Roland SP-404 MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition

Roland SP-404 MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition Overview

SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition brings together the king of performance-based samplers with Stones Throw Records, the foremost purveyor of hip-hop, lo-fi, and eclectic sound culture.

The king of performance-based samplers

SP-404MKIIST features original sound content from the best of Stones Throw’s artist camp – Kiefer, Sudan Archives, J.Rocc, MNDSGN, and DJ Harrison – providing 10 banks of exclusive new music packed with one-shot samples, loops, and patterns. Also includes a 7” vinyl record with cuts from Kiefer and MNDSGN and mixtape by J.Rocc, all wrapped in stunning packaging designed by legendary art director Jeff Jank.

Stones Throw Records

Founded by producer and DJ Peanut Butter Wolf, Stones Throw Records has built an indie music empire by supporting diverse, cutting-edge artists and spreading the word through vinyl, merch, and events. Touchstone releases include albums by Madvillain, J Dilla, Madlib, NxWorries, Knxwledge, Sudan Archives, Mayer Hawthorne, Dâm-Funk, and Aloe Blacc, all widely considered modern musical masterpieces.

Collectable Vinyl and Mixtape

Commemorating this powerhouse partnership, the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition contains additional content you can’t get anywhere else. There’s a 7-inch vinyl record with two certified burners from Kiefer and Mndsgn, constructed using their custom SP sound banks. You also get a cassette mixtape by DJ icon J.Rocc with an exclusive 30-minute mix from the SP-404MKII x Stones Throw artists.

OLED Display

The SP-404MKII features a substantial upgrade to the screen, now sporting a Graphic OLED display. You can use this to view waveforms to help with editing, gain full access to the menus for quicker navigation and much more. As an SP Sampler is made to be used during live performances, the screen is backlit, so it’s easy to see in low, moody stage lighting!

Ultra-Expressive Pads, Plus Dynamics!

The 17 RGB Pads and control knobs that feature on the SP-404MKII have had a huge upgrade compared to previous models. They feature a “no-click” design, making for the smoothest playability and hands-on control yet.

17 pads, you ask?! The SP-404MKII features the usual 16 performance pads you would expect to find on a top-spec sampler, but Roland have snuck on an additional Sub Pad. Use the Sub Pad to control velocity, so you can add an even more human feel to your beats. The SP-404MKII also has 32 note polyphony, meaning it’s able to handle performances from even the most advanced users.

Each project on the SP-404MKII has a pattern sequencer able to cope with a maximum of 64 bars. You can also max use of any of the 144 pre-loaded high-quality, professionally recorded samples and patterns. That being said, a sampler is for the creatives and encourages you to use your own samples.

All about effects.

Process, flip, and twist your sounds with legendary SP effects and a selection of new classics. SP staples like Vinyl Simulator and DJFX Looper are now joined with powerful additions that include Lo-fi, Cassette Simulator, and Resonator. Layer and route multiple simultaneous bus effects for intricate sound textures, or plug into the mic/guitar input and jam with ready-to-go Vocoder, Auto Pitch, and Guitar Amp Simulator effects.

Performance-tuned sequencing.

The SP-404MKII gives you the flexibility to create patterns with a unique feel and energy. There’s adjustable input quantize and shuffle for custom swing, Pad-Link for firing off multiple samples with a single tap, a Roll button for variable note repeat, and BPM-per-bank for instant tempo changes. It’s also possible to organize patterns for different sets and chain them together to automate playback. With your hands freed up, you can stretch out on the SP effects controls or let rip on your favourite synth.

Sound stash.

Dive into beat making with the pre-loaded sounds in the SP-404MKII’s blazing-fast 16 GB of internal memory. There’s a huge collection of curated samples to choose from and plenty of room to augment them with your private sound stash. And you can now load even more sounds at once, with 160 samples across each project for expanded performance and beatmaking combinations.

Break beats. Not banks.

You shouldn’t need to take out a bank loan to make beats or produce tracks. The SP-404MKII is more powerful and more affordable than ever, making it easy to add its rapid workflow and characteristic sound to your existing setup. And with all it can do, the SP-404MKII may be the only piece you need for production and performance.

Customize it.

You work hard to be a unique artist—so why play on cookie-cutter gear that looks like everyone else’s? Personalize your SP-404MKII with your own style or branding for a look that’s as distinctive as your sound. Grab the faceplate template to create custom overlays, style your startup screen with personalized logos, or select a screensaver that matches your vibe.

SP-404MKII App, Sample Packs, and more on Roland Cloud.

Download the SP-404MKII App from Roland Cloud Manager to go even deeper with your Mac or Windows computer. Access more detailed waveform editing, assign samples to pads, and import MIDI files and legacy SP-404SX and SP-404A projects for remixing and updating. And while you’re there, check out our exclusive Beatmaker Sample Pack series for more sonic material from legendary sound designers and musicians to inspire your next production.