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What is Loopy Pro? — Loopy Pro is a powerful, flexible, and intuitive live looper, sampler, clip launcher and DAW for iPhone and iPad. At its core, it allows you to record and layer sounds in real-time to create complex musical arrangements. But it doesn’t stop there—Loopy Pro offers advanced tools to customize your workflow, build dynamic performance setups, and create a seamless connection between instruments, effects, and external gear.
Use it for live looping, sequencing, arranging, mixing, and much more. Whether you're a live performer, a producer, or just experimenting with sound, Loopy Pro helps you take control of your creative process.
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how well do ipad samplers function compared to the roland sp-404sx?
i use samplr, gadget, and egoist a whooole lot, and enjoy using them. but i have seen some videos of artists (i.e., submerse) doing 20+ minute live shows with just a roland sp-404sx with no breaks in the sound, and this is a big thing bugging me about my current implementation of live performance using the ipad.
i was wondering if a roland sp-404sx would be worth getting if i already have an ipad with samplr. so to anyone who has both i ask you: what does it do better? where is it weaker?
Comments
The sp-404sx gained a lot of popularity for the specific purpose you mention. I've seen so many east coast hip hop producers doing great live sets solely with that. Ohbliv's Boiler Room set from last year blew me away:
Samplr doesn't have an on-board sequencer or MIDI in, so you'd be hard pressed to replicate the sp-404sx with Samplr. Frankly I doubt you'd get that same functionality with any app 'cause I know a big draw with the Roland is how quickly you can trigger effects. I doubt you'd find a sampler/sequencer with effects triggering that quickly in real-time with just one app. If you want to use mulitple apps you could pull it off (I'm thinking something like iMPC Pro going into Turnado), but the stability could become an issue.
Launchpad is a good option for triggering live samples and adding effects on the fly. Then put it through Flux for added controlled chaos.
i do my shows with LP-5. you can load up 20+ minutes in one set, has A+B effects send (hook them up to turnado and a cheap midi controller for more) and can switch sets fairly fast (toss in a delay..). only 5 loops at a time but ive gotten creative with merging the files i import and it works great for me. its all quantized, so its less SP style, and you need to adjust the clock as you go, but it keeps me engaged and does the job.
+1
LP-5 is a sleeper
Haven't tried it with Turnado + controller, sounds like fun
My kid has a 404, but I've not played with it, so I had to look on the web for the features. Seems the MPC style apps make the likeliest substitute, as @Calcutta offered, iMPC pro (+Turnado)...
I have a Roland SP-404FX. Live use? Yes and no.
The positives: Samples on the fly. I use it for ambient loops to process. Long, long samples.
The negatives: Not velocity sensitive. 120 samples in each saved set, but loading time between them takes forever. Editing a sample flaw at the beginning or end is painful. Editing is painful in general. Forget about sequencing your samples. You've got to memorize your sample location because there is no file name. Effects are just OK. Sound quality of converted samples is degraded.
Having been a hardware electronic musician for about 15 years, the machines are wonderful to work with: Korg Electribes. Intuitive interface for programming step sequences. But you can't bang out your sequence on the pads. The new ones have some flaws in the chaining of patterns and effects. Honestly, I think something like an Akai would be better for you: I have no experience with them. I would say Machine too, but it needs to be hooked up to a computer.
Having brought iPads into my setup recently, I couldn't be happier with the workflow. It's pretty seamless. I will bring in a Beatstep Pro or an Akai MPD232 eventually to bang out beats live because I love having that type of finger feedback, and because I could also sequence with them.
Akai is close in cost. I'd go with that. But I would try a MIDI controller first.
My two cents.
most just run the sp for fx don't they, not that you can't do more it's just that most performances I see are just cats running finished beats for the most part through the fx. like a finished beat under each pad.
one of my fav Ras g loves that piece as well.
I have a sp404.. Keep in mind you need to tempo match all loops before putting them on the thing
no tempo match feature. I'm thinking of selling mine but I love the compressor and vinyl sim fx so will probably end up keeping it
Yes! I don't think so much in the sense of being easier (in the strictest sense), the hardware features and stuff make it unique.
Basically you would be rocking iPad and and midi controller. Not that that is a bad way to go though! You just need a controller that is fitting with your needs. Not sure since there are so many apps..Im sure there is one that is close.