I'm glad I finally found a video that explained this a little. I have a TR-8S and expect it can do the same thing. From what I read you can assign two (I think) of the 11 instrument tracks to control the SP-404 - So that when they are muted or their sequence step(s) are not lit for that track that the 404 wont play. Can you confirm that? Thanks again for the instructions.
I believe that you can do that, yes, but I guess I can't properly confirm it because I've never set it up to work that way. You can search and download the TR-8 MIDI Implementation Chart, that will show you those sorts of options. Happy beatmaking!
@@EasyCR I purchased a cv to midi device that I am hopeful will trigger it. It has gate on it. But I have yet to hook them up. Here is the device on perfect circuit's website that I purchased: www.perfectcircuit.com/kenton-pro-cv-to-midi.html I expect that signal from the tr-8s will let me trigger the 404. The device has a lot of settings that will hopefully allow me to configure it to do so. I hope that helps you find an answer. If I get around to doing it sometime soon, I will come back with a reply one way or the other.
Yes you should be able to. Unfortunately the 404 only has a MIDI IN, not OUT or THRU. So you can connect the MPC to the SP404 but the MPC would have to be the Master machine.
Yes. Suppose you are playing sequence D1, and you want to change to sequence A5, for example. During the last repetition of sequence D1, press A5, and as soon as your first sequence finishes playing, the next sequence will begin immediately, without interrupting the beats per minute
After checking out mine, I realize you are playing a pattern sequence which does stay in time with midi clock, have you found a way to sync an sample(for example "funky drummer") with your other gear to change "on the fly" with midi clock
@@JackHekler Yes, just to clarify, I was talking about "sequences" earlier, which are different than "samples". A sample is something you record from an audio source onto the SP-404; a sequence is a pattern of samples that you can quantize which basically means drop into a beats-per-minute grid. So you could record a bunch of sounds as samples onto different sample banks, and then later "sequence" them which basically means you're making a beat out of samples. And THAT'S what I was describing in my above comment: when you queue up a new sequence while another sequence is currently playing, as soon as the first sequence finishes then the second one will automatically start. I do NOT believe you can do this with samples. As far as i know you can only do it with sequences.
@@conductorelectronic I suppose the way to do this with drum loops so they follow the external clock is by chopping up the break into its main transient components and then assigning them to the pads, which you then trigger in a sequence. There's a bunch of software tools that do this sort of slicing, though it would still be a bit of a chore.
Sorry for the super late reply LOL. I am starting to re-use this Channel again, and I'll be posting more about the SP-404 and other machines in the near future. Trimming samples was one of the things I never touched on in the past, but I'll do a video about it soon. Personally I find trimming with the 404 to be a bit tedious and I just try to get my samples recorded the way I want them to begin with. But since I can't help and if you're still interested, you can find the steps here: www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/sp-404/owners_manuals/
The BPM only changes the tempo or Beats Per Minute, but it will not stretch or change any sample speeds. I hope that answers your question. Thanks for checking it out!
You should be able to record wav files as samples to the various banks on the SP-404, and then play them back as samples from the SP-404 directly. Anything you record onto the SP-404 saves onto the CF card located inside the sample machine. I hope this helps!
I went here long ago to learn about the SP404sx and I totally forgot you had a tr8 which I’ve purchased since I last watched. Did a search and your vids came up again. Thanks for these videos. Curious... What daw do you use?
Hi thanks for your comments! I see we are Instagram buddies too now :) I use the Reaper DAW for recording, but generally I don't use DAWs for performing, just recording. I started doing some recent tutorials about the TR-8, I have 2 so far that you can check out, but there's like 4 or 5 more coming! Where are you from? I'm from Ontario Canada. Thanks!!!
Hi! great video! I have a question; when I slave my sp404 (in sequencer mode) to another midi drum machine or synth, they send the bpm master and the sp404 follows them like in this video, but also some individual pads are played. Do you know how can avoid this w/o erasing the sample on those pads? Thanks in advance!
Thanks! I'm not sure if I understand your question. If you are slaving the 404 from a master machine, the 404 will automatically start playing the sequence that it's queued up to play as soon as you start the master machine. The sequences on the 404 are made up of samples recorded into the 404, so whatever samples you're using in that sequence will be triggered as part of the 404 sequence. So you could erase certain samples from the sequence if you don't want them in the sequence, but you don't have to delete the actual samples from the 404. Alternately you could just leave that sequence alone and create a new sequence to use in its place. Not sure if that's helpful?
@@conductorelectronic hi! Thanks for the response! Ive read the manual and found how to change the midi type (when you tunr on the 404) and already worked! :D
Thank you for video mr.Conductor! But i have a question. If I upload wav file to the card on bank E and touch Pattern Select, my pads do not blink and don't work. May be you know, what I'm doing wrong?
Hi thanks for your comment. I'm not exactly sure if I understand what you are describing. When you say you're "uploading" your wav file to Bank E, do you mean you're recording that wav file to be saved in Bank E on the SP-404? It sounds like you've recorded a sample, not a pattern (a pattern is something you can create later using samples that you;ve recorded). You should be able to play back your sample of the wav file you've recorded in the Sample Select mode (not Pattern Select). But I'm not sure why your pads don't blink when you touch Pattern Select...Ive never had that happen... Good Luck!!!
Buddy can I sequence my Juno this way? Ie play my Juno midi out to in of so and record the Juno via midi and then the so plays back the Juno? I have a tr8 but no idea how this new midi out works? I'm thinking of getting an sp404 but would an sp555 be better as it has midi out?
Hey! I think I understand your question, but if not, let me know... I've never used the Juno, but if it has a MIDI output, you can run a MIDI cable from its output into the SP-404's input. What this will do, is it will allow the Juno to act as a Master machine, and the SP-404 will be its Slave. These are the actual terms, although maybe they could euphemize them already to something like Boss and Employee, lol. Anyways, the Juno will control the SP in various ways, IE if you change the Juno's tempo, the SP tempo will change accordingly. If you start and stop the Juno, the SP will start and stop. Basically put, you are synchronizing the instruments. But what you are NOT doing is recording your Juno onto the SP-404. If you want to record sounds onto the SP-404, you can use the SP-404's inputs (right and left RCA) to input whatever machine you want to record from. Or you could also use the Mic In if you want to record a microphone, or lastly you can use the SP-404's built in condenser mic to record sound if you don't have a microphone. Hopefully that helps!
I don't personally use it with a DAW, not sure if that's what you do. Since it only has a MIDI input ( but not an output), I use it at the end of my MIDI chain, but my chain is built on other drum machines and step sequencers, etc. As far as performing with the SP-404, I am only aware that its patterns sync up with any patterns or BPM's of its master machines. You can still play samples from the SP404 freely without interference from any MIDI synchronization. Not sure if that answers your question?
@@conductorelectronic yea im using analog gear as well i was just hoping i could play patterns on my electribe and trigger samples from the pads without being in pattern mode in the sp. I kno i could just play along.. i was fucking with it the otber day i really don't like it so much as a midi device i think an additional electribe would be better suited for what i am envisioning and then just trigger additional samples live with the sp without any midi connection to it
@@forevershampoo I havent done this but I think you should be able to do what it is you describe. Check your filters on electribe maybe(?) There's a vid of of a guy using his circuit as the sequencer for SP404 - Enrique (cant remember his surname)
@@forevershampoo To be honest, I really don't know what would be best in your situation. I've never used the Electribe. You may be able to search the MIDI Channel Assignments for both machines, to see what MIDI options are possible for both of them. Since the SP-404 only has a MIDI Input (no output or through), it can only work as a slave no matter what. The SP-555 is the step up that was released a few years later and it is a lot like the SP-404 but it has a few "extras", one being that it offers MIDI output as well as input.
Hey my guys, hope you still respond. Can I use a midi sequencer for resampling in SP? I was told I can only use it in pattern recording, but not for resampling.
You can use the USB, but I am actually MIDI chaining my instruments using MIDI cables. My order is using the TR-8 as the master machine, then running into the S-1 synth (not shown in the video shot), then out of the S-1 into the TB-3, then out of the TB-3 into the SP-404. They automatically sync up for timing, and each outputting machine controls the next machine. If they're not doing what you want them to do, you can search their MIDI assignment options and alter them, however I am just using them the way that they work by default. Thanks!
@@conductorelectronic I saw you answered his question. Thank you. Had to get your attention. I get frustrated when ppl post but don't answer questions ppl ask. Thank you.
This vid deserves more credit
Thanks!! I abandoned this channel for a while but I'm bringing it back and I've got new videos coming up soon :)
@@conductorelectronic ill be keeping an eye out! Thanks for the video!! Just got a tr8 to start pairing with my 404sx.. new sub :)
you didnt show how to assign which pad to trigger on the 404.
We when😘 sp 404 setting in mid i
I'm glad I finally found a video that explained this a little. I have a TR-8S and expect it can do the same thing. From what I read you can assign two (I think) of the 11 instrument tracks to control the SP-404 - So that when they are muted or their sequence step(s) are not lit for that track that the 404 wont play. Can you confirm that? Thanks again for the instructions.
I believe that you can do that, yes, but I guess I can't properly confirm it because I've never set it up to work that way. You can search and download the TR-8 MIDI Implementation Chart, that will show you those sorts of options. Happy beatmaking!
@@conductorelectronic thanks for the reply!
@@AtomkeySinclair hi there, have you done it tr8s and sp404a together? Can you help with the settings, please
@@EasyCR I purchased a cv to midi device that I am hopeful will trigger it. It has gate on it. But I have yet to hook them up. Here is the device on perfect circuit's website that I purchased: www.perfectcircuit.com/kenton-pro-cv-to-midi.html
I expect that signal from the tr-8s will let me trigger the 404. The device has a lot of settings that will hopefully allow me to configure it to do so. I hope that helps you find an answer. If I get around to doing it sometime soon, I will come back with a reply one way or the other.
I have been trying to crack my KORG ES1 with my 404 for almost two years now .. are you telling me all I had to do was put the 404 in sequence mode?
Hi, thanks for your comment, but I've never used the ES1. Did it work out for you?
Hey everyone , i have a question . Can i use my MPC Studio black to Connect it with the sp404 per Midi ??
Yes you should be able to. Unfortunately the 404 only has a MIDI IN, not OUT or THRU. So you can connect the MPC to the SP404 but the MPC would have to be the Master machine.
I just bought a MPC One and you saved my life with this comment! appreciate@@conductorelectronic
Thankyou this was very usefull
Thanks!
Can you answer a question for me please? Thanks!
Suppose you want to change sample loops without stopping the sequence, can you just press another button and will it stay in time?
Yes. Suppose you are playing sequence D1, and you want to change to sequence A5, for example. During the last repetition of sequence D1, press A5, and as soon as your first sequence finishes playing, the next sequence will begin immediately, without interrupting the beats per minute
@@conductorelectronic perfect, one could then pre-load samples at various BPM and build a mix set and have them sync for a non-stop dance experience
After checking out mine, I realize you are playing a pattern sequence which does stay in time with midi clock, have you found a way to sync an sample(for example "funky drummer") with your other gear to change "on the fly" with midi clock
@@JackHekler Yes, just to clarify, I was talking about "sequences" earlier, which are different than "samples". A sample is something you record from an audio source onto the SP-404; a sequence is a pattern of samples that you can quantize which basically means drop into a beats-per-minute grid. So you could record a bunch of sounds as samples onto different sample banks, and then later "sequence" them which basically means you're making a beat out of samples. And THAT'S what I was describing in my above comment: when you queue up a new sequence while another sequence is currently playing, as soon as the first sequence finishes then the second one will automatically start. I do NOT believe you can do this with samples. As far as i know you can only do it with sequences.
@@conductorelectronic I suppose the way to do this with drum loops so they follow the external clock is by chopping up the break into its main transient components and then assigning them to the pads, which you then trigger in a sequence. There's a bunch of software tools that do this sort of slicing, though it would still be a bit of a chore.
Does this work the same with the sp404sx
Yes, sorry for the late reply. But yes. I abandoned this channel for a long time but I'm bringing it back and I'll have more videos soon :)
how would you trim a sample, like you mentioned at the end?
Sorry for the super late reply LOL. I am starting to re-use this Channel again, and I'll be posting more about the SP-404 and other machines in the near future. Trimming samples was one of the things I never touched on in the past, but I'll do a video about it soon. Personally I find trimming with the 404 to be a bit tedious and I just try to get my samples recorded the way I want them to begin with. But since I can't help and if you're still interested, you can find the steps here:
www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/sp-404/owners_manuals/
Does it also increases the bpm of the samples?
The BPM only changes the tempo or Beats Per Minute, but it will not stretch or change any sample speeds. I hope that answers your question. Thanks for checking it out!
Can i use WAV to the patterns, or it will work only with midi on the compact flesh card soundbanks?
You should be able to record wav files as samples to the various banks on the SP-404, and then play them back as samples from the SP-404 directly. Anything you record onto the SP-404 saves onto the CF card located inside the sample machine. I hope this helps!
thanks for helping me understand my recently acquired sp555, just one question...I ve seen that old phone around your videos...whats that??
A E S T H E T I C
I went here long ago to learn about the SP404sx and I totally forgot you had a tr8 which I’ve purchased since I last watched. Did a search and your vids came up again. Thanks for these videos. Curious... What daw do you use?
Hi thanks for your comments! I see we are Instagram buddies too now :) I use the Reaper DAW for recording, but generally I don't use DAWs for performing, just recording. I started doing some recent tutorials about the TR-8, I have 2 so far that you can check out, but there's like 4 or 5 more coming! Where are you from? I'm from Ontario Canada. Thanks!!!
@@conductorelectronic the tr8s is really nice man just saying
Hi! great video! I have a question; when I slave my sp404 (in sequencer mode) to another midi drum machine or synth, they send the bpm master and the sp404 follows them like in this video, but also some individual pads are played. Do you know how can avoid this w/o erasing the sample on those pads? Thanks in advance!
Thanks! I'm not sure if I understand your question. If you are slaving the 404 from a master machine, the 404 will automatically start playing the sequence that it's queued up to play as soon as you start the master machine. The sequences on the 404 are made up of samples recorded into the 404, so whatever samples you're using in that sequence will be triggered as part of the 404 sequence. So you could erase certain samples from the sequence if you don't want them in the sequence, but you don't have to delete the actual samples from the 404. Alternately you could just leave that sequence alone and create a new sequence to use in its place. Not sure if that's helpful?
@@conductorelectronic hi! Thanks for the response! Ive read the manual and found how to change the midi type (when you tunr on the 404) and already worked! :D
Thank you for video mr.Conductor!
But i have a question.
If I upload wav file to the card on bank E and touch Pattern Select, my pads do not blink and don't work.
May be you know, what I'm doing wrong?
Hi thanks for your comment. I'm not exactly sure if I understand what you are describing. When you say you're "uploading" your wav file to Bank E, do you mean you're recording that wav file to be saved in Bank E on the SP-404? It sounds like you've recorded a sample, not a pattern (a pattern is something you can create later using samples that you;ve recorded). You should be able to play back your sample of the wav file you've recorded in the Sample Select mode (not Pattern Select). But I'm not sure why your pads don't blink when you touch Pattern Select...Ive never had that happen... Good Luck!!!
Buddy can I sequence my Juno this way? Ie play my Juno midi out to in of so and record the Juno via midi and then the so plays back the Juno? I have a tr8 but no idea how this new midi out works? I'm thinking of getting an sp404 but would an sp555 be better as it has midi out?
Hey! I think I understand your question, but if not, let me know... I've never used the Juno, but if it has a MIDI output, you can run a MIDI cable from its output into the SP-404's input. What this will do, is it will allow the Juno to act as a Master machine, and the SP-404 will be its Slave. These are the actual terms, although maybe they could euphemize them already to something like Boss and Employee, lol. Anyways, the Juno will control the SP in various ways, IE if you change the Juno's tempo, the SP tempo will change accordingly. If you start and stop the Juno, the SP will start and stop. Basically put, you are synchronizing the instruments. But what you are NOT doing is recording your Juno onto the SP-404. If you want to record sounds onto the SP-404, you can use the SP-404's inputs (right and left RCA) to input whatever machine you want to record from. Or you could also use the Mic In if you want to record a microphone, or lastly you can use the SP-404's built in condenser mic to record sound if you don't have a microphone. Hopefully that helps!
Great videos!!!!!!!
so MIDI is only effective in pattern mode with the 404?
I don't personally use it with a DAW, not sure if that's what you do. Since it only has a MIDI input ( but not an output), I use it at the end of my MIDI chain, but my chain is built on other drum machines and step sequencers, etc. As far as performing with the SP-404, I am only aware that its patterns sync up with any patterns or BPM's of its master machines. You can still play samples from the SP404 freely without interference from any MIDI synchronization. Not sure if that answers your question?
@@conductorelectronic yea im using analog gear as well i was just hoping i could play patterns on my electribe and trigger samples from the pads without being in pattern mode in the sp. I kno i could just play along.. i was fucking with it the otber day i really don't like it so much as a midi device i think an additional electribe would be better suited for what i am envisioning and then just trigger additional samples live with the sp without any midi connection to it
@@forevershampoo I havent done this but I think you should be able to do what it is you describe. Check your filters on electribe maybe(?)
There's a vid of of a guy using his circuit as the sequencer for SP404 - Enrique (cant remember his surname)
@@forevershampoo To be honest, I really don't know what would be best in your situation. I've never used the Electribe. You may be able to search the MIDI Channel Assignments for both machines, to see what MIDI options are possible for both of them. Since the SP-404 only has a MIDI Input (no output or through), it can only work as a slave no matter what. The SP-555 is the step up that was released a few years later and it is a lot like the SP-404 but it has a few "extras", one being that it offers MIDI output as well as input.
Thank 💞💞🙏👍
Hey my guys, hope you still respond. Can I use a midi sequencer for resampling in SP? I was told I can only use it in pattern recording, but not for resampling.
I have to take out the SD card and put whatever track I want to play to on my phone to play along with.
So means SP in comment below
Hey I noticed at the end you have the tb3 and the sp404 hooked up to the tr8. Are you accomplishing this through a midi splitter or?
Nope, TR-8 and TB-3 are both the Aira product family so they can be interlinked together via usb. So midi out goes to SP404, and usb goes to TB-3.
@@Gyrbae thanks so much for the reply!!! I am looking at different build and I wasn't sure if this was daisy chaining or what... Thanks!
You can use the USB, but I am actually MIDI chaining my instruments using MIDI cables. My order is using the TR-8 as the master machine, then running into the S-1 synth (not shown in the video shot), then out of the S-1 into the TB-3, then out of the TB-3 into the SP-404. They automatically sync up for timing, and each outputting machine controls the next machine. If they're not doing what you want them to do, you can search their MIDI assignment options and alter them, however I am just using them the way that they work by default. Thanks!
My name is George from Syria 🇸🇾 💞💞💞👍👍
you want the views but you dont want to answer the questions?
Aha, you got me, working my full time job I was. What was your question?
@@conductorelectronic I saw you answered his question. Thank you. Had to get your attention. I get frustrated when ppl post but don't answer questions ppl ask. Thank you.
@@mpmi7588 Ok cool, let me know if you have other questions!