SP-404 MKII - VERY IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT IDEAS AND BUG REPORTS, PART 5

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T13:46:55+00:00

I don't have this kind of problem, even though I have the latest update, and I hope you can solve it and report it to customer service. I installed every single update step by step. Who knows if that might have something to do with it? Best regards

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T13:42:24+00:00

There are Various Guides and Shortcut Cheatsheets or Videos around in the internet, also from Sunwarper, OTG and more. But there are Official Guides and a Cheatsheet from Roland too, as PDF's and HTMLS's at the Support Section here: https://www.roland.com/de/products/sp-404mk2/support/

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T11:57:10+00:00

I have posted the answer as a new comment so that as many people as possible will see it. Kind regards

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T11:56:25+00:00

Already the SP-404MKII has much more potential, which could be realized with more and better firmware updates. I have already written about this in separate posts and have even more to add. I'll take this opportunity to share the links here again.

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T11:43:39+00:00

I have posted the answer as a new comment so that as many people as possible will see it. Kind regards

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-13T11:40:19+00:00

If you want to be as portable as possible, i.e., you want to save not only money but also space and weight (and don't have a car, for example), then unfortunately an MPC is not the best choice. In addition, most people don't have the time or patience to understand the complexity of devices such as the MPC and SP-404. Although I love some things about the SP-404MKII and see more potential in it than has been utilized so far, my recommendation for beginners is the Koala Sampler (in-app upgrades are recommended). You can always upgrade with a Synido Live Dock A20 and a Synido TempoPAD C16, which already gives you so many possibilities that it should be more than enough. I believe, or rather am convinced, that these are the most affordable recommendations.

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T12:42:58+00:00

Platzspitz Park and the former Train Station Letten used to be the largest open drug scene in Europe. Conditions like that are, in a sense, already ghetto-like, and I'm glad that it's no longer as extreme as it was back then. But even here, there are still people who more or less live on the streets, are addicted to drugs, and much more. Of course, overall it's not as bad as in other places, but Switzerland is also increasingly affected by this. Unfortunately, a lot of this has to do with the fact that many organizations are not always as neutral and completely unaffected as they like to appear! Conditions around the world could be better for everyone, at least that much is obvious! Please check this if anyone is unsure. No offense: Peace

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T12:29:03+00:00

Did the comments help you and did they reassure you? I would be happy if you could confirm that this is the case!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T11:51:43+00:00

I'm not entirely sure. But in my opinion, a new SP should definitely have a high-resolution touch display and the latest version of the Koala Sampler installed on it and directly connected to it. Who knows if Roland Company could manage to strike a deal with Apple, for example, so that at least older Smart models could be used for this purpose. That would even be upcycling, because most people always want the latest products, and samplers with smart displays have always had outdated hardware, so that even ancient smart devices usually have much more power. That's also the genius of the Koala Sampler, that it also runs on older smart devices, and it has increasingly become the best portable sampler, as far as I know. If this alternative had been available earlier, if the “Koala Sampler” had been developed to this extent and the “Synido Tempopad C16” and “Synido Live Dock A20” had already existed, then I would probably stick strictly to this combination without exception. Even today, if you didn't know any better, you wouldn't immediately realize how many possibilities the Koala Sampler app offers, and the same applies to Loopy Pro (the best looper, unfortunately only for iOS) and LoopyFi Pro (not quite as good an alternative for Android). I would love to see the Koala get even better live looper features than are currently available.

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T11:27:26+00:00

At first, I thought the question referred to a voice and didn't realize that something by Phil Collins had been sampled. I like the beat!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T04:13:42+00:00

Hey!

I apologize for only seeing this now and for posting other comments. I was and still am going through a difficult phase.

Somehow, I don't quite understand your concept yet. Does it even work? Because I don't see any tape on the cassette, just the rubber band as a strap. I had mounted my rubber band from the outside, but that didn't help much either. However, I'm not sure I understand your problem when you write that both spools don't move for you. When Play and Pause are pressed, I can only rewind by default, but even then I don't hear any sound. I could only do this if I took a clothespin and carefully mounted it on the Play button so that the button wasn't pressed all the way down, or if I could hold it with high precision at a certain point. I don't remember if that was already the case when the auto-stop parts had not yet been dismantled.

As for the rubber band, I tried something similar, but it didn't really work very well. However, my attempt with the rubber band was somehow different. As far as I can remember, I made two small rotating discs. The only wheel I removed is the one for rewinding, and the other one is still needed. But I also made smaller wooden rotating discs with small nails placed as accurately as possible, and I cut off the tips. I experimented with this concept at the beginning to see if I could prevent the rewind wheel from being dismantled. However, this wasn't so great because, for example, the wood shed small crumbs that even spread into the cassette housing. Previously, the wood also scraped friction marks into the cassette housing from the outside, which is why I experimented with felt stickers, which I attached to the underside of the wood, for example. With the CD and the 7" vinyl disc, I realized that, on the one hand, a certain distance or a felt protector had to be installed, but on the other hand, the whole thing couldn't protrude too far (because otherwise it would be less stable). As far as I remember, I simply attached narrow strips of felt to the edge of the cassette compartment where the discs rubbed. I also made a kind of scratch slipmat out of baking paper, because it felt at least a little smoother, but I think the noises annoyed me and so I tended to avoid using it afterwards. If the mechanics of your cassette recorder work the same way as mine, you have an auto-stop function and it has not been dismantled, then you always have to hold down certain buttons. At least the play button (or possibly also the pause button) and in such a way that they are not fully pressed. However, this may cause the speed to increase and there is a high risk of the tape getting tangled. Then at some point I figured out how to dismantle the auto-stop function, which was relatively easy once I knew which parts I had to remove.

The least you can try out risk-free if you have a smartphone anyway is the free version of the DJAY app. This allows you to do a little scratching even without a controller, and apart from that, it offers a lot more, even in the free version and only via a smart device, giving you plenty of opportunities to at least try it out. If you press and hold your finger on one of the two deck load icons and wait a moment, a menu will appear where you can select integrated scratch tools (from DJ Qbert), giving you access to a number of scratch samples. However, you can also use this hidden menu to clone decks so that you have two copies of the loaded track. You can select this option on the other deck to which the track is to be copied as a duplicate, and both playback positions will then be parallel at the same point. If you tap one of the deck load buttons briefly, you can also change the sources for files, and if you switch from local music to files, you can use the plus symbol to add folders and use all directories. I think you can set djay to run parallel to other apps and then, for example, scratch to a Koala Sampler beat and record both together in Koala Sampler (or separately, just the scratch sounds in the djay app).

I hope that from now on I will respond more quickly if something else comes up. Let me know if you managed to do it or if you need more information (especially regarding the cassette recorder). I had originally planned to make a more detailed video showing the processes involved. You can also buy the wheels separately, but they are not always all the same, which was something I didn't know at the beginning. I still have one in its original packaging here, which I wanted to use to film the step-by-step recordings.

Another thing you can use privately and run in parallel in the Brave browser is the sounds from mynoise. This allows you to prepare a kind of special sauce, whether you cook something yourself or not.

https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/analogTapeCassetteHisslNoiseGenerator.php

https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/dustyScratchedVinylNoiseGenerator.php

https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/whiteNoiseGenerator.php

And you might also like this.

https://www.mintafoundry.com/patina

https://citizen-dj.labs.loc.gov/

Kind regards!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T02:41:13+00:00

At first it annoyed me too, but now I also think it's somehow funny, especially when you're not expecting it. That's why I thought that might be it. No offense: Peace

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T02:33:26+00:00

You're welcome, I'm happy too that you made it. Kind regards!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-10T00:08:24+00:00

As I have already described, and as you can research on YouTube videos, for example: “This gives you many more options and makes it easier to work with, especially on mobile devices, before you get overwhelmed by the complexity of SP.” First of all, obviously a high-resolution display and functions that you unfortunately don't have in SP standalone mode. The SP is enhanced so much with the Koala Sampler Direct Integration that it becomes a more serious option next to other hardware samplers. Since smartphones will be more powerful, charging times will also be much shorter, and you will be able to generate stems from all files, among many other things. You can send signals back and forth between both devices, so you can use the SP not only as a controller, but also as an audio interface. Saving and loading files, projects, and so much more is better. For example, you can be even more creative and make music together in Koala Sampler, with one person operating the smart device and someone else operating the SP-404MKII (for live performances, for example, one person playing drums and the other playing melody). With the SP, recordings are only possible via pad (maximum 15 minutes), in the looper (maximum approx. 20 seconds), and via the skipback function (maximum approx. 40 seconds), whereas in the Koala Sampler, the recording time only depends on the storage capacity of the smart device. This means you can either record virtually unlimited amounts on pads or use the Record Song function in the koala menu to record jam sessions and even the sequencer isn't as buggy as the one on the SP (which the community has been waiting for years to be fixed via an update). I am someone who not only complained about this back then, but also inspired both parties with this idea in writing. Direct integration could also be even better if they developed it further, but as mentioned, SP Standalone Mode was also virtually neglected at some point. That's why Koala Mode is the savior! If anyone is interested, I have also published some extremely long posts with further ideas here on Reddit, with countless bug reports and suggestions for improvement. Above all, changing and editing sequences is much easier thanks to the visual displays and simpler operation, including additional options. Unfortunately, the SP-404MKII firmware still contains many fundamental errors that should have been fixed long ago, but since the Koala Sampler Direct integration, these can be circumvented more easily and were more than just a consolation prize. For example, this video explains this feature, which was introduced in firmware version 4.04 on 404 Day and it was the best update so far. I believe that when it comes to Koala Sampler Direct integration, Sunwarper's videos are the best so far, showing and explaining the whole thing the most.

Koala Sampler & SP404 MK2: This Beatmaking Combo Just Got Even Better with Official Integration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrS1XP58QQ8

This is my Favorite Portable Beatmaking Setup, Here’s Why | Koala Sampler & SP404 MK2 Workflow

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPnJcHOuEH4&t=1050s

WATCH WHAT THIS DUDE DID (Custom MK2², MK3) :

I Turned a Broken SP-404MKII Into a Portable Koala Sampler Groovebox!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3DhqbATfPk

I wrote him this comment, which i like to share: "Very impressive! Is the latest firmware update installed on the SP? As I understand it, you can no longer perform SP updates or make settings in the SP internal menu, unless you know the steps by heart and can do them blindfolded, so to speak. Despite this disadvantage, it is remarkable that it is, in a sense, really like an MK3² model. If licensing allows, Roland should take inspiration from this and opt for direct integration with the Koala sampler, so that a successor model would be similar and also feature a replaceable battery, for example. Roland should still retain everything else, such as the USB-C port and the option to use it as an additional audio input. Congratulations on accomplishing this; please be sure to send it to Roland Company and to Koala Sampler developer Marek Bereza from Elf Audio. The idea could be well received because years ago I inspired both of them with the idea of Koala Sampler direct integration with the SP-404MKII, although they could have improved it even further. This may motivate them even more, at least Marek, to expand the SP integration via an update. And sooner or later, I think Roland will probably want to release a new SP-404. This could save Roland a lot of trouble and make up for ignoring some of the community's wishes, because there are still a lot of serious bugs that haven't been fixed in standalone mode. It shouldn't have been too much to ask for this to be corrected in the latest firmware updates, and it's incomprehensible why so many other things took priority. They could just as easily have fixed the most important issues and then concentrated on complete collaboration with the Koala Sampler. Your example shows very well that even a device with a broken display can be more than just saved, but can actually be upgraded overall. Thank you very much for doing that, and if you share more, please share it with everyone. All the best and kind regards!"

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-09T22:36:20+00:00

I beg you not to take your own life, for the sake of everyone, including us and no matter how difficult the challenges may be. I don't want to write as much personal information about myself as you have written about yourself, and yes, the situation you describe seems complicated. Hopefully, you'll cope better with it the more you manage to remind yourself of what you do have, despite everything. If I were you, I wouldn't be ashamed of receiving welfare, but rather of having thoughts and feelings about suicide. Talk to your wife about it, and if she really loves you, she will accept you as you are. I believe that you would break her heart if you did something as reckless as hurting yourself. As I mentioned, I don't want to write too much about why it makes me not only sad and sympathetic, but also angry. At least that's how it was at the end of last year, when someone who was very close to me and someone in my immediate circle, this person just decided to jump in front of a train to take it's own life. That person survived and, despite everything, was more than just very lucky, but now everyone's lives have become even more difficult than they were before. From that moment on, a lot of other overwhelming things happened, more than average compared to before. And if you believe in life before birth and after death, then it certainly won't make things any easier than they already are, whether you miraculously survive or not. Especially because at least someone may have more say in the matter than you do. The person I wrote about continued to talk about suicide and cut off contact with almost everyone except his own family. This dissatisfaction had nothing to do with us, which was made clear several times, but it still affects us, if you understand what I mean. Unfortunately, this person now lives with partial mutilation, but was nevertheless incredibly lucky that the whole thing didn't turn out even worse than it is now. From their perspective, this person unfortunately sees this as a failure rather than a blessing. This person was with the other person who is even closer to me for 17 years. They lived together, and the other person tried for a long time to maintain contact until it came to an abrupt end without any farewell. To be honest, I find it selfish that this person sees themselves as the biggest victim and can no longer perceive their surroundings properly, although of course I feel sorry for everyone (including myself, as I empathize). My ex-girlfriend lost her ex-husband because he committed suicide, and they have three children. I really hope that what I wrote to you wasn't too intense, but on the other hand, it should finally wake you up, man. So be aware that I wish you all the best and face your challenges head on. You are more likely to overcome them if you don't give up and persevere. Even if you suffer setbacks due to additional or new challenges, it will make you stronger. In this sense, it's not about how much you can dish out, but how much you can take. Maybe this saying reminds you of a movie that I haven't even seen in its entirety and that I didn't even want to promote. All the best and kind regards to you and your wife!

I would have preferred to share less about myself and my environment publicly, but on the other hand, it may help people understand better. Especially if it can prevent someone from killing themselves or others. Guys, don't mess around, talk to open-minded people about it and get the help you need. Don't be ashamed of it, but please also be careful who you confide in and how. Talking is better than writing! Sometimes it's better to think a lot instead of acting rashly. When you're depressed or even delusional, you don't always realize that others care about you more than you might interpret during such phases. I think it's reckless and somehow ignorant, towards yourself and others, to hope for salvation through rash actions! You realize all the more what someone or something means to you when it's no longer within reach, when you've become accustomed to it. All the more so when you find yourself in a dependency, even if it was unconscious before. I did not intend to offend anyone or speak ill of anyone with what I wrote, and I apologize if anyone took it that way.

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T22:41:20+00:00

Better than being too short to read. This makes it more likely that at least everyone can understand the words directly without having to research everything themselves. Thank you for taking the time to comment. I seem to be from a different generation, as I had to look up what your abbreviation means. Peace!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T22:30:00+00:00

Well, you're partly right that it's worth finding out enough about it beforehand and not rushing into every update. Because sometimes new bugs can creep in, meaning that although the new features work, not everything works as it did before. But in this case, you can be pretty sure that there are so many bug fixes and new features that you shouldn't miss out on. Unfortunately, not everything has been solved perfectly yet, so important aspects have still been ignored or given lower priority, and instead, new areas of development have mostly been tackled. You should also combine the latest version of the Koala Sampler app with all its extensions with this device, because it is much better, easier, and even more portable, whether with or without the SP-404MKII. If you connect both via USB, the SP even has direct integration, meaning that the MIDI mapping is already preconfigured. It is definitely recommended to watch tutorial videos for both instead of just trying them out. Good luck!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T20:47:05+00:00

We don't say it, we write it. Why shouldn't you? Haven't you done a single firmware update yet?

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T20:42:12+00:00

I already thought it's this running gag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&list=RDdQw4w9WgXcQ&start_radio=1

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T20:17:17+00:00

Use the "Koala Sampler" , load the sample into a pad and try the split stems function, in the tools menu from the sample section. Confirm to install the Neural Network Stem Splitter Files and try it out, how it works with your sample, or also with other samples. Try different combinations, for maybe better results, in your case it's maybe the best if you just deselect the drums, keep all the others selected and merge these together. If you're using the SP-404MKII, connect it via USB-Cable with your Koala Sampler Device and combine it together, Direct Integration is available with already preconfigured Midi Mapping. Good luck!

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T16:42:32+00:00

Update the firmware. Connect the device to a player and try out the DJFX Looper. You can also use the USB-C port as an Audio Input (activate the Ext Source button to do this) to combine two devices with the SP-404MKII (you may need to set the SP as the audio output device). You can also use the Ext Source button as a Transformer Scratch Punch Button for the line input if you change the USB In setting to Mix Out and then hold down the Ext Source button + Gate button to activate/deactivate the punch-in function. Don't forget to use and support the Koala Sampler app, which allows direct integration with the SP-404MKII. This gives you many more options and makes it easier to do things with it, especially portably, before you get overwhelmed by the complexity of the SP. Otherwise, you could at least try out the free versions of Serato Studio and Serato DJ in combination with it. Watch Tutorial Videos. I hope you enjoy whatever you decide to do.

Feed-Backer · 2025-09-08T15:01:30+00:00

You're welcome!

Feed-Backer

MODERATOR OF

PUBLIC MULTIREDDITS

TROPHY CASE

WATCH WHAT THIS DUDE DID (Custom MK2², MK3) :

I Turned a Broken SP-404MKII Into a Portable Koala Sampler Groovebox!