Freakier Firmware

Side-Piece v0.1.0 · Free · Open beta

Patcher

Turn your copy of Roland's system update 5.52 into Side-Piece v0.1.0 (what's in it), unofficial firmware for the Roland SP-404MKII. The new file is built right here, in your browser, from your copy. Five steps, about ten minutes.

Don't update your SP-404MKII's firmware until the compatibility table says ✅. A new official version can arrive before we've ported to it. Keep your own copy of the official firmware file you're running now.

  1. 1

    Back up

    Nothing changes yet
    1. Put an SD card in the SP, press SHIFT + pad 13 (UTILITY), choose BACKUP/RESTORE, then BACKUP. Wait until it finishes.
    2. Copy the whole card to your computer, so the backup lives in two places.
  2. 2

    Roland's update

    sp404mk2_sys_v552.zip
    or SP404MKII_APP1.bin

    Download the SP-404MKII system update 5.52 from Roland's support site, then give it to the patcher. The ZIP is fine as it comes. We don't host or link Roland's files.

  3. 3

    Build

    • FX screen on SHIFT + PATTERN EDIT
    • FX stacks: four slots on every bus
    • Stacks on a pad, latched or held
    • Four LFOs with pressure and chaos shapes
    • EQ per bus with pick-up knobs
    • Euclidean lanes over your patterns
    • Frequency chop into four bands
    • Smoother time-stretch, tempo and pitch override
    • Ducker and tempo pump
    • Main-screen views: info, pads, meters, scope, LFOs, PSY1
    • CPU guard instead of dropouts
    • Own opening images from the SD card
    Your buildSide-Piece v0.1.0

    The file you build contains Roland's firmware. Keep it on your computer; don't share it, post it or send it to anyone. Side-Piece is free. If it earns a place on your SP, you can buy us a coffee.

  4. 4

    Install

    About 90 seconds on the SP
    1. Use the SD card from your SP (if it's a new card: format it as FAT32).
    2. Copy your SP404MKII_APP1.bin into the card's top folder, not into a folder. Your project folders can stay; it should be the only loose file there. The name must be exact: SP404MKII_APP1.bin (rename a SP404MKII_APP1 (1).bin).
    3. With the SP switched off, put the card in, hold SHIFT and switch it on.
    4. The update screen appears. Press VALUE and wait for UPDATE COMPLETE! Don't switch off before that.
    5. Switch off. You can leave the file on the card: the SP only updates when you hold SHIFT at power-on.
    SD CARD · FAT32 · TOP FOLDEREXPORT/ SIDEPIECE/ …FOLDERS CAN STAYSP404MKII_APP1.bin✓THE ONLY LOOSE FILESP404MKII_APP0.bin✕NEVER: SOUND CHIP FILE
    After VALUE, about 90 s
  5. 5

    Check

    Then play

    Press SHIFT + pad 13 (UTILITY), choose SYSTEM and turn CTRL 3 to the VERSION tab. It reads SiPi v0.1.0, the unit's own name for Side-Piece v0.1.0.

    SYSTEM, VERSION tab

    Side-Piece's own settings (FX screen, ducker, LFOs) start fresh every time you switch on. Resample what you want to keep. Screens are drawn to show what to look for; your SP's layout may differ.

Going back

Any time, same steps

Roland's own file goes on the card the same way, and the SP is stock again.

  1. Take SP404MKII_APP1.bin out of Roland's update ZIP.
  2. Copy it into the card's top folder in place of the Side-Piece one.
  3. SP off, card in, hold SHIFT, switch on, press VALUE, wait for UPDATE COMPLETE!, switch off.
  4. The VERSION tab reads Version: 5.52 again. Restore your backup if you need it (BACKUP/RESTORE, RESTORE).

Side-Piece leaves the SP's start-up and update code exactly as Roland made it (the patcher refuses to build a file that changes them), so this way back stays the same as on a stock unit. The full steps are in the recovery guide.

Never

  • Never put SP404MKII_APP0.bin on the card. It reflashes the sound chip, and nobody knows a way back if that goes wrong. Roland's ZIP contains it: copy only SP404MKII_APP1.bin.
  • Update only from the screen you reach by holding SHIFT at power-on, with SP404MKII_APP1.bin as the only loose file in the card's top folder.
  • Never switch off during an update.
If something goes wrong
  • The SP starts but acts strangely: go back to Roland's firmware (above), then restore your backup.
  • The update screen does not appear: check the card is FAT32, the file is named exactly SP404MKII_APP1.bin, it sits in the top folder (not inside a folder), and you hold SHIFT before switching on.
  • Still stuck: email [email protected] with the build you flashed, what the screen shows and the steps you tried.

Built for the Roland SP-404MKII system 5.52 only. Side-Piece is unofficial firmware, not made or endorsed by Roland, and you install it at your own risk; see the terms. We have walked every step above on our own unit, but cannot promise every failure can be undone. The changes are fetched from our server as small lists of bytes, never as firmware.