The SP-404MKII is described as “the ultimate Roland SP sampler”.
Released way back in 2005, the original Roland SP-404 was a small and affordable sampler/groovebox which became a cult classic, used by artists including J Dilla, Four Tet, Oneohtrix Point Never and Radiohead. Updated extensively from the original models, the newly announced SP-404MKII is a huge step up in functionality, retaining the same immediacy and affordability of the original.
Visually, the MKII gives a few clues about what the big changes are this time around: there’s a much-improved OLED screen to make sampling and editing easier, while the 4×4 grid of velocity-sensitive pads is a clear improvement on the 12 fixed-velocity pads of the original. A MIDI output around the back means you can now sequence external instruments with the 404. There are plenty of other updates, which you can check out in the video above.
The Roland SP-404MKII is due in stock in November, priced at £439.
