Howdy all... new here. Just bought an SP-404 (second hand) and am going to be using for live performance with my TD-20 drumkit, and I have a question that I can't find the answer for here or elsewhere on the net
How do you (and can you) trigger PATTERNS via midi on the SP-404? I know I can trigger samples, but how can patterns be triggered? I hope it can be done! Otherwise, that would be a big pain in the arse!
Not sure about the 404, but this is from the 404SX manual:
Synchronizing the pattern tempo and playback start/stop with an external sequencer
With the factory settings, the SP-404SX (whose MIDI synchronization mode will be set to“#-.”) can be connected to your external MIDI sequencer, and the external MIDI sequencer can control the start/stop and tempo of the pattern playback.
Use a MIDI cable to connect your external MIDI sequencer’s MIDI OUT to the SP-404SX’s MIDI IN connector.
Press the [PATTERN SELECT] button so the button is lit. While holding down the [HOLD] pad, press the pad of the pattern you want to play. If you simply press the pad without pressing the [HOLD] pad, the pattern will begin playing immediately. When you stop your external MIDI sequencer, the pattern will stop playing. If the pattern playback does not start when you start your external MIDI sequencer, or if the tempo does not synchronize to your external MIDI sequencer, it is possible that your external MIDI sequencer is not transmitting MIDI clock or start/continue/stop messages. Refer to the owner’s manual of your external MIDI sequencer and check its settings.
Pattern select can't be done over midi. Korg Electribes use Program Change messages to select patterns but Roland have not done this here. So as the above answer, you can trigger pattern playback over midi but you can't select which pattern that is other than by the 404 pads.
Jim
Just when you think things couldn't get any more exciting - they don't.
I seem to remember that it is possible to trigger sequences over MIDI with the MPC500/1000. I've been trying to do the same, wondering if A/B/fill is sufficient with the SR-16/18. Note that there is also a "song" mode with these two. Also, check out the Uno mod for the FCB: it has "stompbox" mode which may be useful. Am thinking now that fills / single hits (via distinct samples) should be sufficient to add variations (though still thinking of the SR-18... what to do!). Definitely want to keep things as simple as possible.
Hey man, Maybe try recording all of your patterns onto your computer, then split them up and send them back to your SP via Wave Converter and assign midi triggers to what ever pad has the recorded patterns. Its a bit of work, but i think it should solve your problem, and you can just leave the loop function on whatever pad you choose. but you have to edit the slice to the T
Tried some New Styles with this beat tape. I dont wanna sound the same as others but take that little bit of influence.
Lemme Know if yall Dig - http://theboydevoye.bandcamp.com
The only trick is (like wax inspektor mentioned in another thread) is to use the song pointer information, so that you can jump within a single pattern to different song positions....but really: who will record everything in a whole pattern for that static uncomfortable use? It would be so easy to implement a CC which can change patterns, but roland developers has not implemented. Don't ask why
it's is how it is; a pain in the arse! 
