Roland SP-404 Mk2 (Part 2)

The Lounge Other Gear
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I didn’t look into it too much so I can’t really speak to how long he’s had it or how much he used it. Unless your unit is broken, clicks and pops (which can sound good by the way) are usually the product of recording too hot. Sometimes really powerful bass frequencies are a problem as well. Most of the time though, adjusting your loop point or rerecording at a lower level or with better timing will get rid of them. You can’t see the zero crossing but it’s still there.

Ring mod is a weird one. I’ve never been a “ring mod” guy, but I was always trying to use it with guitar in the past and I think I just didn’t really know how to use it. The majority of my opinions on ring mod were formed in the 90’s and reflected the poor results I got with guitar and some synths, so with an SP type device I think it lends itself to different uses. I think that it sounds cool as a punch in effect. Can really get an interesting robot voice sort of vibe out of it, but I think it also depends on what you’re processing and how you’re using it.

In the past, I wouldn’t have considered it a way to manually modulate pitch but that’s been really cool for me sometimes with the 202 so I guess it’s just like with anything, where when you find uses for something it becomes more useful and in different ways than what we might normally think to do.

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Those look great together. You are inspiring me to want to do some tracks with these two.

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I really like that you are limiting yourself to only a few things. It should be a really productive setup, sound great/unique, and self limitations also save you money by killing GAS. I hope you end up getting involved in the SP beat battles. For me, beat battles are the absolute best way to learn gear inside out and the people over there will no doubt appreciate the old school setup!

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I want to hear Bruce Lee drink Hawaiian Punch. I’m having a hard time looking that up!

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Just search hawaiian punch sp-202 freestyle.

To be perfectly honest it’s not a very creative use of the machine, it’s just a complete mastery of it’s basic technical operation. Very precise sampling and looping. He makes it sound good though, for that style of boom bap’ish beat or whatever.

I get the feeling that this machine is more complicated for most people to use than I give it credit for.

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Oh I see!
Search refined.

It is impressive seeing the prep and performance being one thing for sure.

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I am definitely one of those people you’re speaking of when referring to ignorance of the classic SP machines, although I became interested and have enjoyed learning about them since. Coming from the Elektron world I wanted an MPC, but I knew I really didn’t want an MPC. I think the mk2 made perfect sense as a performable pad based sampler for those of us that didn’t want the seemingly bloated DAW that the modern MPCs are today.

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For anybody interested in song flips and getting my opinions/feedback on your track, I’ve posted Uncarved Block #003 at Discord

Discord Server: NearTao

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Thanks for that. I figured gains were unlikely on that front. I cruise on the sailboat in summer with no way to recharge, so I am limited on power. I can make the 404 mk II work with a big USB battery, but it still lasts a very short amount of time compared to other options. Will save the 404 mk Ii for home, where it is awesome.

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@shigginpit
Depends how you use it though, and by that I mean whether you use it in a random manner, or whether you attempt to complete the processes in stages.

For example I see the pair as having four fairly distinct modes of operation, and for each mode of operation there’s many workflow options.

Workflow one would be for sampling-in and generating the base content. Workflow two would be for customising the content to fit the project. Workflow three would be for capturing and arranging the performance, and wokflow four would be for mastering the finished track.

So with that in mind, take the example of looping, and wanting to do long form. it literally doesn’t come any easier since all you have to do is prepare a looping sample on the SP-202, feed it into one of the tracks on the MT50, and play along with it and enjoy exactly the same sort of luxiries the MKII users do, because you can then record into the second track while it plays. Things like the undo of a looper pedal is not required, cause all you do is keep playing along with it until you get it right. When you get it right, you can freely wind the tape back to that part, resample it back to the SP-202, trim it, truncate it, and you have your perfect sample captured.

There is no stopping and starting if you use that workflow. It’s as easy as it gets. Just hit record and jam along, and that’s kinda what I meant earlier when I said that I think the workflow might scare peole, but actually it’s the easiest, most hands-on and orgainic way of producing a sample (and completed track) that I can think of. No sequencer needed, no starting, no stopping, and all with the benefit of adjusting everything after the fact before you even resample it back to the SP-202.

That’s just one example of a workflow that can be used for a specific purpose.

@DimensionsTomorrow
I would totally polish both of those to a perfect shine, and stick matching gold-plated chrome knobs on both of them. Very different look to mine, and it strikes me as one that would look exceptionally cool if specifically made to look bling and a bit gangster!

Regards Beat Battles, lol, I’ve given-up hope of ever getting on SP-FORUMS at this point. I was pondering a few names for a new website last week. Came up with quite a few good ones as well. I just haven’t gotten around to doing anything about it, being distracted with gear right now!

@PentalagusMusic
Enjoyed that. Personally I’d be an absolute laughing stock if I tried to do a live performance.

@OverneathTheSkybridge
I would take a MKII over an MPC anyday. I don’t hate MPC or anything, it’s just that I think the SP range is far more inspiring to use, and I tend to prefer the resulting audio that I hear coming from them. I don’t think you can go far wrong with any SP really.

@sealcove
With great power comes great battery consumption. Actually though, I’d do exactly what you decided to do and use a USB power bank. The only other option would be to take multiple sets of batteries with you, and that could get heavy if you’re out camping and hiking or whatever.

Actually though, I’d buy a P-6 for that, and I’m going to have to buy one eventually. I took a closer look at it the other day and damn, it’s even more powerful that I initially thought it was. I think it’s a very tasty peice of kit!

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@Bascarman a 40,000 mAh battery will serve the 404 mk2 quite well. I have not kept a log to see how many hours I can get, but it is adequate for my use level on a short trip of 4-5 days. So I can use the 404 mk2 on some outings, and for longer trips something like a model:cycles works out better, where a little 10,000 mAh battery will last me a couple of weeks.

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The longest trips are always the best IMHO, lets you get as far away from “civilisation” as possible for as long as possible. But of course the extended power (and food) requirements are a pain in the bloody arse and, quite literally, not to be taken lightly!

I’m one of those weirdos who gets a kick out of rain hammering my tent in a thunder storm, and the excitement of wondering if the tent will survive an 80MPH wind sweeping across an open moor, or winding itself through a valley!

The biggest problem I’ve faced when looking at those newer, more powerful power banks, is the issue of making sure it’s airline approved. I’ve never left the boundaries of the UK to wild camp, but if I chose to do that, then there’s a limit to how large a single powerbank can be, if you want to be allowed on a plane with it.

If I recall, the last time I looked, I had narrowed it down to needing to buy four 30,000mAh batteries, which was the maximum I could find that were airline approved and not be too heavy. That said, the weight of four 30,000mAh batteries is quite significant, especailly if you need to carry a foldable solar system to keep them topped up as well (and I would need to do that for long trips).

Anyway, don’t forget to record your adventure and MKII beat-making in the wild and post it! Would be great to see and hear that!

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