#Roland

#Roland MC-101 VS #Novation Circuit
Both Roland MC-101 and Novation Circuit are great portable grooveboxes. But the question comes quickly which one is the best groovebox? They don't offer the same features and are not exactly aimed at the same target clientele. If I could only bring one of them on a desert island i would pick.....? Check out the video for more info.
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[@ccanciola1]

Very good clip! Thanks for doing it!

[@volt7cooltangs701]

Thanks for another great vid Nu-Trix. I’m starting to use my MC-101 more these days. Starting to like it after a slow start / learning curve. Does sound very good though.

[@xneoken]

Great comparison! I enjoy how you are able to say what you greatly like & dislike that other bigger KZbinrs won't say.

[@SR-ih1be]

I had the Circuit for a couple of years and loved the form factor and interface, however, despite jamming with it quite a bit, I honestly never loved anything I ever made with the Circuit. I just didn't jive with the synth engine. As an old skool MC-505 user, I was thrilled to get the MC-101 this year. Unlike the Circuit, my time spent with the MC-505 was super productive over the years. Nothing compares with the Roland sound palette. It's definitely worth the higher price. I am still learning the 101, but so far it absolutely kills the Circuit. It's just superior in every way. Roland basically invented the groovebox concept, so it's no surprise really. They've been evolving it for decades now.

[@dvdny]

I hear you. On paper, I really like the circuit, but I never liked anything that came out of it (and I'm a big Novation fan). I might just need to spend more time on it.

[@GeorgeL909]

I have the mc101 and I absolutely love it. One thing that often doesn't get mentioned much is that the sequencer on the 101 has an extremely high note resolution. What that means is that I can play fast shredding unquantized solos, and record them accurately to sequencer without any need for workarounds. This is an absolute deal breaker for me, because while I adore elektron, on the model samples/cycles, I need to double the tempo or pattern speed, and string together several short patterns to achieve that resolution, otherwise it skips notes by default. On the mc101, I just hit record, and I can solo up to 8 bars before needing change clips, and effectively play as many notes as fast my fingers can hit them in that clip. Edit: I don't have the circuit so I don't know the note res, just throwing in my 2 cents on the roland

[@GearHedd]

Didnt realize that about the MC101. Ive run into the issue with the M:S and would do what ur talking about. Double the BPM... Thats definatly a perk for sure as far as not having to do such things...

[@SaEvSampleEverything]

I wish OpZ groovebox was also in this video. Thanks for the review, now I am thinking about MC-101

[@System-1541]

When recording the circuit I record each part at a time and mute the others. That way I can master each track alone. This way there is no need for it to have multiple audio channels going out.

[@morten1]

Well it takes time and effort

[@techstyle123]

Yeah good review 👍 I agree on circuit - instant and everything to hand - the mc101 looks a bit menu mongering from what I'm told I still Wana try one out though 👍

[@nilesh100975]

very nice review 🤗👏👏 for me, the mc makes it 👍 thanks for this video my friend!!

[@keithedwinsmith9416]

Well reasoned. I bought the MC 101 but I can’t say that I’m in love with it. I do feel that I need to really learn it whereas, for example, I can just play around with the Volcas I have and see what happens (sometimes great sometimes not so great). The MC 101 maybe I need to plan out beforehand what I’m going to do?

[@MisterBrimm]

I have a circuit, I think its useful as a sequencer for my Bass-Station 2, alongside my Electribe 2. The trick to boost its overall sound quality is to use an overdrive / boost pedal like a Heavy Electronics Ascend or even a cheap Chinese pedal like a Rowin.

[@aikighost]

Maybe this will prompt a circuit 2/Circuit pro? I for one hope so.

[@SampathHebbar]

I can connect and program a knobby midi controller to circuit and have direct control to all the synth parameters on the circuit. Can MC101 do the same?

[@Nu-trix]

The MC-101 has a pre selected list of parameters that can be controlled in real time. Less that the Circuit. I also have and old knobby that I taking dust. Maybe I should program it for the Circuit.

[@SampathHebbar]

@@Nu-trix when i programmed almost all the parameters on my Arturia Keylab, it turned Circuit into a whole different beast.. downside is that you lose the portability.. i think ill always be team circuit :-)

[@guilhermematta]

Hello, do you know if I can put a whole song to release live in the MC 101? I ask this because I would like to use it sometimes as a V.S. player

[@Nu-trix]

The MC-101 has all it needs for a complete song. It all depends on how you use it.

[@donvittoriosierra]

By the way, except for zencore vs supernatural and groovebox form vs keyboard form what are the differences between the mc101 and jdxi? So far as the song creation is concerned is more of my concern. Sorry for the off topic. Answer if you are in the mood lol

[@Nu-trix]

I never tried the JDxi, so ....

[@EnriquePage91]

The only thing that bums me up about the MC-101 (and the reason why I haven’t purchased it) is that it cannot do 4 audio channels without the Roland drivers... this would be massive on iPad if it could stream 4 separate channels to AUM/ApeMatrix. Do you think there’s a chance we will eventually see this functionality come to their USB Class Compliant protocol? I hope so...! It would be amazing.

[@salvadoravila7145]

Hi, I would love some advise. I’m looking for something like the Korg Kaossilator, where you can build a drum loop, synth and record some external instruments such as keyboard or guitar but more powerful, I mean more looping capabilities is the track’s an alternative, or the rhythm..or is there another recommendation?. Thanks in advance

[@Nu-trix]

Have you looked at the Boss RC-505 or RC-202?

[@salvadoravila7145]

@@Nu-trix thanks for your reply! Yes I was checking in those, but I’m not sure if you have the option to creat drum patterns using the machine not from externals .. Someone also suggested Ableton , but I would like some hardware to connect my Deepmind 12 , piano and guitar for jamming

[@michaeltrenier]

That MC101 is insane man. Glad I got it. The Circuit sounds just didn’t impress me.

[@ralis]

You do have a bunch of Roland gear. Do you get some of your gear at a discount or free of charge?

[@Nu-trix]

I have been a Roland fan since the 90’s. But I was able to buy my stuff at a good price since the school I was working for was partner with Roland. Either buying it used when the school changed gear or with a school partner discount. Since I started this KZbin channel I sometimes have companies lending me review devices to test. Some of the stuff I only have for a couple of weeks or months. Other are my devices that I acquired through the years.

[@shuttzi9878]

Novation will release a new circuit in 2021. I don't know which quarter tho ;) I just've seen them hinting it.

[@raysubject]

just wanted to mention the hypernova sound engine inside circuit is completely different and totally unrelated to old Nova/Supernova from '90s (which was actually LOT better sound engine, with warmer filters, oscillators, lot better and more FXs and some features which are not present on new Hypernova/Minimova/Circuit - like oscillator FM modulation present on Supernova IIr)

[@morten1]

MC-101 seems more like "push some buttons and scroll long menus to make polished sounds and loops". The Circuit is more a raw jam-able live instrument and for sketching out songs

[@thombroom5515]

I am perfectly on your side...Nu-Trix."We are synth guys" we need encoders and knobs to control our sounds... don't we?...not only jump around with presets....

[@lairdkilbarchan]

Nice mug. ☕

[@Nu-trix]

Thanks!

[@ftc_music]

Two points that have to be corrected: Circuit DOES have backup options, but it does NOT have power over USB.

[@necronomicron5367]

i have both - without a doubt the MC is way too expensive for what it does/doesn't do. So glad I didnt plunk down the enormous expense of the 707. what's the point of spending so much on the MC 101 when you are *still* having to drag it into the pc DAW anyway? Seriously? Show me the amazing OTB track performances from the 707..... there arent any on YT that's for sure.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

I have both. The Tracks wins for aesthetics (mc707 colors are pretty harsh) and control (4 rows of pads and 8 control knobs per ch.). That being said, functionally - the MC series blows the Tracks away. I wouldn't need the Tracks with the MC707 IF Roland decided to add a very basic function that most of their competitors have already done - add a freakin' probability per note function! lol

[@ghanezu]

I think you have only in drum track not in tone track.

[@russ8889]

Won't be long and your get your sponsorship by Roland

[@Nu-trix]

I have been a Roland fan for the last 30 years.

[@russ8889]

I love Roland to I wasn't being sarcastic I really do hope that they sponsor you

[@supereb1an]

Вау Я плохо знаю английский, но этого мужика я отлично понимаю

[@Nu-trix]

спасибо, рад, что смог помочь.

[@stevewoywitka3258]

MC-101 is the winner 🏆

[@muppetpaster]

2:44 With FW version 2.0 now, the MC101 is a totally different beast....Pretty obsolete clip now...Just like the half-assed midlife crisis man-bun....

[@dailydoseofbeauty-coaching113]

you showed a mug at the beginning and shortly afterwards I fell asleep... you might be a synth guy, but not a presenter..... totally boring !

[@Nu-trix]

If you are looking for entertainment you should look elsewhere. But if what you are looking are tips, reviews, tutorials about synth and other electronic devices you are at the right place.

[@MisterBrimm]

You fell asleep within 3 seconds? You might just have narcolepsy.

[@EnriquePage91]

The only thing that bums me up about the MC-101 (and the reason why I haven’t purchased it) is that it cannot do 4 audio channels without the Roland drivers... this would be massive on iPad if it could stream 4 separate channels to AUM/ApeMatrix. Do you think there’s a chance we will eventually see this functionality come to their USB Class Compliant protocol? I hope so...! It would be amazing.