How to Make FULL SONGS on the MC-707

[@wylatron]

Yup, kickass video. I've recently picked up a 707 *because* of your channel, and so far, so good...but the tutorials availible out there aren't anywhere near what I found for my akai force, so it's especially excellent to see someone do more with it and explain things; so thank you! I'd also have you know that the track is fantastic, some serious retro futuristic sci-fi love goin on there.

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

I follow a guy called Unit-e on the tube here that does great tutorials on obscure functions. maybe give him a shot?

[@nexuzeb79]

What a delightful track you've created here, Gabe!!

[@brianque9892]

There is a workaround for the monophonic overlap as long as your patch is set torespond to velocity sensitivity. You drop a note on the very last step of the sequence and shift its start point to +99 and its velocity to 1. The note will trigger but wont be audiable allowing it to act like a choke/mute at the loop point. A similar technique can be used when triggering things like vocal samples in the drum tracks to add variety. For example if you have a 3 second vocal sample you can set it to mute wherever you drop a second note set at 1 velocity. Now if you set the mute probability to say 50% the sample will play the shortened version v the full version 50% of the time. Great trick for adding variety over time

[@JGulliMusic]

Cool groovebox! But can it be connected to midi software through a computer? And if so, how?

[@Wondermass]

First time I performed live with my MC707 I thought it would take less rehearsal than eg. a piano. Big big big mistake.

[@dracul74]

One thing I find useful is putting my hats on their own track. It opens the door for performance options (mutes, fx, etc) and then I can worry about their mix with the kit in the daw (and even do mutes in the daw at mixdown). I don’t always do this, but have found it useful.

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Your chaining explanation was the best I’ve found so far

[@ElazarDavydov]

Love your work. Question if not mc707 what other units you recommend that are more robust and work better specially with looping issue that you had.

[@chrisb3389]

I'd definitely do some similar stuff in post in the DAW. However, I have found for when I want to just share smaller ideas straight from the 707 (such as through the generic USB driver to my phone as a stereo signal), the master FX are pretty great to fill out the sound. Mostly, the multi-band compression there really separates the frequencies better and adds more punch. I'd highly recommend it. You can also turn on stuff like an enhancer or step filter before it if you like, but that MB compressor is something I do on almost all my tracks, just to make it enjoyable to my ear as I'm listening on the 707 itself.

[@jamesrichardsutton]

Thanks a lot for this one, Gabe. I've been using the MC-707 for years and you've explained away some of the hang-ups I've had with it.

[@maciaspawl]

Hi, thanks for the guidance! Better than in Roland docs. BTW - in 10:40 you say you don't know really why there are multiple arrangements. Actually these can be used as subsequent scene banks, so for example Scene 1-16 will continue to Scene 2-1, if you set up Chain and Length in it. Even better, Scene 4-16 will jump to 5-1 as well. So you have 8 x 16 = 128 scenes to be potentially sequenced in the project for the long or sophisticated arrangements.

[@dracul74]

Good stuff. I still use my mc 707. I do think it has really great sounds. I often use mine as a sound box with my Mpc or daw too. I can’t understand why these devices (all modern day groove boxes) don’t provide the ability to stream record their individual and master track on the device. Would be a game changer (for me anyway, lol).

[@instrumentalplay]

I thinn you can you just need two devices one the mc and another capturing the audio out

[@quinapio]

Exelente dude, 707 user here, i love your videos, this is the best groovebox in the market, please more 707 videos, i think the next update its gonna be out of this world

[@GeorgeLocke]

Next update?

[@quinapio]

@@GeorgeLocke you think there are not gonna be more updates?

[@GeorgeLocke]

@@quinapio i love updates.

[@quinapio]

@@GeorgeLocke me too! For what I understand the 707 is still fully supported and there's gonna be more updates, but there is no date yet

[@thomasvandendool6613]

@@quinapio looking forward too

[@espacemaxim]

This is such an awesome machine! Great to see you support it!

[@palindromial]

I've had that issue with the distorted 808 bass and switching scenes, thanks for telling me I am not alone with it! 😀

[@JohnnieBailey]

Same

[@MarianoPerez]

Are the patches all the same as the verselab. Maybe im overtaking it, but i would like to compose and finish a song on the verselab, then transfer the midi into the mc707 to perform the song.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

That's probably overkill, but the patches are the same if I recall correctly. You'd probably be better served just going with the MC-707, because the song mode stuff of the verselab doesn't transfer over as far as I know

[@peterbrandauer1610]

Gabe, 1st. Thank you! I have been wondering how to do this and you just released this video! 2nd. I notice in the Utility Type 1 scene setting, you still have scene banks and can set chaining, you just select the banks using the 16 step keys instead. I like Type 2 better though needing to push shift less. It just numbers the scenes differently to fit depending on Type 1 or 2 that you choose. 3rd. That is it mostly. Do you think you can achieve some of your post-effects using the individual track and master built in effects? Just curious how much is worth trying to do ‘in the box’. Thank you, Peter B.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

1. Niceeee, hopefully it's helpful! 2. For whatever reason, the manual is really clear about wanting to switch to type 2 for the scene chaining, but maybe that's just to get the deeper functionality out of it. I'd have to double check. But yeah, normally I like to use type 1 for basic scene stuff since it's simpler. 3. I could probably get close, I just like the extra control I get with the individual tracks. Plus, really fine tuning the sounds is easier in the box. I think you can get similar sounding stuff on the device itself if you're patient. I've recorded many a Novation Circuit jam with just stereo outputs (since that's all you get) and gotten pretty good results with just mastering.

[@demonmailer]

I remember when I had my 101 and tried to do a whole song on it. It was so complicated that I decided to sell it and go back to doing everything with Ableton. If you haven't used the 101 for a week or two, it's pretty damn hard to remember the workflow. With all its plugins, Ableton is a lot easier. Anyway, I really enjoyed jamming the 101. But I also have to admit, that I found the TR-6S a little bit better for jamming.

[@instrumentalplay]

Yah i like the 707 flow though it’s better for me than 101 ofc had the later first

[@LucidMusicIncRecordings]

You can eq each track press shift and the track select to get to the track settings

[@Noise-Conductor]

At 10:40 Having multiple separate arrangements is great for coming up with different compositional ideas before deciding on the 1 that works best...or remixes.

[@ababababeebababa]

Great video Gabe. Unit E also has good 707 content. I feel like he did a video addressing the overlap problem and a solution .

[@xlo2335]

I couldn't find it do you know which one?

[@loubang100]

If you quantize the first note that might help with the overlap

[@Noise-Conductor]

That fast-forward to speed up the time edit was nifty!

[@mybiggrin]

5:22 has Roland acknowledged this issue? As I'm not an MC 707 user, my first recommendation would be to program or send a "note off" message to the bass at the last millisecond before the scene change/the next measure. I'm assuming this is happening because of a note tied over to the next scene. However, this creates the predicament of never being able to have a note tied over to another measure (like a legato etc) if there is ever a scene change. If you don't want to send or can't send the note off message in the 707, try to automate the release go away at the last millisecond, and restore the natural setting in the next scene.

[@CANNELLALINESOUND]

I didn't buy the device to use a computer!!! I want to know how to make music in mp3!!!

[@GabeMillerMusic]

You'd need to record the output of the MC-707, either into an audio interface or a recorder like a Zoom H4n if you want to go completely computerless. You build up a full song with scene chaining, live clip/scene launching and knob movements, or both.

[@CANNELLALINESOUND]

@@GabeMillerMusic I dont know work with MC 707. You are sure Zoom H4n solution my problem ?? I SEE has 6 too i dont understand nothing !! I want make MUSIC TECHNO !!

[@movies1244]

It would be a much easier and better if Roland would integrate song mode in a new update if possible so the Roland MC 707 could be a really easier to produce songs instead of just clips... Or is this not possible?

[@thejoshuathomas]

Can anyone assist me with loading sound packs from the Roland Cloud onto the 707? I followed the video Roland has on their KZbin channel, and I meticulously referenced the update .pdf to make sure I followed the steps exactly (created "SOUND" folder inside the "ROLAND" folder, dragged the .sdz file into the folder, loaded a new project on the 707, selected a tone track, pressed sound, then pressed sound file). The folder I created appears, but the folder appears erroneously as empty when I can clearly see the file from my computer.

[@pcuimac]

This machine is what I always wanted. How do I make drones that don't get interrupted when scenes change or patterns are switched? Is there a legato function?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

If I recall correctly, there is a note tie feature, although I'm not sure it works across patterns.

[@magnuseriksson8081]

Is it easier to understand the MC707 if you used the 101 that I do not really understand when it comes to song mode and scenes, i just build different patterns over and over again :-)

[@TeleporterM11]

What if I buy this baby and Roland releases one with 32 tracks or WC 1 support for their cloud.

[@fredrikw1447]

Workaround? try the sound per clip setting!

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Ooh that might work, I'll have to test it

[@fredrikw1447]

I’m not sure though, havent had the opportunity to test it yet

[@remoteflying]

is there a way to delete presets at all? I find going through an unending sea of presets i really don't care about really grating - it kills the creativity or inspiration by the time i've found something i like. It would be great to gut about 2000 presets off the machine entirely.

[@704queencitygoon6]

Is this better than the Maschine plus for making gritty lofi boom bap hiphop beats?

[@andrewlewis3943]

Hey Gabe, really nice video and the tune sounds super! Just got an MC707 and was scratching my head about scenes, this really helps!

[@magnuseriksson8081]

The song mode reminds me of how the MV1 ones works?? Correct?

[@alanra9531]

What do you recomend if i want to do a track with roland tr8s and roland mc 707 is possible to use this method? I want to have every track in separate channels

[@johndavidpeer3107]

Great info thx. So does it come with a bunch of preset patterns-beats like the 303/505? They had 100s

[@khalylehagood3222]

Any solution to the overlapped monophonic patches yet from 5:13?

[@ionianechoes]

you can clean up the subbass region already on the 707 making use of the track eq's

[@thestinkyweasel6297]

Cool Video Gabe! Love that 707, it's super deep. Now that I can move around quickly on it, it's become an absolute beast for me.

[@bloodmoneyperez]

Did you sell the Roland mv-1 verselab? Would love to see an updated video with the firmware update.

[@bloodmoneyperez]

Sorry for being off topic. Only reason I asked is I have a verselab coming and I’m a sample based producer but feel like the 707 might’ve been better.

[@Noise-Conductor]

@@bloodmoneyperez Neither of them is good for sample based producer. I got the 707 & the Force. The Force/MPCs is made for sample based producers by far. The MC707 is a better synth sampler like if u want short sample to add custom waveforms for it deep ass synth engine.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

It was on loan so I had to send it back. And yeah on the topic of samples, the 707 is definitely better than the MV-1, but still not great for sample chopping/flipping. The SP-404 MK II may make more sense if you want to stay Roland, or yeah the standalone MPCs (or the Akai Force if you want to keep the performance aspect) are well worth a look.

[@salaciouscrumb]

Looks to me like the song mode on the verselab is much more powerful and flexible. Maybe also the mixing and mastering could've been done in the box instead of moving over to the DAW.

[@mrburns366]

I really wish there was a hybrid of this and the Verselab.. maybe when MV-2 happens?

[@stefanobianchi1346]

bomba!! i don't know the type 2 scene ...thank you

[@fumarolas]

Super helpful. Was wondering if it still only allows 16 scenes?

[@chrisb3389]

Whether in Type 1 or Type 2 scene changing modes, it still has way more scenes than you'll need. Pretty sure it's 8 * 16 = 128. For Type 1, you get the 4 scene buttons X 2 (pressing shift), and then the 16 step buttons are banks of those 8 scenes. For Type 2, the scenes/banks are opposite where the step buttons are 16 scenes and the scene buttons are banks of those (up to 8). Several, like myself, prefer Type 2 for the fact that we rarely need more than 16 scenes on smaller projects, and being able to store and recall scenes and watch them flow left to right across the 16 step pads is easer than constantly having to hit shift or change banks all the time in Type 1. The one main advantage of Type 1 is that you don't have to be in Mute mode when changing scenes. Some like to stay in Note mode for pad muting and such. Pretty sure they can both be used in scene chaining.

[@fumarolas]

@@chrisb3389 thanks a lot for clarifying. I thought it was only 16 (Ableton type) scenes. I wasn’t aware of scenes banks. That’s good news.

[@djbeasleytechno]

That sounds so good. We'll done. You are very informative. I really appreciate the time you took to create this video. I needed this.

[@klinikat5313]

hi gabe, how punchy are the drum sounds and how tight is attack on synths ? thnx for the vid! cheers

[@roryjineffect]

SUPER helpful to easily get songs played from this beast of a machine.

[@gregy797]

Roland has always had this hang up with the Loop tripping up.

[@lalovekitchen]

What a powerful machine! I think this seals the deal! :D

[@jeffduponte1418]

I am not a live performer. I am a home recording type. Is there anybody out there that can unpack this - "There’s no way to automatically string clips together into a full song or arrangement, so no way to export full projects" Many reviews in one form or another state this about the 707 but I don't get what that actually means. After you finish recording your tracks (clips/ parts or whatever you call them).. You cannot put them together? Or is it just that you can only play each section in real time to some other outside device or format?

[@chrisb3389]

You can definitely use scene chaining to play all tracks fully and record into a DAW. I did that on a full song. I'm not much of a live tweaker, so I just wanted to hit play and get my song into the DAW. It works fine for that.

[@MusicWizard85]

I have a 707. I really like most of the sounds but the workflow and user interface/menus is what I don't care for. The minimal amount of external audio you can use is also a huge dislike for me. Lately I only use my 707 as a sound module to record into MPC Live 2 or a DAW using a 76 key keyboard controller. Roland should really look at MPCs or Maschine Plus for inspiration on how to make an intuitive, easy to navigate song building workflow.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Yeah the friction associated with making a track is my biggest handful with it, although the live jamming/recording experience is pretty nice.

[@cornhusk]

Massively helpful mate 👍

[@viniciusselestrim4658]

I work A LOT with samples (including recording from actual musics). In your opinion, which one would be better for me: MC707 or AKAI Force?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

I'd go Akai Force, it has much more in-depth capabilities for working with samples

[@viniciusselestrim4658]

@@GabeMillerMusic great! Do you have a video showing a little bit of that?

[@WrvrUgoThrUR]

Thanks!

[@stevewoywitka3258]

nice post

[@Wondermass]

How do you keep it so clean??

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Compressed air!

[@Only-Juno-G]

HI! Great video, can each clip contain a different instrument / track? Thank you. - waiting for answer.

[@GabeMillerMusic]

Each clip can contain a different synth patch, but as far as I know, the each track can only be one instrument *type* (drum, synth, audio, etc).

[@Only-Juno-G]

@@GabeMillerMusic Thank you very much, I really like your videos. (And tracks also are really cool! :)

[@christiankaiser5961]

how is this machine for sample based hip hop?

[@GabeMillerMusic]

It's definitely not the best... It can do sample chopping, but it's not a great user experience. I showed it briefly later on in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amm7c4WeZbCopbs If you want something with better sampling and clip-based live performance, the AKai Force might be worth a look.

[@johnsuggs7828]

Taking nothing away from Gabe, because he's a talented content provider and musician, but what's up with the drum machines costing 800+? With a 500 dollar laptop, free DAW and 100 dollars worth of VSTs you can get this and more.

[@rorz999]

If you're asking whether or not grooveboxes need to cost as much as they do, I couldn't really tell you. But in terms of cost of a groovebox vs the cost of a laptop, I don't really see them as competing products. Two totally different things

[@_mickmccarthy]

I think the question you're actually asking is why specialist equipment is more expensive than generic equipment. Also, the 707 isn't a drum machine (maybe you're thinking of the TR-6S), its main synth engine is the same that's used in Roland's Zenology Pro (which is sold standalone for around 250 or so). The hands-on workflow with something like this (I've got the 4-track version, the 101), is pretty different from working on a computer in a DAW. Especially if you spend your whole day working at a computer. Working with a piece of music equipment can get you in the mood to create something much better than a device that is equally suited to binge-watching KZbin or whatever your preferred procrastination method is. I'm guessing you know all of this already though. There's absolutely nothing stopping you going the laptop route, if you don't like this sort of device, don't buy it. I think it's pointless that people spend millions on boats & cars. But I'm sure as hell not going to complain that they do, if it makes them happy then more power to them.

[@Noise-Conductor]

Taking nothing away from you, but why even watch this video If that's your mentality? Clearly this video wasn't made for ppl that think like u.

[@johnsuggs7828]

@@_mickmccarthy No that's not the question I'm asking at all. But feel free to interpret as you wish

[@johnsuggs7828]

@@rorz999 they are two different things. That we agree on. But shouldn't the end goal be how to get the music from inside you out? Make music and do it as economically sound as possible. People get caught up way too much in what the latest greatest piece of gear is and they lose sight of the end goal. To make music. I don't begrudge anyone buying what they want. If you pay for it and you want it, by all means go for it. Having been in music for more than 30 years, I see way too much emphasis on the gear and less on the talent. That's how hack companies like union audio are still around. Artist are becoming gear and software driven vs creatively driven (yes it's a bit of a purist-sounding rant)

[@michaelstansberry2159]

id love to have a standalone machine.. mostly for lofi or 90bpm

[@333_Tarot]

LIVEN Lofi-12 bro?

[@gregy797]

Cool stuff 🫰🇬🇧 thanks for the advice.

[@miss.antidote]

Good video, thanks for the info