A History of SP devices

In this video, we explore the history of Roland and Boss SP devices dating back almost 30 years!

The SP404 mkII from Roland is a creative sampler & effects unit. The latest version in the long line of SP units has some great improvements including an OLED display, velocity sensitive pads, an updated sequencer and a guitar input.

Check out the SP404mkII here:

Looking for new gear? Here's a list of gear I recommend:

chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:10 MS-1
0:25 SP-202
0:48 SP-808
1:07 SP-808EX
1:19 SP-303
1:35 SP-505
1:55 SP-606
2:15 SP-404
2:33 SP-555
3:01 SP-404SX
3:25 SP-404A
3:43 SP-404 mkII
4:08 Thoughts on SP-404 mkII

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#sp404mk2 #drummachine #roland

[SamSilk]

I had the original SP202 in 1996. It was always plugged to the audio output of my tv set. I used to sample tv movies on sunday afternoons.

[devine]

Have I got a story for you all. I'm 50 and before all these magic things I was doing samples on the C64 and Amiga. Then to PC around 91. Got into CGI around 1992, 93. It took off for me. Been working in VFX for about 28 years. Great job and loved every minute of it. Now I'm getting older, I'm looking for a hobby (my hobby and job have been the same for a long time). I just found about all this stuff last week. I'm going to get a SP404 and get off the computer. I also played guitar a lot in my younger years and still have them laying around. I have a custom fender strat, a 92 Les Paul standard, a banjo, two acoustics (6 and 12 string Maton) and a 89 Ibanez USA custom with a Mother bucker. Also old mics and equipment form the late 80's and early 90's. I actually have the c64 still in it's box on my shelf behind me now. I had no idea you could sample like this! Crazy how things change. I can smell retirement coming on. Oh well, time makes fools of us all. Great Videos, thanks so much for doing these.

[полное_пузо_хинкалей]

I have a weird obsession with the 555. I love the design, I love the filters, and the FX are absolutely incredible. I don't really have money for music gear, but I really hope to get my hands on it

[waterthroughyouropenhands]

I search “every SP compared” and thank god someone had a rundown of the history. Thx man!

[Iron-Soul]

Nice history lesson on the SP. I didn’t know that so many were made. Thanks. 🙏🏽

[djExquiz]

The MS 1 and MPC 3000 were on ny wishlist as a Junior in High School lol 😂, i had no funds for either, but did manage to get a Yamaha Su 1 (samplerl and eventually SP 202.

[catoleg]

SP404 MKII is my very first sampler and I love it. Learning curve is a little steep. But once you 'get it' it's almost perfect
NB: I'm waiting for 3.1 version to fix some some annoying bugs and really hope Roland will add those enhancements that you already addressed in your other videos

[robo.k]

Blessed to be running a 202/MKII combo these days

[nenadverbal]

Spit my first rap over sp-808 beat .. damn was such a feeling seeing that machine back then..

[toolemonyy]

nobody's talking about how beautiful the 555 is

[ZipTronic]

Love my sp808 bought when it first came out, sold it very regrettably several years later. Got the music bug again bought 2 sp808's, sp606 and mc909 for about a $130 each ( I did have to repair some buttons on each but they all work great now). Then I realized all I really need to make music is a keyboard controller and computer and I have never looked back but they sit here in my studio as museum pieces(aka eye candy)

p.s. also never mentioned is that the sp808 was the only sp I believe that if you knew the sampled loop's bpm you could just cut the silence in the beginning and then use the job wheel to dial the loop to a perfect loop displayed in the screen. Awesome for back then!!!

[blkgostnone]

It came with an wall adapter as well 0:32

[paulwhiting]

I owned a 202, 404 and a 606. I must say I never got on with them very well. For me it was impossible to loop anything using the arcane 'mark' system purely by ear. Was tempted by the 404 mk2 as among many improvements it had a OLED screen and hence a way to visually loop stuff. Went with the MPC One, which I love. Sold my original 404 a few months back for a little more than I paid for it back in the early 2000's.

[iblamesummers]

01:35 the Boss SP-505 looks more like a Roland D2, which was released a year earlier.

[glyndwr]

I have a working MS-1. It's super primitive and limited, but it actually has a cool sound to it.

[RicoTropico]

SP-606 was bundled with software called Cakewalk P606 and it was something like Maschine years before real Maschine. Software was clunky but we haved kind of integration which is now standard in modern samplers/controllers. In 2005 it was revolutionary.

[rustymixer]

Can any of these sp pads have different pitches?

[BlxntedBandit]

Sp404 Mk2 is my first SP before that i only knew about the Sp 1200 lol i got a mpc studio blqck before my sp and the sp got me neglecting my mpc 😂 thanks for this video i kinda like to look up the orgin and history of stuff im into

[cholitasound]

what are your thoughts on the Roland Verselab?

[embodie_breaks]

I'm pretty sure one of those SP Devices had a theremin. Love the sp404mk2