Roland SP-404 User manual

Quick and Easy Sampling
Create Your Own Tracks More Samples on Memory Card Battery power for ultimate portability
Pro Quality Effects Onboard Realtime Performance

More features, more voices, more pads, and more memory —
the SP-404 is the most powerful portable sampler on the
market. It has a CompactFlash™ slot, a built-in microphone
for quick sampling sessions, and battery-power
compatibility for EZ travel. Even with all the features,
the SP-404 is still amazingly affordable.
Capture audio fast with the SP-404; just
connect an audio source or external
microphone — or use the built-in mic —
and record! The SP-404 can hold up
to 24 samples in memory
simultaneously. Using
CompactFlash cards,
you can store up to 96
samples. With a 1GB
CompactFlash card,
sampling times can be
as long as 772 minutes!
Quick and Easy Sampling
The SP-404 is made to be played. Go wild on the 12 large, rubber pads
and three control knobs. Manipulate the powerful onboard
effects in real time — shake the walls with
Subsonic, and ignite the
dancefloor with the BPM Looper,
Voice Transformer, screaming
resonant filter, and more.
Realtime Performance
Twist, bend, and animate your audio with
the SP-404’s 29 ultra-expressive effects, and
manipulate them in real time using the front-panel control
knobs (see Specs, back page, for complete list). The effects can
be applied to multiple samples simultaneously or to live input signals.
The creative possibilities are endless.
Pro Quality
Effects Onboard
After you’ve loaded the SP-404 with
the audio of your choice the fun
begins by creating custom beats and
tracks with the onboard pattern
sequencer, where up to 8,000 notes to be
recorded in real time (even more with
CompactFlash). For perfect playback, pattern data
can be quantized to the note value of your choice.
Create Your Tracks
The SP-404 features an industry-standard CompactFlash
slot that accepts cards of up to 1GB capacity. You can stream
pattern data and samples to card, and even import/export WAV
and AIF files. CompactFlash cards are handy, reliable, and
readily available on the mass market.
More Samples on Memory Card
The SP-404 also operates on 6 AA batteries, and it will last approximately
6 hours; time will depend on actual conditions of use. Take the SP-404
wherever you go. Sample, edit, and create music anywhere, anytime!
Battery power for ultimate portability

Visit us online at www.Roland.com Roland Corporation is an authorized licensee of the CompactFlash™ and CFlogo ( ) trademarks.
All specifications and appearances are subject to change without notice.
All trademarks used in this catalog are the property of their respective companies.
Sampling
Mode
STANDARD
LO-FI
5 min.*
11 min.*
12 min.
24 min.
32 MB
24 min.
48 min.
64 MB
48 min.
96 min.
128 MB
96 min.
193 min.
256 MB
193 min.
386 min.
512 MB
386 min.
1 GB
772 min.
Memory Card
Internal
Memory
* Including Pre-loaded Patterns
Stereo Headphone
RH-200
Carrying bag
CB-SP404
Microphone
DR-50
Printed in Japan AUG. '05 RAM-3951 BGA-2 GR-UPR-K
Maximum Polyphony
Internal Memory
Memory Card
(CompactFlash)
Sampling Frequency
Data Format
Sampling Mode
Pattern Sequencer
Effects
Signal Processing
Display
Onboard Mic
Connectors
Power Supply
E xpected battery life
under continuous use
Current Draw
Dimensions
Weight
Accessories
12 voices
Samples: 24 (12 samples x 2 banks)
Patterns: 24 (12 patterns x 2 banks)
* Including Pre-loaded Samples
Samples: 96 (12 samples x 8 banks)
Patterns: 96 (12 patterns x 8 banks)
44.1 kHz
SP-404 original format
(.WAV/AIFF import/export possible)
STANDARD, LO-FI
Maximum recordable notes
Internal Memory: Approx. 8,000 notes
* Including Pre-loaded Patterns
Memory Card (CompactFlash): Approx.
8,000 notes
Resolution: 96 ticks per quarter note
Pattern Length: 1--99 measures
Recording method: Realtime Loop
Recording (with quantize function)
29 types
AD Conversion: 24 bits
DA Conversion: 24 bits
7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
Mono x 1
LINE INPUT Jacks (L, R)
(RCA phono type)
LINE OUTPUT Jacks (L, R)
(RCA phono type)
Headphones (PHONES) Jack
(Stereo 1/4 inch phone type)
MIC Jack (1/4 inch phone type)
MIDI IN Connector
AC Adaptor Jack
Memory Card Slot (CompactFlash)
DC 9 V (Dry batteries LR6 (AA) type x 6
or AC Adaptor)
Alkaline: 6 hours
* These figures will vary depending on the
actual conditions of use.
300 mA
177.6 (W) x 256.7 (D) x 72.1 (H) mm
7 (W) x 10-1/8 (D) x 2-7/8 (H) inches
1.3 kg
2 lbs 14 oz
(excluding battery)
AC Adaptor
Owner's Manual
* Effect limit mode ON/OFF is possible.
FILTER + DRIVE *
PITCH *
DELAY *
ISOLATOR *
VINYL SIM
REVERB
TAPE ECHO *
CHORUS
FLANGER *
PHASER *
TREMOLO/PAN
DISTORTION *
OVERDRIVE *
FUZZ *
WAH *
OCTAVE
COMP *
EQUALIZER *
LO-FI *
NOISE GEN *
RADIO TUNING
SLICER *
RING MOD *
CHROMATIC PS
VOICE TRANS.
C.CANCELER
SUBSONIC
BPM LOOPER *
DJFX LOOPER *
Fugue ©1999-2005 Kyoto Software Research, Inc. All rights reserved.
PHONES Jack Mic Level Knob MIC IN jackMEMORY CARD Slot
REAR VIEW
SPECIFICATIONS
FRONT VIEW
OPTIONS
Maximum Sampling Time (mono, approx.) EFFECT LIST