One of the unique features of the SP-404 is its multiple effects processors. In 2009 came the SP-404SX which featured a major upgrade in the form of DJFX LOOPER button. This effect has become a definitive feature of the SP series and a sonic cornerstone of the lo-fi and instrumental hip-hop movement. Let’s dive into the history of the SP series. We’ll look at its impact on the instrumental hip-hop scene. Most of all, we’ll learn to use the DJFX LOOPER button. In the process, we’ll see why this effect had such an impact on the producer community.
The SP-404 has become synonymous with the lo-fi hip-hop and beat scene. Released in 2005, this powerful sampler and its predecessors have influenced a range of producers. These include Madlib, Jneiro Jarel, Mr. Dibiase, Teebs, Flying Lotus, Ras G, Animal Collective, J Dilla, James Blake, Toro y Moi, Samiyam, Mndsgn, and many more.
Beat Background
Audio samplers in hip-hop are nothing new. However, many early samplers were large units and unaffordable for the average consumer. With the introduction of the MS-1 in 1995, Roland crafted an affordable, portable sampler that laid the foundation for the SP series. In 1998, Roland introduced the SP-202. Dr. Sample was the first portable sampler the hip-hop and electronic music community embraced.
The 202, and later the SP-303, enabled producers and DJs to sample records, create unique sequences, and manipulate samples. They could do so with performance-based effects that could translate their beats into a live space. The SP series lore became cemented in hip-hop history with two underground classics. These were Madlib and MF DOOM’s Madvilliany and J Dilla’s masterpiece, Donuts. This pair of albums spawned demand for instrumental hip-hop records and gave birth to what would become the lo-fi beat scene.
Meet the 404
With the introduction of the SP-404, more and more producers began to use the sampler in live performances. In 2006, Daddy Kev, a Los Angeles-based DJ, producer, and engineer started a weekly event called the Low End Theory. It became a breeding ground for the bubbling instrumental hip-hop scene. The club was one of the first places 404 users could experiment with the sampler’s performance-enhancing effects.
Artists such as Ras G, Teebs, Gaslamp Killer, Daedelus, Mr. Dibase, and many others started to lay the foundation for modern beat performances. These are now referred to as “live beat sets.” The music that came from this LA collective lent itself heavily to the influences of J Dilla and Madlib. At the same time, it steadily pushed forward to unexplored sonic territories. The DJFX LOOPER became the weapon of choice for many producers. They seamlessly weaved together cosmic boom bap beats and experimental electronic music.
"The DJFX LOOPER became the weapon of choice for many producers as they weaved together cosmic boom bap beats and experimental electronic music."
How to Use It
The DJFX LOOPER button has three main functions. CTRL 1 controls the length of the loop which determines the rate at which your sample will repeat. CTRL 2 controls the speed and direction of the sample which means you can play the sound forwards or backward. Imagine a record playing on a turntable. This function lets you keep the record playing in the normal clockwise direction or go backward. The latter will slightly reverse and pitch shift the sound.
CTRL 3 turns the looper function on and off which allows you more flexibility when dialing in this effect. For most SP users, CTRL 1 and CTRL 3 are the main knobs used to create the signature SP “beat repeat or looper effect.” In this scenario, CTRL 2 would be set to 1.0 which means the knob is all the way to the right and your sample will play normally. By setting CTRL 1 to a certain length (many producers prefer 3 o’clock) you get a natural-sounding looping effect. Trigger this using CTRL 3.
"CTRL 2 controls the speed and direction of the sample. Think of a record playing on a turntable."
Examples
Here’s an example of an 8 bar loop:
Now, listen to an example of this sample loop resampled to the 404, processed with the LO-FI button, and manipulated with the DJFX LOOPER tool.
Skipping and Scratching
One of the main functions of this effect is to create a skipping as well as a scratching effect. You can think of CTRL 2 as an effect where you’re scratching the record back and forth and CTRL 1 as a beat repeater. By mixing these two effects, you can create unique musical phrases similar to a DJ scratching and mixing.
The easiest way to use this effect in action is to load a full track or a loop onto one of the SP pads. Once you have a good loop going, you can use the DJFX LOOPER button to manipulate your sample in real-time. Here’s an example of a loop using all three effects parameters:
"Resampling with this effect transforms your sounds into something completely new. You can take an entire beat and use DJFX LOOPER to create a new track."
Resampling
CTRL 2 is the mysterious function that opens up the door to new sonic possibilities. It’s great if you’re stuck on a beat and want to instantly hear it in a brand-new way. CTRL 2 is also a great tool for manipulating and resampling sounds.
As previously mentioned, this parameter plays sounds forward or backward using a numerical value of -1.0 up to 1.0. By changing the direction of your sample you can create unique textures that can completely reshape the sound of the sample. For example, let’s take a melodic sample and use the DJFX LOOPER to resample it. Here’s an example of a melodic sample:
Examples
Here’s that same sample with the CTRL 2 knob set to -6.0:
You can hear the sample has been pitch-shifted. By manipulating CTRL 1, you can create interesting textures by manipulating the pitch and tempo. You can now load this manipulated sample into my DAW of choice or program a new beat right in the 404. Resampling with this effect instantly transforms your sounds into something completely new. You can take an entire beat and use the DJFX LOOPER button to create a new track.
Definitive Gear
Roland hardware has consistently ushered in new genres of electronic music. The 808 is synonymous with hip-hop, the 909 with house, and the 606 with acid house. Similarly, the SP-303 and SP-404 are defining pieces of gear in the instrumental hip-hop/lo-fi movement.
If you’re new to the 404 world or want to go deeper into what this machine can do, try experimenting with the DJFX LOOPER button. For more inspiration, check out this playlist or our Listening Guide: Intro to the L.A. Beat Scene.
