Roland SP-404SX

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$293.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (108)

14 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Roland SP-404A

$599.99 - $689.99

4.5 (14)

Find out who is using Roland SP-404SX

6 community setups

143 wishlisted

347 saved

Page last updated Jul 07, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

5.0 (39)

$293.00 16 available Used

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Average Price: $462

Standard/Professional

$249

$700+

Price Tier

In the Audio Samplers category, Roland SP-404SX is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Description

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Unleash your creativity with the Roland SP-404SX, an impressive addition to your DJ gear arsenal. This dynamic audio sampler thrives with its high-fidelity 16-bit linear sampling, providing you with unmatched clarity and precision. With an array of 29 onboard DSP effects including voice and filter effects, it offers limitless possibilities for sound manipulation. It’s equipped with 12 assignable trigger pads, making beat creation a breeze. Whether you're a standalone musician or part of an ensemble, the Roland SP-404SX offers unparalleled versatility, taking your performances to new heights.

Key Features:

High-fidelity 16-bit linear sampling
Expansive collection of 29 onboard DSP effects including voice and filter effects
12 assignable trigger pads for easy beat creation
Versatile functionality for standalone and ensemble use.

Product specs

Brand	Roland
Model	SP-404SX Linear Wave Sampler
Finish	Black
Year	2009 - 2017
Made In	Japan
Categories	Samplers
Analog / Digital	Digital
MIDI I/O	MIDI Input
Number of Pads	12 Pads
Polyphony	12 Voices

FAQs

How many samples can the Roland SP-404SX store at one time?: The Roland SP-404SX can house up to 24 samples in memory simultaneously, allowing for versatile live performances and creative sampling sessions.
Does the Roland SP-404SX have built-in effects?: Yes, the Roland SP-404SX includes a variety of built-in effects, such as delay, reverb, and distortion, which can be applied to samples for dynamic sound manipulation.
Is the Roland SP-404SX compatible with MIDI devices?: The Roland SP-404SX features a MIDI Input, allowing it to be integrated with other MIDI-compatible devices for expanded control and performance options.
Can the Roland SP-404SX be powered by batteries?: Yes, the Roland SP-404SX can be powered by six AA batteries, making it a portable option for musicians on the go.
What type of memory card does the Roland SP-404SX use for storage?: The Roland SP-404SX uses SD cards for storage, providing a convenient way to manage and transfer samples.

Videos

Add video

gearwire

Roland SP-404sx Demo And Walkthrough Exclusive Video

gearwire

SP-404sx Sequencer Tutorial // Better Than I Expected..

Ricky Tinez

SP-404SX Sampler Introduction

RolandChannel

Roland SP-404 SX

Musik Schmidt

SP404sx - 5 things I wish I'd known from day 1

SPVIDZ

Is The Sp404sx Still Worth It?

Gritsmitten

SP404

nuhan beats

Reviews

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PROS

Responsive pads and intuitive operation for sequencing and beat making
Quick to learn controls, easy for beginners
Versatile, integrates well with other equipment like the 1010 Blackbox
High-quality effects remain useful over time
Portable and battery-operated, great for on-the-go creativity
Supports direct SD card sample import for ease of use
Durable build quality, reliable for live performance
Excellent for creative exploration, with a wide range of effects
Can be used effectively as an effects processor for various instruments
Encourages creative use and experimentation

CONS

Pitch and time-stretching capabilities are limited
Learning curve can be steep without English instructions
Lacks choke groups for more advanced sample manipulation
Some users report static or hum through ins and outs without proper setup

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Roland SP-404SX.

Features and functionality

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The SP-404SX's sequencer is considered challenging and less suited for complex patterns, with users often using it primarily for its effects capabilities.
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The SP-404SX's lofi button and subsonic effects are unique features that some users prefer over the MK2's effects suite.
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The MK2's screen and waveform editing are cited as significant quality-of-life improvements over the SX.
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The MK2 allows button reprogramming, offering enhanced customization that is not available on the SX.
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Use cases and applications

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Many owners use the SP-404SX for live performances, particularly for triggering samples and applying effects, rather than for detailed production work.
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The MK2 is praised for its USB-C audio in/out, which is beneficial for users transitioning between the sampler and DAWs.
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Comparisons

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The SP-404SX is frequently compared to the Elektron Digitakt; the latter is noted for superior sequencing and sampling control, though it offers fewer effects.
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The MK2's 303 Vinyl Sim compressor is noted to exceed the SX's compressor in performance, offering a more desirable "warm" sound.
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Some users find the MK2's filter and reverb less usable, with the SX offering a preferable sound for these effects.
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Software and compatibility

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Users highlight the ease of uploading samples via memory card, although the MIDI implementation is criticized for its limitations, like fixed MIDI channels per bank.
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User experience

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Some owners find the absence of a screen slows down sample chopping, though it fosters a distinctive workflow that can enhance creativity for certain musical styles.
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Owners report that the MK2's pads are softer and easier for pattern playing compared to the SX's tougher pads.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 14 Reviews and 108 Ratings

5 star

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junelopez215

206

over 8 years ago

Roland SP404SX

The Roland SP404SX is absolutely a great addition to my rig and a value tool for sketching out new ideas. Its small enough to carry it inside your backpack and great campion to the iPad. The Roland SP404SX is a impactful piece of gear, a performance tool, that I have been using for most of groove production and creative exploration. I only had it for two months and I am already using it on my shows. I love the various effects so its an added feature to the unit that has endless possibilities. The effect selection is amazing period - I have found a unique use for many. As I mention before its battery operated, and the ability to have all your samples on a SD stick is a plus. The 404 is the machine of the future for those artist who want to explore sampling and the art of music production without the use of a computer.

str8sounds

458

over 7 years ago

SP-404SX is ubiquitous in studios because it's so simple and easy to use!

Roland SP-404SX is a fantastic, easy to use, great sounding Linear Wave Sampler / Effects Processor. This is my first purely sampling unit since I had a rack unit digital sampler / effects processor in the 1990s, which I sold. I was a bit nervous about importing my samples from Computer Music magazine DVDs and other files into the SP-404SX, but it was totally fun and fast to do. This is such a well designed, fully functional, easy to operate, durable, nice looking machine. Get it and you won't regret it.

elothesource

355

about 8 years ago

Massive Greatness

This box really helps me stay creative on the go at work on sitting outside with downtime and just on the spot creative music creations its gig and small enough and i can use it with batteries witch is very cool six AAs gives you about two to three hrs of straight playing time. this is a must have sampler with so may cool features and it can get connected with your home studio via mixer.

wave

over 5 years ago

Great portable sampler

Amazing sampler. Just wish pitch shift was more simple like the SP-202. Also choke groups would be a nice thing for the machine but other than that no complaints. Great effects and amazing build quality.

travis_nielsen

1969

5 years ago almost 5 years ago

The Zoom ST-224 comes close to the SP-202’s pitch shift.

gpbear

333

over 9 years ago

Sampler capable of much more than people think.

Most people use the SP for beats. Most probably just use it for effects. Very few know its full capabilities. Find and RCA-1/8 cable and plug your guitars in, it becomes a mega-powerful effects pedal. If you know what you're doing you can get a normal guitar to sound like a bass...