Roland SP404 MK2 Notes (C-Dub's

Cheat Sheet)
Sample Playback Mode
PAD + HOLD will play the sample without having to hold down the
pad
BANK buttons select banks
Press twice to select the alternate bank
SHIFT + EXIT or EXIT (x4) to STOP ALL SAMPLES
One Shot Playback
Allows longer samples to play all the way through without being
retriggered when the pad is pressed again or by the pattern sequencer
Also allows you to put a long sample on the first beat of a pattern
and put drums over the top, with the one shot sample only
triggering when the pattern repeats
Good for evolving patterns over an ambient sound
PAD to select sample > push VALUE ENCODER + GATE to set sample as
ONE SHOT (GATE will pulse)
Pattern Select Mode
PATTERN SELECT to enter Pattern Select Mode
Pads will flash purple
PAD to play a pattern, and again to stop
To play a different pattern next, press a different PAD while the first
pattern is playing
When the current pattern is finished, the next one will play
Delete a pattern
DEL + PAD + ENTER
Pad will go blank when the pattern has been deleted
DEL + EXIT > PAD to select bank > DEL deletes all patterns in a bank
Record a pattern
REC + flashing PAD (only available pads will flash)
This will bring up record settings
 BPM adjust CTRL 1
LENGTH adjust CTRL 2
QUANTIZE AMOUNT adjust CTRL 3
QUANTIZE DIVISION adjust VALUE ENCODER
REC to start recording
EXIT to stop recording
Quantize After Recording
PATTERN SELECT > PATTERN EDIT > PAD to select pattern > RECORD
SETTING
CTRL 2 to select quantize GRID
CTRL 3 to select quantize STRENGTH
PAD to select destination
VALUE ENCODER to save
Overdubbing
REC + PAD to select (will not flash since there is already a pattern on the
pad)
REC to start recording
EXIT to stop
Pad Mute Mode
In PATTERN SELECT mode, PAD to select pattern
PATTERN SELECT to access samples
SHIFT + REVERSE + REMAIN to enter PAD MUTE MODE (pads will turn
white)
Pads will be muted when selected
REC to record MUTE AUTOMATION
SHIFT + REVERSE to turn OFF pad mute mode
Rehearsal Mode
While already recording, press REC to enter REHEARSAL mode, which
allow you to try out samples while the pattern is looping without
recording them
Undo
SHIFT + PATTERN SELECT will undo steps
The number of the 16 remaining undo steps is displayed in boxes on
the left of the display
Erase Mode
DEL while in pattern record will take you into ERASE MODE
 Hold PAD for the sound you want to erase
Press DEL again to go back into recording mode
Pattern Edit
PATTERN EDIT to edit pattern parameters
BPM using CTRL 1
LENGTH using CTRL 3
DUPLICATE or CROP using VALUE ENCODER
Pattern Chain
Allows you to chain your patterns together into a song
PATTERN SELECT > HOLD (pads will flash green) + PAD to select a
CHAIN SLOT
PADS to select pattern to enter into the chain
REMAIN to select repeating options
SUB PAD to play chain
VALUE ENCODER to highlight steps in the chain and DEL to delete
Resampling Pattern Chains
PATTERN SELECT > RESAMPLE > PAD for resample destination
HOLD + PAD to select the chain you want to resample
SUB PAD to playback and resample
REC to end the resample
TR Rec Sequencer
PATTERN SELECT > REC > PAD to select destination
Set your recording preferences
CTRL 3 now controls SHUFFLE
If you have more than one bar, use VALUE ENCODER to move
between bars
REMAIN to enter TR REC mode
REC to start recording (green sequence follow light will run through the
pads)
Hold SUB PAD to audition sounds in a bank
When you have selected a sound release the SUB PAD and enter steps
using PADs
CTRL 3 to change velocity entered on steps
Substeps
There are a variety of SUBSTEP types available for adding variation,
rolls, etc.
 Use CTRL 1 to change substep type > enter a step to use that
substep type
Motion recording
You can record SUBSTEP, VELOCITY, and PITCH control change into
a TR REC sequence
While recording, hold ROLL and adjust CTRL 1-3 to record the
parameters
Effects Motion Recording (Automation)
Allows you to record effects changes in patterns
Also includes turning on / off effects
Works in both real time and TR Rec modes
PATTERN SELECT > PAD to select pattern > REC to start recording
MARK to start motion recording
START / END turns MOTION ON / OFF
SHIFT + MARK deletes motion
Copying Specific Pattern Samples
Allows you to copy over only certain sounds in a pattern so that you can
create variations (e.g. just the kick and bass sounds)
PAD to select pattern > REMAIN to go into sample selection
PADS to select the samples to copy
REMAIN to select destination of copied samples > VALUE ENCODER to
finish
Convert / Bounce Patterns to Samples
PAD to select pattern > COPY > PAD to select pattern
REMAIN to select individual samples if you only want parts from the
pattern (good for creating stems)
PATTERN SELECT to change from PATTERN to SAMPLE
PAD to select destination
COPY or VALUE ENCODER to finish copying the pattern to a sample
Resampling Method
Copying sounds from one pad to another
COPY > PAD to select sample to copy > BANK for destination > PAD for
destination > COPY to complete the copy
Copying samples or patterns to a different PROJECT
 COPY > CTRL 3 to select PROJECT > PAD to select sample > PAD
to select destination in the new project > COPY to finish
Resampling
RESAMPLE > PAD to select destination
Display will show "Press pad to start"
Recording will begin when you hit the first pad
REC to end recording
Recording External Sources
EXT SOURCE allows you to monitor sound coming through the
inputs on the back of the unit
SHIFT + EXT SOURCE takes you to the input settings screen
BPM using CTRL 1
ROUTING using CTRL 2
EXT IN to just record the external source
MIX to record both the internal sounds and the external source
INPUT LEVEL using CTRL 3
RESAMPLING as noted above works to record a combination of
internal sounds and an external instrument
RECORDING works when, for instance, you want to just record an
external source, like a phone over USB, through the jacks on the
rear of the unit, or the inputs on the front of the unit
EXT SOURCE to monitor audio
REC
RECORD SETTING
VALUE ENCODER - push to add effects to the incoming audio
EXIT x 2
PAD to select recording destination
REC > wait for countdown to finish > press play on external source
REC to end the recording
SkipSkipBack Sampling
back remembers the last 40 seconds of audio output and
allows you to recall that audio
You can tell skip back has been activated because the MARK button will
glow
 MARK to load the skip back audio
SUB PAD to trigger the audio
CTRL 1 to edit START
CTRL 3 to edit END
VALUE ENCODER to TRUNCATE
REC > PAD to select destination
Sample
Process
Editing
PAD to play a sample
START / END to access the edit screen
CTRL 1 to edit START
VALUE ENCODER to zoom in
CTRL 3 to edit END
VALUE ENCODER to TRUNCATE
Tips
LOOP your sample to help find a smooth start and end point
CTRL 2 to adjust loop point
REMAIN to LOCK LOOP POINT so that it is not moved if you try to move
your start point past it - this is key when you have already spent some
time making a proper loop point and do not want to lose it
ROLL will play the last 4 seconds of a long sample so that you can set an
end point without having to listen to an entire long sample
SNAP TO ZERO CROSSING by pressing RESAMPLE when you are in
START / END editing
Chop Menu
SHIFT + START / END to enter the CHOP menu
Methods for entering chops
Manual
Press PAD to start the sample
Press additional PADS to add chop marks as the sample plays
To edit the location of a mark use CTRL 3 to select the mark and
CTRL 2 to move the mark
CTRL 1 can be used to set the location of a new mark > MARK to set
mark
 Auto Mark
Press VALUE ENCODER > AUTO MARK
CTRL 2 to select AUTO MARK MODE
TIME DIVISION sets marks at equal time divisions depending on
the setting
Change the time division using CTRL 3
Level
Adds marks depending on level - higher number = more marks
Transient
Adds marks at transient points, like drum hits, with settings of
HARD, MID, SOFT using CTRL 3
Assigning chops to pads
Manual
In the CHOP menu, press the VALUE ENCODER to enter the menu
PADS to select destination of chops
CTRL 3 to change GATE parameter for the chops
Automatic
VALUE ENCODER to select starting pad
MARK to assign to the following pads > VALUE ENCODER to assign
> VALUE ENCODER to finish
Pitch & Speed
PAD to select sample > PITCH / SPEED to enter the menu
To modify multiple sounds at once, put them in a MUTE GROUP using
SHIFT + PAD 8
When you are in PITCH / SPEED, press COPY > your mute group will
flash and any adjustments will be made to all of the samples in the mute
group
You can use this for BPM, VOLUME, BPM SYNC, GATE, LOOP,
REVERSE
SHIFT + VALUE ENCODER to select VINYL or VARISPEED
In VINYL mode, pitch and speed are tied together
In VARISPEED mode, pitch and speed are independent
SHIFT + VALUE ENCODER to select an algorithm
BACKING - suitable for clear attacks like drums
ENSEMBLE - good for sustained instruments like bass or pads
 Controls
CTRL 3 to adjust VOLUME
SHIFT + CTRL 3 adjusts PAN, including setting to MONO (which is
good for drum loops)
CTRL 2 adjusts PITCH
CTRL 1 adjusts SPEED
BPM
Auto Detect
Push VALUE ENCODER to select BPM range to scan (to prevent
detection of half / double time) > VALUE ENCODER to detect
Manual
Turn PUSH ENCODER to select MANU or MANU-F (for decimal
values) > push VALUE ENCODER > select BPM > push VALUE
ENCODER
Envelope
PAD to select sample > SHIFT + PITCH / SPEED to enter the menu
Controls
CTRL 1 adjusts ATTACK - how long it takes for the sound to start on the
sample
CTRL 2 adjusts HOLD - how long the sample plays for
CTRL 3 adjusts RELEASE - how long the sample takes to fade out
Sample Mode
BPM Sync
BPM SYNC to enter this mode, which syncs all samples in the bank to
the BPM of the bank, making it easy to get all of the samples in a bank
playing at the same speed
SHIFT + PAD 11 takes you to the TAP TEMPO menu where you set
the BPM of the bank
VALUE ENCODER to set the BPM
Tap SUB PAD to tap tempo
Gate
With gate OFF, the entire sample will be played when you tap a button
With gate ON, you have to hold down the pad to play the sample
SHIFT + GATE turns gate on / off for ALL SAMPLES in the bank
 Loop
When loop is ON, the sample will loop from the beginning or the loop
point which you have set up
SHIFT + LOOP enables PING PONG looping
Reverse
REVERSE plays the sample backward
Roll
ROLL will roll the playing sample in the specified time division
SHIFT + ROLL to set the time division
MFX
Top 5 effects and assignable MFX buttons surround the display
MFX + CTRL 3 (or VALUE ENCODER or PAD) to select the effect to
assign to MFX
MFX + DJFX LOOPER (or CTRL 3 or VALUE ENCODER) to access the
second page of effects
EFFECTS PADS to turn effects on and off
To momentarily 'grab' effects, hold the VALUE ENCODER + EFFECTS
PADS
CTRL knobs change effects parameters
If there is an arrow on the screen below a parameter, it means there is a
second page of parameters
Hold VALUE ENCODER to access second parameter page
While in the EFFECTS MENU, press REMAIN + EFFECTS PADS to
keep the menu on the display until you remove the effect
Setting the effect loaded to MFX on startup
SHIFT + PAD 13 (UTILITY) > EFX SET > CTRL 3 to OTHER tab > MFX
TOP to select the effect you would like loaded in MFX on startup
BUSBUSFX
FX gives a second level of effects
Select BUS 1 or BUS 2 and independently select / turn on effects and
change effects settings
REMAIN + BUS FX swaps the effects between BUS 1 and 2
By default, all samples are sent to both of the effects
While in BUS 1
 REMAIN + PAD to EXCLUDE INDIVIDUAL samples from the effects
(pad will change from orange to WHITE indicating that it is no longer
being sent to the effects)
REMAIN + BANK to EXCLUDE ALL samples in a bank from the
effects
While in BUS 2
REMAIN + PAD to add ONLY BUS 2 effects
EFXSaveSettings
effects parameters so that they are loaded on startup
Make the desired settings on your effect > SHIFT + MARK for 3
SECONDS to save
SHIFT + PAD 16 to access routing and BUS 3 + 4
Push VALUE ENCODER to change the routing type
Turn the VALUE ENCODER to add 2 additional effects, BUS 3 and BUS 4,
to the effects chain
VALUE ENCODER to select FAVORITES (1-16) settings for BUS 3
and BUS 4
CTRL 3 to access the tabs for BUS 3 and BUS 4 effects settings
When on a tab > VALUE ENCODER to change effect type in the slot
VALUE ENCODER to select parameters
CTRL knobs to change parameters
To customize the TOP 5 EFFECTS (assigned to the effects buttons
around the display)
CTRL 3 to navigate to the DIRECT tab
VALUE ENCODER to select effects to assign
SFX (V 3.0)
There are 4 new effects added in V3
MFX + ISOLATOR + PAD 1-4 to select
SFX REVERB
SFX DELAY
CLOUD DELAY
BACKSPIN
Bank Functions
SHIFT + BANK to change VOLUME for an entire bank
 SHIFT + GATE to enable GATE for an entire bank
SHIFT + COPY PROTECTS bank so that the samples are locked
from accidental changes
COPY + EXIT to copy bank to a different PROJECT
BANK to select bank
CTRL 3 to select PROJECT
VALUE ENCODER to move to DESTINATION
BANK to select destination in the new project
COPY to finish
Change all pitch / speed for an entire BANK
Enter the relevant menu (PITCH / SPEED or ENVELOPE)
Hold REMAIN while using CTRL 1-3 to change paramenters
Current Pad
PAD > REMAIN to show information for that pad
VALUE ENCODER to scroll through the menu
SUBPlaysPAD
the most RECENTLY PLAYED sample
PadSHIFTModes
+ PAD 1 (FIXED VELOCITY)
Sounds will trigger at full volume no matter how hard or soft you hit the
pad
SHIFT + PAD 2 (16 VELOCITY)
PAD to select sample > SHIFT + PAD 2
PAD 13 is lowest volume
PAD 4 is highest volume
To record 16 velocity pads:
RESAMPLE > PAD to select destination
Recording will start when you hit a PAD
REC to finish recording
SHIFT + PAD 3 (CUE)
Allows you to audition sounds in the headphones without going to the
main mix
When you are in CUE, pads will light up GREEN
SHIFT + PAD 4 (CHROMATIC)
 Allows you to play samples like an instrument chromatically
Turn VALUE ENCODER to change root note by 4 semitones, or SHIFT +
ENCODER to change by 1 semitone
Otherwise operates exactly like 16 VELOCITY described above
REMAIN to choose mode
MONO
LEGATO
POLY
Push VALUE ENCODER to restrict instrument to different scales (MAJ,
MIN, DORIAN, PHRYG, CHROM)
To record chromatically into patterns:
While in RECORD, press REC to enter REHEARSAL MODE
Select the sound you want to record chromatically
SHIFT + PAD 4
REC to go into RECORD mode
play notes to record
EXIT to end recording
SHIFT + PAD 5 (EXCHANGE)
Allows you to swap sounds between pads
PAD to select first sample > PAD to select second sample > COPY or
VALUE ENCODER
SHIFT + PAD 6 (INIT PARAM)
Initializes a sample, removing any changes you made to it using pitch,
etc.
SHIFT + PAD 7 (PAD LINK)
Allows you to play multiple pads using a single pad
PADS to select which ones you would like to link > EXIT
Now when you play one of the linked pads, all of them will play
SHIFT + PAD 8 (MUTE GROUPS)
Allow you to choke other sounds (hi-hats, chopped samples, etc.)
There are 10 mute groups with 16 samples each (can be split between
banks)
Mute groups can also be used to change multiple sounds at once
SHIFT + PAD 9 (METRONOME)
Turns the metronome on / off
SHIFT + PAD 10 (COUNT-IN)
OFF - recording starts as soon as you press REC
1 MEASURE / 2 MEASURE
WAIT - will wait until the input level is exceeded
SHIFT + PAD 11 (TAP TEMPO)
Allows you to set the bank BPM (see above)
All sounds in a bank will BPM sync to this speed when selected
SHIFT + PAD 12 (GAIN)
ATTENUATOR reduces the incoming gain on levels that are too hot even
when they are turned down at the source
NOISE GATE on the instrument input on the front to avoid recording
dead air
GAIN adjustments for other outputs
SHIFT + PAD 13 (UTILITY)
Allows you to access the items for PADS 13-16, or you can use the pads
themselves to go direct to a specific settings area
SYSTEM
GENERAL
KNOB MODE
Direct
Catch
Manual - changes parameters in the background
SUB PAD MODE
Retrigger
Skip back
AUTO TRIG LEVEL
The level that needs to be exceeded in order to trigger
recording from an external source
BPM AUTO DETECT on/off
BPM DETECT RANGE
CLICK
Metronome settings
MIDI
MIDI settings
BACKUP
Backs up / restores entire contents of the unit to SD card
 FACTORY RESET
ALL DATA - deletes all data and all samples
SYSTEM DATA - deletes all system data but does NOT delete
samples
SHIFT + PAD 14 (IMPORT / EXPORT)
IMPORT / EXPORT from SD card
FORMAT SD card
SHIFT + PAD 15 (PAD SETTING)
Changes to PAD SENSITIVITY, LED colors, BUS COLORS etc.
SHIFT + PAD 16 (EFX SETTING)
See EFX SETTINGS above
SHIFT + BUS FX (MUTE BUS)
Allows you to mute any sounds that are routed through BUS 1 and 2
Samples that are excluded from the effects busses (lit white) are not
affected by the mute bus
SHIFT + HOLD (PAUSE)
Pauses any playing audio
SHIFT + EXT SOURCE (INPUT SETTING)
See RECORDING EXTERNAL SOURCES above
SHIFT + SUB PAD (PROJECT)
PAD to LOAD a saved project
COPY to copy projects
DEL to delete projects
TRSTriggering
MIDIthe SP404 using MIDI IN
MIDI MODE A
PADS are triggered on CHANNELS 1-10 for BANKS A-J
Notes start from C1 on PAD 13 to D#2 on PAD 4
MIDI MODE B
BANKS A-E on one MIDI channel
BANKS F-J on a second MIDI channel (1/2 - 2/3 up to 10/11)
NOTE OFFSET moves where the notes start from
Gives you 80 note range per channel
Using the Unit as an Effects Processor for
External Sounds
External source connected to the line inputs on the rear of the
machine > EXT SOURCE > select the effects to add