sp404-mk2

name	sp404-mk2
description	Use when working with the Roland SP-404 MK2 sampler/sequencer — 16-pad velocity-sensitive sampler, 29 MFX, 14 INPUT FX, 4 bus effects, TR-REC sequencer, DJ mode, BPM SYNC, resampling, and skip-back sampling.
version	1.0.0
author	Hermes Agent
license	MIT
metadata	{"hermes":{"tags":["instrument","sampler","sp404","roland","sequencer","midi","mfx"],"related_skills":[]}}

Roland SP-404 MK2 — Portable Sampler

Hardware

Spec	Value
Pads	16 velocity-sensitive + SUB PAD
Banks	10 (A–J), 16 pads each = 160 samples/project
Patterns	20 patterns × 10 banks = 200/project
Effects	4 buses, 29 MFX, 14 INPUT FX
Tempo	40.00–200.00 BPM, tap tempo, BPM SYNC
Storage	SD/SDHC (up to 32GB)
Audio	16-bit/44.1kHz internal, 24-bit via USB
Connectivity	2× 3.5mm I/O, 6.35mm INPUT, USB (audio+MIDI), phones

⚠️ Never plug 3.5mm mic/line into a device with phantom power — destroys the ports.

When to Use

• Triggering and playing back samples with velocity sensitivity and 3 layers per pad
• Applying effects to individual samples (BUS 1/2) or the master mix (BUS 3/4)
• Recording samples from external sources (mic, line, USB)
• Step-sequencing drum patterns with TR-REC or realtime recording
• Resampling the output through effects for layered textures
• DJ-style crossfading and BPM sync with DJ mode

Modes

Mode	Entry	Description
SAMPLE	Default	Play/trigger samples from pads
PATTERN	PATTERN SELECT	16-step sequencer (TR-REC or realtime)
DJ	D + E/J banks held	2-channel DJ mixer with crossfader, BPM sync, roll, reverse
UTILITY	SHIFT + BANK	System settings, SD card, factory reset

Live Mode (SHIFT + BANK hold 3s): Disables edit/sampling buttons — only playback controls active.

Sample Mode

Playing: Press pad (velocity-sensitive A/B/C). STOP to stop, SHIFT+PAUSE to latch, REVERSE for reverse, LOOP for loop, GATE for one-shot.

Pitch/Speed: PITCH/SPEED button → CTRL 1 = pitch (±50 semitones), CTRL 2 = speed (50–200%), CTRL 3 = volume, SHIFT+CTRL 3 = pan, VALUE = BPM.

BPM SYNC ON: sample loops snap to tempo grid. BPM SYNC OFF: free speed, pitch/speed linked.

Velocity: Each pad has 3 velocity layers (A=loud, B=medium, C=soft). SHIFT+Pad 2 = FIXED VELOCITY (127). SHIFT+Pad 3 = 16 VELOCITY.

Pad linking/muting: SHIFT+Pad 5 = PAD LINK (play multiple with one pad). SHIFT+Pad 6 = MUTE GROUP (prevent layering).

Resampling: Press RESAMPLE → perform → press RESAMPLE again → auto-assigns to a pad.

Skip-back sampling: SHIFT+SAMPLING enables 4-second buffer → press SAMPLING on event to capture the 4 seconds before the trigger.

Mark + Chop: Press MARK at split points → SHIFT+MARK (3s+) → CHOP → auto-assigns pieces to consecutive pads.

Effects System

Bus Architecture

Bus	Type	Purpose
BUS 1	Main FX bus	Per-pad BUS 1/2 assignment
BUS 2	Alt FX bus	Alternative effect chain
BUS 3	Master bus	Applied to overall output mix
BUS 4	Master alt	Secondary master bus

Per-pad BUS assignment: Press BUS FX → orange (BUS 1) or blinking orange (BUS 2). Green = BUS 1, white = BUS 2, off = DRY.

Hardware Effect Buttons (BUS 1/2 routing)

Button	Effect Type
FILTER+DRIVE	HPF/LPF + overdrive
EQ	3-band + isolator
ISOLATOR	3-band Kill (LOW/MID/HIGH cut)
DELAY	Tempo-synced delay
DJFX LOOPER	Turntable-style loop slicer
MFX	Multi-effect (any of 29 MFX)

MFX — 29 Multi-Effects

Full list of all 41 effects: references/mfx.md

Groups: Filter/Distortion (#1–17), Vinyl/Cassette/Lo-fi (#18–21), Reverb/Chorus/Flanger/Phaser (#22–27), Modulation/Pitch/Utility (#28–41).

INPUT FX — 14 Input Effects

Applied to INPUT jack audio. Access via INPUT FX button.

Full list: references/input-fx.md

Pattern Sequencer

TR-REC (step recording): PATTERN SELECT → pick pattern with pads 1–16 → PATTERN EDIT → SHIFT+REC to enable TR-REC → SHIFT+pads 1–4 set length (1/4, 1/2, 1, 2 bars) → REC + tap pads in time → SHIFT+REC to finish.

Realtime: PATTERN EDIT without TR-REC → records as you play.

EFX MOTION REC: Pattern playing → SHIFT+BUS FX → twist knobs to record effect changes per step. SHIFT+DEL+MARK = erase effect motion. SHIFT+DEL+REVERSE = erase all effect motions.

Chaining: PATTERN SELECT → SHIFT+pad to chain up to 64 patterns.

Bounce: SHIFT+BOUNCE converts pattern to a single sample on current pad.

DJ Mode

Entry: D bank + E/J bank held simultaneously.

Pads: 1,2 = CH1 play/pause. 3,4 = CH2 play/pause. 5,6 = CH1 reverse. 7,8 = CH2 reverse. 9 = CH1 syncs to CH2 tempo. 11 = CH2 syncs to CH1 tempo. 13,14 = CH1 mute. 15,16 = CH2 mute. ROLL+13/15 = roll 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2 bars.

Controls: CTRL 1 = CH1 level, CTRL 2 = CH2 level, CTRL 3 = CUE mix or X-FADE, VALUE = BPM.

Key Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
SHIFT + PAD 1	FIXED VELOCITY
SHIFT + PAD 2	16 VELOCITY
SHIFT + PAD 3	CUE monitoring
SHIFT + PAD 4	CHROMATIC scale
SHIFT + PAD 5	PAD LINK
SHIFT + PAD 6	MUTE GROUP
SHIFT + PAD 7	METRONOME
SHIFT + PAD 8	COUNT-IN
SHIFT + PAD 9	TAP TEMPO
SHIFT + MARK (3s)	CHOP (split at markers)
SHIFT + REMAIN (3s)	LIVE MODE on/off
HOLD + REMAIN (3s)	BANK PROTECT
SHIFT + REC	TR-REC toggle
SHIFT + LOOP	PING-PONG LOOP
SHIFT + GATE	GATE ALL ON/OFF
COPY + EXIT	COPY all samples/patterns in bank

Utility & SD Card

Utility (SHIFT + UTILITY): SWING (50–80%), REVERSE TYPE (303/404), TRIG LAMP, LINE OUT, KNOB MODE (REL/ABS), PAD VELOCITY (3-VEL/16-VEL/FIXED), PAD LINK, MUTE GROUP.

EFX SET: Assign effects to BUS 3/4 — up to 4 effects in series per bus.

SD operations: IMPORT/EXPORT WAV, project backup/restore, FORMAT, FACTORY RESET.