Casually comparing MPC vs. SP404mk2 to a new beatmaker

Quick note: this video was geared towards someone that has minimal experience with either platform and is looking for insights on the differences between the two platforms. There's tons of details I left out, but that's because it was a casual conversation that's not suppose to be 2 hours long. Thanks for watching 🙏❤

Can't wait for your take on the new Digitakt!

I have the 404mk2 for a couple months now and it's an amazing little box, bought it straight after the previous update. It was super easy to me to learn and very intuitive to use. The only thing Ive owned before is the PO-33. Honestly I did not see any problems with the shortcuts - I just remembered them thanks to daily use and repeating the same tasks. I adore this little box to the fullest, made beats on the plane, in a traffic jam, chopped samples walking, super portable love box. Looking to get the MPC K37 now because it's got keys for the price close to the One - for sound design and actually playing melodies in the most organic way but will wait for a bit as AKAI announced the MPC Mini on their IG account a couple weeks ago. Will not shelf the SP tho ❤ P.S. love the video much love

Yes, I have an MPC live II and I really stopped using it as a sampler, to use it as a controller for my SP404 mk2, I love how easy the flow is made in SP404 mk2, I have 2 classic MPC's (MPC 3000 and MPC 2000XL ), rooms expanded to the maximum, with all their accessories and complete memories, with USB readers and SD cards. The old ones are similar to PS404mk2, very direct and without wasting time, I immediately do the things I want to do. Live 2 is a constant distraction, I think the midi note window distracts me a lot and I'm always tempted to change a note, but in the others I don't have that temptation, really that makes an SP404 mk2 more direct and great, in terms of performance. Fast audio capture and composition. Without a doubt I like the SP404 mk2 much more, I never thought that such a small and well designed thing would surpass or equal my MPC 3000 or MPC live 2, I seriously think about it and it is incredible the great change that Roland made with this machine . For me it is the sampler of the moment and the only one that works with batteries so I don't have to carry cables, those replaceable batteries are great, it has a shorter autonomy than that of my MPC live 2, but it is more customizable, with the rechargeable batteries, I can't have that on an MPC live 2. I am very happy to buy this wonderful little box, lately I do everything, dnb, hiphop, reggae, dudstep, 2step... the sky is the limit.

Longtime mpc user, this video kinda cut to the core differences I probably needed when I bought the SP and later sold it. Very informative thank you

This demonstration was very helpful to me in the aspect of a user experience with the units' design features. I bought an SP-404 but wondered if I should have chosen an MPC One instead but your comparisons gave me an understanding that makes me happier I chose the SP-404 for the pad-oriented user interface compared to menus on the Akai.

This is a really great A vs B. Thanks!

Have both. This was a very informative video. I agree with your comments on the shortcuts for the SP404. Waaaay too much menu diving. That's why I don't use it much....sad to say.

The sp404 is a sampler and effector with some rudimentary sequencer functions, It never states anywhere to be more than that. But it has so many extra features that people misconstrue it with a DAW in a box.

re the sp-404mkii - key combos - could not agree more! i have plans that one of my next printed books will be about SP-404mkii and all those key combos/workflows just need to organise a good structure for the book and an extensive index so i can find anything fast.

Thank you - this has been the most useful comparison videos between mpc one and mkII 404 for me. I've got a One but not used a 404 and you demonstrated nicely the things i was hoping to see in others' videos i have watched orthodox (but not demonstrated!). I've had my One since 2020 and used it solidly for a year and a half, but now haven't touched it this j last year and a half as I've been trying to learn/learning the m8 tracker. The 404 still interests me for the effects side of things, but will stick to m8 and One for programming/putting full songs together.

I have an MPC Live and an SP-404 mk2. The way I think of it, the MPC is a DAW—you can't just turn it on when you hear some cool sound, make a quick sample, mess with it then turn it off—you can't even plug a mic into it without attaching another audio device and changing settings first... each time. You have to load an operating system, make a project, make a drum program, sample something, mess with it, save it so you don't lose anything, and then shut the thing down. Whereas the SP isn't a DAW, it;'s an instrument: flip it on, plug a mic in, sample to a pad, mess with it, shut it off. You can do things in minutes. It's immediate. I love the MPC for making a song, but for playing with samples, the instrument-like feel of the SP wins every time. (and I love both of them!)

My MPC Live was buggy, screen sometimes unresponsive, etc. My SP-404 is always rock solid. That was my deciding factor between them. Agree on all the criticism about the 404, though.

Using mpc one for a while, been wanting a 404mkii for about as long. After watching this I still want one…

Thanks!

I went for the 404 couple weeks ago and its my first real hardware instrument. I owned midi controllers and some pocket operators in the past and actually sold the pocket operators to get my new upgrade. The TE KO-133, 404 and the MPC where in the race but after playing with all 3, i ended up buying the Roland. The TE felt like a toy so im glad i went for the 404 and maybe ill get a mpc in the future.

I have enjoyed the SP and glad I chose it. I will note the Mic/Guitar Input I believe handles sound differently than the inputs on the back of the unit. I say this because I was sampling records from the Mic/Guitar Input and noticed pretty rough audio quality, pretty distorted highs. Switching to the inputs on the back was an immediate drastic difference in audio quality, so for sampling records for sure use the inputs on the back.

Workflows aside, the main thing missing from the sp that the mpc has is note glides, extra octaves in chromatic mode, the ability to change the swing after recording , and a built in tuner. This is what I miss when using the sp but other than that it’s a great sounding machine, fun to use and get creative with. Once you do learn all the key combos you need, it keeps your brain sharp. Both are great to pair together and if you use Koala on an iPad it pairs great with the SP too.

i have both - mpc one and sp404mkii - they work great together i use the sp404mkii as a guitar/bass sim into the mpc looper/sample page i use the sp404mkii as a vocal mic input into the mpc looper/sample page i use the sp404mkii as a vocoder into the mpc looper/sample page - along with a midi'd up keystep on channel 11 90% of my projects are completed/done inside the MPC One I have a my-volt cable and battery bank for the sp-404mkii for sketching out ideas anywhere I see my MPC as a studio in a box and really like it. - done probably 60 finished song on it. I see my roalnd sp404mkii as a sample based drum machine, fx box and sketch pad - it's really a drum machine/phrase sampler if you can - get both.

Another interesting comparison would be a Maschine plus. Maybe as a halfway house between the MPC and SP, as it has some performance features of the SP and DAW like (but still standalone) workflow of the MPC?