Meet the NI404 Open-Source Sampler and Sequencer from Soundpauli

soundpauli:NI404 video upload by Jank

"The NI404 is an innovative, open-source sampler and sequencer from soundpauli - nspired by the classic Etch-A-Sketch, tailored for beginners and DIY enthusiasts. Designed around the Teensy Microcontroller and Audioboard from PJRC, this device offers an accessible entry point into the world of music creation.

The NI404 is more than just a musical instrument; it's a journey into the world of sound exploration, perfect for live performances, studio sessions, or simply having fun creating music. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious beginner, the NI404 is your gateway to an exciting world of musical possibilities."



via https://ni404.tyng.app

THE OPEN SOURCE SAMPLE-SEQUENCER FOR EVERYONE.
The NI404 is an innovative, open-source DIY sample-sequencer from soundpauli - inspired by the classic Etch-A-Sketch, tailored for beginners and DIY enthusiasts. Designed around the Teensy Microcontroller and Audioboard from PJRC, this device offers an accessible entry point into the world of music creation.

The NI404 is more than just a musical instrument; it's a journey into the world of sound exploration, perfect for live performances, studio sessions, or simply having fun creating music. Whether you're a seasoned musician or a curious beginner, the NI404 is your gateway to an exciting world of musical possibilities.

KEY FEATURES

EASY TO USE.
With its playful design, the NI404 lets users create complex sound patterns without any prior knowledge of musical instruments or equipment. It's perfect for beginners and makers alike.

DYNAMIC CONTROL DESPITE
LESS BUTTONS.
At the heart of the NI404 is a vivid 16x16 RGB LED panel display, paired with three intuitive rotary-push encoders. Navigate a cursor across the grid, where each row signifies a voice and each column a potential note, allowing for up to 16 pitches per note. This feature enables the mixing of up to 8 voices simultaneously.

REAL-TIME INTERACTION.
Adjust samples, instruments, pitches, notes, volume, BPM, velocity, and effects in real-time without pausing. This seamless interaction makes the NI404 an ideal gadget for live performances.

CORE COMPONENTS.
Teensy 4.1 Microcontroller and Teensy Audio board (4.0)
8MB PSRAM Flash Memory
3 Rotary-push encoders
16x16 RGB-LED Panel driven by FastLED
3.5mm audio jack and removable SD Microcard slot
CREATIVE FLEXIBILITY.
Etch-A-Sketch style note drawing
On-the-fly note deletion and sample muting
Adjustable volume, BPM (40 - 200), pattern, and note velocity
Up to 30-second sample length with seamless looping
Use your own samples on the SD-Card - in a simple file structure
Load up to 8 voices / samples (Wav format) plus an additional onboard synth voice
16-bar patterns across 8 pages, totaling 128 bars per song
Save and load up to 100 patterns / songs on the SD card
Autosave and autoload functions
SAMPLES AT YOUR FINGERTIPS:
THE BUILT-IN SAMPLE BROWSER.
Access and manage samples while playing, with support for up to 999 samples on the SD card and the ability to predefine multiple voices as a SampleSet.

FULLY INDEPENDENT.
Operates without a computer, generating all sounds on the device itself. USB powered (5V) and Arduino code is published under the MIT License.

Important: The NI404 does not include speakers or Bluetooth connectivity; headphones are recommended. Because of licensing: please use your own sample files (folder structure is included).

READY FOR MORE.
Potential updates include USB-MIDI In & Out, AI-powered song / pattern generation, WiFi connectivity, and a new aluminium casing.

HARDWARE LIST
Custom PCB - to connect the encoders to the Teensy (but you can also hard wire everything): see Downloads

https://ni404.tyng.app

Roland Launches Stones Throw Limited Edition of SP-404MKII

video upload by Stones Throw

"We teamed up with Roland to launch the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition.

Available now: https://sthrow.com/404
More details: https://sthrow.com/roland

J. Rocc joined us in The Dungeon to cook up something special using sounds that can only be found as part of the collaboration - and to unveil that custom metallic faceplate for the first time.

This one-of-a-kind Roland SP-404MKII comes equipped with pre-loaded music by Stones Throw artists J. Rocc, Sudan Archives, Mndsgn, Kiefer, and DJ Harrison - 16 patterns and 16 samples in each bank. A collectable 7-inch and cassette mixtape are also included."



Press release follows:

Special Collector’s Version of the SP-404MKII Sampler with Custom Panel Artwork, Exclusive Sample Banks, and New Music Created by the Stones Throw Records’ Roster

Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 19 — Roland announces the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition, an exclusive version of the world’s favorite portable sampler. Co-curated with Stones Throw Records, this unique SP model collaboration is more than just a tool—it’s a work of art. Featuring a high-shine aluminum faceplate with custom artwork, new sound banks crafted by the label’s roster, and a collector’s package with a seven-inch vinyl record and mixtape, the SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition celebrates the creative spirit of independent music artists everywhere.

Founded by producer and DJ Peanut Butter Wolf in 1996, Stones Throw Records has built an indie music empire by supporting diverse, cutting-edge artists and spreading the word through vinyl, merch, and events. Touchstone releases include albums by Madvillain, J Dilla, Madlib, NxWorries, Knxwledge, Sudan Archives, Mayer Hawthorne, Dâm-Funk, and Aloe Blacc, all widely considered modern musical masterpieces.

Stones Throw and its artists helped create the blueprint for contemporary independent music culture, and the label’s massive influence was spotlighted in the 2014 feature-length documentary Our Vinyl Weighs a Ton. Roland SP instruments have been key creative catalysts for the label's roster and fans, who continue to unlock new musical frontiers using the portable samplers’ fluid workflow and go-everywhere design.

The SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition includes ten full banks of brand-new samples and patterns from Kiefer, Sudan Archives, Mndsgn, J.Rocc, and DJ Harrison. This special model also features a custom Stones Throw aluminum faceplate and special packaging designed by Jeff Jank, the legendary art director and illustrator behind the label’s most quintessential releases.

The SP-404MKII Stones Throw Limited Edition comes with additional collector’s content that’s not available anywhere else. There’s a seven-inch vinyl record with two certified burners from Kiefer and Mndsgn—constructed using their custom SP sound banks—plus a cassette mixtape by DJ icon J.Rocc with an exclusive 30-minute remix of music from the SP-404MKII x Stones Throw artists.

About the SP-404MKII
Roland SP samplers are the bona fide kings of performance-based beatmaking, with deep features and portable designs that fuel the engines of creators on the move. The SP-404MKII is the latest generation model in the long-running series, delivering ultimate performance with the latest tech advancements and updates inspired by the global SP community. Key features include a vivid OLED display, 17 velocity-sensitive RGB pads, extensive onboard effects, versatile power options, and more.

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Gabe Miller Music: The Cheapest Drum Machine I Could Find (making a song)

"In which I make electronic music with the Stylophone Beatbox, the cheapest 'drum machine' I could possibly find, resulting in large amounts of jank and a mild existential crisis."

SE Boomstar 3003 synthesizer demo (no talking, no effects)

Single Use

"There aren't a lot of bare bones tweaking demos of the Boomstar 3003 monosynth by Studio Electronics so figured I would post one. No effects or compression applied. Mostly using saw but some square in there too. The synthesizer has decent range though I would definitely say it leans towards rambunctiousness over precision. The filter being low pass and raw means it tends towards thick, wide spectrum sounds so can be a bit greedy in the mix. This is the original model so the legending and visibility is a bit jank. I definitely plan to add some colour to the knobs to make it easier to navigate quickly.

Been playing with it incessantly since I got it though which is a good sign - often just holding down a key and drooling. =)"