Roland SP-404SX Portable Linear Wave Sampler

Take Control of Your Beats with the Roland SP-404SX Linear Wave Sampler

Bring unparalleled speed, spontaneity, and creativity to your music production and live sets. The Roland SP-404SX is a legendary portable performance sampler designed for DJs, beatmakers, electronic musicians, and live-sound engineers who demand instant sample triggering and heavy-hitting audio manipulation. Building on the iconic workflow of its predecessor, this powerhouse unit elevates your sound with pure 16-bit linear sampling and significantly enhanced DSP processing. Compact, rugged, and capable of running completely on battery power, the SP-404SX is the ultimate tool for capturing inspiration anywhere it strikes and turning it into a captivating performance.

Pristine 16-Bit Linear Audio Capture and Infinite Storage

Experience crystal-clear sound quality with uncompressed wave recording. The SP-404SX operates at a high-fidelity 44.1 kHz sampling frequency using standard 16-bit linear audio formats (.wav and .aif), ensuring every kick, snare, vocal chop, and ambient texture maintains its raw sonic impact. Managing your library is easier than ever thanks to dedicated SD/SDHC card compatibility. With the included 1GB card, you can store up to 90 minutes of high-quality stereo audio, or expand your setup with a 32GB SDHC card to unlock up to 48 hours of continuous stereo sampling. Capture up to 120 samples across 10 distinct memory banks for instant recall during complex routines.

Immersive Live Manipulation with 29 Onboard DSP Effects

Shape your signature sound and keep your audience moving with an expansive suite of 29 pro-grade DSP effects. The SP-404SX features smooth, seamless effect switching, allowing you to transition between textures in real time without any audio dropouts or unnatural clipping. Dial in essential performance utilities like spacious reverbs, choruses, dynamic filters, and delays, or lean into grittier urban styles with the iconic Lo-Fi, Isolator, and Subsonic modes. Take your live performance a step further by engaging the built-in Voice Transformer to warp vocal clips on the fly, or utilize the dynamic onboard looper to manipulate incoming patterns instantly.

Tactile Control Panel Built for High-Energy Performances

The SP-404SX is made to be played with your hands, not buried in complicated digital menus. The front interface features 12 illuminated, highly responsive rubber trigger pads alongside an integrated Sub Pad for rapid-repeat triggering in real time. Three non-slip, analog-style control knobs provide instant tactile command over your effects processors, sample start points, and volume levels. Designed specifically with live venues in mind, the vibrant LED screen and bright back-lit pads provide flawless visibility on dark stages, inside crowded DJ booths, and during late-night studio sessions.

Versatile Real-Time Loop Sequencer with Shuffle Quantize

Go beyond simple sample playback and construct entire tracks on the fly. The built-in pattern loop sequencer allows you to record your beats in real time, capturing up to 16,000 notes across 120 distinct patterns. Tailor the groove of your tracks using the advanced quantize mode, which features a dedicated shuffle function to inject natural human swing, rhythmic variety, and off-beat syncopation into your loops. Whether you are chaining together quick loops or mapping out full arrangements up to 99 measures long, the fluid recording workflow ensures your creative flow remains completely uninterrupted.

Instant Sampling Anywhere with Dual Power and Multi-I/O

Never let a creative moment pass you by. Featuring an integrated mono microphone on the front panel, the SP-404SX lets you sample acoustic instruments, ambient field recordings, or vocal phrases at a second's notice—no extra gear required. For traditional studio setups, the rear panel includes dedicated RCA Line Inputs and a 1/4-inch external microphone jack to sample directly from turntables, mixers, or smartphones. Power the sampler via the included AC adaptor when working at your production desk, or switch to 6 AA batteries (alkaline or rechargeable Ni-MH) to enjoy up to 5 hours of completely wireless, untethered music creation on the go.

Key Features at a Glance

• High-Fidelity Sampling: Uncompressed 16-bit linear audio capture at 44.1 kHz frequency for premium sound quality.
• Expansive Storage Capacity: Supports SD/SDHC cards up to 32GB, storing up to 96 hours of mono or 48 hours of stereo samples.
• 29 Premium DSP Effects: Includes Filter, Delay, Lo-Fi, Isolator, Voice Transformer, and seamless live switching capabilities.
• Dynamic Pad Interface: 12 back-lit trigger pads plus 1 Sub Pad for rapid, high-speed repeat triggering.
• Flexible Power Options: Runs via the included PSB-1U AC adaptor or 6 AA batteries for ultimate portable convenience.
• Versatile Audio Connectivity: Equipped with RCA line inputs/outputs, a 1/4-inch microphone input, a 1/4-inch headphone jack, and a MIDI Input for hardware integration.
• Included Software: Complements your desktop workflow with Mac/PC utility software for quick sample conversion and easy pad assignment.

Common Uses and Versatility

The Roland SP-404SX is an incredibly adaptable tool that serves multiple functions across the modern music landscape. Hip-hop, lo-fi, and electronic music producers value it as a standalone beat machine and sound-design sampler for crafting distinct textured loops. Live performance DJs rely on its tactile pads and robust build quality to launch backing tracks, trigger drops, and apply sweeping transition effects during live venue sets. Podcasters and theater sound engineers frequently utilize the unit as a highly reliable jingle and sound-effect player for instantaneous broadcasting. Additionally, its compact size and lightweight 1.2 kg frame make it the perfect travel companion for field recordists collecting raw audio samples on the move.