Love this!! I'm the owner of it's bigger brother (MC707) and it is pretty much a one-stop-shop! Paired with a few other bits (the TR-8s in particular) and it's unstoppable. :)
Roland really stepped it up when they added full Tone editing in the last update. Navigating synth parameters with the 4 control knobs is way more intuitive and less menu-divey than I thought possible. Crazy powerful for the form factor and price range. A keeper for sure.
Never understood why makers of grooveboxes opt for just a stereo out. This needs at least 4 separate outputs to process kicks, hats, bass and synth in a live setup.
The 1.80+ firmware update was a game changer for me, I had my eye on the MC-101 since it's release. When I found out the option to edit partials was introduced I bought one ( Jan 2023 ). No regrets, the MC-101 is now a deep, portable and diverse machine. You have to do some menu digging ( I really like menu diving ) and definately read the manual and learn how to use the matrix for enhanced sounds. I love it.
@@NathanChisholm041 I do like menu diving, while it does add a barrier, the trade off is it can also provide ideas and sounds that are unexpected. In fact once to know the system it can be relatively fast to get around the menus. It's the same with my Blofeld, it took a while to learn, but, it still surprises me. One has to be willing to learn and put the time in.
@@NathanChisholm041 I think the Blofeld is really good, it can sound harsh and will glitch out occasionally, with a bit time it can be tamed to make very wide pads. The encoders were a bit dodgy when I first bought it around 10 years ago, after a FW update they were stable, the encoders had a bug where it can be hard to pinpoint a specific number or sound as they used to jump around. Mine are fine now. Its greatest strength is Multi Mode. I have designed sounds with evolving wavetables - comprising of 3 patches ( it can combine up to 16 patches - which would almost certainly drop notes ) with 3 Oscillators in each patch. I have it just right so the voice stealing doesn't happen with long sustain. The effects are OK, if a bit clicky - especially the delay. I think the Blofeld still has a lot to offer for its price range and it is holds it's uniqueness in 2023/24.
Thinking of getting one I just bought the t8 and getting the S1 next week I use a tascam multi track as I'm a dawless guy I want a fully fledged groove box I was thinking of the MPC one but iv no experience with mpcs I'm using a p.o ko33 a Yamaha DJx the Roland t8 and the tascam dp008 ex multi track at this moment got another couple of random keyboards and few effects pedals and a mixer what I don't use so it would be nice to have some thing that does everything and iv I need to I can always run that into the tascam and edit it with other gear ...it's just learning the work flow I figured stuff out pretty fast tho it took a few hours to master all my gear so I'm pretty confident I can figure the mc101 out I just don't want to spend 500 quid on something that won't do what I'm wanting it for so trying to get as much info on it as possible...if anyone has any advice on how good it is or what it's no good at let me know ta
Only people who spend months with it know how deep it can go and how powerful it is. Don’t forget that it can sample from the USB. And the fact that you can have 16 clips per track with completely different sounds and sequences is crazy. Expand this on a drum track where you have 16 different samples with their own sequences per clip and you will get 256 different samples with different sequences PER CHANNEL/TRACK.
I like your video approach here; short and with nice on-screen annotations, great job! I use my MC-101 with a SP404MkII to broaden sampling capabilities, so yeah the MC has sampling limitations, but I think all grooveboxes do.. let each play to their strengths!
The MC101 is without doubt my most powerful groovebox. Not the most intuitive but certainly the most sonically capable. Lots of little tricks and workarounds possible with it too.
@@Turtles8179 I have the Circuit Tracks (sold my OG Circuit), Model Samples, and a Korg ES-1 (proper old school) I also have a yamaha SU200 but don't think that really counts as it's more of a sample looper one shot thing.
which is most intitutive for a total novice? i want to be able to loop basslines i make on a moog 25 that i can play on top of and record what im doing..maybe have a drum track as well going.
@@SureFeelsGood I would maybe take a look at the Circuit Rhythm. It's not a box I own but from what I have seen I think it would tick your requirement boxes.
Two biggest problems with 101/707 the RAM memory is VERY limited, if you load more than one looper, you're going to be sad, fast. The other is Zencore synth is a shite interface for these workstations. They should have their own VST or controller software, importing patches from the Zencore is a huge pain in the ass and Rolands cloud sucks.
Same here I gave up on the 707 after a few months and sold it on, sounds ok but not as good as the ACB stuff and as you mentioned menu diving was terrible and ruined the vibe.
Sounds and possibilities worth every penny (vast sample pack of Roland gear ~3000 sounds out of the box). The ergonomics let it down imho, in particular when used to regular synths with knobs and sliders or let alone workstations.
@@michelvondenhoff9673 Yeah, everyone seems to agree that the workflow sucks, yet the sounds from it are amazing. I wish you could have both...and sampling! 😊
Nice! I think this is one of the best sounding custom patches for the MC-101. The demo is cool and would like to see more MC-101 demos!
Love this!! I'm the owner of it's bigger brother (MC707) and it is pretty much a one-stop-shop! Paired with a few other bits (the TR-8s in particular) and it's unstoppable. :)
...and I must also say that you've got some STUNNING results from this! It seems I've barely scratched the surface!!
Roland really stepped it up when they added full Tone editing in the last update. Navigating synth parameters with the 4 control knobs is way more intuitive and less menu-divey than I thought possible. Crazy powerful for the form factor and price range. A keeper for sure.
And it all runs off just a USB cable!
Thank you !
The possibilities of MC101 are endless.
Nick has really stepped up his nail polish game.
Never understood why makers of grooveboxes opt for just a stereo out. This needs at least 4 separate outputs to process kicks, hats, bass and synth in a live setup.
You want, you pay, you get MC-707.
@@alicaramba7680 unfortunately that happens to be the situation.
The 1.80+ firmware update was a game changer for me, I had my eye on the MC-101 since it's release. When I found out the option to edit partials was introduced I bought one ( Jan 2023 ). No regrets, the MC-101 is now a deep, portable and diverse machine. You have to do some menu digging ( I really like menu diving ) and definately read the manual and learn how to use the matrix for enhanced sounds. I love it.
No one like menu diving mate why would you? It slows down the creative juices...
@@NathanChisholm041 I do like menu diving, while it does add a barrier, the trade off is it can also provide ideas and sounds that are unexpected. In fact once to know the system it can be relatively fast to get around the menus. It's the same with my Blofeld, it took a while to learn, but, it still surprises me. One has to be willing to learn and put the time in.
@@christopherfarrell-artist3557 How do you find the Waldorf? Ive been thinking about getting one even if there's some munu surfing.
@@NathanChisholm041 I think the Blofeld is really good, it can sound harsh and will glitch out occasionally, with a bit time it can be tamed to make very wide pads. The encoders were a bit dodgy when I first bought it around 10 years ago, after a FW update they were stable, the encoders had a bug where it can be hard to pinpoint a specific number or sound as they used to jump around. Mine are fine now. Its greatest strength is Multi Mode. I have designed sounds with evolving wavetables - comprising of 3 patches ( it can combine up to 16 patches - which would almost certainly drop notes ) with 3 Oscillators in each patch. I have it just right so the voice stealing doesn't happen with long sustain. The effects are OK, if a bit clicky - especially the delay. I think the Blofeld still has a lot to offer for its price range and it is holds it's uniqueness in 2023/24.
@@christopherfarrell-artist3557 Thanks for the reply mate...
Pretty Hate Machine vibes!
🖤
TERRIBLE LIE!
sounds good ! good video the mc101 i grabbed almost 2 years now this machine is pretty much a sick little workstation
This video sold me. Thanks!
Thinking of getting one I just bought the t8 and getting the S1 next week I use a tascam multi track as I'm a dawless guy I want a fully fledged groove box I was thinking of the MPC one but iv no experience with mpcs I'm using a p.o ko33 a Yamaha DJx the Roland t8 and the tascam dp008 ex multi track at this moment got another couple of random keyboards and few effects pedals and a mixer what I don't use so it would be nice to have some thing that does everything and iv I need to I can always run that into the tascam and edit it with other gear ...it's just learning the work flow I figured stuff out pretty fast tho it took a few hours to master all my gear so I'm pretty confident I can figure the mc101 out I just don't want to spend 500 quid on something that won't do what I'm wanting it for so trying to get as much info on it as possible...if anyone has any advice on how good it is or what it's no good at let me know ta
Only people who spend months with it know how deep it can go and how powerful it is. Don’t forget that it can sample from the USB. And the fact that you can have 16 clips per track with completely different sounds and sequences is crazy. Expand this on a drum track where you have 16 different samples with their own sequences per clip and you will get 256 different samples with different sequences PER CHANNEL/TRACK.
The small one can't sample unfortunately.
@@alecsbuga it can!!!! Through USB only though.
@@alecsbuga when I travel I take the MC-101 and the iPad. I can sample sound I make with my iPad synths.
@@psider3239 yeah. On the looper tracks only. I meant like sampling and chopping like the big one.
@@psider3239 or am I missing something... I had two but sold them
Greatly compelling 5 mins!
I like your video approach here; short and with nice on-screen annotations, great job! I use my MC-101 with a SP404MkII to broaden sampling capabilities, so yeah the MC has sampling limitations, but I think all grooveboxes do.. let each play to their strengths!
The MC101 is without doubt my most powerful groovebox. Not the most intuitive but certainly the most sonically capable. Lots of little tricks and workarounds possible with it too.
What are your other grooveboxes?
@@Turtles8179 I have the Circuit Tracks (sold my OG Circuit), Model Samples, and a Korg ES-1 (proper old school) I also have a yamaha SU200 but don't think that really counts as it's more of a sample looper one shot thing.
@@DocBolus cool thx
which is most intitutive for a total novice? i want to be able to loop basslines i make on a moog 25 that i can play on top of and record what im doing..maybe have a drum track as well going.
@@SureFeelsGood I would maybe take a look at the Circuit Rhythm. It's not a box I own but from what I have seen I think it would tick your requirement boxes.
Excellent. Thanks! 😃
its like you moved from 1980 to 2023 in one track, I like the middle. It showcases this machine pretty well I think.
Lovely stuff Paulee! I have had my eye on the 101, great to see it all explained.
Thanks, I had a lot of fun making sounds on this over the Xmas period 😊
great video, thanks!
I love the mc 101, my go to.
Groovy. Question: when you play a melodic instrument on the pads, how are the tones laid out? C, D, E and so forth or what scale?
For some reason the song at the start heavily reminds me of Terrible Lie by Nine Inch Nails lol.
Tried for a PHM-era vibe whilst using my own notes and chords 😊
The 101 is awesome. It's like they made a groove box just for me.
Two biggest problems with 101/707 the RAM memory is VERY limited, if you load more than one looper, you're going to be sad, fast. The other is Zencore synth is a shite interface for these workstations. They should have their own VST or controller software, importing patches from the Zencore is a huge pain in the ass and Rolands cloud sucks.
Maybe MCs gets Zenbeats integration one day like MV-1 👌❤️🙀
Great sounds 🤙🏼
Thanks, flexing my JV/XV engine muscles 😂
Nice
This was great!
Thanks!
It is great, dear Paulee!
i thought to the Closer final on the first track you made... Thanks
Vocals sound great!
Are these created in the Zencore app or on MC-101 itself?
On the 101 itself 😊
Must be Paulee? Oh yeah it is 😀😊
I hated the menu diving with my 707, just too much to really over look.
Coming from a JD-XI I'm amazed at how straightforward and quick to navigate the menus are 🤣
Roland truly has broken me...
Same here I gave up on the 707 after a few months and sold it on, sounds ok but not as good as the ACB stuff and as you mentioned menu diving was terrible and ruined the vibe.
@@randomaztec2208 What's "ACB"?
@@bigolbabyhuey ACB 🥂
ua-cam.com/video/cy428RHu1mw/v-deo.html
@@bigolbabyhuey Analog Circuit Behaviour modelling
Its a great box.. a bit menu dive-y but worth the money.
Nice new nails Nic 🤓
Nice nails, Nick.
I miss a fantom-0 soniclab 🙃
Cool nails Nick.
Nick got nice hands 🤔
I little on the expensive side though no?
Sounds and possibilities worth every penny (vast sample pack of Roland gear ~3000 sounds out of the box).
The ergonomics let it down imho, in particular when used to regular synths with knobs and sliders or let alone workstations.
@@michelvondenhoff9673 Yeah, everyone seems to agree that the workflow sucks, yet the sounds from it are amazing. I wish you could have both...and sampling! 😊
For what this box can do it's superb value, IMO. There's nothing in the price range that even comes close to what it can do.
Not really no.
Terrible Lie!
Is a toy.