another option, OP, if you want to see if you’ll like the 404 workflow is to try the Koala Sampler app. About 1/10th the cost of a 404 and a couple more features, but of course its a phone / pad app.
That said, I have a 404SX and I don’t regret the purchase at all. I’m mainly using it for easy recording and editing samples for “one-shot” use right now.