SP404-MK2 gets a POWERFUL NEW SOFTWARE UPDATE! (v.4.04 is here!)

[@spvidz]

Check out my drum packs & merch here - bit.ly/2OIJ0zf

[@katkong281]

I can Loop with my SP Now!?!?! It's a dream come true!!!!

[@lindasson]

Remember you thought it was doomed lol?? Roland surprised us all with this, and continue to listen to the community!🙏🏾✊🏾💚

[@spvidz]

I like what they have included in the update but I still stand by the points I made in that video. IMO The MK2 is on the tipping point of being a chaotic mess of key combinations which will suck the fun out of using it

[@alpercation8793]

@@spvidz I'm gonna say it: i think at this point it would be great if they just acquire Koala and make it the official app for sp404 so that we don't rely on key combinations and instead perform most of the complex actions via the touchscreen of the phone. So, basically a touchscreen with a clever ux plus all the existing cool functionalities of Koala. This would make the ultimate combination.

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

@@alpercation8793 maybe the MK3???? 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@body_clock]

​@@alpercation8793I think this would ruin Koala entirely. The independent development of that app is what makes it so incredible. I think Roland would destroy it.

[@charlielesoine6256]

@@spvidz We need some custom overlays that explain all the different key commands. Maybe a separate overlay for each mode. It's a great machine but as a casual user I can't even remember how to mute and unmute pads.

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

Koala and SP are finally friends! It’s super cool because you can use Koala to sequence your song parts.

[@JAdeWii_]

Thanks for making this video so I don't have to 😆♥ After years of wanting this feature, I've learned to love my SP for what it is but this is a welcomed update for sure, the Sound Generator was definitely a surprise. Nice to see you still rockin' it 🤘

[@spvidz]

Thanks for dropping in Jade! Looking forward to spending some time with looper!

[@GrootsieTheDog]

The MERGE SAMPLE func is awesome in conjunction with loop sample. Now continuous seamless (where the end of a loop blends back into the start of the loop) drone or pad loops are a reality in the SP. Serious game changer for the experimental musicians out there who use the sp for making music off the grid.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

The MERGE isn't necessary - the looper function allows for seamless loops too but the merge func is still an option to blend two parts AND do it seamlessly.

[@dja.selekta]

This is one I requested. Can’t wait to try it out.

[@ezekielchentnik]

it's still sp403 day for me 🙃

[@spvidz]

Early present then 😊

[@jamesjr2550]

Same

[@scrummyvision]

+1

[@thethrillofnoskill4521]

Stop living in the past Sincerely Australia 🦘 😅

[@spvidz]

Its 1am here in the UK So i'm not going to be awake for much longer to reply to comments. Can't wait to read all your reactions in the morning. Grab the new software here: www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/sp-404mk2/updates_drivers/bead022d-5349-4aab-9608-90ec718d47b0/

[@Knobs_and_Ends]

Soooo glad I got all my work done for the day. Time to get some loops going!

[@wplwpl-uc9cg]

I have missed a probably a few upgrades, since I haven't been on it for about a year, if I get this upgrade will I miss out on the other upgrades? Or will will everything I missed be upgraded with this install?

[@Knobs_and_Ends]

@@wplwpl-uc9cg they all add onto the next update, so you were really just “patient” and were rewarded by tons of new features haha

[@deanivan3951]

Sidechain?

[@artisans8521]

No error in resampling after loading a sample from SD card! Crashing and rebooting the SP, check out my post.

[@shuasaladbar]

You can make hats and snares with that noise generator

[@remyvegamedia]

Fixed length recording is my favorite new feature. This is really perfect for me since I usually will play a 4-8 bar sections on keys or synth to create my compositions. It looks like the looper maxes out at 4 bars. I can probably use both depending on the scenario. I pretty much stopped using my SP but I'm gonna try to use it again for the portable scenarios I need it. Pretty excited.

[@fredicagoillanoise1309]

Personally, I'm going to try to use it for all of my musical chops. Make 3 or 4 different 4 bar variations/arrangements of my chops, put each on it's own pad, then sequencing them. Roland outdid themselves this time. If they'd only add punch in sequence recording, it'd be perfect.

[@remyvegamedia]

@@fredicagoillanoise1309 Yeah this one is a pretty substantial update. Also having that simple synth onboard is dope for me. Especially since you can merge samples now, it can be used for some fairly simple, but useful, sound design.

[@rorz999]

How did I miss fixed recording length!? That is something I am going to use *a lot*. I was manually trimming samples to make this happen on older firmwares and it was taking forever

[@remyvegamedia]

@@rorz999 Same, I got sort of fed up with constantly having to edit the end point because it would either not loop or have a short gap. I sort of stopped using it for rhythmic music and started doing ambient stuffff, which I'll probably do more of especially with the little synth thing they got going with the tone generator.

[@jokmenen_]

Holy shit i didnt expect this. Amazing, love the support from Roland for this machine

[@mischa010]

What is the difference between looper and recording patterns in real time mode?

[@easyvince3236]

You can overdub instead of resample over it,

[@keithrnchandler]

Cool updates! Hate to be devil's advocate though: why bother learning anything about music when all the manfactureres gives you the sounds, notes, keys and scales? It's amazing we aren't all on the Billboard Top 100.

[@thebmxband1t]

WOW! This updates frankly blown me brain cell! So partly its become possible to emanate sort of RC505 autolooping operation. I do have a question about updates. I havent really kept my SP mk2 up to date (slapped wrists!) but what do i need to do to get up to this new version? 1. Update incrementally up to v4? 2. Just download n install v4 cos its got all the previous updates within it? Muchos grazias for your help Jonboy x

[@DurtyCardiologist]

No variable sample rate 😢

[@ReubenCampbellII]

Stem separation for patterns?! FINALLY

[@lordflatworm]

This is fantastic. They keep updating. This thing was a great investment into enjoyment.

[@3ck]

Wow! Finally looper and export stems in 404. That is amazing! Thank you for the great news sir🙏🙌

[@ackywee]

Whats is the Difference too rec??

[@alanpfeiffer26]

I really need to start making a guide of all the key combinations; I still have to look for some of the past two updates . Thanks for the video! Happy 404!

[@brianrainsfordmarshall2692]

Happy 404 Day, brotendo! Can't wait to get stuck in to some 404ism in the morning!

[@RattleCanCollective]

This is huge. I may have to go back to using my SP a lot more now. 💯

[@spvidz]

Nice 🔥

[@samsepiol3268]

DJ FX DELAY but STILLLLLL no Subsonic??? HOW DRUNK ARE THESE PEOPLE?!

[@pj.bridger]

you may want to check out the new Sound Generator feature 😀

[@Synthokatm]

Am I missing something in my default settings? I copied a simple 2 bar loop to a pad and I still need to Normalize the sample to bring the volume of the sample closer to 0. It didn't seem you had to do that in your video.

[@enronhubard]

long time coming 🙌🏻 🎉

[@Guacamole1000]

I'm going to share some personal details that no one cares about: a few months ago I was looking for a looper for weeks because I borrowed my friend's guitar pedal that had a looper function and it was such a fun way to make music. I got fully into GAS mode and started buying different loopers ranging from low priced to high priced online and immediately got buyer's remorse after each purchase because 1) I'm somewhat poor and 2) I'm not really a great musician. So I was returning each one and decided, ya know what, I'm just gonna be happy with the gear I have (aka a laptop, sp404mk2, and a synth keyboard) and make music even if it takes longer and is not as fun as using a live looper. THEN, I go on vacation, leaving behind all my gear and forgetting all about this world of music creation, only to come back home and see all these videos about Roland finally doing something cool and adding these dope features such as a live looper. Yeah, it maxes out at 4 bars, but goddamn is it so much easier to make beats when you can just play in some drums and add layers in in real time. It's like the ultimate music creation sketchpad. Honestly the only thing I wish they would add at this point is the ability to change what external source the external input effects are being applied to. I really don't know how difficult that could be, but as someone that likes to rap/sing and also play the keys, I wish there would be a way to apply the external input fx to only the microphone or only the inputs in the back of the unit. I think Roland is listening to you bro so make it happen for ya boy. Anyways, thanks for staying true to the grind and making these videos. I do see your point about there being almost too many features for this small unit, but at least now we know for future iterations the base model will start with all this stuff and hopefully more buttons to work with (or maybe just a bigger screen to see what the hell you're doing lol). I'm satisfied, I think this might be the best music creation tool in its price class, frankly. Peace!!

[@HoodHandyman]

Was it not looping before the update? How were you doing this before?

[@spvidz]

It didn't have a dedicated looper function before this. You had to resample a bit at a time or use pattern mode

[@daniel_dumile]

Considering Roland is doing all that and MPC has been kinda quiet software wise besides the half done Stems they fake sold as standalone, I'm curious if MPC has a big release around the corner.

[@spvidz]

Yeah not sure what was up with that release. Had a lot of people (myself included) really excited...

[@daniel_dumile]

​@@spvidzI'm a software engineer and I'd bet money it's not really coming to Standalone in a way where you just press a button. It's a very CPU intensive process, far more than time stretching, and time stretching a full song already takes forever. My current theory - assuming its not delayed for years - is that it will upload to a web server then redownload, OR it will be significantly reduced in capability, such as only one layer at a time with a max time range limit. Still better than nothing, but not what people are expecting.

[@donnydarko7624]

I doubt it. I suspect that 3.0 will not be compatible with the Radxa rock 2 SOC which is the architecture the current gen MPC's are built on

[@BrancoArgenta]

2 things I really wanted, Merge Patterns and a simple Ducker, I guess I'll wait till the next update

[@spvidz]

ducker/sidechain is still very much on my wishlist too!

[@BrancoArgenta]

@spvidz I mean come oooon who wants that groove thing!

[@ShaiUI]

amazing update! makes the RC-202/505 less relevant..

[@artisans8521]

Eh, I found a strange arror while resampling. Load loop A from SD card on pad A1, load loop B from SD card on pad A2. Start them together via shift -> pad 7. Press resample. Press pad A1 or A2 to start the recording.....and adios muchachos. The SP404 crashes and reboots. Never had that behavior before. After the reboot it resamples fine (would you believe it). Tried it with a single sample, same result. Could it be the SD card? Anyone any good ideas? BTW, I tried it with a newly formatted SD card. Reinstalled the OS 4.04. Installed a single sample on the card. Loaded the danple via shift -> 13, resampled and BOOM. Crash and reboot. Roland we have a problem!

[@tehaiks]

Now that's just freaking awesome! Thanks for the update! :)

[@spvidz]

np - appreciate you being a member :)

[@tehaiks]

@@spvidz the heart that you put into your quality content is just on another level. Keep up the awesome work, and please know that we appreciate you. :)

[@hugohannoun8769]

This will make me buy this thing again, damn.

[@kisho2679]

does it instantaneously record incoming external audio for live looping and autodetect BPM?

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

I'm guessing the groove works better with a quantized beat

[@DavidC45]

Beatmakers aside, the looper is now a powerful tool for vocalists making live beats

[@elimencebeats]

On the device being a shortcut nightmare, maybe someone can create a shortcut cheat sheet

[@rorz999]

NearTao has done this (although he'll need some time to include the v4.04 shortcuts)

[@elimencebeats]

@@rorz999 how do I find it?

[@KitCatStudio]

When trying to use looper function, metronome switched on, rec on, but as soon as I play a note (on Roland j-6 connected externally) the metronome skips a beat and messes up my rhythm… any idea why this happens?

[@BobOscuro]

I've installed 4.04 today but if I remember in FW 3 you can in pattern mode chosse a certain number of bars like the looper and loop over these bars with the pad samples. I don't know whats the difference with the actual looper...

[@KitCatStudio]

The Koala app just changed after this update and now all the main piano roll and sequencer options are locked to the new paid Samurai app. Fooled us nicely into upgrading the app 🤨

[@Verysickbeats]

Good stuff sir

[@Dekalboy]

Does the new looper can be externally midi synced ? Or does it have a Midi cc control possible ?

[@dafniscrema1914]

have anyone tried to use the looper while a pattern is playing? is that possible? lets say I have a drum loop done with the pattern mode, can I keep hearing that pattern while I use the looper functionality to record a 4 bar loop of an external source like a guitar?

[@vizumone2389]

Yo. My sp cant find the updates. Just says “No updater” any advice?

[@freshkidblaze]

As a person that doesn't own a 404 but wants one but was on the fence because it lacked a few features. I can say the new update sold me on getting one. I can see myself using the new features first (after learning the basics) and learning everything else after.

[@SamSilk]

The noise generator is actually a good source for hats but it would need a very short envelope.

[@skoolhitdabutton]

Columbus Ohio, USA....we see you family....Great Vid

[@spvidz]

Greetings from the other side of the pond 🙌

[@MarDeFons]

Any USB-C to Lightning Cable Suggestions?

[@llamabear-a-gator2436]

What even is the diffrence of the looper and the pattern mode?

[@francisguyman3819]

am i the only one who can't get the envelopes to work on the sound generator?

[@DMS8410]

Finally, now it's an Sp Mk2!

[@therealone1288]

yesss. the tone generator is a game changer for me

[@SKABFREAK]

Yo that Neo Tokyo shell is FIRE

[@DJDigitalJosh]

Was hoping for more fx. 😫

[@rorz999]

We need a 202 FX!

[@ceciliafbrown373]

Wow! Looks like a shed load of update

[@krisgakakrisqu0717]

still no sidechain... KOALA INTEGRATION... mixed feelings... it's nice, but...

[@moldythoughts4765]

... sidechain would have been koola...

[@spvidz]

yeah we definitely need a sidechain still. I thought it might have come in this update

[@thedude9133]

I'm having an issue with the SD card after the update. I press shift and pad 14, select import from SD card and everything just freezes. I can't do anything except for turning it off. SD card size is 512 GB

[@rorz999]

Any time you turn on the SP, the first time you go to import, it will take forever if you're using a big card (I'm using 256GB) but it does get there eventually. It won't take as long subsequent times you import a sample etc while the SP is still turned on

[@jaredelaw]

One thing that wasn’t clear from this video - the looper also loops external audio! I heard about the looper and saw this video, but was a bit disappointed when I didn’t see any external audio used - I thought it might mean that it only does samples. I checked the official vid and it indeed does loop external audio.

[@WHYZMAN_]

Yeah Im not 100% sure but I think its an audio looper-that also means its not recording the midi of the pads- just the audio result of what you were pressing

[@jaredelaw]

@@WHYZMAN_ it is an audio looper and it can process external audio - just wanted to make that clear.

[@joshandrsn5936]

Thanks for the video, this got me over the line on the 404, I was really looking at the EP133 as a travel device but I think realistically with this update this will be a much better proposition for making stuff that all will actually then be able to use Back in Ableton and make full tracks. It seems like Roland is really on the ball with updates and will probably do more in the future.

[@spvidz]

Absolutely. Roland have been really listening to the community with the updates so far. Hopefully that continues.

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

The Looper doesn’t have 8 or 16 bar options. That’s different than preset measures. I think the Looper is 1, 2 or 4 bar or Free (which is 16 seconds max) unless I read it wrong…

[@spvidz]

Yes you're right its a little more limited I guess...I'm still getting to grips with everything myself :)

[@bjamminsincebirth3494]

@@spvidz we all are. No stress.

[@Makes_Uno]

Hell yeah!!! 🙌🏽

[@elevated001]

@spvidz Question for you: The instructions say that after verifying 4.04 has installed properly, I should initialize the machine. Do you think this is important? I'd rather skip this step

[@spvidz]

I didn't do it myself. I'd only do that if you are experiencing some kind of issue with the update

[@makesenz]

The multipad thing didn't work for me. It exported some tracks, but not all unfortunally. It's messed up:(

[@spvidz]

Hmm I'll have to have a proper look. I've had a few issues with the looper too

[@vecabeats2901]

you can only recorder 4 measures?? thanks for the video!!!

[@spvidz]

You can go longer with 'free' mode but you only have 16 seconds max

[@dja.selekta]

Cheers 🎉 Did I hear you correctly, infinite pattern lengths 😮😮😮

[@playeveryday01]

omg it cant be true? waited two years for this.

[@billB101]

I honestly don't get the Koala thing. I mean the SP is a sampler already, what's the point of connecting to another sampler on a phone. Someone want to give me a heads up on a use case scenario here? I bought Koala to have a look but still don't get why I'd actually need it.

[@spvidz]

You can record directly into Koala from the SP and make use of all the MFX, plus the sequencing is a bit better on Koala too from my experience. You can seamlessly switch patterns at any point in the loop which is a dope feature

[@iwriteonshit]

Oh my god they put a synth in it.

[@spvidz]

🔥🔥🔥

[@dja.selekta]

😮

[@SlipVisuals]

just savage!!!

[@suprotivnemarny]

Please help I can`t update to 4.04. My sp simple cant`t found app0 and app1 files on sd card.

[@spvidz]

I've got a full guide here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJLOYaWparN_ipo

[@thedude9133]

do you need to do a factory reset once you have updated the firmware to 4.04?

[@spvidz]

no need to no. I've got a full guide here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJLOYaWparN_ipo

[@e-dub808]

Happy 4🫨4 Day! 😎….!

[@adriafont_music]

You are the gurú of SP404mk2! 🎉

[@spvidz]

🙏

[@coachrandall8190]

I just got a 404. Do i need to update the 3.0 before the 4.0 or can I go straight to the 4

[@spvidz]

You can just go to the latest version I think yes

[@PatrickGregoryDaniels]

Koala makes sense actually bc dibia$e has been experimenting with them for a minute…

[@spvidz]

Yep loads of crossover stuff happening - just didn't expect it to be part of an official release but its cool 🔥

[@PatrickGregoryDaniels]

Yeah man, I appreciate your reply. Have a great day and stay encouraged bro ✌🏿from Atlanta

[@HalfBakedBeats]

Anyone else in here thinking of v4.05 that automatically cuts the EXT IN signal after finishing a fixed length/measure recording (as not to send a double signal; and not have to TIME the recording stop manually). Probably a use case for synth heads like me who might be recording a LOOP into the LOOPER. :) Loop loop loop loop loopty doop loop - nice update! :)

[@MarcellJjr]

thanks brother!!! may i post this on my page?

[@spvidz]

Go ahead!

[@cresshead]

looper looks cool... i wonder what the workflow will be to add vocals to a pattern playing....(separate looper pad with just vocals).. are we back to bouncing a pattern to audio so looper will be able to be used?

[@richmusicsource5036]

Hi there - always great videos. Keep it going! Question - can you export stems with multi-pad export and also have the effects on and exported too? Eg.303 Vinyl Sim?

[@spvidz]

If you want the fx on you have to resample on the machine as far as I know 👍

[@richmusicsource5036]

@@spvidz Thanks, I will try that.

[@alexandrosroussos]

Massive update as the ones that preceded it on the mk2. Kudos to Roland for that level of support. Side-chain and arpeggiator is the only missing. Also begging for DJ mode FX to be routable on the channel level. But man they're so close to perfection.

[@djmalue1]

Anyone wanna trade my sp404mk2 for mpclive2

[@henrikpersson4698]

I've seen folks complain about resampling and timing issues. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[@ManCalledMif]

404-2 has caught up with KO2 a bit in terms of usability teenage engineering will be bringing their next major firmware soon to bring the so far unused second processor online. Good times for sampler community

[@ashaxx]

Just wondering if anyone has had the following bug on 4.05 parameters (some fx, vol, pitch, start and end points) will jump around randomly without me touching the dials!

[@spvidz]

Personally, I've not heard anyone say anything similar like that sorry 😕

[@ashaxx]

@@spvidz no worries! Thanks for the reply!! Its crazy!! Cant find anyone experiencing similar issues!

[@thomasamos4055]

Very cool with a drum machine and some good samples to overdub. The Drumbrute Impact with the pads to play live is a good choice. I'm eager to try this with my mixer and Serato/ midi. I'm hoping there is a way to sync the speed of loops with midi.

[@cameronwilliams5430]

The sp404 mk2 is the best. So user friendly from beginners to the advanced beat makers, this machine has enabled me to finally make complete beats with relative ease and is extremely fun to sample and play with. With the fan/user base and Roland keeping an ear to the streets this unit is updated extremely concisely and blows the other products out the water with support and does so much for the price. Id recommend it to anyone and with channels such as spvids you cannot go wrong and will be able to easily navigate all the ins and outs with a supportive bunch of like-minded beatheads helping and encouraging you to up your game and take full advantage of the ever growing mk2 sp404 all in one powerhouse.

[@raecelta8150]

The best feature of this entire update for me is the update to the step sequencer mode, and no one is talking about it enough. Micro timing, and full per step control makes it an incredibly good step sequencer now. Especially given it can have 1024 steps per pattern.

[@tommyk88888]

Very nice update, although in the 555 you dont have to set the bpm for the looper. This is a huge difference imo and makes it not as versatile as a real looper (in the same way they crippled the mark button now that i come to think of it). It still offers some welcome functionality though.

[@edwardferry8247]

Wonderful video, so so helpful, thank you very much 🙌

[@michaelm1]

There is some room on the bottom on the device to glue some cheat sheet there:-). Wonderful update and wonderful video introduction into what it offers. As an ambient guy, I think that the built-in synth offers some very exciting possibilities. I can't wait to try it out. Cheers!

[@nikko444]

I can’t wait till tonight so I can get my hands on all the new features. Thanks for a great overview, mate! I'm very excited about the looper feature. Should add a lot of flexibility to my techno sets🎉

[@Outstanding.Bill87]

I’m confused. What’s the advantage of using the new looper mode over making your loop in pattern mode ?

[@spvidz]

I don't think its there as any sort of advantage over another feature, its just another way to make loops and have some fun

[@Outstanding.Bill87]

@@spvidz okay cool. Thanks for the response

[@authenticwarriorradio2440]

I just want a side chain feature.

[@spvidz]

You're not alone bro

[@slavadashevsky8296]

I have a big problem with resampling function since the last update. SP 404 mark2 simply crashes almost every time I want to resample something....Interesting, that after crash SP restarts, and I can execute resampling a few times, then I have another crash...

[@artisans8521]

Same here, do load your samples into the SP from SD card? This only happens to me when I load a sample from SD card. When you don't load a sample all is dandy, but as soon as you load a sample and THEN resample the thing crashes and reboots. Nice to have that confirmed. Tried everything, from reinstalling the software to using a new Sandisk 8Gb SD card to replace the 128 Gb Samsung one. They changed the functionality of the sample load function by adding a progress indicator. As a (retired) professional software test manager for fortune 500 companies my water tells me that the routine they should be looking into. It looks like a closed loop behavior. SPVIDS check this please and if yours crashes report this to Roland. We need 4.05 I guess.

[@slavadashevsky8296]

@@artisans8521, yes I do. Exactly, as you've written!

[@NEALBEARD2]

Fixed resample is so helpful to me- I resample guitar, or vox on top of beats- keeping mix off - and now both loops will be the same length. 🙏

[@fiscaldisco5234]

Great changes. I was driving myself nuts with resamples that weren’t looping right because of the length so it’s great to see there are two ways around it now. Being able to import while in DJ mode is what I’m most excited about but haven’t updated to try it yet

[@lofi-dave]

Thanks for your video! I am so hyped about the new update. Looper, sound generator and multipad export are absolute game changers to me 😍😍😍..especially multipad export is a big thing for me, cause exporting all the single elements from a sequence was often times a killer for me. I am also happy to see they put the project number in front of the stems.

[@GeorgeL909]

Quickie question to all you handsome gentlefolk. Did anybody experience frequent hard restarts when resampling with the pitch menu open post patch? Also, I am finding the record mode is ignoring project tempo and defaulting to bank tampo every time. An I going crazy? It's Roland trying to murder my newest beat???

[@spvidz]

A lot of people are getting reset issues with resampling. Hopefully Roland are working on a fix

[@GeorgeL909]

@@spvidz for what it's worth, reverting to 3.02 did resolve the issue temporarily, and I heard that when updating, the system reset option fixes some of the bugs for a lot of people. I was just mid track at the time so I didn't want to lose all my chops and volumes. I'll probably stay at 3.02 for a bit until it's sorted. As someone who plays games, I'm used to updates breaking things, and I'm sure Roland will come around.

[@rodrigolaporte274]

This is SO AWESOME! I didn't know Roland was going to release a new firmware!

[@Doser_Fu]

more magic powerssss! thanx 4 the vid! ;)

[@MR.FREEDMAN]

I just got into KOALA so I'm excited for this update.

[@moldythoughts4765]

Fat... big up man and thanks for keeping us up to date... bless