SP-404MKII Creative Sampler and Effector Video Manual

[@rolandcloudacademy341]

You can find Chapter Markers/Time Stamps all in the Description!

[@BobbyGeneric145]

How are your bank buttons yellow? Couldn't figure out how to change those.

[@Rustik1722]

I am wondering if you can help. I am trying to use the 404 with hardware / software hybrid set up. I can sync loop as I record it into a pattern. But when you exit that mode when you attempt to play pattern back it is no longer synced like it was when I recorded the loop? Shouldn't it be? Synced to Ableton via USB MIDI

[@Diego-ui5ce]

can a loop point be external from a starting point? Thanks

[@Rustik1722]

@@Diego-ui5ce They don't respond. But, it should. But it doesn't on mine. I have a few bugs.

[@777wisdom7]

Nothing about SD cards how to Format would be helpful.

[@jaioxung]

Can we appreciate that pressing the buttons for banks D and J at the same time triggers DJ mode?

[@alexriesenbeck]

Nice catch

[@coolo73]

I never caught that. Super smart.

[@JakeSweeper]

Yes. Let's.

[@savoirfaire8979]

Damn. I had no idea. 😂

[@johnnycomelately2370]

🤯 amazing. Now I get to spend the next 3 and a half hours trying to decide which of the 32 MFX I want to assign to the DJ/Looper button.

[@kittiecommittee139]

An updated video, to account for the new firmware would be super interesting to see...:)

[@NineteenEighty8]

Came here to say this

[@imissmypencils]

I just bought this model with my Christmas cash. I have to say I appreciate how detailed and precise this user guide is for a beginner like me. I would have definitely kept my MPC 2000 back in the day if I had instructions like this. I’ve been poking around the menus and while it’s a little intimidating I’m not overwhelmed and I’ve already created a few happy accident samples which is why this device was recommended to me from local producers and folks on Reddit, they said I’d be able to jump right in with it and they were right. I can genuinely say I’m having fun creating music and unique sounds with this SP404 model that I never thought I’d be able to because creating music can be such a wide open field. There’s countless instruments, methods and theories when it comes to learning to make tunes but using this little guy feels so engaging and my creativity just keeps going and going. I love it!

[@NoodleBuddha]

got introduced to roland from a commercial i did for yall! such a cool company! I enjoy learning how to use this machine! It's the first one of its kind that I've ever gotten, and its like a gameboy for music! so awesome thanks!!

[@mojoenicosia1026]

This is one of the best beat maker walk throughs i have seen it appears to be idiot proof which is the best way to teach ..Thank you Sir !!!!

[@brammers98]

Just bought one of these. Had no idea PJ Bridger worked for Roland, I am a huge fan of his music. +98 ❤❤

[@rorz999]

Wtf I had no idea this was PJ Bridger doing this video

[@billiedoesbeats]

I obsessively menu dove and messed around with the SP for montha before getting to this video and am pleasantly surprised there were only a few things I didn't know about. This is a testament to the user-friendliness of this box. I LOVE this thing.

[@brookemaxwell2276]

Roland, your marketing team did a great job. [I'm a sax player that consequently wanted to get a sampler after seeing some stuff online = new customer!] However, your workflow development team and the content of the demoes sure haven't made it easy to introduce newbies to this machine. Finding it really challenging and clunky, like it's designed for those who already know. I'm going to try it for a couple more days, but tbh I've been seeking alternatives that allow me to have a chance of being/staying in any kind of flow. A video series titled 'SP404mkII for Newbs' would be very welcome. :)

[@joroboro]

Thank you for this awesome video! And thank Roland for actively listening to their supporters - they are definitely setting an example for other companies out there, I'm mad impressed! The SP404MKII has become by far my favorite machine both in the studio and for live. A few more features that would make it even more next level: 1. Access to more effects (hopefully all of them) in the input FX. The new SX Delay is amazing! 2. Bring the BPM Looper back. I know the LoFi community loves the sloppy DJFX but I also love beat-synced looping and would be great to have it as an option. 3. Smooth playback while editing the start and end points of a sample (to use for granular-style playing similar to the Digitakt) 4. Playing multiple patterns (would allow structuring songs) 5. Add 1/3 and 3/4 options to the Roll button options (for example interesting hi hats in a live performance) Thank you Roland, keep it up!

[@hardtakeoff]

1. All of the effects will not be brought to input 2. Agree 3. It's not a digitakt and I don't want it to be. 4. It has pattern chaining, SHIFT-HOLD 5. agree, roll is currently not that useful

[@balloonanimal7588]

My ship date is mid March from Sweetwater. It'll be my first hardware sampler and I'm really excited. Hopefully I don't forget much before I get it!

[@pheonix72]

Great video. I went from zero to a half-finished track in quick time! Thank you.

[@PreRenderedRealities]

Roland did a lot of things right with this machine, including this awesome video manual. I hope this becomes the norm for gear like this in the future. Too bad mine isn't coming in for like 6 months, though. Supply chain issues are a bummer.

[@psysword]

How do you know 6 months? I just ordered like 2 weeks ago in USA from vintage king, but haven’t heard back from them either. Fuck…

[@PreRenderedRealities]

@@psysword That's just the approximate date given to me by my Sweetwater rep

[@Ilovepieonthemoon]

My Sweetwater rep gave me the same estimate. No new toys until March 😭

[@RoyMaya]

That's a bummer. I was hoping they would be here before Christmas.

[@JaeHimself]

@@Ilovepieonthemoon same here, got March for mine @ SW. Every day I hope for some unexpected good news though lol

[@kwamealievergreen4257]

So nice to see the amount of thought Roland put into this. This was clearly made and sold with musicians in mind, rather than just people with money like Gibson is arguably doing with their guitars for example

[@unc1589]

This is an amazingly well thought out unit. I’m easily learning this piece from just watching the video.

[@DivineMurder1]

You have yours already? I just ordered mine yesterday

[@BobCorraro]

Best video tutorial about this sampler

[@shawndiggz8904]

The wait was worth it. I look forward to beatmaking with this machine. Great content….very thorough!

[@Randuski]

There's something weirdly cool about hearing roland official referring to "the resample method", which is a concept and name for something that the community developed on its own. This is such a cool moment to experience as a long time SPboi. I still feel like I'm in an alternate dimension with the release of this thing.

[@wtvdonot1135]

sp 404 sx had a resample button already

[@Randuski]

@@wtvdonot1135 yes i know. But making full beats using the resample button (the resample method) was entirely created by the community. The sp wasn't really intended to be used that way. But roland leaning into it and embracing it is really awesome to see

[@brianwyse5810]

indeed, and Yay. So, even with the presents (the preset a's sample get nauseous quick), most of them are pretty jammable, especially with the mfx effects option which is fun get to grips with.

[@skatan4727]

They really took a community approach in making the new sp404. Roland truly has everything in my opinion, craftsmanship, quality, audio quality, visuals. Theyre one of my favorite companies love em to death

[@Joedoriamusic]

Resampling exactly as you know it now was a feature of samplers in the early 90's.This is not Roland born, Akai and Ensoniq were on the forefront.

[@_samtaylorrr]

Thank you so much Roland for making this video !

[@KorhanErel]

I've just got mine and loving it. So far, the only feature I wish it had is round robin sample triggering. No need for fancy velocity layering etc, but assigning 2-3 samples to a pad for round robin would make this instrument even better.

[@iamsimonmorris]

Thanks for all the work..one suggestion....time stamp the lessons/chapters. For those who may wish to return or use it as resource for help, having the video time stamped helps quickly find the feature you may need some help with.

[@MDWeezer]

Seconded! Chapters would make this video a dream as I await my mkII's arrival!

[@rolandcloudacademy341]

Hey all, please find chapter markers in the Description!

[@iamsimonmorris]

Cheers

[@clarkflavor]

Damn, I just got mine and the team really had fun with this I can tell - so many features, loads of fun

[@MoveDeeply]

Thanks so much for creating this, and your sample pack! I purchased it today (and my 404mk2 a couple of days ago). I will be using it for ambient sound journeys and this is a great way to get me started with learning how to make the most of it for my purpose.

[@ManCalledMif]

Ordered one today. Backordered for months. Looking forward to playing one. Looks very user friendly (cough cough MPC X) 🤓

[@LocaliLLocano]

Just picked up my SP404 MK2 this weekend. This video helped. Thank you

[@TaRiqTheVisionary]

Ahhh; if I play this video once a day before mine arrives I’ll be good 🥲

[@BIGPUN4EVER]

Haha same here bro... i think mine gets shipped sometime this month

[@tastelesstouch]

What a beautifully designed device, I’ve had a blast playing with mine

[@__teles__]

I don't even do beats and chopping but I really want this! Brilliant design, so simple to use. Akai really need to worry about this.

[@stevenrostron6671]

Akai don’t really need to worry about a product that you can’t actually obtain

[@Dipmanchip]

@@stevenrostron6671 lmao right. Back ordered for more than a year meanwhile I can get an MPC One delivered in one day. What a ridiculous roll out of this product. Not worth the hype at this point.

[@Dolores5000]

Such a cool sampler! And great demo! But that piano loop is getting deleted the very second I get mine

[@ashdourado7354]

Bahahahahaha yo this made me laugh way more than I should have FOREAL tho hahaha

[@rorz999]

Most annoying stock sample of all time lol

[@napotronix]

Good video - like the narrator's voice a lot too. Makes it all a bit easier to digest than just skimming through the PDF manual. Would be nice to have an updated version for the 3.0 firmware (a complete reworked manual, not just addendums of the new features).

[@souldefunk]

Can you guys get PJ back for a new video with all the latest updates, please?

[@rorz999]

This would be great tbh

[@jdtorian]

Got mine yesterday. Killer upgrade/ mkii!!

[@LexOfNP]

Thank you for this… More companies need to do this!

[@tengoodquestions]

Omg this is so perfect. Roland are the best.

[@VenxmMusic]

That was a much needed video for me to geek out to, I feel like I’m going to be coming straight back here once I receive my unit so I can get my head around the use of the bus FX especially

[@jeffd6422]

Brilliant video. Thank you for this.

[@iosmusicman]

So very useful to have this especially with the chapter headings as the SO-404MKII is a step learning curve. Thanks. Cheers. Lee

[@mrgrinch]

Well done on this video manual.

[@Beatz240]

I’m saving up now to get one 🔥

[@theloreoffilm2229]

y’all should do this type of video for all the sp units especially the sx/a

[@VJFranzK]

Q: Pattern - Is there a way to Mute certain Pads while playing back a pattern? (to do an intro, or "drop out" certain sounds for a while?)

[@buckytoller8358]

This is what I assumed “mute groups” were, until I received my device. Would be a handy update.

[@chaddavis3797]

You can now in 3.0 update and an automation mode added.

[@3ck]

Thanx for the lovely tutorial. This machine is a beast. Im going to buy one as soon as possible. Hope its gonna be this year🙌 Well done Roland👏👏👏

[@keith3069]

Can we lay down bass line by chromatic mode in pattern sequencer? Please add this for next update🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@BeefyTime1]

You have to resample the chromatic notes onto a new pad and then chop that up and put on each individual pad.

[@fischergreen4134]

perfect beginners toutrial

[@jessejarrar]

This was incredibly informative video and supplemented my manual reading. Only gripe about the mk2 so far is that the bank controls for controlling the sp from other gear through midi channel seems to be a really weird thing to do, especially since it takes 10 midi channels out of 16.

[@alienproberecordings]

I agree why cant they have all the pads across the keys on the same midi channel and a cc to change bank or manually change bank on the unit.I need it foe an mc303 so only have 1 channel free

[@BrancoArgenta]

It would be nice to have a track mode where you can assign banks to tracks like the MPC

[@vaaksvakuums]

Thanks, good, helpful and informative tutorial : ) Tryin to understand it's workflow, before had Korg Elelectribe S2 : )

[@johndoe-rd3hq]

The kind of music that comes with this machine drives me batshit crazy! Is this the low pie that’s all the rage 😤?!?!?

[@_c_y_p_3]

I like to have all my kicks blue, pads set to green for snares, white fore loops ect. It would be so very amazing if we could maybe have 10 different pad color layouts. We dont even need to have one per bank. Even just a few more than only one would help. But that aside, I love LOVE LOVE my SP404mkII !!!!! This is perhaps one of the best samplers to ever be made. It will change music. So many people will make epic music with these things cuz they are that well put together. If you have even a slight idea what you wanna do , and you take the time to do it, it can be done using an MKII as is right out of the box.. or well DO update it first.

[@ChurBoBaggins]

#1 request/wish for Roland please make the chromatic/16 level possible to use while in the pattern sequencer As is is really weird/awkward coming from any other recent sequencer (akai force/mpc maschine etc etc) Having to resample to a pad seems like a workaround / oversight

[@fnmk8864]

Can use the pitch speed button to adjust it

[@ChurBoBaggins]

@@fnmk8864 this was before the update that lets you use the chromatic with pattern sequencer on

[@fnmk8864]

@@ChurBoBaggins I usually use live mode but good to know it's solid in pattern mode

[@tentrey]

So I just got mine yesterday and I wonder what to do with all the built in samples? Can I export them all to my sd card, and if so how?

[@klydefunk]

Tnx for the clear info!!

[@garth_vader_666]

Hello! I have my MK2 and am almost falling in love. Although, the workflow feels a little bit slower and more cumbersome than with the SX. At times, a little over complicated. I have a couple of questions and I am hoping the answers will clear up my skepticism. First - Is it possible to shorten, or remove, the operation complete messages? For example, when I am finished recording a sample, the 'REC COMPLETE' message shows for what feels like forever. Enough time passes for me to try to start my next thing, but cannot, because the unit is stalled out, tryin to communicate with me. So annoying. I get the picture. I know the sample is complete as the empty pad is now lit. I don't remember the SX doing anything like this. This also happens with other operations, like when exchanging samples. I pressed the button sequence, I trust it worked, now lets move on. Second - Is there an input level meter? ON the SX, the bubble would light red if you were clipping, as well as the little red light would glow. The MK2 has no color feedback on the bubble or a little red light. How do I know if my input is too hot? Or not hot enough for that matter. I understand I could just learn where my knobs need to be on what ever I'm sampling, but that takes time. The SP404 is supposed to be immediate. Last thing - Is there a chance that a legit manual will ever be released? This video manual is cool, but the 'printed' interactive manual that is offered on the Roland site is painful. Thank you Roland for the MK2 and to who ever has input to my questions.

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Hi, I'm half asleep, and from a couple months in the future, so please excuse me if this reply isn't great... Regarding the pop-up messages, the newer firmware addresses it.. In the system menu, you can set them to display quickly or not at all. And I believe there is also now a hot input warning similar to the FX's. Today, I was running electric guitar into the front input, and noticed the EXT SOURCE button was glowing (reddish, I think) whenever the signal peaked. Dialing back the gain made it stop and resulted in a nice, clean signal. I would assume that the L/R rear inputs also use this EXT SOURCE light to warn for clipping. So I guess Roland really has been listening, but if they do arrive at a final firmware version, I also hope that they'll release an official PDF manual 🤞

[@subtle.banter]

Yes you can remove the operation complete message.

[@b.low...101]

very helpful...thank you for the excellent video!

[@tom22333]

Does having an SD card essentially give you tons of projects as you can export/import? Then you aren't limited to the 16 projects?

[@dannylorean8825]

Workflow question: What’s the difference working in sequence mode versus pad mode 🙏

[@SmokinAcesProd]

I’m very excited to get my hands on this! It looks like it’s gonna be a bit, but I will say I’m loving the content and it’s giving great info

[@freejazzbone]

thorough review, thanks

[@F_letc.h]

I hope that with a future firmware update they make it possible to undo more than just your last seven, or so, actions when using the pattern sequencer. That was an annoying thing about the SX - that you had to hold the pad down forever to erase actions within the pattern sequencer. This is a move in the right direction, but we need to be able to undo more actions than what the mkII is currently providing. Hopefully this can be improved.

[@VJFranzK]

That's 6 to 7 more undo's than most hardware devices offer. ; - )

[@alias_mino]

A way to instantly delete a pad from a pattern without having to hold it down for the whole duration of the pattern would also be nice

[@benjaminbrodie9801]

EPIC! Thanks for the info.

[@tonesproject]

I can't wait for mine to arrive. live loop similar to the 555 was something I hoped to see. I wonder if this is something that can come with a firmware update in the future.

[@petert7807]

The live looping is the one thing that is missing from this being the 404 of my dreams. But the skip back is close....

[@tonesproject]

@@petert7807 it’s not impossible that they add it if enough people ask. Skip back is real clutch but for live improvising it doesn’t replace a loop (or if I’m greedy multiple layerable sync’d loops!)

[@petert7807]

@@tonesproject aka korg Kaoss pad 4!

[@sgkountz3280]

Thank you for a great video👍

[@charlesmosley8378]

Great tutorial. I think I'm ready to purchase one. Are the sounds you used in the tutorial stock sounds?

[@DivineMurder1]

I just ordered mine yesterday did you get one yet?

[@UNDERDOGMMA]

They are stock sounds

[@BarryJacksonVocalist]

Just purchased this sp404 and a akai force

[@wakinglife7065]

That’s what I wants

[@Nocatsmusic]

Question: If a perfectly looped sample assigned to a pad is then assigned to a sequence and the tempo is decreased, will there be a gap at the end of the sample before the next measure, or will the sample be "warped," or time-stretched to fit the new length of the measure?

[@hardtakeoff]

It depends on if "BPM Sync" is turned on for that sample, I think

[@bennolee348]

1:23:19 does this mean you could sequence an external instrument with the 404mk2?

[@Pseika]

At 21:43 how did you make the pad play on its own while tapping out the drum patterns? I don’t understand

[@1sakirk]

I’m wanting to change volume of a pad while playing live without relaunching it. Say three loops are playing but one is too loud. If the loud one is selected, no problem, just push pitch/speed and adjust volume. But how to select a new pad without relaunching it? Can this be done? I’m hoping there is a ‘select’ button of some sort

[@ogonek]

Perfect! Thank you

[@magadan4626]

Why isn't anyone talking about - can a 404 be used as a midi controller for Ableton Live?

[@See_Sharp]

Why? You can use a pliers to hammer a nail but its not the right tool for the job. Just get a midi controller.

[@ryanshook8284]

What if someone acquired on of these but doesn't have the dough for a separate midi controller? It is useful to know at least if it has the capability.

[@MK-vi2cm]

I have a 404 MK2, yes it works great as a midi controller. Ignore that other fool

[@ryanshook8284]

@@MK-vi2cm that great to know! Thanks. Waiting for my mkii to arrive.

[@JansKanaal]

Hi Roland, is it possible to start the unit with Ext Source enabled by default? I'm using the sp404 mk2 as an end of chain fx (with skip back as my main sampling method) and have to press the Ext Source button each time. Was hoping there's a setting for that, but couldn't find it. Thanks!

[@def4439]

Great video, very helpful :)

[@DavidDeLuge]

Great video. This is so useful 👌

[@deanivan3951]

Great tutorial now speed up the delivery of my Mk2 will you! 🤣

[@Game_Glyph]

Fantastic video thank you! Question, why when cant my MKii seem to receive or send midi clock data out or in to my Novation Circuit? I want to be able to sync the neats on my 404 to my Circuit and deapite midi settings on both devives apparently being correct, its time does not change?

[@lafoudrepasslafoudrepass5238]

the dj mixer looks so cool

[@lukasbell618]

@Roland Cloud Academy or anyone honestly I'm having issues getting any sound to play when connected to a computer using the usb-c cables. It registers any action in the sp404 app can even transfer samples to pads directly but cant for the life of me get sound to play through the computer speakers. I am an idiot so any assistance in this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance .

[@matthewcollins3069]

Hey thanks for the detailed video! Can you clear up one thing for me. On the metronome settings where it allows you to select the click going out of the mains or just the headphone out, does this apply during playback or just during recording?

[@jaimerodriguez1550]

Do a couple of beat creating sessions with the most popular genres out right now like low fi hiphop, low fi house, latino urbano/trap, reggaeton please

[@MorbidManoeuvres]

I understand one can load full track wavs, but I’m wondering if you can chain many samples ( full tracks) per pad ? The idea is that each track will play one after another.Thanks

[@zibbybone]

Patiently awaiting my unit to arrive that I ordered Q4 2021. Will audio and MIDI transmit via USB to Roland MX-1 mixer?

[@lukehunnable]

Is this useful at all for a songwriter who wants to upload his stems onto the SP, using it as a sort of editable backing track device live? Or would that be really hard to do? It seems a lot more suitable as a DJing/beat manipulating device.

[@rorz999]

It's possible, but it's not the best device for the job. You'd probably get frustrated quickly

[@lukehunnable]

@@rorz999 why? Does it not have enough manipulating-on-the-fly options? Is there any device on the market that would?

[@GarthVader666]

People’s dislike of having to resample to make beats is why people are sick of the OG SP.

[@daniel_dumile]

This guy put quantization at 60% then tapped hats at near 100% perfect rhythm which I respect. I tried that same thing multiple times and it sounded nothing like that. Maybe I'm way too used to MPCs time correction 😂

[@kairos.2001]

YEAH but when is it going to actually release

[@humansrstupid8007]

I would also like to know if its possible to copy and merge part of a pattern to another existing pattern? For exemple, i have a few patterns already and i decide to change the sequence of my drums. I'd like to modify one pattern the way i like it and replace the sequence in my other pattern without having to redo them all, especially when i record my drums without quantize. If not possible, what are my options? Thanks!

[@Michael-kn6tl]

When he introduced the ju-06a it sounded like he played a piece of jam on it 😆

[@sushileafbeats]

Oh how I dream of this machine. :(

[@chrissearle23]

This will be useful in 6 months time when I can actually buy one…

[@alexandrosroussos]

Excellent video. Do I sound weird if I ask for side-chaining on this unit ? :)

[@humansrstupid8007]

Hi there! I'd like to know if there is a way to know the parameters of the notes sequenced l in TR-REC mode, in exemple the velocity, pitch or offset?

[@saardean4481]

Just bought it. One thing I can’t get somehow is , I see options for importing samples to a pad from Sd card. BUT! I can’t seem to be able to find a way to audition the factory samples that are on the device and assign the ones I want to any chosen pad I want? Is it in front of me and I fail to see it? How do you do that ?

[@MrBruceHerrera]

Oh, yeah!

[@MsPmonkey]

Wow. I have an mpc but I think I'll get one of these bad boys too.

[@johnreder8167]

Bruh the beat at 3:15...shit fireeeee. is that Dibiase?

[@SoulsticeHiphopbeats]

Can we get a workflow video on the sp mk 3 .0 update ??

[@pj.bridger]

There is a 3.0 update video available 😁

[@BeefyTime1]

How do you erase a pad from a pattern? I know how to do it in record mode, but without having to go through the entire loop as it plays, is it even possible to just erase what was recorded from a particular pad?

[@bennsimmons8403]

Thank you

[@jeremybocquet7555]

Does a sample with gate on respects the envelope parameters ?

[@ricoatunrojo]

So, can the Ronald be reached as an external hard drive through MacOS? Is there a way to connect my Ronald with my Mac that could give this option?? Thanks!