Loopy Pro: Create music, your way.
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.
Download on the App StoreLoopy Pro is your all-in-one musical toolkit. Try it for free today.
SP404 MkII or or or. . . . . . . .
I had the SP404A and enjoyed the time I had with it but didn't gel completely. the mkii has a looper, more pads and quite a few new features that appeal to me. So I'm thinking of going there again. I feel like I'll miss the inbuilt microphone. And I like the idea of a built in speaker.
I'm aware of the Sonicware Smpltrek that has the mic and speaker but apart from that I'm struggling to find anything in the ballpark for under AU $1k. I'd goncider it but I'm not that keen on electronic goods second hand.
Are there any other options out there? I think Akai MPC One is an option but haven't really checked it out because of the price.
Comments
404 Mk2 for sure! With the last update its the best SP yet! I’ve literally had every SP and a few MPcs… and the mk2 is the best yet.
The looper and setting sample length per pad is the thing we have all been waiting for and now its finally here!
I’ll selling my liven lofi 12 since I’m not really making lofi stuff anymore, but its another fun sampler…
I have a love / hate relationship with my SP404mk2.
I love that I can connect my iPad via just one cable and the iPad even powers the SP.
I love that Roland followed through with the features that many people wanted.
I love the size and shape of the SP
I love that I can connect a synth and my iPad and a mic / guitar if needed and then connect to my speakers or headphones.
I love that apart from updating the firmware, or decent file management, it simply doesn’t need a computer to do its functions.
I love the amount of storage and bang for buck.
I hate how easy it is to forget the secondary function button combinations unless I’m using it often.
I hate the pain of the file management, unless you use a computer and software.
I hate the supplied sounds, but it’s just as easy to sample your own and probably the point in having one.
I’ve never used any of the older models, but I think Roland have possibly tried to cram too much into this one.
For those that love SP workflows, it’s a no brainer. For those that can find other uses, it’s such good value for money.
Personally I think the MPC One+ while another 50 percent higher in price, is superb value and very feature rich. It’s just that it’s not the compact and mains free partner to an iPad that the SP 404mk2 is.
That’s my opinion anyhoo.
Had the Mpc one + about a month
This thing rocks
I use Bluetooth midi with my iPad so I can use scaler etc. and it works well
Wish I had purchased this sooner
I have let a lot of recent apps go past without purchase as I am having a blast with this machine
I brought a battery pack the other day, just waiting for my usb c to dc cable to arrive, and then it will be mains free.
You get a lot for your money
I even connected an old Bluetooth receiver to the Mpc input so I can record samples over Bluetooth to the Mpc
The form factor is great
But i still have gas for the sp404mk2
I am sure what ever you get will be fun , its nice to have buttons and knobs to touch
Good luck with your purchase
Thanks @Gdub @Fruitbat1919 @reasOne
I'll get back into this thread. Big night last night locating my injured mountain biking son in the forest, getting him out, to hospital, talking to doctors about surgery etc. Thanks for the info, I appreciate it and will revisit this page soon.
Oh no!
We have a lot of forest trail bikers here too, some of them taking ridiculous risks where it's basically a matter of luck if things go well.
At least he didn't hit a tree full bore 😉
As for the SP404 (which I also own), I find it hard to recommend without knowing what you're looking for. Is second hand gear an option?
I have a bit to do with mountain bike trail construction and the injuries that occur on them. Could have been a lot. lot worse that a completely snapped forearm.
Second hand is always an option. I had an SP404A but sold it. I was getting in to using it but I found I just couldn't get my head around the workflow in terms of what samples I wanted and what sort of music I wanted to make. With the MkII and the looping I feel like I can use it as a guitarists tool on the road. I am disappointed they dropped the in-built mic.
Battery powered option is a must. I'd love an external speaker and mic but I can live without if I have to. I'll probably end up using it to create a groove and record some guitar tracks to build a song or song idea.
👍🏼
I wonder if these features would make a big difference...
That sounds a lot like Koala, Loopy Pro or even Nanostudio 2 (using its great Slate sampler) on the iPhone with an attached stereo microphone that sounds a lot better than the SP's built-in mic.
In my opinion, looping isn't always necessary to build tracks, as long as you have convenient start point editing and easy clip launching and arranging. iPhone speakers are not as bad as they used to be on older models and even the built-in microphone is good enough to capture ideas when sound quality is not the first objective.
Plus, I see quite a difference between carrying just a guitar or an SP404 with microphone plus wired headphones on top.
These are very sobering statements for my nagging GAS. I do miss the SP but learning it and using it does take time away from the simplicity of apps and gear I already have and know fairly well. And I feel exactly the same about gear clutter. Big difference between grabbing guitar and phone, and the more convoluted option. Thanks for the talking some sense.
I had lots of fun today with my Korg Minilogue XD going through my SP404 mk2 analog inputs. My iPad connected via USB C sending my Logic audio and powering the SP too. Some fx triggered in the SP affecting the whole mix going out to my monitors. Using the XD to just jam over the Logic track I’ve already written.
Simple and fun jamming set up and all from my sofa lol.
Still gotta remind myself about this at times, but Drambo has helped a lot in my GAS healing process
I too am a relatively new MPC One + owner. How do you set up the Bluetooth midi from the iPad?
@db909 Some free apps like "Bluetooth MIDI pads" from Pablo Lopez allow you to let your iDevice act either as a BT MIDI host or client ("Advertise MIDI service"). Client mode is what you need in order to make the iDevice appear as a BT MIDI device.
@db909
Type in Mpc one and scaler on YouTube, I am sure there are a few videos
Go to Bluetooth settings on Mpc one +, connect to iPad
In scaler go to the settings, and select Mpc as midi out
Then choose a sound in Mpc, then record
It was quite easy to set up, most probably why I can do it. Haha
Well you did your best, but as you said , being reminded can help. Not in this case though. Despite you common sense they went on sale here so I've ordered a MkII. Thanks for trying but my GAS is too strong. Now I'll just have to work out how to use it again.
It must be deep in our genes to hunt for new stuff
Enjoy! Whatever gear I focussed my attention to exclusively, usually helped me find new ideas at least!