ARCHITECT editors

What it is

ARCHITECT is a common editor shell for Performance Percussion device editors, starting with the Roland SPD-SX and SPD-SX PRO. It's the step after making sounds on the device itself: back up your device's programs, edit them, write them back, and verify the round trip — all from one app instead of the manufacturer's own tool.

Requirements

• macOS, with an iPadOS (iPhone/iPad) companion port available for on-the-go editing
• A supported Roland device (SPD-SX or SPD-SX PRO) connected via USB for backup/read/write operations
• On iPad/iPhone, direct in-place writes to the device depend on iOS file-access permissions; an export-to-Files fallback is provided where direct write isn't possible

Install & first run

1. Download ARCHITECT from the Mac App Store (or the App Store on iPad/iPhone).
2. Open the app and choose your device from the category tabs (SPD-SX / SPD-SX PRO).
3. Connect your device via USB.
4. Read/back up the current program from the device before making changes.
5. Edit parameters, then write back to the device and verify the change.

Common questions

Which devices are supported?

The Roland SPD-SX and SPD-SX PRO are the primary supported devices. A TrapKAT kit editor module and a sample loader module are also included.

Can I use ARCHITECT on iPad?

An iPad/iPhone port exists with the same editing workflow. If your device or iOS version blocks direct in-place writes, ARCHITECT falls back to exporting the edited file to the Files app for manual transfer.

Does ARCHITECT replace the OEM editor?

No — use the manufacturer's editor to create tones/sounds; use ARCHITECT to organize and run your show (backup, program, read back, verify) across your device's memory.

Troubleshooting

A parameter's label or option doesn't seem to match what's on the device screen. A small number of enum-style parameters (e.g., Layer Type, Dynamics Curve) have historically had unverified label ordering for the SPD-SX PRO specifically. If you spot a mismatch between what ARCHITECT shows and what your device screen shows, please report the exact parameter and device model.

Writing to an iPad/iPhone-connected device doesn't seem to take. Try the export-to-Files fallback: export the edited file from ARCHITECT, then transfer it to the device using the device's own import method.

Changes made on the device aren't reflected in ARCHITECT. Re-read/back up from the device after making changes on the hardware directly — ARCHITECT works from its own loaded copy until you read again.

The installed app seems out of date. Check for updates in the Mac App Store (or App Store on iPad/iPhone) and install the latest version from there.

Known limitations

• Sample upload/download and some system-parameter banks are not yet part of ARCHITECT's editing surface (a separate sample loader module exists for kit sample import).
• A small set of SPD-SX PRO enum labels (e.g., Layer Type, Dynamics Curve ordering) has had limited on-device verification; report any mismatch you find.
• On iPad/iPhone, in-place writing directly to a physical device has had limited real-hardware verification; the export-to-Files fallback is the safer path if you're unsure.
• The TrapKAT kit editor's underlying data format is not yet fully verified against real hardware.

Still stuck?

Email [email protected] with "ARCHITECT" and your app version.