Roland MC-8 MicroComposer Unboxing & Demo

I just bought this old beast on eBay. Since it came complete in the original box in essentially unused condition, I thought I'd make an unboxing video. After spending an hour or so getting familiar with its arcane operating system, I made a quick programming demo. A couple revisions to points made in the video:

1) you don't need to hit "time base" just before "tempo." you just need to make sure you set the time base just before the tempo, otherwise the MC-8 thinks you want to start programming dynamic tempo changes.

2) you don't need to hit "meas end" after entering step time and gate time data.

A bit of extra info since I didn't explain it clearly in the video: the time base is basically the resolution of a quarter note. Most sequencers either have this set in stone, or you can choose between 2 or 3 different resolutions (ie 24, 48, etc). On the MC-8, you have to program this number, which can be anything from 4 to 255. You then use this number as a reference for determining the step/gate times for all the other note durations (ie at time base 32, an 1/8th note is 16, a 16/th note is 8, etc).

Visit my MC-8 blog here: http://rolandmc8.wordpress.com/

Category:

Music

Tags:

• 70s
• analog
• synth
• synthesizer
• sequencer
• vintage
• computer

[MsBarbablu]

its like matrix pattern sequencer of propellerhead

[peahix]

@MsBarbablu actually it's not- the MC-8 is a song-mode sequencer, not a pattern or step sequencer. you work out complete songs with it, not short patterns/loops. that's what made it different from most of the other sequencers available at the time.

[sleestack808]

couldn't you make a short song and loop it?

[peahix]

@sleestack808 yes, you could, but that's not its strong suit, as you'd only have one pattern to work with (and no facility for realtime manipulation other than tempo), and also when it loops around to the beginning, there's an audible glitch in the timing so it's doesn't play totally seamless loops. analog step sequencers are vastly superior for pattern/loop based work.

[sleestack808]

Its no small miracle you could actually understand how that thing works let alone sequencer several instruments into a song. AMAZING. I am impressed with you. You read instructions very effectivley

[peahix]

@sleestack808 thanks, though actually it's not nearly as complicated as it seems... once you get the basic input procedure, entering data is fairly straightforward, though a little tedious!

[zwerty007]

How much did this cost?

[synthead]

Great video! Been looking to get a Roland MicroComposer for my studio sometime soon. I feel like you can't really push the limit of modern DAWs since there really are none, which makes writing music a lot less fun. I have a combination of MIDI and CV/gate synths in my studio (including a Pro-One too!), so I'll probably end up going with a MC-500 and keep using my PAiA MIDI-CV adapter I soldered together. Thanks for the awesome video!

[Raunchola]

@bungie091 i bet he said that... looks ultra-complicated.

[bungie091]

@Raunchola: They owned one, but they didn't use it on any recordings. Well at least acording to Karl Bartos who said it was a piece of crap. Seems pretty cool to me, though!

[Raunchola]

Yeah! Cool video.

Kraftwerk used one of these back in the 80s

[v8metal]

i love the sound of keys !!!!!!!!

[subclonk]

I must also add that meant that I can control my analogue synths with my mpc2500 through a Kenton Pro 4... but using the MC4 is better for me.

[subclonk]

I have an MC-4b. The cycle on that is fine with no pauses. I have the CV out going into my CSQ-100 first, then into my synth, so I can use portamento :)

I have an mpc2500 but I find I get better music from my analogue synths by programming them with the MC-4. Must be the precise hands-on nature by which you have to program each step and gate length along with your cv values. I suppose it inspires me more or something :P