Not sure if this will help but as @JohntheSavage mentioned in the 404MKII thread, EFX will sync with patterns. Sample silence on a pad and create a pattern out of it. leave it running while you resample and see if that works.
1 Like
Thanks, but not in my case. I tested this, and it works for re-sampling a pattern. I am aiming for a more simple tape-deck approach, so im just free triggering and re-recording a lot.
So the answer to my own question is to just enter the bpm of the pad i wish to re-sample into Input Fx Settings before resampling, then all is well.
Still consider it a bug, since it breaks the ālast pad playedā setting.
1 Like
Try the following:
- Tap pad 2
- Push Resample button > Select an empty pad
- Tap pad 1 to start resample
Sorry if this has already been asked/answered - but if so, I totally overlooked the posts.
Iām still trying to figure out any swing function on the SP404mk2.
If Iām not mistaken, it would appear that there isnāt a full proper swing setting for full patterns. Instead, we get some per-samples options to tweak sample-start and individual hits swing.
But swing is such a big part of any samplers workflow that I still canāt believe there isnāt an easy way to swing full patterns.
Same goes for the roll function.
I didnāt get deep enough with it - but it seems that hi-hats rolls are weirdly programmable.
Again, sorry to go so newb on this one. But thought Iād ask directly to you guys!
Cheers
404 MK2 swing is referred to as Shuffle. It functions like you mentioned above per sample, but you are able to apply it to the whole pattern in a few ways.
It works different then the elektrons, It is a grid setting similar to quantize, but you can apply before or after you record you pattern. Once you switch the grid to the setting to shuffle settings the strength of quantize (knob 3) turn into a bipolar shuffle rate.
To setup when you first start your pattern so it applied prior to recording > Editing a Pattern (PATTERN EDIT)
To apply to a whole preexisting pattern > Aligning the Playback Timing of Samples Inputted to a Pattern (QUANTIZE)
It recommends Settings in the range of +10ā16 generally give a pleasant
shuffle feel. (this is only in PDF MANUAL BTW)
PSA: There are two manuals for the 404 MK2, one is a PDF and the other is in HTML format, They are written in different ways. I suggest checking out both. I find the PDF to be a much better read then the HTML IMO
ROLL SETTINGS >
[SHIFT] button + [ROLL] knob (ROLL SIZE) Sets the roll interval (1/4, 1/2, 1 or 2 measures).
Set the ROLL SIZE before playing back rolls. (You canāt
change the ROLL SIZE with this operation while a roll is
playing back).
9 Likes
Wow.
Iām glad I asked. Thanks for such a detailed answer. I guess I know what Iām gonna try tonight!
I already stumbled upon the two different versions but kept visiting the HTML. Thanks for that PSA.
Dang, I love the SP community.
You guys are quite the community, I have to say!
5 Likes
I encounter a bug quite often, where the FX control knobs will behave like DIRECT even though I have them set to CATCH. It can really throw off a whole resample when a parameter jumps like that ~ anyone else experiencing that?
So.
Iām having a ball with a mobile set-up atm. Nothing too fancy.
iPadAir6 13 inch, the SP404mk2 as the audio interface and some other pieces of gear (MicroFreak, Pocket Operators, EP133, Casio AP270, etc).
Since I got my SP404mk2, I always had some kind of delay when syncing the SP to my DAW. Be it an op1 Field, Logic for iPad and/or Mac, etc.
Thought it was my bad. That I overlooked a setting or something.
But out of curiosity, I started looking around and found out that Iām not the only one impacted. That there is something jittery about the Sync Modes.
Has anyone found a fix?
I still can get around this in post prod since I mix everything back in Logic.
But itās annoying af and really weird behavior. More so when all the other gear (including Rolandās Compact Aira synths) are easily and reliably syncable.
Anyhoo.
Thought Iād ask!
Are you using cassette sim on bus3/4?
I also had a sync delay when I tried to sync SP to Cubase on Windows. Donāt recall if I used my soundcard or went USB. Did not use it since.
I played the SP from midi in Cubase or exported SP stems.
SP syncs fine to the MC-707 which syncs fine to Cubase thru midi din. So I was planning to try if that combo holds up synced from Cubase.
1 Like
Nope. Nothing on BUS 3/4.
But Iām gonna try disabling it anyways.
How did I not think of that?
Will keep this thread updated.
Would love to hear if you find a fix of sorts.
I tried a lot of things, but Iām still missing a few ideas to really try all them possible fixes.
Iāll try muting BUS 3/4, Iāll try to setup the delay settings, Iāll try to make the SP404 the master and not the slave (although its not the most convenient way to do things in my setup).
Iāve tried with another SP, same thing. But the EP133 sync perfectly. So I must be either missing something or have some kind of bug.
Anyways.
Thanks for chiming in!
1 Like
Could you clarify the exact issue youāre encountering? For instance, what is the clock source for your setup (I understand the SP is a slave to an external clock)? What are the sync settings on your SP? Does the clock lose sync consistently, or only when you initiate play/record? Is the sync problem apparent at the start of a beat, or does it gradually drift off after a few bars? More details would be beneficial.
For context: My SP404MK2 is set to sync with an external MIDI clock as the master (Midronome or MODX) via TRS MIDI.
Iām not certain how the SP404MK2 syncs with the external clock, but it seems like the SP senses the external BPM and attempts to align the internal clock accordingly (like my MODX). If the clock signal is transmitted only after starting, it typically requires 1-2 bars to stabilize before locking in.
The MC707 is different here, when slaved to an external clock, is directly hardwired to the clock signal - so if no clock is send on midi, the sequencer is not stepping forward.
Maybe this is helpful in Testing.
1 Like
First off, thanks for the input.
Here are some more infos on both my setup and the issue Iām having :
- at the moment, the Clock source is Logic Pro (macOS or iPadOS). Worked/works like a charm with many other gear (DATO Duo, J6 Chord, EP133, op1 Field, MicroFreak, even a BlipBlox, etc). I usually set up Logic accordingly, both in the General Settings MIDI tab (so I can use the MIDI functions) and the Project Sync options.
- the SP is set on AUTO mode for MIDI sync (tried the usb-C setting but it was dodgy). I tried the MIDI Sync Out but it was not working great with my setup (a bit laggy). The Delay setting was automatically set on 2ms, but the lag was there anyways. Lowered to 0ms, nothing changed.
- Since Iām using the SP404 mostly as a centerpiece in the mobile setup, and since I find this pretty straight forward, I use the usb-C port for both Audio and MIDI. Iāve tried many cables with many different lengths (Apple, UGreen, TE, etc). I also tried with or without hubs, with or without outputs plugged in, etc. Consistent issue whatever the setup.
- The drift appears to happen in the first seconds of playback. From what I could gather from the resulting audio files, Iād say Iāve got the first beat ok, then a slight drift with beat 2 and the final drift at beat 3 and 4. From there, the drift doesnāt move. And once I move back the audio to the right position, Ćām good to go. So, Iād say it looks like the SP404 tries to play catch up, drifting a bit, then stabilizing to a relative position. The drifts are probably around 20 to 40 milliseconds. Noticeable.
- Iāve also seen the BPM count on the SP404 fluctuating around +/- 1 BPM. Not a consistent issue, but happens.
- Donāt have no FXs on both BUS 3 and BUS 4.
- Samples are trimmed and quantized. I also tried with full loops, same issue. It needs to be edited manually once I put it back in a DAWS.
Hereās hope this answers yours questions.
And again, thanks.
Hey, thanks for sharing. I understand now.
I recommend to check out this 10min video below. The trick is to give the SP404 a bar of clock signal so it can sync its internal clock to midi signal. After that your music can start on bar 2 on your DAW.
Once that is done thinks work smoother.
1 Like
You, sir, are the real MVP in my studio right now.
Thanks for sharing this.
Guess I know what Iām gonna do tonight!
Iāll keep you updated!
Cheers!
I only just bought the sp so maybe this is user error but Iām getting unsupported files with REAKTOR SOUNDSCAPES 01 // LĆĀSTLVLS | LĆĀSTLVLS
They are 16bit/48 which I thought the 404mk2 could load. Other files from the same producer (I love the drum samples) have loaded fine and I think are the same format. only thing I can think of is they are 32 bit floating, whatever that is.
I did a quick batch convert and now working, Iād still love to know why some files work and some donāt though. I tried dragging and dropping from ableton to the 404 vst and also get the same error.
If the files are in 32-bit floating-point format, they arenāt 16-bit. Thatāll be why you need to convert them before the SP-404MKII can import them.
Ableton Live uses 32-bit floating-point format internally, so dragging files directly from Live probably results in the same issue. I think youāll need to first render the audio to a format the SP-404MKII can read.
2 Likes