Koala is a different experience to me. SP404 Mkii is special. I like them together but I wouldn’t tell anyone to buy the SP because of Koala. I like how they work together and don’t expect them to be perfect separate or together.
I would actually. Like, no offense but this whole idea that gear is better than plug-ins often simply comes down to the controller. Why would I buy this one just for the koala integration? Cause Koala is amazing, having a dedicated controller which is also a fully equipped Brains for a setup sounds amazing. I know I’m not standard though, but as someone who’s iOS centric when it comes to production this actually hits close to home (I had never considered getting one until they announced the Koala integration, and I have Roland gear so it’s not even like “a brand thing” for me, I simply wasn’t interested given the alternatives (MPC… etc), now I am).
That being said I’m only about to start watching the video so hopefully I won’t be disappointed by such “integration”, cause ultimately there’s really good groove boxes when it comes to midi implementations so if the integration is a joke I’ll just go back to my previous ways and let it go once and for all.
This has been a great workflow some stuff I use the sp for to control koala 🐨 and sometimes I use koala to chop samples more easily then just resample to the pad on the sp
@@krazywabbit hahaha, too cool for school! To be fair, I’ve only hung out in one online community and that was a Facebook group for a day, so I could have just stumbled upon a coincidence of a couple posts. As a total noob, I started out with Koala but wanted something tactile and not software based. I jumped to the EP-133, but swapped that out for the 404 for one feature, the capture that or go back in time or whatever it’s called where I can capture my noodling. That day I was on Facebook, I think MPC stems was announced and there were a bunch of convos going on about how Koala had stem separation and how cool it would be to have koala integrated with the 404. Probably just a coincidence as I see your point completely.
Truthfully I don't understand the logic behind using the sp as a midi controller for koala or really any other divice for that matter. There are a lot of midi controllers that could do the same or more for much, much cheaper. I guess it's kind of just standard that the unit will be able to send midi and function as a midi controller/drum pads.
Well, Koala was based on the old 404 so this had to happen and glad Marek had the time to do it even tho its not fully there yet. See, im not going to lie.... i bought the SP 404 5 days ago because of the koala update. I been following the 404 from day 1 but always thought it was missing features till the v4 came and i pulled the trigger. Because this, i was used to the MPD218, pocket operators etc so my standards wasnt to high :) But after messing with it for a few days i must say that the real power of the machine is that its dedicated to making music with zero distractions and the fact that its a full blown audio interface makes it even more awesome and i start to shift away from koala and go straight to the 404 and i think this "shift" in workflow is the best part because it sparks creativity.
I wish that they could incorporate the sp-404 app for desktop into the koala app and being able to use both simultaneously connected into the same machine would be a nice touch
Valid points. the sound of the SP is better than koala, nice to have pads with koala, the pianoroll, stems and sidechain are also cool.. it sadly just doesnt fit my workflow to use the 2 together, feels awkward and slower, but looking forward to the next update, maybe it will improve
@@krazywabbit so far, the best controller for Koala (imho) is Maschine plus, with unlimited custom assigned knobs and the best pad quality… but that’s an expensive option and it’s still not perfect (transport doesn’t work). I’m about to try the Presonus Atom SQ
See, people who buy the SP-404 MKII, buy it because they love to make music with or without koala. The whole Koala support thing is just a template for a midi controller device added to the 404 and yes it needs some updates! But i think the real power of the 404 is that its a whole Audio Interface on its own... I can connect it to my phone with a usb c cable and can get fresh sound into the device or sample youtube etc. and even on pc you can sample sounds of any website and this speeds up my process so much that i start to play more on the device alone without even opening koala and this is the real power of the machine..... So my advice is to learn more about the device and you will be so impressed that Koala sampler will be a nice thing to have extra because the machine can do most on its own already and even more.
You are SPOT on with the interface and big reason I got it. Once of the few devices if not the only one (not saying that is a fact) where I can plug into AUM and route audio to eliminate feedback I was getting on other devices.
I think it’s cool but I personally like to use them separate. The more I use koala the more I prefer it. I actually like using koala and the 404sx better because it’s more immediate. The mk2 is good but you can get stuck in the shift menu dive.
Can’t you midi map the start and end points in koala to any MIDI controller?? Use the midi learn function in koala. I remember doing it a year ago, but using the touch screen was better. You can midi map pretty much everything in koala
Yes, you are correct. I also stand corrected in that you do get better granular control using the glass vs in my case, the launch control XL, unless there is some setting within the midi controller to adjust that. The sp 404 can’t, at this time, be mapped to do that.
You can easily control start and end markers on any midi device. I use an Akai MPD 218 and assign the two top rotating controllers for that exact task. And the drum pads are Akai 💪🏻If you don’t need the sampler function of the 404, the 218 is the way to go with Koala. Hands down.
@@krazywabbit Fail? You did a great purchase bro. I owned the MPD218 for like 3-4 years now and bought it the SP404 MKII like 5 days ago but this machine a beast. Yes, you cant cut up samples yet with the buttons but no doubt that it will be coming with a update BUT the SP it also a normal midi controller with button you can map :)
I haven't tried this. I haven't even used my 404 since I updated the firmware... But my thought that it would let you seamlessly transfer projects back from the sp to koala so you could work on things on the go. Seemed like a great mix... But using them in tandem or as a controller doesn't really excite me
Hi bro, I have a question. I saw that it is possible to use the sounds of my Sp404mk2 by going on the E/J banks in koala mode, but is it possible to use the effects of the Sp while in this mode ? How can i do that ? Thanks!
I don't really know anything about the 404's (or koala), but I just cannot get past the gigantic calculator look, it's just too offputting for me to get it. And I have also gathered a lot of Roland gear in the past... just can't do this one.
I do disagree, I will say Roland should be congratulated for stepping outside of the norm and standing behind a product like they have SP404 and SP404MKII. The way they have done with the SP404 is WHY I bought this product a year after it was released. Few large companies and no small take a risk doing complex low ROI things like this specifically due to that overly vocal minority who complains about every little thing and makes it a hobby to create lists of feature requests a mile long.
If I'm a koala user, i am not buying the sp because of this. They already say that koala is better and the sp isn't worth it But sp users may want to buy koala to mess around, it's cheap. Why would roland do this?
And the main point is: Koala UI is sooo perfect, so easy to use. SP404 is one example of the worst UI that I have seen in my life. So many shortcuts and key combinations to learn to play it properly live. I get the feeling that every feature in Koala is added after a long process of reflection. Won't this feature complicate the user experience? SP404 as a UI for Koala is killing UX.
You shouldn't buy it for koala alone since its just like any midi controller you can buy for 1/4 of the price. That said, the SP404 is a machine on its own and its a fully working AUDIO INTERFACE that you can use for whatever you want. People bashing the 404 either are noobs or are people who never owned a 404 to begin with.... See, people using koala sampler are most of the time starters and people that are more into making music know how important it is to own a audio interface and what it can do.
- I have 8 Roland devices but the SP has never appealed to me, just doesn't look fun, way too many button combos, Koala with the Samurai addon on my Samsung with the touchscreen is a lot of fun and immediate, BUT it being an android phone i have given up trying to incorporate it into my midi setup as latency and a few other niggles make it a no go, as a standalone though fantastic.
Cool that Roland even acknowledges that Koala exists.
i bought koala when i installed the update and realized i can do stem separation
@@remnant342I own Koala too and had t heard about stem seps. Thanks!
@@remnant342 yes, but its not the best but for mobile device its awesome but its based on open source so maybe it will get better in the future!
Koala is a different experience to me. SP404 Mkii is special. I like them together but I wouldn’t tell anyone to buy the SP because of Koala. I like how they work together and don’t expect them to be perfect separate or together.
I don't think anyone would buy the 404 just because it can control koala...
Me either. But humans will human.
@@krazywabbit48 month no- interest financing is a powerful GAS enhancer.
I would actually. Like, no offense but this whole idea that gear is better than plug-ins often simply comes down to the controller.
Why would I buy this one just for the koala integration? Cause Koala is amazing, having a dedicated controller which is also a fully equipped Brains for a setup sounds amazing.
I know I’m not standard though, but as someone who’s iOS centric when it comes to production this actually hits close to home (I had never considered getting one until they announced the Koala integration, and I have Roland gear so it’s not even like “a brand thing” for me, I simply wasn’t interested given the alternatives (MPC… etc), now I am).
That being said I’m only about to start watching the video so hopefully I won’t be disappointed by such “integration”, cause ultimately there’s really good groove boxes when it comes to midi implementations so if the integration is a joke I’ll just go back to my previous ways and let it go once and for all.
This has been a great workflow some stuff I use the sp for to control koala 🐨 and sometimes I use koala to chop samples more easily then just resample to the pad on the sp
We must be hanging out in different communities. All I’ve seen since buying my 404 is owners saying they wish they had Koala integration
How can I argue with this screen name 😂
@@krazywabbit hahaha, too cool for school! To be fair, I’ve only hung out in one online community and that was a Facebook group for a day, so I could have just stumbled upon a coincidence of a couple posts. As a total noob, I started out with Koala but wanted something tactile and not software based. I jumped to the EP-133, but swapped that out for the 404 for one feature, the capture that or go back in time or whatever it’s called where I can capture my noodling. That day I was on Facebook, I think MPC stems was announced and there were a bunch of convos going on about how Koala had stem separation and how cool it would be to have koala integrated with the 404. Probably just a coincidence as I see your point completely.
Truthfully I don't understand the logic behind using the sp as a midi controller for koala or really any other divice for that matter. There are a lot of midi controllers that could do the same or more for much, much cheaper. I guess it's kind of just standard that the unit will be able to send midi and function as a midi controller/drum pads.
Well, Koala was based on the old 404 so this had to happen and glad Marek had the time to do it even tho its not fully there yet. See, im not going to lie.... i bought the SP 404 5 days ago because of the koala update. I been following the 404 from day 1 but always thought it was missing features till the v4 came and i pulled the trigger. Because this, i was used to the MPD218, pocket operators etc so my standards wasnt to high :)
But after messing with it for a few days i must say that the real power of the machine is that its dedicated to making music with zero distractions and the fact that its a full blown audio interface makes it even more awesome and i start to shift away from koala and go straight to the 404 and i think this "shift" in workflow is the best part because it sparks creativity.
I wish that they could incorporate the sp-404 app for desktop into the koala app and being able to use both simultaneously connected into the same machine would be a nice touch
Valid points. the sound of the SP is better than koala, nice to have pads with koala, the pianoroll, stems and sidechain are also cool.. it sadly just doesnt fit my workflow to use the 2 together, feels awkward and slower, but looking forward to the next update, maybe it will improve
The sp sounds better and eq is dope. My drums sound totally different than just koala alone.
A dedicated midi controller with Koala has a much better workflow,
Agree. Finding one that provides a good all around experience results in my subjective commentary.
@@krazywabbit so far, the best controller for Koala (imho) is Maschine plus, with unlimited custom assigned knobs and the best pad quality… but that’s an expensive option and it’s still not perfect (transport doesn’t work). I’m about to try the Presonus Atom SQ
I like Novation Launchpads with Koala :)
This should be a hybrid system they uses the best of both. The SP has a better sounding sampler. Koala has better midi editing.
See, people who buy the SP-404 MKII, buy it because they love to make music with or without koala. The whole Koala support thing is just a template for a midi controller device added to the 404 and yes it needs some updates!
But i think the real power of the 404 is that its a whole Audio Interface on its own... I can connect it to my phone with a usb c cable and can get fresh sound into the device or sample youtube etc. and even on pc you can sample sounds of any website and this speeds up my process so much that i start to play more on the device alone without even opening koala and this is the real power of the machine.....
So my advice is to learn more about the device and you will be so impressed that Koala sampler will be a nice thing to have extra because the machine can do most on its own already and even more.
You are SPOT on with the interface and big reason I got it. Once of the few devices if not the only one (not saying that is a fact) where I can plug into AUM and route audio to eliminate feedback I was getting on other devices.
I agree, both work great alone…doesn’t really help to combine them
This!
I think it’s cool but I personally like to use them separate. The more I use koala the more I prefer it. I actually like using koala and the 404sx better because it’s more immediate. The mk2 is good but you can get stuck in the shift menu dive.
Glad I saw this. I also assumed it was more of a hybrid environment. Lesser than the sum of it's parts.
Can’t you midi map the start and end points in koala to any MIDI controller?? Use the midi learn function in koala. I remember doing it a year ago, but using the touch screen was better. You can midi map pretty much everything in koala
Yes, you are correct. I also stand corrected in that you do get better granular control using the glass vs in my case, the launch control XL, unless there is some setting within the midi controller to adjust that. The sp 404 can’t, at this time, be mapped to do that.
@@krazywabbit have you tried the midi learn option in koalas settings tab, then click on start point and move a knob on the 404?? Did you try it?
Navigate is an easy fix their should be a face plate for the sp404 with Koala controls lables.
You can easily control start and end markers on any midi device. I use an Akai MPD 218 and assign the two top rotating controllers for that exact task. And the drum pads are Akai 💪🏻If you don’t need the sampler function of the 404, the 218 is the way to go with Koala. Hands down.
Yep, someone else in the comments educated me on this. Fail on my part. Appreciate the scoop. Stay safe.
@@krazywabbit Fail? You did a great purchase bro. I owned the MPD218 for like 3-4 years now and bought it the SP404 MKII like 5 days ago but this machine a beast. Yes, you cant cut up samples yet with the buttons but no doubt that it will be coming with a update BUT the SP it also a normal midi controller with button you can map :)
I haven't tried this. I haven't even used my 404 since I updated the firmware... But my thought that it would let you seamlessly transfer projects back from the sp to koala so you could work on things on the go. Seemed like a great mix... But using them in tandem or as a controller doesn't really excite me
Hi bro, I have a question.
I saw that it is possible to use the sounds of my Sp404mk2 by going on the E/J banks in koala mode, but is it possible to use the effects of the Sp while in this mode ? How can i do that ?
Thanks!
What’s good. I’ll have to test. I think the answer is yes but I don’t want to mislead. Sorry I don’t have that answer right now.
I don't really know anything about the 404's (or koala), but I just cannot get past the gigantic calculator look, it's just too offputting for me to get it. And I have also gathered a lot of Roland gear in the past... just can't do this one.
So the Teenage Engineering calculator is a pass too? 🤣
@@krazywabbit Definitely. I just... I JUST CANT DO IT IM SORRY!!! 😖😏
I do disagree, I will say Roland should be congratulated for stepping outside of the norm and standing behind a product like they have SP404 and SP404MKII. The way they have done with the SP404 is WHY I bought this product a year after it was released. Few large companies and no small take a risk doing complex low ROI things like this specifically due to that overly vocal minority who complains about every little thing and makes it a hobby to create lists of feature requests a mile long.
Usually the minority is bit crushed to the back of the stereo field 🤣
If I'm a koala user, i am not buying the sp because of this. They already say that koala is better and the sp isn't worth it But sp users may want to buy koala to mess around, it's cheap. Why would roland do this?
And the main point is: Koala UI is sooo perfect, so easy to use. SP404 is one example of the worst UI that I have seen in my life. So many shortcuts and key combinations to learn to play it properly live. I get the feeling that every feature in Koala is added after a long process of reflection. Won't this feature complicate the user experience? SP404 as a UI for Koala is killing UX.
@@SHLDMusic i thought the same until i owned 1 lol
You shouldn't buy it for koala alone since its just like any midi controller you can buy for 1/4 of the price. That said, the SP404 is a machine on its own and its a fully working AUDIO INTERFACE that you can use for whatever you want. People bashing the 404 either are noobs or are people who never owned a 404 to begin with.... See, people using koala sampler are most of the time starters and people that are more into making music know how important it is to own a audio interface and what it can do.
Just stick with Yamaha and call it a day 💯💯
this way roland doesn't have to make their own app...would of been cool if they did something lke the yamaha seqtrak
Yeah too expensive. Koala is great though.
What's too expensive? The SP404 is insane value on its own if you're in the market for a device like it.
- I have 8 Roland devices but the SP has never appealed to me, just doesn't look fun, way too many button combos, Koala with the Samurai addon on my Samsung with the touchscreen is a lot of fun and immediate, BUT it being an android phone i have given up trying to incorporate it into my midi setup as latency and a few other niggles make it a no go, as a standalone though fantastic.