SP-404 Fat Pads

Well, it's been a while since I last posted. Summer 'holiday' so got a chance to order/upgrade the pads on my Roland SP-404.

MPCStuff have done a great job with these, they are not as 'clicky' as the original pads, they feel smooth and more responsive. But do note, they are not silent due to the 404 pad/board design and mechanism that forms the contact to play the sound, but they are certainly an improvement over stock pads. Replaced the FX buttons also but really just cosmetic.

Ok, bunch of pics...

...before...

...off with the face plate...

...take off the back panel...

...move the power/RCA/MIDI board out the way...

...get to the main board...

...these are the stock pads, swap them out...

...unit mostly back together for quick test...

...face plate back on, done.

MPC 1000 right hand side PCB replacement

The dial on my MPC 1000 is a bit scatty and some of the buttons need to be pushed at special angles. You can work with it but it gets in the way of your workflow. I decided to replace the entire board and take advantage of the improved data wheel that comes with the mpcstuff version of the board.

Stuff to buy

• MPC 1000 right side PCB from mpc stuff here

Stuff to do

• Take off the front and top panels of your mpc as seen here, no need to remove the side panels for this upgrade.
• Methodically and carefully remove the plastic buttons
• Unscrew and disconnect the board, take your time with the connections. If you are unsure take pictures as you go to remember what went where. The blue ribbon cable needs care also, using a small screw driver was I able to open the connection to remove the cable (when re-assembling I had to push the cable in a little firmly before closing the connection back up carefully/slowly with pliers).
• Connect and screw in the new board. Suggest you test before putting the plastic buttons and panels back on.
• When using JJOS you may need to change your data wheel type in the settings
• Once happy put the panels back on.

Pics

MPC 1000 Pad Upgrade

My MPC 1000 is the original blue/red version, and the pads are the old version where every pad is individual, prone to issues, and not super responsive. I decided to upgrade to the fat pad set from mpcstuff.com - here's how it went.

Stuff to buy

• Because I had the individual pads I needed the full upgrade kit, so not just replacement pads but the sensors also. I went with this kit from mpcstuff which comes fully assembled.

Stuff to do

• Take off the front panel and top panel of your MPC as seen in this video. You do not need to remove the sides for this particular upgrade.
• Unscrew and disconnect the old pads/sensors, be careful with the connectors and take your time with the connections. I found using a small screw driver to slowly ease the connectors off worked. Some of the cabling is tight, again take your time.
• Connect and screw in the upgrade kit. I had difficulty with the length of one of the cables, but I managed to squeeze it in somehow. It will work when you get the angles right.
• Before putting the panels back on, test the unit, best to find out if you haven't wired it up properly now rather then when it is all back together.
• Note: you may need to update your Akai OS/JJOS so the software works with this latest kit
• If you're happy put the panels back on.

Pics