The Roland SP-404 mkII lets you hear (audition) samples stored on your SD card before committing them to a pad.
You can preview audio files directly inside the IMPORT menu by scrolling through files using the [VALUE] knob or re-triggering playback manually with the [SUB PAD] button. This lets you confirm a sound before importing it and avoids assigning unwanted samples to your pads.
Practical Steps to Audition Samples from SD Card
- Hold [SHIFT] and press Pad 14 (IMPORT/EXPORT) to enter the file management menu.
- Use the [VALUE] knob to select “IMPORT from SD-CARD”, then select “SAMPLE”.
- Navigate through your folders to locate the audio file you want to hear.
- Highlight any file using the [VALUE] knob — the SP-404 mkII will automatically preview the sample as you scroll.
- To manually re-trigger playback of the previewed sample, press [SUB PAD] while the file is highlighted.
- When you’re ready to import the sound, choose a blinking yellow destination pad and press the [VALUE] knob to execute the import.
Why Sample Preview Volume Can Differ from Internal Imports
The SP-404 mkII firmware uses a dedicated audition buffer to preview sounds directly from the SD card without importing them into the internal 16 GB storage first. This allows the device to read 16-bit linear audio files, including WAV, AIFF, or MP3, instantly as you scroll in the IMPORT menu.
Common Sample Preview Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing the Import folder: For best performance, place your samples in the designated IMPORT folder on the SD card.
- Skipping formatting: New SD cards must be formatted on the SP-404 mkII itself for proper preview recognition.
- Menu confusion: The EXPORT menu cannot audition SD card samples — it only moves internal sounds to the card.
- Depth issues: Avoid storing files in excessively deep sub-folders, which can slow down scrolling and preview navigation.
Quick Summary
Open [SHIFT] + Pad 14, navigate to IMPORT from SD-CARD → SAMPLE, scroll with the [VALUE] knob for automatic preview, tap [SUB PAD] to replay the previewed sample, then import only the sounds you want.