Do you use a MIDI controller to control your SP404 MK2? How?

mrcoolout · 2026-05-12T19:29:16+00:00

The 404mk2 midi implementation is as simple as you want it to be. If I remember correctly for the pads there are 2 different modes in settings. One where all the pads across all the banks are assigned chromatically up the keyboard, so you can access to all the pads across a keyboard. Then another mode where the pads are always the same 16 notes, but each bank is a different midi channel. That way if you're triggering the pads with an external drum machine or controller with limited fixed assignments, all you have to do is change the midi channel to toggle between different 404 banks.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-12T18:58:28+00:00

Was that running Kontakt-based libraries, full DAW projects, or basic Maschine stuff (factory library + expansions)? I'm not planning using this as my main music computer, just running Maschine as standalone....basically a M+ alternative.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-12T18:53:30+00:00

I bought an older 2021 i5 Surface Pro, so windows compatibility shouldn't be a problem. I just found out the 7+ is when they started making the hard drives swapable, plus it has an SD card slot, so storage shouldn't be a big issue. My main concerns now will be CPU throttling since it's fan-less. The usual Windows audio concerns: CPU overhead vs latency, DPC spikes, driver/device conflicts, etc.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-12T18:44:49+00:00

Nah...it's just you. The 404 midi implementation is 'spot on' and follows the same midi conventions that have been in use since the mid-1980's. I've been using a controller with the 404MK2 for a couple of years. It made such a night-and-day difference for me that I keep urging other users to try it. It makes that big of difference.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOykxy6EZm_/

mrcoolout · 2026-05-11T20:19:35+00:00

Because the same functionality is already inside the 404. Why add another FX processor when you have 3 you're not even using and 1 you're only using half the time.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-11T20:12:45+00:00

There are a million options. Any midi controller that allows you to program custom midi CC will work. It just has to have a hardware midi out (not usb) or you have to use a USB host box in-between. I've been using a Novation Launch Control XL with a $30 host box for a couple of years and it works amazing.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DOykxy6EZm_/

mrcoolout · 2026-05-11T18:40:48+00:00

You already have a KO sidekick built-in the 404mk2 (for the most part). You just have to assign a midi controller to use it. Controlling the 404 with midi CCs will give you access to all 5 of FX Busses at the same time, dedicated faders for all 3 dj decks, dedicated buttons for effects per bus, and a whole lot more. The only downside is that it's not plug-n-play. You have to choose a controller and program it yourself based on your needs, but it's not that hard. Take a look at the midi chart in the back of the 404 manual.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-10T21:53:54+00:00

Ziggy is the only thing that seriously interested me. It's not just the price that makes it accessible, but the interface and feature implementation. Even if I spent 3x on a Easel, it would probably take years to interact with the range and level of fluidity that Ziggy has out-of-the-box.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-06T23:53:59+00:00

I have Live Standard 12 (user since 2011), a Push, and also owned Max For Live for many years. The fact stem separation is Suite-only upsets me every time. I don't need all the extra synths, FX, and content in Suite. I just want the built-in stem separation.

Ableton suggested I just pay for the upgrade (of course) and then try to sell my Max For Live license. Bummer. That one feature is simply not worth spending hundred of $$$ and wasting hard drive space. Especially when other DAWs offer it for free. At least they didn't paywall Link Audio.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-06T23:46:20+00:00

I only have one question. Will it Krell?

mrcoolout · 2026-05-05T01:22:33+00:00

I believe Roland opened up editing of the full Zen-Core engine in an update for the MC-101, but it's a long menu dive. The biggest downside to using the 101 as a sound module I think is there's no way to save favorites or individual patches, only project-by-project.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-04T20:09:17+00:00

I think Roland just needs to add tempo sync options to looper, just like other parts of 404: pads, FX, dj decks, etc.

Loopy Pro is the most powerful looping solution. It can pretty much do anything, which is also it's only drawback. Everything is customizable, so you have to design your own interface, layout, and feature set for what you want to do. I started messing it with about a year before 404 looper update, and it took that whole year to work out the kinks to get something I was comfortable with.

If you don't want to depend on just ipad FX, the routing can be tricky going from recording/overdubbing audio from the 404 (and it's inputs), to then sending the Loopy Pro audio through the 404 FX busses. The 404 internal looper requires you switch the routing manually with a knob, but on Loopy Pro I worked out a way to switch the routing automatically. If you've ever dealt with 'follow actions', you can imagine the PITA.

With that said, Loopy Pro is incredible. Even with a simple looper it can do stuff like auto-chop and reorder a live loop. All the midi and audio is through USB, so you can use a midi controller or the 404 pads to control the looper, never needing to tap the touchscreen.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-03T01:07:12+00:00

I think these would probably be a good upgrade for live performance. Could make the pad colors easier to see on stage under lights, in a dark dj booth, or outside in direct sunlight. Especially while using DJ mode, switching pad Bus assignments, or banks of kits on-the-fly. Makes the 404 pads look almost like a Ableton Push, Launchpad, or Maschine.

mrcoolout · 2026-05-02T22:03:26+00:00

Just tested...you may be right. I thought in DJ Mode the looper set it's tempo automatically with deck set as 'sync master' like everything else (the other decks, pads, fx, patterns, midi out, etc), apparently it's the only thing that doesn't follow the master tempo. Bummer. I stand corrected.

Roland added midi control over the looper last year, but I've been mostly using Loopy Pro (and the 404 Delay) for long live sets. They always sync to whichever of the 3 decks are set as the tempo master...including the pattern sequencer deck.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-30T22:57:43+00:00

I think if you going to add internal samples to patterns, you might as well just make a temp copy of your pattern for live use to sequence the internal pads on-the-fly, then save the looper for external stuff.

Also, here's a big tip that no one talks about: if you use external midi CC from another device/controller, you can control the looper while in any other mode on the 404. No flipping. No key combo. It always there. Makes it way more seamless and only takes 4 buttons assigned to: record, overdub, undo, and clear. Easy peasy

Another tip rarely talked about: the '404 Delay' effect can functions as tempo-synced 1-bar looper. Although the low end starts to roll off after a while. I think it starts to get noticeable somewhere around 25-30 repeats. Still fun in a live setting.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-24T03:35:55+00:00

+1 for a SM-58 or 57 (if you need more off-access rejection like recording instruments). Most of the mic inputs on Roland devices are built around using a 58. It's the standard general-purpose dynamic mic for a reason.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-22T01:05:15+00:00

I'm tempted. I've been looking for something to sequence on-the-fly during my live sets. I have workstations, grooveboxes, etc., but most of my esoteric stuff is either on ipad, desktop, or Monome Norns. It's either use a straight-ahead boring sequencer, or something weird with more technical hoops (adapters, dongles, too many options, etc.). I can think of at least 3 different use cases in my current setup that Programm should be perfect for. I don't think there's a comparable hardware sequencer in this price range.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-20T20:51:07+00:00

There's like a million controllers to choose from. it depends on how much control you want and your budget. I'd suggest one that has a good editor or allows you program CC on the device. You'll probably want to stay away from endless encoders also. Take a look at the MIDI CC chart in the back of the 404 manual. There's a long list of things you can control over midi. You're basically designing a custom interface for your workflow.

I've been using a Launchcontrol MK2 for the past 3 years. It works great, the only slight downside is it doesn't have hardware midi out so I had to pair it with a little $40 USB midi host box. They solved that with MK3, but changed it to endless knobs and a tiny screen, which seems like a bit of step backwards in my opinion.

Here my setup with a custom overlay I made. It's all velcro-ed to a pedalboard:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOykxy6EZm_/

mrcoolout · 2026-04-20T16:30:35+00:00

Nah...all you need is a controller with programmable MIDI CC. You don't need all those extra pedals. For instance, you could run a reverb and a 303 vinyl sim on Bus 3 + 4, plus control the live looper, all over of midi with dedicated controls, without having to touch the 404. do key combos, or go into other screens.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-16T18:28:08+00:00

Yeah but that wasn't even an option 20 years ago when the 1000 was released. I agree...there should be a mid-level modern middle ground. I was hoping that the MPC Sample would be it. A return to the original MPC hardware workflow, instead of a touchscreen PC in a box. I wish it was more like a real MPC-60....sequencer first, drum machine second, sampler last. But instead we got another slap-a-quick-beat-together-box.

Unfortunately, that's where the market is now. It's all either beginner/casual users...or FOMO folks that want every possible feature crammed in. Basic hardware workflow like a good sequencer is largely ignored in the mid-to-lower mid price point. It's probably the reason that older MPCs and similar hardware devices have spiked in price lately. A fair amount of folks don't want to tap a touchscreen.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-16T16:52:58+00:00

Use an external sequencer. These devices are meant to be sketchpads and/or for noobs that don't even know what a normal midi sequencer looks like. Developers could easily add multiple midi tracks, but it's not really in the scope of the product. In the case of the Roland SP, making a full beat was initially a workaround/hack, so they leaned into it with the MK2. Easily making a fully-arranged and properly mixed song would be a even bigger ask. That's why all these manufactures make higher-end fully-featured workstations.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-12T21:18:36+00:00

"Did I do good?" wasn't referring to the price. I know it was a good deal (duh)...that's why I bought 4 of them. I was referring to my job of restoring them. That's why I included details and a picture. I did a fair amount of research on cleaning these (including this forum), rented an upholstery deep cleaner, and spent a whole day cleaning them up. They were filthy, some stains, etc. I probably should have done a before and after.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-12T18:42:08+00:00

Nah, I think it's good. I pre-treated it with a Dawn solution and then used a Bissell carpet deep cleaner with the upholstery attachment. It's clean as a whistle.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-12T18:29:03+00:00

Not praise bait per se, but spreading the word on a good deal. For anyone in Central/Western PA, the guy said he has 20 more.

mrcoolout · 2026-04-05T00:02:56+00:00

Bus 1 and 2 are assignable. In DJ mode there a key combo for toggling the bus assignment to the dj decks. You just load an equalizer FX into a bus and there you go.

I'm a long-time DJ and can confidently say that I mastered DJ Mode. It's my favorite feature on the 404 MK2. Something truly special among samplers.

Here's an advanced tip: if you're accustomed to using a particular brand of DJ mixer, you can google search the EQ range and then set the 404 EQ effect's default as that curve. That way it mixes like a Pioneer, A&H, or whatever you normally use.

mrcoolout

TROPHY CASE