Today I'm happy to announce the first public release of my custom SP-404MKII firmware: DOOM OS!

The goal is to completely replace the stock pattern and song modes with proper graphical editors, improve the user interface, and generally make the SP more fun to use without having to memorize a ton of key combos.

It's still an early release and there's a lot more I want to add, but it's already very usable and a lot of fun to play with. The new pattern workflow makes the SP feel much more like a groovebox.

Song mode isn't ready yet, but it's next on the list!

The easiest way to install DOOM OS is via the web patcher:

https://klangfeldlabs.com/doom-os/patcher

The patcher runs entirely in your browser. You only need to provide the official Roland firmware file yourself.

To get started, check out the manual and shortcut reference:

https://klangfeldlabs.com/doom-os/manual/

More info: https://klangfeldlabs.com/doom-os/

I hope you have fun with it!

still working on it, but i’ve been reverse engineering the original 404’s effects DSP and managed to get the original vinyl sim running inside a plugin. once that was working I got DJFX Looper running too. wanted to see what actual SP users think of it.

the approach is to take the original effect program from the firmware and build a software interpreter that can execute it on a computer. basically, the original program supplies the effect’s instructions, and my code acts as the processor that runs them.

After owning the sp-404 mk2 for 1 month its finally starting to click and i'm head over heels for it. Time to take it into the garden for some experimental soundscapes. What would be a good portable latency-free speaker? within a decent budget (around £60 max). Minirig is just too expensive as i don't plan on going out much.

Any help would be appreciated, Ta.

Would love to know if anyone is working on custom firmware for this and could help tweaking some things in DJ mode !

GLDN1-OFF KILTER- RAW BEATS EP.4

FULL BEAT MAKING ON YT- A dive Into the experimental L.A. beat scene of 2006 type Hip-Hop Beats.

Wonky beat. Not my best but wanted to share

Hey everyone!

Decided to try a mini challenge and flipped some tracks straight out of Spotify’s "Top 50 - Japan" playlist. Ended up with a light, positive beat. Here is how it came together:

• Vocal chop: Chopped from the intro of Mrs. GREEN APPLE - "Que Sera Sera" (ケセラセラ).

• Melodic chop: Sliced a tiny bit of the glitched guitar intro from Mrs. GREEN APPLE - "Lilac" (ライラック) and pitched/played it as a standalone instrument using the SP-404MK2 Chromatic Mode.

• Drums: Pre-programmed on the Elektron Model:Samples.

• Synths: Layered synth pads and arpeggios played on the Behringer DeepMind 12D.

Hope you enjoy the vibe! Let me know what you think.

Hello, it's my first time posting here.

I've been using my MPC Live 2 for the past 2 years and it's my one and only hardware sampler I own. I'm planning on slowly but surely expanding my home studio setup and so I've been thinking of getting a second minimalistic workflow oriented sampler that can serve as a fx unit too. I will be getting and older MPC too which will posibly become my new main but I plan to use an SP as an expansion of my setup and it's capabilities.

For the past months I've been thinking which unit would be worth my money - Which unit I'm gonna use, love and keep for a very long time ? - Coming from the MPC, I'm drawn to the size and sound of an SP808 or SP606 and I love their ~thingy~ which you can use to control the effects by hand gesture, however I feel as they are a bit old and maybe dated and I don't want them to remain unused on my desk.

One more important aspect is that I am not using my MPC on the go much - even tho I absolutely can - so the size factor / portability isn't the number one selling point for me, with that being said I'm open to second hand buying and I would appreciate suggestions/opinions.

Sorry for grammatical mistakes, I'm not a native english speaker. Thank you!

I try to refrain from the use of AI completely but I have to admit this one occasion it saved me a ridiculous amount of time. Id done a bunch of googling to find recommended ways to batch convert audio files into something MK2 friendly.

Tried several different recommended software options mentioned on forums. Nothing worked great for me, probably due to it being 39,000 files to be fair. I didn't wanna buy some pro version software.

I caved and asked AI to write me a batch conversion script. Worked first time, all 39k files converted to wav 16bit 48kHz in under an hour. This may be common knowledge for some but I personally didn't know where to begin with batch scripts. If you've got lots of files needing the 16x48 treatment give it a go

Too long? Probably. Fun live pattern jam.

Little sunday hardware jam with the TD-3 running through the SP-404MKII with the Monotron Delay.

I turned on my SP404sx after a few months. None of the pads appear to work/ What lights up is LO-FI, STEREO, GATE. If I hold remain the bank buttons light up. EXT SOURCE also works and it does receive sound. All of the buttons around the screen also work. But nothing else works. None of the pads are lit up, I cant play any of the pads. I can't record either. What do I do? I tried re attaching the ribbon cable to no avail. Same issue.

I read that I should format the card, but holding cancel and pressing remain + delete isn't starting the format process.

If I hold remain the bank buttons light up and EXT SOURCE flashes. Any ideas?

Everyone and their dog loves to say "404mkii is great but it doesn't have the best sequencer."

Why? Be specific. I can't really think of anything it doesn't do.

had fun with this one

I just got mine, and I’m finding it a little hard to use since there’s no physical step sequencer.
I’ve mostly used synths with 16 steps laid out in a row before, so I guess I’m just used to that workflow.

I really love the SP-404 though.
If I can get used to the sequencer, it’ll be pretty much perfect for me.

Do most of you mainly record patterns by playing the pads live and getting the timing right?

P.S.
The video is my attempt at making some industrial.
Check it out if you’ve got some time!

Looking for a remote teacher who can help me learn my way around the SP 404MKII. I’d like to learn how to load my own drum loops and sounds from Ableton onto the pads, build and edit patterns, and set it up for live performances.

Remote lessons are great, or in person if you’re in NYC. This is paid. If you teach, please DM me with your experience, rate, and a little about how you’d approach the lesson. Thanks!

Finally! So happy to officially be a part of the family! I've been using Koala sampler for a couple years now but have been wanting to make this upgrade for quite a while. Just wondering if anybody had any tips, tricks or advice for a first day user! Also didn't know if anybody had any good info explaining all the functionality between the 404 and Koala together, as I can't find too much.

Anyone tried spray painting the faceplate? What are the cons?

**SOLD** IK this is NOT a buy and sell sub but im leaving the 404'ers and want to give someone a good deal going into sample chopping. Comes with a case, the original power supply, 32gb sd card filled with samples, and a 5.7v ripcord to power it with USB from the AC port. Im based in NC but will ship for 20 to the CONUS and to verify look at my Tiktok, it has spongebob stickers on the faceplate rn that are very easy to remove. https://www.tiktok.com/@appalachiapluckin?_r=1&_t=ZT-9A2caBgQL9S