A Sampler and a Groovebox Are All You Need to Make Beats | SP404 MK2 + SEQTRAK Dawless Combo is AWESOME
- Sunwarper
- Sep 29
- 3 min read
I love using DAWless gear, but each piece brings its own strengths and its own weaknesses. One of my favorite things about hardware setups is combining different devices to offset those weaknesses and build a workflow that just works.
Recently, I got a comment asking if the Yamaha SEQTRAK and SP404 MK2 could work well together. I hadn’t tried it before, so I decided to experiment with a few ideas and see what kind of workflow I could build.
The Main Idea: Using SEQTRAK as an “Ideation Station”
Instead of syncing them via MIDI (which I’m sure would work well too), I wanted to use the SEQTRAK as an “ideation station.” It’s a fun groovebox for sketching out ideas quickly: drums, synths, chords. But I often lose interest when it comes time to arrange or perform full tracks on it. The performance workflow feels a bit clunky for me.
That’s where the SP404 MK2 comes in. Once I’ve built ideas on the SEQTRAK, I can move those sounds into the SP, resample, sequence, and add effects to turn them into finished tracks.
Capturing SEQTRAK Sounds into the SP404 MK2 with Skipback
I started with a simple drum groove on the SEQTRAK, sending its audio into the SP’s external input. From there, I added input effects like 303 Compressor and Lo-Fi to shape the tone.
The SP’s skip-back sampling is a lifesaver here. It records what you just played, so if you nail a take, you can immediately grab it and assign it to a pad.
To keep everything looped tightly, I recorded four-bar phrases and used the “Wait” count-in option so the SP only starts recording when audio crosses a threshold. This helps avoid messy starts and keeps loops perfectly in time.
To save time and headaches later, I even recorded multiple versions:
One with just the compressor
One with Lo-Fi for extra grain
One version without the kick, to use as a “breakdown” later
That last one is perfect for arrangements where you want to pull the kick for a bridge or build-up section.
Building Layers: Synths, Pads, and Bass
Once I had the drum loop in the SP, I moved to SEQTRAK’s synth tracks to layer chords and bass.
SEQTRAK’s chord keyboard mode makes quick progressions easy. You can set a scale (I used C minor) and play full chords across seven steps, ideal for building harmonic layers fast.
Using skip-back again, I captured those synth parts into the SP404 MK2, trimmed silence, and turned them into looped pads.
Then I recorded a bass part, tweaking scale and pitch as I went. For bass, I usually add a little attack on the SP to leave room for the kick. It’s not true sidechaining, but close enough to clean up the mix.
Sound Design and Resampling on the SP404 MK2
Once everything was sampled, I started layering effects like:
KO-DA-MA for stereo delay and movement
404 Vinyl Sim for warmth and subtle noise
Long reverbs for atmosphere (tip: when using Ha-Dou, shut off mod depth if you want clean reverb)
I love using resampling as a pseudo-automation tool by tweaking effect parameters while resampling to create evolving textures.
Sequencing + Arrangement
From here, it’s just a matter of assigning pads, setting gate/loop modes, and sequencing patterns. I prefer gate ON for playback to avoid choking bugs, and I build sequences one layer at a time. Since we're working with full loops, we can either live record and just hold everything down at once, creating a "master pattern". Then use the "copy specific pads" function in the pattern sequencer to create a whole arrangement from that pattern, starting with just one or two instruments to a pattern with everything playing.
Why This Combo Works
Every piece of gear has trade-offs:
SEQTRAK is fantastic for idea generation with fast sound design, built-in synths, and flexible drum programming.
SP404 MK2 excels at finishing ideas with sequencing, resampling, and adding depth through effects.
Together, they’re a powerful DAWless combo:
SEQTRAK handles the creative spark.
SP404 MK2 handles the polish, performance, and structure.
I went into this just experimenting, but I came away genuinely impressed. This workflow gets the best of both worlds: fast idea capture on SEQTRAK, flexible resampling and mixing on SP.
If you own both, give this combo a shot. Try building loops and textures on SEQTRAK, then move them into the SP to sequence, effect, and finish the track.
Have you tried pairing these two? I’d love to hear how you’re using them in your setup.
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