Roland MC-500 | Pt.2 - Features and Setup

[@timowaag]

Thanks! Great video! I’ve just pulled the trigger in a MC-500 and am now extra exited about integrating it in my studio and production process.

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers!

[@rolfedrengen]

My old guy used this for all of his stuff (he did prefer the mkII though) and often says that this machine have the most stable timing of all the machines he ever used in the 90's. I remember seeing him operate it like it was an extension of his body. Pressing the keys and using the wheel without even looking or delaying any movement. I guess this thing was very well thought out! I also remember that he used some kind of software on the machine itself that could compress arrangements so he could fit a greater number them on a single disc. I mean, it's very clever to create a machine that could be modified through software!

[@SvenFx-22]

This was my first hardware sequencer bought in 86. I loved it. Looking to buy a used just for nostalgia

[@Wazoox]

The MC500 MkII was also my band's workhorse for live performance. It has a metronome output and a start/stop pedal input, and with the special chain song playback ability that allowed the drummer to start the sequence for each song with a footswitch, and have the metronome in his headphones. It drove some synth sequences and our Yamaha Promix 01, switching effects and mixer settings.

[@joonglegamer9898]

I like these manual Composers, I do have Steinberg Cubase, but I don't like to have a huge buzzy pc running for everything I do, these Rolands are just plug and play love it. Espen, you made me realize that the Roland MC-50 I got from a musical boss I had some years ago, is actually worth its weight in gold, it has the OS built right in, no disk needed. Now I have to dust it off and start using it again. Thx for the inspiration.

[@nullnullson7200]

I bought one of these about three years ago and never knew how to use it. Following your instructions I loaded up the system and then what I REALLY wanted to know I finally got to find out: What was on the disk labelled "Covers" in confident black magic marker. Well I was able to load up the Covers! I ran this into my Roland sh-01a and got to listen to the hard work someone put in probably years and years ago. YYZ, Black Magic Woman, Thunder Road, Johnny B Good, Night Train, Rosalita and more. Thanks EK for showing how to use this piece of old kit, it completely made my evening!

[@EspenKraft]

Excellent! Cheers :D

[@blakmartianheretic3318]

@@EspenKraft One Question. How do I plug this into my Portastudio?

[@EspenKraft]

@@blakmartianheretic3318 I don't understand what you mean?

[@blakmartianheretic3318]

@@EspenKraft How do you plug this thing into a multitrack recorder?

[@rickjames2043]

Thank you very much Mr. Kraft. After watching part 1&2 about those old Roland's midi's made a light come on in my brain!!!!!!!

[@EspenKraft]

Many thanks! :D

[@drepalla]

Great review Espen, I have recently acquired the MK-II and your video is very inspiring, thank you!

[@EspenKraft]

Happy you liked it! :D Cheers

[@nowavecharles]

I love how you say BPMs. I mean you're not wrong. It's wacky, and that's why we love you Espen. The premier 80s channel. Stay safe!

[@EspenKraft]

Many thanks! :)

[@timka880057]

I have Super MRC and MC 500 mk 2. I've used it for many years. No crashing no problems.

[@NelsonClick]

Great sequencer. Solid. Reliable. Linear based which I feel makes better music. This is controversial when I say this but loop sequencers and thinking of music in terms of loops has diminished quality song writing. Linear requires one to think in terms of the totality of a piece of music. Looping is a clever bypass of having to acquire legitimate music knowledge. It's why non musicians prefer it and why manufacturers are designing instruments for them.

[@timka880057]

@@NelsonClick The MC 500 mk 2 can repeat measures, its almost like looping lol. I use step edit quite a bit, slow down the tempo, and come up with interesting arpeggios.

[@NelsonClick]

@@timka880057 LOL. Another work around are the rhythm patterns. Instead of 4/4 measures you can use 8/4 or 16/4 because rarely is a musical phrase merely 4 beats long. I found this easier when editing/copying. Question: do you ever use Super MRP? I never did and regret it now because it would have made all my old stage work so much faster and easier. I was loading individual songs on stage like an idiot. LOL

[@timka880057]

@@NelsonClick no not MRP....I'm not sure what that is. But I have created and then linked songs as a chain, and stored them. But its limited. Theres a conversion i guess thats what you're talking about... to a USB port to computer...instead of using the floppy.

[@vainsacrosanct2014]

Hey Espen. Nice video man. You explain it very well. I have a 300 myself and soon will have an mc-80 in my studio. Together with my R8 (which is also a great sequencer) I will be able to cover all of my sequencer needs in my studio. Cheers from Antwerp and happy New Year to you.

[@EspenKraft]

Happy you liked it. Cheers!

[@apislapis]

You gotta love that machine with it's heavy duty buttons and of course Roland's alpha wheel the future of data inut and manipulation. Thanks Espen :-)

[@EspenKraft]

Cheers! :D

[@mrdali67]

Exactly, it's Heavy Duty .. lol .. but serious Roland did nearly almost always make good quality gear. Can't find many of the oldies gear from them that is wonky. A failed floppy drive wich often happens with various gear can't really be blamed on whatever manufacturer, cause its most often a standard off the shelf item they all buy in large numbers. Plus with a floppy emulator there is many of these things that can get re-incarnated without having to play the "Disc jocky" all the time like we used too

[@EmulatorII]

Good Video Mr.Kraft

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks Fred! :D

[@TheSoundtec]

A part 3 would be amazing ? Doing only Rhythm and pattern's. Thanks for all.

[@musicbycandlelightmbc3225]

Hello Epson Craft! Nothing like a fresh cash register in the morning for your sequenced music...lol. Pink Floyd - Money, comes to mind being a real cash register used as an musical instrument of sorts in the intro. Too bad there wasn't a way to convert the drive on the MC-500 to a Zip Drive or even a Mini CD Disk drive. Do you remember the Mirage keyboard? I know there were 3 versions of it. What did or do you think of it as a sampler? It too ran on a mini diskette. Try this one. Do you recall the fax machine company building a 32 track mini diskette sequencer called the Brother PDC100 Pro Disk Composer? It was ok but also had its issues apparently. I never had or tried one. In case you had missed my little rendition of an 80s brass tune while poorly mastered and a non quantized tune but still fine, maybe have a listen. I had whipped this tune up rather quickly new years eve or day to share with you but thought you may have missed it in a comment so I placed it here. I think 80s music is in a league of its own with all those sequenced synth parts. Like yourself, some just seem to have that genre down pat. Lately, I been playing around with Ambient pieces. I love the serenity and spaciness from the saturated reverb. And it allows me to add my main instrument being lead guitar on some of them. I do have a few videos of my music on my channel using image stills. Well, if interested Espen, here is the little 80s brass tune I did that I had wanted to celebrate the 80s with you on the eve/day. www.dropbox.com/s/yej3lf7kihe1u9q/Sweet%2080s.mp3?dl=0

[@russisaac813]

Out at the same time was the Yamaha QX series. I started off with the Qx1, but I really love the Qx5 for quick ideas.

[@ProSimex84]

Love my qx5, it's the only sequencer I've ever used, but it's made my synth time way more enjoyable

[@EspenKraft]

QX5 is indeed very good and the direct competitor to this when it came out.

[@PeterWalkerHP16c]

Floppy disks Pffft. Luxury! My old girl used punched cards and Nixie tubes and a small boiler. :-)

[@EspenKraft]

You know your Monty Python... ;-)

[@asdifasi]

I fell you .back in the day 96-2002 I used to listen and record music on reel to reel rostov and Philips

[@MatthewHarrold]

In 1987 (grade 11 LOL) I had to be a backup keyboard player in a trio who used this sequencer as its main band driver (w/ blues guitarist/singer and conga/percussionist). It was OK-ish, I already had some Roland gear and their way of doing stuff was quite consistent. In hindsight ... with an old iPhone5s with GarageBand ... I can do so much more. Gawd ... it isn't nostalgia if it reminds you of your obsolescence.

[@EspenKraft]

Using an iPhone to make music makes me puke, so we're different there. ;-)

[@MatthewHarrold]

@@EspenKraft Having never used an iPhone to make music I reckon our differences are elsewhere, I was merely marveling at the technological leap from clunky dedicated hardware to ubiquitous convenience (you cannot possibly have a case for hating on accurate MIDI control in your pocket). I had a few iPhones and marveled at GarageBand, and stand by that comment, but honestly I only play a piano, since my retirement in 1997.

[@EspenKraft]

@@MatthewHarrold Sure, no hard feelings. ;-) I love to make music the way I used to, with gear that is now considered vintage. That's it, nothing more. That's why I made this channel. To show myself doing so and by this entertain and educate others that are interested. I could not do more with an iPhone and GarageBand, simply because it doesn't inspire me. It just irritates me. ;-)

[@aphexon.]

Takk Espen og godt nyttår 😀

[@EspenKraft]

Godt nytt år! :D

[@keiths-teeth]

Goodness!

[@patriciaoudart1508]

As Alway you gives good explanations👌💚🧡🤗 I'm going to upgrade my MC 500 with USB Floppy Emulator, hope this will be ok, not so easy to find the good information, about all you can do with that. The guy who given me this Roland composer, given also a big tutorial written on machine from the Eighties, but, listening and seing by video is also a good way to understand. I had a look for actual material to record midi live and play live, large sequences on multi analog synths, as individual tracks, I did not found, as only dedicated to midi sequences. Part of that, I'm interested about sequencing parameters more than notes, in a non rhythmic soundscape. So I keep the Roland MC 500 as computers softwares with midi tracks to play, but traditional midi let chain more easily and with an integrated midi clock. So, with a better memory as Upgrade, and why not the super OS working fast, I don't see any new affordable material usable with old and new analog synths, like Berhinger model D, and all it's sisters😺🐝...

[@dirkbals2836]

Thank you for the explaining,i find it very useful.Do you have perhaps also a tutoriol about the brother pdc-100 midi sequencer?I use one,want to learn it how to use it to someone.Thanks!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! No, no video about the PDC-100, never had one either.

[@xnonsuchx]

EEPROMs and the programming circuitry were quite pricey back then, so floppy-based OS was preferred for a while vs. more expensive ROMs and having users have to possibly replace ROM chips to upgrade the OS, if needed. Quite a few pieces of hardware then (like the DOD effects rack and Kurzweil K2000Rs I have...or have had) needed replacement ROMs to be able to upgrade the OS. I think only the Akai S2000 I have requires an OS boot disk.

[@EspenKraft]

True.

[@samikalastaja]

1:40 my first thought was to check whether you can set the tempo from connected drum machine.

[@EspenKraft]

You set tempo in the sequencer. ;-)

[@maurumsynthwave618]

Excelente

[@FIGBARFILMS]

Im still using this unit. Is there a back light that can be turned on in the display window. Somehow, I remember a blue backlight..:

[@EspenKraft]

The backlight fades with time and with enough hours the letter and numbers will fade out, hence the big after market for new displays for old units like this.

[@FIGBARFILMS]

@@EspenKraft thanks. I feel like an old dinosaur, but the tennis racquet does not make the player!

[@EspenKraft]

I'm sure the dinosaurs enjoyed their days, I sure do. I don't want to live in 2021 when I can live in the 80s, now. ;-)

[@timweinheimer1]

The same sequencer that in theRoland W-30 pr very simaliar great seq way ahead of it's time

[@lardosian]

I'm sure Liam Howlett would agree!

[@timweinheimer1]

@@lardosian I bought My Roland W-30 in 1990 still have it

[@lardosian]

@@timweinheimer1 Cool, my first was an mc303 when it first came out, still have it as well but dont really use it, have much better gear now.

[@Novaheart1998]

I would say just get the 500MKII, its got more memory, thats what i have. I also replaced the screen with a nice blue OLED and the floppy drive with a USB drive, and it is pure fun, old skool, a bit annoying if you are used to a computer and mouse and screen but still a good way to think differently.

[@amonster8mymother]

Interesting. Maybe i need a sequencer with 2 midi outs

[@shadowsoflife000]

I always wanted one of these, back in the day. It was more flexible and powerful than the Alesia MMT-8 someone gave me - at least, that’s how it seemed. Out of curiosity, why did you load the MC-300 OS into this? Did you not have an OS disk for the MC-500?

[@EspenKraft]

MRC-300 and MRC-500 is the same software. I can only speculate why the donator of this shipped it with the 300. I have all the different software, but only this original so I thought it looked better on cam. ;-)

[@rhill109]

If you use the MC much, you should learn the # of the different functions in the menu. That's what makes working with it so fast. Example, after it boots up, press(Midi),(1),(2)(Enter) turn the alpha dial to the right, (Enter) then (Stop). That turns on the Soft Midi Thru. It takes 2 seconds with practice.

[@EspenKraft]

Absolutely. All hardware sequencers should be used like that, when they permit such a modus operandi. I can't go through the options in such a way in videos though. Too confusing to the watcher. ;-)

[@rhill109]

@@EspenKraft Absolutely. It takes loads of time and effort to learn how to use any complicated piece of gear, particularly the shortcuts. I'm not sure now that I would take the time to learn something like a new sequencer. Hats off to you for diving in and making videos. Thanks.

[@evanapplebaum9815]

Hey espen! i recently just bought an MC-500 and I’m very new to working with midi. I was wondering if you could make a video working with this sequencer, and connecting different synths and a drum machine up to it with a midi thru box or a daisy chain. I’m trying to figure out how to record my RX5 and my DX7 on different tracks, and i’ve been at it for hours and cannot figure it out. Everything I try, the drum machine just won’t record. Or I use the DX7 as the master controller, and the synth sounds and the drum machine sounds are on the same keys and it’s just a mess. Please let me know what I should do! Thank you FOLLOW UP: I managed to daisy chain the drum machine thru the DX7, but I’m still very confused on how to get the sound of the drums and the sound of the DX7 out of the sequencer. I’m going to be using it to play live and really need some help. Thanks again !

[@EspenKraft]

I don't have the time to do video requests unless they are part of my shooting plans, so sorry, can't do it. I'm not sure what you mean by recording your drum machine, I always program my drum machines and drive them from midi clock coming from the sequencer. Also, you can't use a DX7 mk1 as it only transmits on midi channel #1. You have to use a master keyboard where you can change the midi channels going out, so you can reach different midi devices in your midi chain. I explain all this in my videos "midi and audio setups", it's on my channel. Good luck!

[@evanapplebaum9815]

@@EspenKraft Ok thanks so much! I’m super new to using all this stuff so I appreciate it a lot!

[@elhamzawishy]

if i lose the floppy disk.....is that it?? i actually can not find the floppy disk..........anyone knows what can i do? thanks in advance

[@EspenKraft]

You'll find images of the OS online. Download and make floppy copies. Easy peasy.

[@elhamzawishy]

@@EspenKraft aaaaaaah...my heart resumed working :) thank you so very much :D

[@russisaac813]

It seemed to me that the MC300, 500 and the Mc50 used to process tracks in numerical order, So I always extracted all drums and Perc. to track 1 so they would have priority, Midi heavy songs with Drums on higher tracks always seem to lag slightly.

[@EspenKraft]

Yes, that's my experience as well. It pretty much go for all sorts of midi sequencing daisy chained. I always put my percussive instruments as early in the chain/midi channel order, as possible. Just for that reason :)

[@NelsonClick]

I used to program some bass tracks IN in the pattern itself. There's 32 instruments and whoever uses 32 drum sounds in a single song? I would reserve 16 for bass which is two octaves. Program the bass part and the bass and kick were always in sync. I changed the envelope on the synth so the bass wouldn't sound so choppy.

[@russisaac813]

@@NelsonClick That was a trick known only to the Experts Nelson.

[@NelsonClick]

@@russisaac813 I loved that sequencer. It was my ticket to ride. It was always in front of me and became an extension of my own hand. When it was taken from me a part of me changed.

[@russisaac813]

@@NelsonClick I Know what you mean Nelson, When working on a track it became a limb extension, and often you could close your eyes or even look away while your fingers were flying over the key's knowing instinctively what they were doing. Sequencing has advanced a thousandfold since then, but will never replace the fun and satisfaction that those early sequencers gave us.

[@anderslarsson6149]

So we are wearing the ”pepsi” today 😉 Happy New Year 😃🥳

[@danielortizdecaracas]

I have this creat machine but i loss the enter Key, any idea for replace it?

[@EspenKraft]

Try asking in a Facebook synth repair forum.

[@olivierlegallmusic]

Hello, Great video! I just bought a MC 500 mk2. It's great, but, I have a probleme using the metronome. It supposed to be in Rec & Play mode. But whenever I press play or rec, I have nothing on my headphone. Is there something specific to do? Thanks!

[@EspenKraft]

Thanks! The usage of the metronome is described in the manual. Easily found online.

[@olivierlegallmusic]

@@EspenKraft Thanks for your answer. I check, but, unfortunatly, i have no signal...maybe, something is wrong with this function

[@mrdali67]

Never had any of these Roland composers, only heard the buzz about them. One question : Is it really locked to 5 channels, or can you mix them down and save it like a midi file type 0 ? Other Roland equip I had always used standard midi files as medium so I'd guess this did too.

[@EspenKraft]

You can record on all 16 channels on one track, so one track can contain midi data from lots of "takes". No problem there as these can also be merged down again and again etc. So in essence you can record as many tracks you want. The problem comes if you're in a live situation and you want to mute one or more tracks, then you'll mute everything that is "underneath" that physical track button. If that makes sense? In the original MRC-500 OS you can't mute tracks while the sequencer is running either, but that was corrected in the Super-MRC OS though. These could not do SMF btw unless you converted the files afterwards with a converter program Roland had.

[@mrdali67]

@@EspenKraft Yeah that makes perfectly sense :)

[@amonster8mymother]

❤

[@leegreveson]

I've had no issues with my MC-300 buttons failing or fading and that was second hand when I bought it in 1995! Only problem is an intermittent diskette drive. I've seen those emulator versions but really can't be bothered. While it's nice for nostalgia, not sure it's worth resurrection, too cumbersome to take on stage these days, needs a smaller footprint to sit on the top of a synth. Please please please Roland, reissue a hardware sequencer like these again, only smaller!

[@EspenKraft]

Truth be told, I never had any problems with my MC-50 either and that got used a lot. I think these are way easier than any computer to take on stage and the last time I used it was on national television here. Loaded in the sequence from a floppy right before cameras went on and it drove 7 midi units in real time. Not a glitch and neiter Microsoft nor Apple were anywhere near it. ;-)

[@mimoochodom2684]

When did this come out and what sort of price tag did it have then?

[@EspenKraft]

1986 and it cost around $900 or £795 when it was released.

[@toitoitoy]

Interesting video but how can it be compared to Yamaha QX3 which is better?

[@EspenKraft]

Totally different workflow and much faster to use unless you have the QX3 really in the blood. QX3 is more advanced and more powerful though.

[@toitoitoy]

@@EspenKraft thanks Espen, Happy New Year

[@fremax6946]

@@EspenKraft I share your interest about these machines, i have both the QX3 and the MC500, that was sold in the same range of price in France in 1987. I have to admit that the QX3 is really more advanced and faster to use. Waiting for the QX1 :) Thanks for your great videos !

[@marknhopgood]

I've just been able to write an OS disk for this unit. Was a lot of technology and took hours. Let me know if you want one.

[@EspenKraft]

Send me an email explaining in more detail what you've done.

[@iamyourfuture808]

maybe its possible to swap out the floppy for a USB floppy emulator?

[@EspenKraft]

Yes, that's what most people do these days. Not me though. ;-)

[@mc12358]

By the way, you wouldn't happen to be a birder? I knew you were cool but here you are, sporting a host of European species I have no clue, making yourself even cooler in my eyes. Even if you're not into birds, its a very cool t-shirt. Short version, I the shirt you're wearing in this video, it is lovely 🙂

[@EspenKraft]

I live in the forest and I watch birds daily. It's not a hobby as music takes too much time for a second hobby, but I appreciate the wildlife around me and I used to breed budgies and parakeets many years ago.

[@mc12358]

@@EspenKraft that is so cool that you used to breed birds! I live near a national forest in the US, and there is a wonderful variety of habitat and wildlife here. Some of the few remaining longleaf pine savannas in the US are just a 20 minutes drive away from my house... I'm kind of the other way around, I own only a few synths and not doing much with them, but I go after new bird sightings almost full time. Just ticked my 263rd species last week in fact. But to have an appreciation for wildlife no matter where life takes you is one of the greatest gifts one can receive.

[@576557]

Great machine. I have the op system disc still in my collection. Alas no machine. Anyone want the floppy disc ?

[@spurv]

I might be interested. :-)

[@ronjeffcollantes]

Where to get OS for Mc 500

[@EspenKraft]

Do a Google search. Many pages/forums have posts with links to image files of it.

[@progwaver]

Haha, now I know why I never buy that thing, for me not so intuitiv somehow, even I started bit later music... My time was with the MV 30, wich I loved, easy to record and edit and the internal soundsource was like a quarter piece ( one OSC per Sound... ) of the D 70 synth... hehe

[@kicks880]

It legit looks like a cash register!!😂

[@christiansandstrom718]

I believe pink floyd used a bunch of these during the 87-89 tour

[@Gluttonite]

My daughter uses mine as a make-believe register. "Credit or debit card only please"

[@praba991ify]

AR rahman used this

[@memriloc]

Looks like a cash register haha