SP-404MKII version 5.50 brings two long-awaited features — side chain compression and exFAT SD compatibility. Here are those details, plus a #404day round-up of the fabulous videos you’re making.
#404day has come to a conclusion in Japan — but that means my feed is alive with the sound of Japanese (mostly) 404 videos! Y’all always deliver. And since I figure Roland has their own festivities well-covered, let’s focus on what’s new in the 5.50 firmware update and what the 404 Planet is up to.
True Side Chain Compression: 5.50
404 users have long had to find workarounds and external gear to handle side chain compression. Some of those methods might still be relevant, depending on what you’re trying to achieve — on the unit, you can just create an envelope. They even can have their own distinctive sonic character — check this video — especially with the original 404 effects.
But now live side-chain signal processing is finally available directly on the unit. Here’s how to access it; it’s easy:
- SHIFT + PAD 16 to open EFX SETTING.
- Turn CTRL 3 to bring up the SIDE CHAIN tab.
- Pick a SOURCE, pick a TARGET, and then choose THRESHOLD, RATIO, RELEASE, AND GAIN.
- Switch the BUS FX you want by pressing REMAIN + PAD. REMAIN + PAD 14 or PAD 16 switches “BUS-1” → “BUS-2” → “DRY” → “BUS-1”
Interestingly, for SOURCE and TARGET, you can choose DRY in addition to BUS 1, 2, 3, and 4. GAIN is basically makeup gain (from 0 – 6 dB).
This tutorial explains them well:
And some nice musical effects:
Also new in 5.50
You can now use exFAT-formatted SD cards — which is great, because you get higher capacity and compatibility; exFAT is now the preferred interchange format between Windows and macOS. (It even works nicely on Linux, though you may need to enable it.)
Let’s enjoy some #404day vids
I think the only reason I use X now is for Roland and other vids from Japanese accounts I follow. So, the USA is waking up, and that means Atlanta is about to take over the holiday. (Atlanta can celebrate the SP-404 every other day of the year.) Let’s go to the 404’s home country, then — all due respect to US hip hop, of course!
I could watch this all day:
Okay, not only Japan:
MKII? Ha!
Here is some absolutely excellent vocal use and a mini-tutorial.
Okay, we’re just Japanmaxxing at this point:
This looks like something you’d catch me doing:
Here we have some nice interfaith religious coexistence (well, at least in the frame):
And I have to close with this:
Official program for today, though not sure how it can top that video!
https://www.roland.com/global/promos/roland_sp-404/