The Roland SP404 MK2 is an amazing sampler, and with three major updates, Roland has introduced some fantastic features like the sound generator for synth creation, live looping with the looper, and TR-REC mode for sequencing. However, even the best gear has room for improvement. Here are five missing features that would take the SP404 MK2 to near perfection.
1. Multi-Track Audio Over USB
One of the biggest limitations of the SP404 MK2 is that it only allows a stereo 2-track output over USB. In comparison, the Elektron Digitakt offers eight separate sample tracks, each sent individually over USB to a DAW for full mixing control.
While the SP404 has far more sample pads, a great compromise would be allowing each bus effect to have its own separate USB output. The SP404 has multiple bus effects, including an input effect and four main buses, so at the very least, having Bus 1, Bus 2, and the input effect as separate outputs would provide greater flexibility in mixing and processing without needing to use stem separation in a DAW.
2. Per-Pad Filters
Right now, filters in the SP404 MK2 are applied at the bus level, meaning every sound on that bus shares the same filter settings. This is limiting because you can’t apply different filter types to individual sounds.
For example:
You might want a high-pass filter on a guitar sample to remove low-end frequencies.
At the same time, you might want a low-pass filter on a synth pad to make it smoother.
Since the filter is tied to the bus, both sounds would be affected by the same filter settings, which makes granular mixing difficult without excessive resampling. If Roland introduced per-pad filters, similar to the Roland P-6, users could apply individual filter settings to each sample, allowing for a much more powerful and efficient workflow.
3. Per-Step Automation
The TR-REC mode in the SP404 MK2 allows for step sequencing, but it lacks the ability to automate parameters per step.
For example, in other Roland samplers like the P-6, you can:
Change pitch, velocity, and substeps per step.
On the SP404 MK2, once you enter TR-REC mode, adjusting a parameter doesn’t change anything. You can only make changes to the whole pattern. Adding per-step automation would allow users to create more dynamic, evolving patterns without having to manually resample each variation.
4. A Massive Reverb Effect
As someone who creates ambient soundscapes, I often find the SP404 MK2’s built-in reverbs lacking in size and depth. While you can stack multiple effects like:
SX Reverb for space
Kodama Delay for stereo ping-ponging
Hadau with minimal modulation for a subtle shimmer
None of these quite achieve that massive, lush reverb tail needed for atmospheric sound design. A dedicated huge reverb effect would be a game-changer, allowing users to create expansive soundscapes directly in the SP404 MK2 without needing external processing.
5. Sidechain Compression
This is one of the most requested features for the SP404 MK2. Sidechain compression is crucial for:
Creating a pumping effect in electronic music (EDM, lo-fi, house).
Making room in the mix by ducking bass under the kick.
Sculpting dynamics between different elements of a track.
Currently, the SP404 MK2 has no built-in sidechain compression. A possible solution would be adding it as a bus effect, which would allow for dynamic ducking while still preserving other effects. Even a simple kick-to-bass ducking feature would massively improve mix clarity without requiring external plugins or workarounds.
What's Missing on the SP404 MK2
These five missing features would make the SP404 MK2 one of the most powerful samplers on the market. While some of these may not be possible due to hardware limitations, others (like per-pad filters and per-step automation) have already been implemented in other Roland products, making them realistic future updates.
What do you think? Are these must-have features, or is there something else you're waiting for? Let me know in the comments!
If you want to get the most out of your SP404 MK2, check out my SP404 Cheat Sheet, a quick-reference guide covering essential functions and advanced techniques. Get it here:
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