Sp 404: A Complete Buyer's Guide

There are four real generations of the SP-404 floating around the secondhand market and retail shelves, and picking the wrong one is an easy mistake to make when they all share a family name. Let's go through what actually separates them and how to buy with confidence.

The four generations, at a glance

Should you just buy the MKII?

For most buyers today, yes — it's the current model, actively supported with firmware updates (Roland's reference manual is up to version 5.50 as of this writing), and it adds real practical advantages: USB-C connectivity for audio and MIDI, a proper OLED screen for waveform editing, 16GB of internal storage, patterns up to 64 bars, and Skip Back Sampling, which continuously captures your output so you can recover a performance you never actually armed recording for. If sound-alike character from an older unit isn't a specific creative goal, the MKII is the straightforward choice.

When an older model still makes sense

There's a real secondhand market for the SX and A models, and they remain genuinely usable instruments — the core sampling and resampling workflow hasn't fundamentally changed across generations. Consider an older unit if budget is the deciding factor, if you specifically want the sound and workflow associated with the era of production you're chasing, or if you don't need USB-C connectivity, expanded storage or Serato integration. Just don't assume the effects list or sound is identical across generations — it genuinely isn't, and going in expecting an old unit to behave exactly like an MKII will disappoint you.

What to check before buying, new or used

• Confirm the exact model — SX, A and MKII look broadly similar in photos but differ substantially in features and price. Read the listing carefully.
• On a used unit, test the pads for consistent velocity response and check for physical wear, since these get heavy use in performance.
• Check input and output jacks for looseness or crackling, especially on older units that have travelled to gigs.
• Ask about firmware version on an MKII — Roland continues to release updates, and being several versions behind can mean missing features like the Serato integration.
• Check what's included — power adapter, cables and any bundled software licences vary by seller.

Matching the model to your workflow

If computer integration, Serato compatibility or the largest possible storage and pattern lengths matter to you, that points firmly at the MKII. If you're chasing a specific vintage lo-fi character or buying on a tighter budget, a well-maintained SX or A is a genuinely reasonable route in. Either way, budget for good sampling sources too — a turntable, decent microphone or line-level connection from a mixer will matter more to your results than which generation of 404 you land on.

A quick pre-purchase checklist

1. Decide whether USB-C connectivity, Serato integration and current firmware support matter to you.
2. Confirm the exact model and generation before paying, especially secondhand.
3. Test pads, jacks and buttons in person or ask for a video demo if buying remotely.
4. Check the current firmware version on an MKII against Roland's latest release.
5. Plan your sampling sources and cables as part of the total budget, not an afterthought.

Still deciding?

For the full background and specification rundown, see our complete guide to the SP-404. If you're completely new to hardware sampling, our beginner's guide is a gentler place to start, and our pick of the best SP-404s for the money breaks recommendations down by budget and use case.

The bottom line

Buying the right SP-404 comes down to matching the generation to your actual priorities — connectivity and current features versus budget and vintage character. Get that decision right and any of the four generations will serve you well.

Frequently Asked Questions