Roland SP-404MKII Limited Edition Linear Wave Sampler (KDJ Records)

Description

Detroit DJ legend, KDJ Records founder, community supporter, house, and techno innovator Kenny Dixon Jr., a.k.a. Moodymann, is a once-in-a-generation talent whose prolific beat-crafting and unwavering individuality have cemented him as an essential staple of DJ history. Among his myriad innovations and commitment to community-building is his namesake record label, KDJ Records. After 30 years of supporting the menagerie of house, techno, hip-hop, funk, and soul that comprises the Motor Citys electrifying swagger, KDJ Records has partnered with Roland for an extraordinary take on Rolands multidimensional music-making machine, the SP-404MKII. This KDJ Records limited-edition take on the iconic linear wave sampler comes with a custom faceplate, never-before-heard tracks, and one-of-a-kind collectors items, including a 7-inch vinyl, a Moodymann-curated 60-minute mixtape of KDJ classics, and 10 banks of exclusive samples and patterns from both new and iconic KDJ tracks. Limited to just 600 units worldwide, you wont want to miss this essential ode to the unparalleled underground of Detroit!

The Roland SP-404MKII Linear Wave Sampler is the most powerful incarnation of Rolands beloved sampling workstation ever devised. Dual headphone outputs streamline collaboration with other musicians without needing a mixer or separate headphone amplifier to monitor your sampling session. An updated resampling workflow makes it simple to re-record patterns and effects layers; plus, with a generous selection of new effects on top of classic SP effects, the sound design potential is vast. Factor in its OLED screen for visual sample editing, the ability to tap out edit points in real time, pattern sequencing to turn ideas into full performances, and much more, and its clear the Roland SP-404MKII stands out as a leader among portable sampling workstations.

KDJ Records: the sounds of the Motor City underground

Kenny Dixon Jr. founded KDJ Records back in 1994, just two years after his first release under his now-iconic moniker, Moodymann. The labels influential creative community and 50-plus releases showcase the Motor City undergrounds unmatched diversity and skill, from label-mates Andrs, Theo Parrish, and Rick Wilhite to longtime KDJ friends Juan Atkins, Mad Mike Banks, and the late legend Amp Fiddler. The KDJ Records limited-edition SP-404MKII opens Moodymanns vault for the first time ever, providing you with direct access to the inner machinations of Moodymanns writing sessions. Ten banks of this SP-404MKII come preloaded with exclusive samples and patterns from brand-new and time-tested KDJ tracks.

Exclusive KDJ sounds: sample banks, mixtapes, patterns, and more

In classic Moodymann fashion, the KDJ Records limited-edition SP-404MKII is a holistic representation of the labels multifaceted stylings, going beyond the exciting preloaded banks to give you a full-spectrum multimedia KDJ Records experience. The sampler comes outfitted with a high-shine aluminum faceplate, emanating with iconic Moodymann aesthetics. A special 7-inch vinyl record is also supplied, featuring double A-sides, with never-before-heard edits of the bona fide Moodymann bangers I Think of Saturday and Hold It Down. If that werent enough, Moodymann curated a 60-minute mixtape of time-honored KDJ Records tracks, hand-selected for this special-edition cassette. This KDJ Records edition of the SP-404MKII includes the following samples and patterns of both brand-new and longstanding KDJ classics:

• A: I Think of Saturday
• B: So Beautiful (new)
• C: SAWL (new)
• D: Let Me Show You Love
• E: Sinner
• F: Ill Provide
• G: Welcome (new)
• H: Freaki Thai Food (NEW)
• I: 313 (new)
• J: More Raydee Ohh (NEW)

Sample or stream to mobile devices via USB-C

Here’s a first among portable sample workstations: the SP-404MKII has a USB-C port to connect to your mobile device. You can sample audio from mobile apps, videos you’ve recorded, or any other audio source from your device. You can also stream audio to your device directly from the SP-404MKII. Finally, the USB port allows you to connect with the SP App on your computer for sample editing and project management.

All the effects you need

Sample artists have long been fans of the SP series effects like Vinyl Simulation and DJFX Looper, and the SP-404MKII adds even more ear candy to the mix. Effects such as Lo-fi, Cassette Simulation, and Resonator expand your creative potential, and the Mic/Guitar input can tap into Vocoder, Auto-Tune, and Guitar Amp Simulator effects. And thanks to the SP-404MKIIs updated resampling workflow, its faster than ever to process audio through effects and bring the resampled audio into your arrangement.

DJ mode encourages live performance

Gigging electronic musicians who typically juggle two SP sampling workstations will rejoice at the SP-404MKII’s new DJ mode. It offers an all-new approach for live performance, allowing you to manipulate and mix two audio files with eight pad controllers per side. Speaking of live performance, the SP-404MKII allows you to chain patterns together manually, save a sequence of patterns chained together for playback, or even link up to four pads to be triggered by a single pad.

Powerful version 3 updates

Since its release in 2021, the SP-404MKII has been the tool of choice for performance-based beatmakers and creative musicians worldwide. And now, with version 3, this sampler workstation is more powerful than ever. For starters, v3 yields improved clock timing and adjustable delay on the unit’s MIDI clock output, providing lock-tight synchronization with external instruments. You get motion recording for all effects parameters, plus you can easily mute and unmute samples during a performance and capture the mute actions in sequences. You get one-shot playback, allowing you to perform with long, evolving samples while jamming with short loops underneath. You can also convert patterns into samples, transforming complex programming into manageable loops for quick song building. The favorite v3 feature is its expanded DJ mode, which lets you manipulate eight cue points per sample, adjust fader curves, sync external MIDI instruments, assign time stretches, and more. Moreover, version 3 includes a sizable stable of workflow enhancements, such as quantize after recording, finer tempo setting range, default MFX setups, and a whole lot more. TheSP-404MKII editor/librarian softwarehas also been updated with faster import/export speed and AU3/ VST3 plug-in support.

Features

• Compact and portable sampling workstation for production and live performance
• Limited-edition collaboration with Moodymann and KDJ Records
• Custom-designed, high-shine aluminum faceplate radiates iconic KDJ style
• Exclusive sound banks and content from the Moodymanns vaults, including never-before-heard tracks
• 7-in. vinyl features never-before-heard edits of Moodymanns I Think of Saturday and Hold It Down
• Special cassette mixtape includes 60 minutes of KDJ Records classics, curated and hand-selected by Moodymann
• Huge sample storage capability, with 16GB onboard storage and support for 32GB SD cards (maximum)
• 16 velocity-sensitive, 9-color RGB pads for finger drumming, sample triggering, and launching patterns
• Vibrant OLED screen for visual waveform editing
• Powered by USB-C, mobile battery, 6 AA batteries, or AC adapter (included)
• You can sample from mobile devices via USB-C or even stream audio directly to your device
• Expanded effects including Lo-fi, Cassette Simulation, and Resonator, plus Vocoder, Auto-Tune, and Guitar Amp Simulator via the Mic/Guitar input
• Dual headphone outputs make it easy to collaborate with other musicians without a mixer or headphone splitter
• Envelope and pitch shift for shaping samples
• Updated resampling workflow makes it easier to re-record samples through various effects
• Skip Back Sampling captures up to 25 seconds of a performance never miss a sonic gem just because you didnt hit record
• Adjustable input quantization and shuffle
• Up to 4 pads can be triggered simultaneously with Pad Link
• Roll button for triggering note repeats at speeds of 1/2 beat up to 1/64 beat
• DJ mode allows you to mix and manipulate 2 audio files with 8 controls per side
• Bpm can be set per bank for scripted tempo changes
• Powerful version 3 performance, workflow, and feature enhancements

Specifications

• Type: Sampler with Sequencer, KDJ Records Limited Edition
• Screen: Graphic OLED Display
• Pads: 17 x Velocity-sensitive RGB Pads
• Other Controllers: 3 x Control Knobs
• Sounds: 2560 Samples (16 samples x 10 banks x 16 projects)
• Presets: 2560 Patterns (16 samples x 10 banks x 16 projects)
• Polyphony: 32-voice
• Sequencer: Up to 64-bar Pattern Length
• Looper: Realtime Loop Recording
• Sampling: 16 minutes max (stereo), 40-second Skip Back Sampling
• Effects: Vinyl Simulator, DJFX Looper, Lo-fi Cassette Simulator, Resonator
• Analog Inputs: 2 x 1/4″ (L/mono, R), 1 x 1/4″ TRS (mic/guitar)
• Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4″ TRS (L/mono, R)
• Headphones: 1 x 1/4″ TRS, 1 x 1/8″ TRS
• MIDI I/O: 2 x 1/8″ In/Out, USB
• USB: 1 x USB-C (audio, MIDI)
• Storage: 16GB Internal (included preload data), SD Card Slot (SDHC compatible)
• Format: 16-bit/48kHz: WAV, AIFF, MP3
• Software: SP-404MKII Editor
• Power Source: AC Adapter (included), 6 x AA Batteries, USB Powered
• Height: 2.77″
• Width: 6.98″
• Depth: 10.85″
• Weight: 2.42 lbs