got Ko2.lmao. However, once I’m finished my KO2 album it’ll all end up back in SP.
Perfectly said! 
that’s exactly how I feel about it. I think it’s a GREAT little device, but what you wrote here hits the nail on the head.
I feel like it covers more ground than an MPC 3k, which was a lot of people’s only sampler for years.
an excerpt of bedtime frippertronics 
You had me at “Frippertronics”.
Cheers!
Hi all, has anyone in Europe got a line on where to buy the MK2 now? They seem to be out of stock everywhere(except Stones Throw edition).
I have a fellow musician friend that ‘needs’ to get one for their upcoming live sets.
Any tips are appreciated!
Hmmmm, people tend to forget that the mpc3k was meant to be the heart of your studio, alongside a nice mixing board: plenty of separate outs, plenty of midi ports, detailed editing… not sure I’d put the KO2 at the heart of my studio.
I have the SP on order. At this time it will take another 9 weeks to be available. Funny because I had it on order in summer of 22 and then it kept getting delayed (for half a year) so I went for the MC-707 which I like a lot.
Have been following SP all the time, looking for videos with good sound (I don’t care for the old jazz record sound, allthough it can be used with good musical results) but I’m into good sounding samples and sampling my synths. Combining it with MC-707 and or the M:S.
I like Nonjuror’s sound.
The SP came back on top after trying a multitrack recorder, Zoom R20. Nice thing, good sound and easy. Especially for recording synth jams. But after 2 weeks I realised that I prefered to spend that money on the SP because I decided to call it: I mainly like to work vertically with hardware. Meaning: my main facination is what works together at a given point in time. Sounds, frequencies, rhythm. Let’s say a verse or a chorus.
So recording a 2 minute jam with just a bit of tweaking does not really add a lot to that main goal.
I don’t mind putting the ingredients in the Daw and arrange from there (when I’m in the mood for it).
I plan to use the SP for the following things:
Recording synth jams to a stereo file (In stead of buying a separate field recorder).
Recording synth parts of a jam and experimenting with it.
Expanding the MC-707 and M:S in jams.
Using it for it’s strengths; shaping (mainly) drumsounds into a tight coherent sound, like I hear on Nonjuror’s work. (surely will take some learning).
Now I have a question about project management:
I read that you can export projects, there is also a backup function, you can also rename stuff in the app.
I am wondering: How do you go about backups etc.
For what I understand: SP will always have a project loaded into PROJECT1 to 16
Let’s say I filled up project 1-16. I can use backup to have a full version. I can add to that exports of projects 1-16. Do you rename those after exporting or just keep the names project1-16 and name maps where you keep them (Don’t know how to ask this in an easy way)?
Say I renamed an exported project to; Project 21 on the PC; can I import that one into the spot of project 1 and will the SP then call it Project 1?
Can’t get my head around it right now, watched some videos about it but this is still not clear to me.
Are there any pitfalls on this subject? Any tips about organising older projects on PC and reloading them on the SP are welcome.
Cheers!!!
It doesn’t split per se… but I did a video explaining panning samples hard left and hard right… https://youtu.be/kSKFmbOtjdk
Hope that helps.
I’ve written about this a few times in my guide and posted a few videos trying to explain file structure/backups.
Basically you have backup slots 01-99 in a directory on your SD card named backup. This creates one or more files that archive all of the content of the projects (1-16) with all of the banks (A-J) of samples and patterns, into the file. When you restore a backup, it is going to replace whatever is on your SP404 mk2 internal project/sample/pad memory with the contents of the backup.
Backups are a moment in time of the state of your SP404 mk2, you’re not going to be able to pick and chose what you want to backup/restore, it is an all or nothing process.
If you want to be able to mix and match, you’re going to have to export/import projects. The files of an exported project are on the file system, so you can get a bit more creative copying things around, though you can still bump into problems if you don’t take care.
Overall, you’re probably best of trying to use the SP404 mk2 Application if you’re not comfortable working with the files directly on the filesystem.
Hope that helps.
Thanks NearTao,
I saw your videos. I will take a look at your manual if that might answer my questions.
I am aware of what options there are, just curious about how people use it.
Especially the fact that the SP uses naming project 1-16. What do people do with project 50, 100 etc?
Anybody have workflow tips about that?
Do people just backup the whole state of the SP up till backup 99 and then start using a new SD card and start over again?
Maybe that is the easiest way.
If you say: “you’re probably best of trying to use the SP404 mk2 Application if you’re not comfortable working with the files directly on the filesystem.” what use do you mean when it comes to export import and keeping track of all these projects 1-16?
edit: I know this is not the most inspiring subject about the SP and maybe I’m just overseeing a very simple way of doing things that becomes clear once you start using the sampler.
I have and am very happy. I have had it for the past 6 days or so and there really is no comparison based on my use of the SP and videos of the KO2. To give full context I have almost every major drum/machine sampler. ALL MPC’s except the 3000 and X. SP12 and SP1200, etc.
My interest in the KO2 was primarily for its sequencer based on demos the time signature/note repeat seemed modeled after the SP1200 if recall correctly. The fact that it was also a sampler was a huge plus.
I own the Toraiz SP 16, which is a highly underrated sampling drum machine with an immediacy and simplicity that sparks creativity with amazing results, like many people report the experience with the KO2. It (KO2) would be a light version something portable, that I could walk around from room to room.
I missed getting in on the first batch by three orders and was automatically put on for mid to late December. The SP404MK2 was frequently being referenced on the EP-133 thread and I remember the 404’s launch just like the EP-133, it was crazy, sold out every and scalpers on EBAY/REVERB selling unit for $800+.
With all the reported EP-133 issues the 404 was becoming more and more appealing
The buttons combos initially were annoying but once you get the muscle memory going it is an amazing little beast some pros: USB audio sampling from iPhone, great effects and crisp display wave form editing. Sample editing is also pretty good, up to 4 samples can be “layered” at one time mic/guitar input. 16 minutes sample time. SD card slot with Ver 3 can support up to 1Tb though the onboard 16GB and my 32GB Sd card are more than enough.
Step sequencing not my thing but comes in handy, I am still not sure if it’s a yea or nay.
I am not sure how far down the rabbit hole you have gone but I highly recommend watching
Nervouscook$ SP404 tutorial series:
It’s great to drop a pattern on the first step quick!
I’ll record a guitar sample, edit start points and jump into TR-Rec mode and put that sample on step one. Adjust BPM to liking and off to overdub some bass!
You can do it with the real time sequencer like the older models just a lot easier now!
That’s exactly how I use it on the OT and SP16 but still learning my way around the 404.