The Roland SP-404 MKII has become a favourite in the lo-fi and live performance scene, while the Akai MPC One has long been a studio powerhouse and finger drumming benchmark. I put them side by side to see which sampler is better for tactile, performance-based workflows — and the results might surprise you.

Get ready, because this is a deep dive, point by point comparison.

If you’d rather watch the full breakdown, here’s the video

Key Takeaways:

- Pads & feel: MPC One wins for finger drumming (by far) — larger, bouncier, more space, more responsive.
- Effects: SP-404 MKII shines with spontaneous, performance-first FX; MPC also has great FX but they're geared towards a DAW / production workflow.
- Sampling & chopping: Both are strong
- Portability: SP-404 MKII is smaller, battery-powered, and travel-friendly.
- Price: MPC One ≈ $1,000; SP-404 MKII ≈ $500.
- Best for: SP-404 MKII (live FX, portable jams, fast chops) vs MPC One (deep pad performance, studio workflows).

Price, Build & Design

MPC One: Around $1,000, bigger footprint, sturdier build, smoother knobs, and a sharp animated display. It feels like a premium standalone DAW, yet remains portable enough for most setups.

SP-404 MKII: About $500, half the price. Much more compact and battery-powered, making it ideal for travel, couch sessions, or outdoor jams. The new display is a big improvement over past SPs but not even close to the precision / DAW like level of the MPC’s screen.

Verdict: The MPC feels higher-end and is basically a DAW in a box, but the SP-404 MKII wins on portability and affordability. After multiple updates, it now has a step sequencer that is arguably stronger than t

he sequencing capabilities of the MPC One.

Pads, Feel & Dynamics

The pads are crucial for anyone who plays beats live.

MPC One: Pads are larger, bouncier and more elevated. Widely considered the gols standard for finger drumming.

SP-404 MKII: Pads feel nice but smaller. In some grooves, they can feel a little “capacitive,” triggering slightly before being pressed, or sometimes "double triggering", which doesn't make it the best for finger drumming.

** Firmware update note: The latest MKII update added per-pad dynamics and volume control, a much-needed feature that brings it a step closer to the MPC’s level.

Workflow & Software

SP-404 MKII App: Fast, frictionless, and intuitive for loading kits and samples via USB. It’s instant and perfect for quick swaps.

MPC Software: A full DAW environment inside the box. For me, it felt redundant since I already use Ableton, which is 100x more powerful "in the box" — but if you want an all-in-one production hub, it’s incredibly powerful.

Verdict: Both the SP-404 MKII as well as the MPC One are quick and easy tools to work with - it's really just about which workflow you prefer and spend more time with. 

Sampling & Chopping

Both machines handle sampling well, but the workflow differs.

SP-404 MKII: Auto tempo detection on import. Fast chopping flow (Shift → Chop → Auto Mark → Assign). Handy Exchange function for swapping pad assignments quickly.

MPC One: Deep options with Regions/Manual trimming and Assign Slice to Pad. Requires more steps; is more flexible but less immediate - at the same time, is way more precise.

Verdict: SP-404 MKII is faster for chopping in real-world use. MPC gives you more options, but at the cost of speed.

Mute Groups & Kit Setup

SP-404 MKII: Simple mute group setup via a dedicated button. However, adjusting multiple pad volumes at once isn’t possible.

MPC One: More flexible — you can even adjust volume levels per mute group globally.

Effects & Performance Features

This is where the machines really diverge.

SP-404 MKII: 37 built-in effects across four FX buses (two quick access, two deeper in menus). Effects have a unique, lively character — Vinyl Sim 303, DJ Looper, Resonator, etc. Includes a DJ Mode for performance-style sets. Clearly geared toward live improvisation and performance spontaneity, but in a very compact form.

MPC One: Effects are more like a DAW plugin rack — deep routing, many buses, detailed control. Way more advanced for mixing and production, but less spontaneous in a live jam setting.

Sidechain Compression

MPC One: Supports true sidechain compression.

SP-404 MKII: Isn't capable of pulling it off, although you can "fake it" using the technique from this video: https://youtu.be/PkGkF8ZgbLs

Portability & Power

SP-404 MKII: Battery-powered, small footprint, ideal for mobile sessions.

MPC One: Portable but larger and more desk-oriented.

Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

In the end, I would suggest the SP-404 MKII if you want:

- Fast, performance-friendly chops

- Portable, battery-powered jams

- Characterful, spontaneous FX

Choose MPC One if you want:

- Best-in-class pad feel for finger drumming

- Full DAW-style production in one box

- Deep mixing and routing capabilities

Looking for fresh techno loops for your sampler ? The Techno Starter Series has got you covered 👇🏼

 

 

Resources & Links

Watch the full comparison video: https://youtu.be/w7N_EX37qds

Affiliate links:

USA (Guitar Center):

►SP-404 MK2: https://guitar-center.pxf.io/199MBx

►MPC One+: https://guitar-center.pxf.io/WyyvrZ

EUROPE (Thomann):

►SP-404 MK2: https://bit.ly/4aWiZnS

►MPC One+: https://bit.ly/3LOAag3

CANADA (Moog Audio):

►SP-404 MK2: https://bit.ly/42rm8ud

►MPC One+: https://bit.ly/3WqAiYE