Release Notes

Softpop SP2 Summer 2025 V1.3 Update

Number 3 blinks at startup.

New Features

Easier Sync with Desktop Gear

Once the analog clock starts, the sequencer will start from step 1 if there has been no clock for longer than 1 second on the sync input.

TRIG/GATE Recording

Hold REC and press TRIG to record gate events to the gate steps.

Diagram showing controls for recording step gates. Features circular knobs labeled 'SCALE', 'PATTERN', 'SLIDE', and 'BANK'. Buttons are labeled 'HOLD' (two instances), 'RECORD', 'PRESS', and 'TRIG'. A '+' symbol indicates a combination of controls. This diagram illustrates how to record gate events by holding REC and pressing TRIG.

Note: Recording of pitch needs to be initiated by moving the pitch fader; it does not start automatically once holding REC.

Direct Step Editing

This new method of editing steps works both when the sequencer is playing and when it is not, replacing the old offline edit method. Pressing REC when the sequencer is stopped no longer enters this mode.

Hold the step gate and press UP/DOWN to edit the step pitch. The step value will adjust to the nearest available pitch in the current scale.

When the sequencer is stopped, the pitch will be previewed, and the envelope will not be triggered.

Diagram illustrating direct step pitch editing. It shows a sequence of 8 numbered gate steps (1-8) with a 'HOLD' button. It is connected via a '+' symbol to a control panel featuring 'PLAY' and 'TEMPO' knobs and 'PRESS' and 'TRIG' buttons. This illustrates the process of editing step pitch using UP/DOWN controls.

Hold the step gate and move the pitch fader to edit the pitch of that step. While editing, the step light and fader light will blink. This method also works for editing multiple steps simultaneously.

Preview and Edit Step Pitch

*Works for multiple steps

Hold a step and press TEMPO to preview its pitch. This action also triggers the envelope. The pitch preview overrides the sequence playback while the step gate button is held, aiding in dialing in the correct note.

Diagram illustrating previewing step pitch. It shows 8 numbered gate steps with 'HOLD', and connected via '+' to 'PLAY', 'TEMPO', 'PRESS', and 'TRIG' controls. This visual demonstrates how to preview a step's pitch.

Note: When editing gates, changes are applied only upon button release, provided no other interaction occurs.

Improvements

• Debounced SYNC IN: improved performance with less clean clocks.
• Better stability of SYNC IN (SP2 no longer skips ahead).
• Improved handling of SYNC IN when restarting clock.
• Increased MIDI readout speed for more responsive and tighter performance.
• Forced MIDI thru to TX pin (relevant for advanced users).
• RESET input behavior with SYNC IN is now more stable and does not jump to step 2.
• RESET input no longer produces double triggers.
• RESET input behavior improved across all clock sources.
• Better sticky filtering of TRANSPOSE input to prevent semitone jumps.
• Better sticky filtering of PITCH and PITCH MOD faders, and the PITCH MOD input, to prevent semitone jumps.
• Triggered Pitch mode is now autosaved (PATTERN+MIDI).
• When using the FINE-TUNE fader for waveshape, the fine-tune value (SLIDE + FINE TUNE) is saved in memory upon hitting SAVE.

Bug Fixes

• Corrected an issue where the first step of a scale chain could be corrupted when defining the SCALE chain while the PATTERN chain was active.
• Factory reset now correctly erases gate patterns.
• Fixed an error in Transpose input semitone detection for certain semitones.
• Resolved an issue where using MIDI to trigger the envelope sometimes skipped notes.

Update the Firmware

The Softpop's firmware can be updated by playing a WAV file into its RESET jack. To enter bootloader mode, hold the MIDI button at power up. Connect a cable from the RESET input to your computer/phone audio output and play the downloaded WAV file at maximum volume. Lights will animate the progress and all will light up upon completion. Power off and then on after all lights are lit. The firmware version is indicated at startup by a corresponding number of blinks.

Calibrating the TRANSPOSE Input

It is recommended to re-calibrate the TRANSPOSE input after updating the firmware. Patch the CV output to the TRANSPOSE input and hold SLIDE+SCALE while powering up the unit. Wait until the GATE lights turn off, then unpatch the cable and power cycle the unit. For accurate calibration, use a high-quality power source, such as a good quality wall charger or USB power bank.

Firmware Upload Troubleshooting

If the SP2 does not boot to normal operation, re-enter bootloader mode and check the following:

• Ensure the jumper on the circuit board is set to the correct position (bridging the middle and right pins for DIGITAL). The jumper is small and can easily be misaligned.
• Powering via USB and playing audio from the same computer can sometimes cause issues due to potential noise from the power supply or USB hubs, which can disrupt the firmware update. Changing the power source may resolve repeated failures. Using a good-quality wall charger or USB power bank is recommended.
• When updating via audio from a phone/computer, the GATE LEDs should run smoothly. If they do not move, the audio volume is too low or too high.
• If the audio output level is too low for the RESET jack, connect the phone/laptop audio output to the SP2's INPUT. Set the INPUT slider to the middle, patch AMP to RESET, and play the WAV file again.
• Ensure the phone or computer makes no sound (e.g., notifications/alerts) during the firmware upload, as this can cause failure. Turning on airplane mode before starting is recommended.
• If updating via the RESET connector directly from a phone/computer fails, try the following method:

1. Connect your phone/notebook audio output to the AUDIO INPUT on the SP2.
2. Patch AMP to FILTER IN.
3. Patch OUTPUT to RESET.
4. Set the Filter Mode switch to LP (low-pass).
5. Set the RESONANCE fader to the minimum (all the way to the left).
6. Set the POP fader to SOFT (all the way to the left).
7. Set the CUTOFF fader to the maximum (all the way up).
8. Set the CUTOFF MOD fader to the minimum (all the way down).
9. Set the Input and Output faders to the maximum (all the way up).
10. Play the FW upgrade audio.
11. Re-calibrate the TRANSPOSE input after the update.