Bought one 3 months ago and have already used it for live gigs. Only the 707 and a Bass Station2 plus a guitar so very minimalist. Some tracks are just the 707. Amazing machine. I got it in large part due to your videos. I wanted one from the first announcement from Roland but Covid wiped out my finances so had to wait. Then you started posting about it and showcasing all the different types of music that is possible with it. I don't use many preset sounds, mainly my own programmed ones and I haven't subscribed to the cloud, all editing has been done on the machine. It's enabled me to perform tunes live that I haven't been able to do without a shed load of gear since the 90s. Yes it has some frustrating shortcomings, especially the load times while on stage but the pros outnumber the cons. It's even got me back into sampling.. So what I'm trying to say is thanks for all the videos and information.
Its actually not true that the Zen Engine is subscription model only. You CAN buy a perpetual licence as well. They've certainly made it a confusing process though. The price is also way too high, somewhere around 500 bucks.
I love my MC707. I use it nowadays mostly as a sound module, because the presets alone are fantastic and often areas I'm missing in my mostly analog setup. That said, I really dig that this device also gives me flexibility to condense things down an build a live rig with it.
Just got one for 600 in Excellent condition and it's built just like like the TR-8S and the faders feel amazing. 707 is the best GrooveBox hands down. You can use it as a Drum machine, a Synth or a sampler or all 3 together.
My #1 upgrade wish: Imagine the power in live situations if there were 16 assignable sys-ctrls instead of 4. Simply using the KNOB ASSIGN, one could quickly switch between 16 customizable routings for each of the three knobs on the fly for each track! Two major annoyances for me with the mc are: 1) sequencer editing is rather simplistic in the macro level and navigation. especially for those using large step counts at slower bpm. You cant even do a copy/paste measure (???) - only the whole clip. Having to use first and last measure function to get to measure quickly is not the most utilitarian solution. 2) Lack of matrix control is rather huge fault. First, there are only 4 sys-ctrl choices. Routing individual knobs to separate oscillator volumes shouldn't be such a pain. The sys-ctrls 1 & 2 are also hardwired for mod wheel and aftertouch msgs but no parameters to shut that down - which means if you use 1 or 2 for anything else, they will be also controlled by wheel and aftertouch messages.
Been trying to get my head around this thing. Menu diving has been a major issue for me but I frankly haven’t had the time to invest. Appreciate the perspective. I can see myself diving down this rabbit hole. Just gotta find the time.
Thanks for the vids Todd, they're much appreciated. As an old guitarist who's taken to synthesis like a drummer to drink, I too am loving what behringer is doing. I have a few of their clone synths, & a bunch of their rack mount signal processing gear. All problem free. BTW I have 2 Wasps coupled using a Beh MX882 as a very convenient patchbay. May not be to an American's taste, but I absolutely love it. Roland, not so much, but it really is a love hate relationship. I'm thinking they have a great R&D dept. undermined by accountants & lawyers, & quite frankly I'm done buying their gear. Never a fan of their tone sucking buffers, my BOSS LS2 is unusable. Ditto the "upgrade" to their very expensive Boss Waza tuner, the black TU3w which I bought because I could select buffered or true bypass mode, both as well as on/off suck tone, so I had to side line it. I have 2 Boss (TAEs) Tube Amp Expander, they cost apx 2&1/2 grand each here in Australia, technically a wonderful device but, the pots aren't dust sealed. Would it have cost $10 more for sealed units & no crackles? I have an RC500 Looper, again wonderful device but, the bases are pressed without structural ribbing. therefore they're warped, corner to corner & won't sit flat on a desktop. "Clack, clack". Common to all of their enclosures of that type, delays, reverbs, etc. I had to go to the home hardware & but the big bobble stick on rubber feet, then place it on a sheet of sandpaper to wear it to where it does sit flat. Mind you now I can pass cables under it, but at $aud500, you'd think such a small detail to get right. As always etc, & peace.
you don't need a subsription plan to join cloud. You just create account, subscription is optional. Or do you need basic plan (core) for zen core ediror if so thats only 2.99 a month init?
i also have MC-707 love it, those 8 tracks are very flexible, currently is my main gear, i made many covers to explore sounds and also compose own songs with it. I think can do a lot more, hope Roland keeps giving more upgrades and addons. Cheers.
MC-101 is cheaper and portable but gives a harder access to the engine because of screen and menu system. Still a killer option, even better if you can find a used of one a decent price.
I don’t think they will do that because it has access to the full ZEN-Core engine. I myself love editing in box of 707 and have no need for a software editor
