In UTILITY → SYSTEM → MIDI, select the intended MIDI Mode before checking notes. Mode A assigns banks A–J to channels 1–10; Mode B splits banks A–E and F–J across channels 1 and 2. Then use Roland’s MIDI note map for pad notes.
Do this first
- Hold SHIFT and press pad 13, select SYSTEM, then open the MIDI tab.
- Choose the MIDI Mode that matches the controller or sequencer layout.
- Send notes on the bank channel used by that mode.
- Use the SP-404MKII Reference Manual MIDI note map for the exact target pad note.
Diagnose it
Is the sending channel assigned to the target bank by the selected MIDI Mode?
Yes: Check the note against Roland’s MIDI note map and confirm MIDI IN cable direction.
No: Change mode or send on the channel assigned to that bank.
Are you assuming one universal fixed pad map?
Yes: Use the selected mode and the current Roland note map instead.
No: Check the controller actually transmits the intended note.
Expected result
The SP-404MKII plays the sample assigned to the pad corresponding to the incoming MIDI channel and note.
Why this works
Roland states that external MIDI pad triggering depends on MIDI Mode and directs users to the Reference Manual note map for note assignments.
Still stuck?
Recheck the physical MIDI direction and the exact source device setting. If this behavior differs on your hardware, keep the model/revision and setup details for a correction report.
All SP-404MKII fixesSources & review
Last desk review: . Documentation does not replace a physical hardware test.
Sections reviewed: Roland support: play samples from an external MIDI device.