Roland SP-404-MKII Sampler

SP-404MKII Sampler — Portable Beatmaking Powerhouse

This creative sampler refines the legendary SP workflow with a vivid OLED display, 17 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, and 16 GB of internal storage. Built for guerrilla beatmaking, it weighs 1.1 kg and runs on AC, USB-C, mobile battery, or six AA batteries. 32-voice polyphony and 160 samples per project give producers serious depth. The SP-404MKII is the right choice for beatmakers who need a tactile, battery-powered sampling rig.

What Sets This Sampler Apart

Skip Back Sampling captures up to 40 seconds of audio from the last performance. The VariPhrase encoder delivers quality time-stretching and pitch shifting, while Groove Function adds swing to drum loops. Loop Capture records, loops, and layers with effects live. Side chain compression, four Bus FX slots, and native Serato integration push this unit beyond the original SP-404.

Core Specifications — Sampling, Sequencing, and I/O

The hardware runs a 48 kHz sampling engine and WAV/AIFF/MP3 import. Running at 480 ticks per quarter note, the pattern sequencer supports 1–64 bar lengths and real-time loop recording. Connectivity covers 1/4-inch line I/O, a switchable mic/guitar input, dual headphone jacks, 1/8-inch TRS MIDI, plus USB-C for 2-in/4-out audio.

• Maximum Polyphony: 32 voices — headroom for layered kits
• Internal Storage: 16 GB — 160 samples per project
• Maximum Sampling Time: 16 minutes per sample — enough for full stems
• Effects engine — 41 multi-effects plus 17 input effects including Vinyl Simulator, DJFX Looper, Lo-fi, Cassette Simulator, and Resonator
• Dimensions: 177.5 x 275.8 x 70.5 mm — compact for any DJ booth

Who Should Buy This Sampler

The SP-404MKII is the right choice for hip-hop producers, lo-fi beatmakers, and live electronic performers who need a standalone workflow. DJs benefit from DJ Mode with two decks, eight cue points per sample, and native Serato integration. iOS users get bidirectional Koala Sampler support. Anyone working in lo-fi, boom-bap, house, or experimental electronic styles will find the workflow immediate.

The SP-404 Legacy

The SP-404 line has become a cornerstone of lo-fi hip-hop culture, with original designer Kenji Yamada and project leader Takeo Shirato guiding its evolution. Refined through community feedback, the MKII continues a tradition of portable sampling that shaped the L.A. and Japanese beat scenes. From bedroom producers to touring artists like James Blake, this model fuels creativity across genres.