The Roland SP-404 is a great machine for making music and noise using samples. It also includes a great many effects to twist and crunch and otherwise change the sounds that you record into the pads. The pattern sequencer is awesome. There are a few drawbacks: no legit pitch-change system (the pitch changer makes sounds really dull and wavery-sounding), and you can only play 6 stereo or 12 mono samples at one time or else some of the samples cut out. Otherwise, it's a great entry-level device and a useful tool for the production of audio art.