Roland Introduced The SP-404A Linear Wave Sampler

Also in 2017, new hardware samplers are still rare to find on the market. When musicians need in their setup a hardwarer sampler, the choice is made between the powerful sample workstation Elektron Octatrack or the performance oriented sampler SP-404SX from Roland.

In order to offer an actual sampler to musicians, Roland introduced on the 808 day the SP-404A Linear Wave Sampler, a revised version of the SP-404SX. The new version expands the sounds of the Roland AIRA TR-8 Rhythm Performer. The SP-404A can be triggered now from the TR-8 via MIDI for integrated beat and sample production.

Unfortunately, Roland doesn’t include new features or improvements to this device. A better pitch function or the ability to resample from external input would be excellent in a modern machine. Maybe we will see this in a new complete sampler later from Roland.

The SP-404A is based on Roland’s popular SP-404SX, a longtime sampling favorite of DJs and music producers. All of the functions and features of the SP-404SX are contained in the SP-404A, including 16-bit linear sampling, 29 onboard DSP effects, smooth FX switching, 12 professional performance pads, and an onboard pattern sequencer.

The SP-404A can be triggered from the TR-8 Rhythm Performer via MIDI for integrated beat and sample production. Users can incorporate samples from the SP-404A and use them in conjunction with drum patterns, and each of the TR-8’s 11 tracks can trigger a sample on the SP-404A, play a TR-8 sound, or both.

In addition, the TR-8 can be used as an audio sub-mixer and processor for the SP-404A. In this configuration, all samples played on the SP-404A can be effected using the TR-8’s Scatter feature to reverse, glitch, gate, truncate, stutter, and perform all types of rhythmic variations in perfect sync. Samples can also be controlled by the TR-8’s per-step Side Chain function for rhythmic ducking and gating effects.

To get users started with sample looping, the SP-404A comes with an SD card loaded with a library of new sounds created by Loopmasters, a leading sample developer. The samples in the library have been designed specifically to complement the TR-8, but also work well in standalone applications.