Bad Gear - Roland MC303 - Worst Groovebox Of All Time??? 

Thanks for staying strong!💪

To their defense: it can be quite tedious to use it to its full capabilities

I do hate the fact there are not at least 8 pads to work with, like my Electribe EM-1.

Just like me!

I have 2 of them

No one really does I fear 😂

edjwise yup

Really liked the arpeggios, as well

Oh yeah - the only productive aspect of this thing was using it as an arp for mono synths.

Yep. Highly unusual and interesting arpeggiator. And it works quite well as a sound module, too.

So it doesn't sound that good?

Total classic

Definitely time to go back to the 90's

303 was fun but near where near enough space, it would always gets errors part way thru making up an epic song for 5 hours then crash 💥

No, house music and trance actually sounded like this until the early 2000s. Tb303 bass and tr808/909 drums.

That's the best way to use it

Thank you, man! The documentary is on top of my playlist!

Greatest doc on RU-vid

Great documentaries on Roland and Arp! Should run on TV!

@@erikmccauley2088 It lulls me to sleep each night

As a fellow 90s teenager, an MC303 sounds soft and mellow compared to the true beast of its time, teh 1997 Rave-O-Lution 309.

Thank you, RU-vid II ;)

Midi timing is indeed a nightmare!

The only way to solve that problem was to only use as few sounds on the same beat as possible. Nice limitation that. Once I was messing with one at some noobs house, and made a nice simple 909 acid track, and then he went and tried to add layers and layers of nonsense, trying to turn it into a Crystal Method track or something. Breakbeats and stuff. It rapidly decayed into sounding like MIDI had given up trying to play so many notes.

@@t0x0n1x Yeah, it's worth noting that Crystal Method tend to perform live with more than one synthesizer. :) But you're right, it's fantastic as a drum machine with the occasional chromatic track or two. The "song mode" may as well have been left out, though.

@@stickyfox crystal method also performed without some of their gear even plugged in..

​@@t0x0n1x I didn't notice at the time, but at a Thrill Kill Kult show in the 90s a friend of mine told me that the drummer stopped mid-song to take a drink, and the drums kept going. :D

I really like the MC-303 sounds but the sequencer is totally counterintuitive to me. I really wanted to like it but I just can't wrap my head around it. Each time I understand one feature I forget another one I already knew how to use ;)

AudioPilz Really? Well, it took me some time but I really like it by now. There are things to look out for though. When you switch scales while recording in TR mode the sequencer always starts from the beginning, so you have to find the right place where you wanted to insert notes on this new scale which can throw you off. I've mostly used it for drums and basslines though, not so much for writing chords and melodic lines in step mode, I would rather use the realtime record mode for this. I'm using the MC-505 most of the time though. Their sequencers are much alike but not completely the same. It's a shame the MC-303 doesn't record knob movements for example. I made a bunch of videos on the MC-505, this one is about how to use the sequencer: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n-PsmQxuXH8.html

@@AudioPilz Interesting. I thought it was super-easy to use. I borrowed one from a friend a few months and made a bunch of songs with a 303 only.

I was reading your comments, really confused, thinking "But LousyFacelift has some epic MC-303 videos" but now I just realized it was the EMX ones lol :-P

Matheus Barros Hey man, thanks for watching my EMX vids! I had an MC-303 back in '97 and traded it for an MC-505 in 2000 but back then I simply didn't know how to use them properly. I was just messing around hoping for "happy accidents" which was kind of fun but not completely satisfying. I bought the EMX in 2009 and through its completely different concept I learned to focus on other aspects in sound design and writing sequences. I reached a point when dealing with the limitations in the EMX really helped me understand and appreciate so many things the MC boxes have to offer. So in a way the EMX taught me how to use the Roland MCs. I bought so many other grooveboxes since then, ESX-1, MC-909, RM1X, AN-200 and more. I still love my EMX but the MC-505 has become my go to machine, it's such a great box! I made a series of tutorials on the 505 like I have for the EMX, in case anyone is interested...😉

It really keeps the truck going;)

It's really hard to wrap one's head around it and most of the presets totally suck

@@AudioPilz you mean you did not like it there first it's universally hated? These were on plenty of hit songs in the 90s and 00s

@@lukealexanderrobertsthefir458 there are quite some real 303 lovers but according to my research I would consider it universally hated

@@AudioPilz The prodigy pioneered the 90s UK dance and acid House scene using these boxes. They feature on more early dance tracks than you can shake a stick at your overall take on the machine was already pre determined based on the reviews you saw online.

@@lukealexanderrobertsthefir458 I bought one when it came out, in fairness the sound and presets are pretty rubbish.

...with a rather steep learning curve;)

@@AudioPilz Somewhat.. but when u look at it like a building with function an shift buttons each adding to the actual button tasks, you soon discover that each button has at least 2 functions up to about 4 functions per button or button shift function combo... Yes its wierd, but as theres no lcd screen like the MC505 or the RM1x, you soon learn that its actually really intuitive once u get your head around HOW it works... ie function butotn with X key does this.. function AND shift with X key does that... Shift button with X key does the other... triple layer shift function key compbos... BUT all the info u need is actually on the KB itself... LFO shape, speed, arp type, style, pattern etc... It really is an underated unit... and those having issues with it, havent really come away from it with a lightbulb moment as you do with most gear... but as it doesnt work like most people expect it to, they think theres something wrong... its actually the other way round.. Before fruity loops and before ableton or Orion, this is the only choice u had when it came to working with instant drop in/out looping... until Yamaha and Quasimi jumped into the throng but by then, ROland had already started work on the 505... Most gear lets u get your head in... but u come away scratching it wondering wtf your doing.. but once u get a flow of this does this and that does that and this is the mojo of HOW to get to those sounds to sound this way and compensate the dying voices and stupid slow processor, it gets REALLY easy.. Honeslty, its still a better scratch pad than most gear ive ever used.. and ive used ALOT of gear in my 30yrs of doing this LOLLL Now, if u want a REALLY tough learning curve, hit up the Yamaha RM1x or even worse, the RS7000... its literally using different languages and names for even the most basic of functions... hahahaha

The arp is truly great

The 303 arp is great!

@@AudioPilz but 505 is better!

😍😍😍

Same, that was my first ever hardware instrument and I still have it (in the box though).

The arp is indeed great!

Always sounded so muffled to me I don't know what it wss

@@myfaveyoutube dunno might be that the filter was down

@@duncanjones7310 haha no I mean overall. Never found a punchy sound

Damn, never slept that good in my entire life...

Thank you so much!

Cool. Had some other conversation about static-x today concerning this one ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zZ0HTFiPeyc.html

Nice old school setup

Recently had a little chat with one of the JX-305 demo guys. Nice fellow!

The one you can see in the video hadn't been turned on for almost 20 years

U can replace the battery with the adapter connected so nothing will be erased. Tried it myself, even the on/off switch doesn't matter in this case.

They will, anyway...

I love playing with it. Has it's limitations but you can get creative with it.

Traded my korg dw6000 4 it. To save room. Loved it!

@@weplaywax said someone who never had one

MC303 PRESET POWER!!!

Total trance beast!

And fukin Jungle

So true! I agree!

Love it!

I feel you. It was the first ever real groovebox, nevertheless.

Yes... MC-303, Juno D, Jupiter 80... thanks a lot Roland!

Ah, an actual original owner like myself. That plastic filter over a terrible sample is something to behold.

@@__teles__ That sums up this machine perfectly!! It was my first piece of gear, then I picked up a novation drum station and was blown away by the sounds, still have both.

I had one & it was the most disappointing piece of music hardware I ever owned, I fell for the marketing showing a TB-303 / TR-909 alternative' which it definitely wasn't.

Absolutely! It was a proper starting point for many people

They messed up quite some stuff

Roland never really got how their early machines were misused to invent dance music! They fought it for ages, but even when they decided to cash in they did it like your grandad might trying to be cool. They never saw the value in their early analogue stuff, because they were obsessed with trying to emulate real instruments for “real” musicians. The dance “kids” still seem to annoy them, despite paying the bills and many of them pushing 50 or 60 yo now :D

I've got the whole collection of the MC series, with 2 909's, I've got the MC808 hooked into my SP808 just for fun. This is the second 303 I've had because the family would not be as big as it is if it weren't for this little gem. But really, to be honest the best one is the 307. Ive had mine for about 20 years. Bought it new for like 700.00 back in 2001

Unfortunately, there is no convenient solution. I woud go with the one-sound-at-a-time process

Damn, how do you tell which version you have?

​@@jimneegs3887 if you hold Shift+Scale+R(BD) at the same time, the revision number should appear on the display. 1.03 is the newest version which has most of the bugs fixed.

i'm shure you can find better firmware, oh ok jim just solved that, so i guess i'm out...

You can find firmware chips on ebay and install them yourself

I would have to apply a lot of plugin magic to get that boxy 90s sound out of a DAW;)

Sorry for that. Damn algos!!!

@@AudioPilz [autotune] I will survi-hi-hi-hi-ve

Yeah, really like the sound. Instant 90s flashback

Same here. I didn't know so many people hate it.

Quite a bunch of happy MC303 owners around here. Feel safe;)

In everlasting memory

Keep in mind that there is a whole generation of raver kids who got quite frustrated when they had to figure out the sequencer of the MC303. No pain, no gain, I suppose;)

@@AudioPilz yes - if "raver kids" had a problem with reading and understanding the manual - sorry - too many drugs. I had this back in 1997-8 and it was really piece of cake. And as @Jack and Jill Marly says - this was FIRST groovebox thing on the market. God knows if that actually opened the doors for new kind of instruments. Yamaha RM1x and so, Don't mention the Korg E series ... So the MC-303 was the Ford Model T Cheerio

It's not exactly a moog

Still cheap in my area, they must have sold a ton of them here

Great idea, thanks!!!

​@AudioPilz Please Florian 😢

👍👍👍

Just pushed play on this one. It's so MC303!

Classic!!!

Thanks, happy to hear that. The AN200 came up a few times

Good to know!

mc-505!

unrelated, Xiu Xiu makes their first two albums on a MC-307 as well

@@PolicemanPlanet Fuck yeah love Xiu Xiu. Looks like noisy bands sure make a lot of work out of these MC synths huh!

@@body-horrorragdolls1826 yeah! its a killer tool. i think i copped my 307 for 250 in near mint condition. go get you one!

It's in its DNA

Check out Alex Ball's great p*rn* music tutorials. He is the master of Roland instruments

Yeah, it's like 50 user patterns...

@@AudioPilz Have you actually been able to use more than a couple of patterns? Maybe it's just the battery in mine that needs replacement, but I run out of note memory within 2-3 patterns maximum, a moderately busy pattern can use it all up alone.

That's how it was for me; only a few patterns before the memory was used up. Ended up replacing it with an rm1x which had a floppy drive.

Nice!!!

You either love it or...

I have two and I love them!

That one is a different beast

Thank you!!!

Thanks for watching! Believe me, it doesn't work for every piece of gear. I tried ;)

@@AudioPilz Oh, OK. Hahahaha :)

40yo guy with nostalgia? Did you sell to me? ;)

I really like the drum sounds on that one

Never tried the more advanced MCs

@@AudioPilz I hope you get the chance, one day. The 808 is such a pleasure to use. I bought that and a Korg EMX-1 at the same time, both fun machines.

Most probably;)

Besten Dank!

@@AudioPilz seconded :)

No, the first one was about a compressor;)

Yeah, it's a fun machine

The animosity against it surprised even me

Thank you! Yeah, those ads are quite a productivity killer;)

Many MC-505 derivates on the channel. Great engine

@@AudioPilz Yeah I saw your video on the D-2 the other day. I never knew it had the same engine. Great channel, Bro! I'm enjoying it

Without a doubt! Still not the most pleasurable experience to use it

Legendary for numerous reasons...

@@AudioPilz and sadly way overpriced these days. I'd love to get my hands on one again but theres no way I'm gonna pay current asking prices

True that! Maybe at some garage sale...

The MC-505 is not overpriced in my opinion, even considering the prices have gone up a bit. Anything below €/$ 500,- is still an absolute steal bargain for what it can do. I wouldn't recommend it to beginners but when you've figured out how to use it it can become a true first choice desert island dream machine.

@@LousyFacelift The last time I bought a MC-505 I think I paid about $300 and that was with a brand new green LCD screen and the unit itself was mint. People these days are insane and ask way too much for a 505. No way I'd pay $500 for one. You have to really want that particular sort of 'dated' sound. The MC-303 in particular goes for insane asking prices these days. For years they were sitting at $150 used (or less)... and nowadays people are asking $250-300 for one in shitty condition lol. No thanks. There's so much awesome gear these days that I can't justify spending that much on a Groovebox.

Thank you !

You can boot it up in sound module mode but then you lose all the tweakability. Hard to adress the sounds then, as well.

AudioPilz yup, midi disaster

Totally. As a single standalone unit it's not too bad, but if you sit it in a MIDI chain it's useless, unless you're using it as your MIDI master device, which means ditching the BeatStep Pro. I know which sequencer I'd rather own :) If memory serves, there is a way to disable Omni On with a SysEx command, but it loses the setting whenever you power the machine off, so it's a tedious workaround.

Also, too many button presses to remember to get into the various levels of functions and it's so easy to forget where you're at without checking, so you mess up your sounds far too often before you realise.

@@TimJacksonOriginal It is not gonna be my main sequencer in the near future, that's for sure ;)

Same here

Yeah, you really have to tweak them

LOL Back in 2002, one of my tracks (hardcore/hardtrance before "hardtrance" with breakbeat drops were a thing) was done using an mc303 and a Roland/Boss SP202 phrase sampler (which didnt have or midi clock sync or stretch to clock), so you had to use the knob to adjust the pitch the match the BPM LOLLL... and it only had midi note on/off, so your samples could either trigger at a key press, or only play back when the note is held down ... Actually got to number 1 for a week or so on the old mp3 dot com charts hahahhaa ... I only noticed when it slipped to number 4.... I dno about badge of honour, but it was kinda funny to see coz at the time, those were the only pieces of kit i had connected to an ancient dj mixer with only a master eq without individual channel EQ... all the while entire studios were releasing muliple tracks per week and dominating the charts.. so there must have been something the MC303 did right.. somewhere.. somehow... I'll always vouch for it, even though some of the sounds make a blocked toilet sound like a symphony....hahahahaha

Thanks!

Damn, I would have sold my soul for an MC303 back then

@@AudioPilz me too, man. Me too. I'm glad I didn't. In 1999 I went to the music store I thought I was going to buy a mc303. Once there I was 50 bucks short on my budget. So I've bought the Roland D20. A couple of years ago I've got my hands on a mc303 for a while and man, what a horrible thing 😅.

❤︎Arale❤︎

Cool retro sounds!

Damn, you're so right! Totally forgot about that one! Mea culpa!

@@AudioPilz Good ammunition for a future video. Keep it coming! Look forward to see your channel growing. Some suggestions for gear that splits opinion: Electribe sampler 2 (had one, hated it), Drumbrute, Volcas (have a few, are ok), Medusa (have one, love it). Maybe a little pricey to acquire though.

Funny, I had ReBirth and wanted an MC303;)

You would have been a lovely couple ❤️

Nice! Do you have any links for cool bends?

@@AudioPilz ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-At4Us5YARJY.html&ab_channel=NickPierce that one shows some of the fun stuff that can be done. Poking at IC3 (a 44 pin sound rom) generates some glitchy fun that can still be sequenced, filtered, and effected normally

I have to admit that I might not have the cognitive skills to handle the MC303

Yeah, that one's a real battleship!

Classics!

Still got some really phat 90s sounds on it that are very usable

I had to use Ableton for this. Super tricky on the MC!!!

It's got quite a learning curve

That one is super powerful!!!

Yeah, that one was quite frustrating

Even people who have no idea of electronic music production know most of the patterns

I've heard mixed reviews on the MC-909. Bad Gear?

@@AudioPilz There were just certain things about it that I couldn't get into. Like the rubber keys instead of hard plastic. I never could get on with that. It just felt more like I should be hammering away at the thing rather than playing something. Also stupid things like the effects not chasing the patterns. What I mean by that, when you make a pattern and add effects like reverb or whatever and then let the pattern play and then queue up the next pattern in the piece, when it switches to that next pattern all the effects don't follow to that next pattern. All the reverb or whatever just shuts off. There should have been an option to turn that ability on or off. Perhaps there is and I was just too thick to notice it. The sampling feature is really nifty though. I had fun playing around with that. Also, it had many great patches in it but it was lacking in that department compared to 505 and 303. Those two had some really dark and twisted sounds in them and the 909 seemed more geared towards modern hip hop or pop sounds. It definitely had some cool electro sounds, obviously, but the 505 and 303 could sound downright sinister. 505 is the winner overall even though my screen crapped out. I wish all three units had the 909 screen. The 303 was just really obtuse screen-wise but you could do so much wild stuff with that machine. And that arpeggiator was crazy.

@@AudioPilz Yes please :D

Besten Dank!!!

Did run into this obstacle as well. EXTREMELY frustrating

@@AudioPilz still, it's an 8 track midi sequencer, which is always welcome

Let's cut it some slack, it was the first of its kind;)

@@AudioPilz When you finally figure out it's sweet spots, it's very rewarding. But my god is it frustrating until that point

Don't forget, it was the first real groovebox

😭 you didn't have to do Steve Buscemi like that

Thanks!

Thanks!

Hurry, prices are rising...

AudioPilz ha ! Not checked prices recently, In reality I probably won’t but I reckon these will sky rocket at some point. EDIT. - prices def gone up since i sold lol! Good on the MC-303 :)

Hoping for the ultimate revival of late 90s trash boxes too;)

I honestly bought it specifically for that vintage sound lol

@@IknowJones That's awesome! Hope you enjoy making tunes with it.

It certainly is

The legend!

Thanks!

There's only one school

Thanks! The learning curve of the rmx1 is notorious