Roland recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of its iconic and genre-breaking sampler. This year’s 404 Day also saw the release of an update which brings Serato DJ and Studio support to the SP-404MKII.
Aphelion’s Orbit shares his thoughts on the popular sampler in our latest review.
Sampling
I remember some of the early samplers and techniques that helped shape hip-hop and dance music. Before it was even called sampling, DJs were back spinning records to repeat breaks and specific sections. In early studios, the Fairlight was a game-changer. Even before that, in the 1940s and ‘50s, organs acted as primitive samplers.
As technology evolved, sampling became more accessible with EMU systems, Akai, Casio, and others leading the way. I personally owned an Akai S-900 and a Roland MV 8800, and I still have a Casio FZ-1, SK-5, and multiple MPCs. Once I got hooked, sampling became second nature—it was in my blood.
Fast Forward
Jump to the present, and there’s no shortage of powerful hardware samplers from both major and indie manufacturers. But do they truly capture the essence of classic sampling while propelling you into the future? Maybe. One standout from Roland embraces that raw, nostalgic spirit—limited sampling times of 10–15 seconds, 12-bit and 16-bit sample rates, and an effects section that pushes creativity to new heights. That sampler is the Roland SP-404 MKII.
SP-404 MKII First Impressions
The Roland SP-404 MKII is a true standalone sampler, designed for portability and creativity on the go. Whether you’re using the preloaded sounds or connecting a turntable or mic, you can sample directly into it with ease. It took me a little time to get familiar with the menu system, but the learning curve wasn’t too steep. OG SP-404 MKI users should feel right at home, though they’ll have to decide if upgrading to the MKII is worth it.
If I had one complaint, it would be the limited DAW integration. While it’s functional, I’ve waited years for Roland to step up in this area, and it still feels like little has changed—especially considering I’ve also used the Roland Fantom X. With that said luckily the SP-40 MKII is a near complete in the box sampling unit. You can create an entire track with FX, and export to your DAW.
Hardware & Set-Up
Easy setup. Turn it on and register your unit. Solid build, weighing in at just over 2 lbs. Dimensions 177.5 (W) x 275.8 (D) x 70.5 (H) mm7 (W) x 10-7/8 (D) x 2-13/16 (H) inches.
At times, I felt myself wishing it was just a little larger with a bigger screen. Then I thought that would take away from the character, uniqueness and purpose of such a special unit. It’s small enough to sit on your desktop and pack up and carry anywhere and work. And if you’re a performer that does music sets, this is it.
Interface
The SP-404 MKII comes with a beautiful OLED display, 17 velocity-sensitive RGB pads with no-click design for smooth playability, and various other buttons and knobs to control the sampler.
Input/Output
The front panel provides 1/4 & 1/8-inch headphones outputs, and a 1/4-inch switchable mic and guitar input with gain control.
The DC in terminal and power on/off switch are on the back panel, alongside USB-C (for power, audio capture and streaming, and connecting to your computer/mobile device), 1/8-inch TRS MIDI in/out, and 1/4-inch line in/out with individual jacks for L/Mono and R. There’s also a Kensington lock to secure your SP-404.
Key Features
- 16 GB internal storage.
- 32-voice polyphony, 160 samples per project.
- Onboard sample editing with real-time or auto-chop mode, auto BPM detect, envelope, pitch shift, and resampling for layering sounds and phrases.
- Resampling workflow for re-recording.
- Loop Capture feature inspired by the SP-555 allows you to record, loop, and layer performances with effects in real time.
- Audio capture and streaming supported with mobile devices and computers via USB-C.
- Capture up to 40 seconds of audio from your last performance in any standalone mode with Skip Back Sampling.
- Pattern sequencer.
- DJ Mode.
- FX.
Performance
I treat this sampler as a true “happy accident” machine—whatever happens, happens. It’s my go-to sketchpad, where ideas take shape before I loop them, layer patterns, add FX, and ultimately drop them into my DAW. The creative possibilities are endless.
Resampling is a game-changer, allowing me to rework my own content freely. Then there’s skip-back sampling, which captures the last 25 seconds of whatever I’m doing—absolute magic. Pair these with essential tools like quantize, chop, autochop, and FX, and the energy in a track really starts to come alive.
Time manipulation, stretching, and customizable time signatures—whether globally or per pad—elevate the experience even further. I mentioned beat juggling earlier, and this machine makes it possible, just like working with two turntables.
Overall, the pads feel great, and the workflow is thoughtfully designed. Coming from a heavy MPC background, I can confidently say—sometimes, two things can be true at once.
The Magic That can’t Be Explained
There are plenty of reasons to love this sampler. Some might argue that everything it does can be replicated in a DAW—and that’s probably true. But what sets it apart is the *feel.* It’s the same rush you get when first learning beat juggling or diving into turntablism. The thrill of nailing the perfect sample chop. That moment when you find the groove, heads start snapping, and someone says, “Whoa, what was that?” That’s when you know you’ve captured something special.
This sampler delivers that feeling—the raw, intuitive workflow that echoes early hip-hop, glitch, and experimental sound design. It’s a performance powerhouse packed with unique FX, giving it a distinct sound and character that simply can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Alternatives
Plenty of alternatives exist—Maschine, Ableton Push, and Teenage Engineering gear among them. I’ve personally tried Maschine and Ableton Push. Teenage Engineering’s gear always sparks debate, though I haven’t had hands-on experience with this particular unit.
Meanwhile, DAWs have evolved significantly. With features like stem separation and advanced time-stretching, there’s little that can’t be accomplished entirely *in the box* today.
Pros
- Editing & sound manipulation.
- Gorgeous interface (screen).
- Fun factor.
- Standalone.
- Outstanding built-in FX.
Cons
Final Thoughts
As a beatmaker and record collector, this sampler is an obvious choice. Over the years, diving deeper into sound design has only expanded the creative ways I use it. The built-in FX are widely celebrated—almost every review acknowledges their quality, and some users buy the SP-404 MKII *just* for its FX alone. That says a lot.
But this unit isn’t just about beats and hip-hop. It’s a versatile tool that extends far beyond those genres, opening doors for experimental sound design, ambient textures, and whatever else creativity demands.
Visit Roland for more information on the SP-404 MKII (MSRP $499 USD).
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