Roland MC 303 Video Owners Manual 1997

Roland MC 303 Video Owners Manual with Nick Cooper
1997 Labyrinth Communication Ltd
This video is being posted for educational purposes for users of the Roland MC-303 Groovebox.
Section 1 - MC-303 overview - 1:35
Section 1.1 - Connections - 4:20
Section 2 - Playing patterns 5:56
Section 2.1 - Change pattern tempo 8:05
Section 2.2 - Viewing the number of measures in a pattern - 9:53
Section 2.3 - Part mute & rhythm mute 10:47
Section 3 - Midi update 13:33
Section 4 - Real time transpose - 14:16
Section 4.1 - Pattern set - 15:20
Section 4.2 - Registering a pattern in a pattern set - 17:29
Section 4.3 - Creating a pattern variation - 18:47
Section 4.4 - Variation write - 19:52
Section 4.5 Viewing the sounds of a pattern part 21:54
Section 5 - Playing and selecting sounds (tones) - 23:51
Section 6 - Modifying the part parameters - 25:36
Section 6.1 - Adjusting level - 26:41
Section 6.2 - Pan pots - 28:52
Section 7 - Portamento - 31:18
Section 7.1 - Filters - 32:56
Section 7.2 - Envelope - 34:53
Section 7.3 - LFO - 37:05
Section 7.4 - Bend range - 42:00
Section 8 - Effects (reverb) - 44:14
Section 8.1 - Chorus / flanger - 46:57
Section 9 - Pattern set-up write - 48:13
Section 10 - Real time phrase sequence - 48:51
Section 10.1 - Using the arpeggiator - 51:17
Section 11 - Play quantize (grid) - 54:46
Section 11.1 - Play quantize (groove) 56:56
Section 11.2 - Shuffle quantize - 58:30
Section 12 - Real time recording - 1:00:37
Section 12.1 - Recording knob movements - 1:07:33
Section 12.2 - Real time erase - 1:08:47
Section 13 - Step recording - 1:09:41
Section 13.1 - Step recording of an instrument part - 1:11:55
Section 14 - Micro edit - 1:15:47
Section 14.1 - Deleting a note - 1:17:12
Section 14.2 - Inserting a note - 1:17:55
Section 15 - Pattern edit (copying a pattern) - 1:18:27
Section 15.1 - Part copy - 1:19:35
Section 15.2 - Erase - 1:20:43
Section 15.3 - Delete - 1:21:27
Section 15.4 - Inserting measures - 1:21:54
Section 15.5 - Transpose - 1:22:47
Section 15.6 - Changing velocity and gate time - 1:23:51
Section 15.7 - Shift clock - 1:25:00
Section 15.8 - Thinning out unnecessary data - 1:25:53
Section 15.9 - Edit quantize - 1:26:32
Section 16 - Creating songs - 1:27:36
Section 17 - Using Midi - 1:30:13
MIDI advanced application
MIDI 1 - using an external midi keyboard - 1:32:08
MIDI 2 - using the MC-303 as a sound module - 1:33:47
MIDI 3 - synchronization - 1:37:24
MIDI 4 - NRPNs - 1:39:53

[@Kwietschbeu18]

Section 1 - MC-303 overview - 1:35 Section 1.1 - Connections - 4:20 Section 2 - Playing patterns 5:56 Section 2.1 - Change pattern tempo 8:05 Section 2.2 - Viewing the number of measures in a pattern - 9:53 Section 2.3 - Part mute & rhythm mute 10:47 Section 3 - Midi update 13:33 Section 4 - Real time transpose - 14:16 Section 4.1 - Pattern set - 15:20 Section 4.2 - Registering a pattern in a pattern set - 17:29 Section 4.3 - Creating a pattern variation - 18:47 Section 4.4 - Variation write - 19:52 Section 4.5 Viewing the sounds of a pattern part 21:54 Section 5 - Playing and selecting sounds (tones) - 23:51 Section 6 - Modifying the part parameters - 25:36 Section 6.1 - Adjusting level - 26:41 Section 6.2 - Pan pots - 28:52 Section 7 - Portamento - 31:18 Section 7.1 - Filters - 32:56 Section 7.2 - Envelope - 34:53 Section 7.3 - LFO - 37:05 Section 7.4 - Bend range - 42:00 Section 8 - Effects (reverb) - 44:14 Section 8.1 - Chorus / flanger - 46:57 Section 9 - Pattern set-up write - 48:13 Section 10 - Real time phrase sequence - 48:51 Section 10.1 - Using the arpeggiator - 51:17 Section 11 - Play quantize (grid) - 54:46 Section 11.1 - Play quantize (groove) 56:56 Section 11.2 - Shuffle quantize - 58:30 Section 12 - Real time recording - 1:00:37 Section 12.1 - Recording knob movements - 1:07:33 Section 12.2 - Real time erase - 1:08:47 Section 13 - Step recording - 1:09:41 Section 13.1 - Step recording of an instrument part - 1:11:55 Section 14 - Micro edit - 1:15:47 Section 14.1 - Deleting a note - 1:17:12 Section 14.2 - Inserting a note - 1:17:55 Section 15 - Pattern edit (copying a pattern) - 1:18:27 Section 15.1 - Part copy - 1:19:35 Section 15.2 - Erase - 1:20:43 Section 15.3 - Delete - 1:21:27 Section 15.4 - Inserting measures - 1:21:54 Section 15.5 - Transpose - 1:22:47 Section 15.6 - Changing velocity and gate time - 1:23:51 Section 15.7 - Shift clock - 1:25:00 Section 15.8 - Thinning out unnecessary data - 1:25:53 Section 15.9 - Edit quantize - 1:26:32 Section 16 - Creating songs - 1:27:36 Section 17 - Using Midi - 1:30:13 MIDI advanced application MIDI 1 - using an external midi keyboard - 1:32:08 MIDI 2 - using the MC-303 as a sound module - 1:33:47 MIDI 3 - synchronization - 1:37:24 MIDI 4 - NRPNs - 1:39:53 ( i hope, i got everything right ) ^^

[@dwell861]

+DI MB you da real mvp

[@cesarchinarro]

thank you!

[@davidgibb4551]

upvote this, so handy

[@billyrigney4455]

DI MB Thanks man

[@Kwietschbeu18]

pleasure guys! btw, a little shout would have been nice King Skullie after reposting my time index =)

[@city3015]

25 years later U save my life😂😂👍

[@My_man_G_UK]

🙈😂😂👍🏾

[@boomshakalaka7615]

😂

[@Jiglo71]

I wish Nick did the product manual for every device I own. Very concise, with no faff. I've also learned a few extra things about synthesis that I didn't understand from watching countless other vids that will be helpful with using other products. Most companies seem to rely on car salesmen spouting out a few bullet points just to make a quick sale by making their products look simple to operate. Net result is steep learning curves and people venting their frustrations on the forums. This is the benchmark for how a product video could be if companies cared about customers as much as a quick buck.

[@turquoisecapricorn]

The fantastic MC-303: A milestone in music making! Still have it ( since 1999) and use it!

[@mumulove]

This is the kind of video that will lead to me buying an mc on ebay and then regretting it after playing with it again for 5 minutes.

[@purelymint6839]

Did you get it?! I’ve had mine since 1997 or 1998.

[@mumulove]

@@purelymint6839 nah i knew better. I have too many unused synths as it is

[@graxjpg]

@@purelymint6839 I sprung for one last night. Can’t wait to get it.

[@fozbeeMusic]

Better to get the later models..the 303 is gr8...just harder to use them say the 505 and 909

[@MightyWhiteofYou]

@@fozbeeMusic absolutely user unfriendly. Actually user hostile

[@freshxmart]

Just delivered from eBay for 150 and plan on connecting my SP-404 for warmth and grit. I had one in the 90’s as a kid and the nostalgia is palpable.

[@marcoabyss]

2021, still haven't read the MC 303 user manual. good thing there's this video. thanks!

[@graxjpg]

At 130 pages I am wondering whether or not I really want to print it out..

[@mattarnold1275]

Thank you King Skullie, thank you Rolland, thank you Nick Cooper. An enlightening / nostalgic upload, been a while since I willingly time traveled back to 1997. I feel Nick's emotional investment in the hardware, this vid is so real it hurts.

[@whodont161]

I just bought one of these yesterday! I wish there were more video manuals for electronics.

[@psacentralcoast6970]

I wish I had this video 20 years ago!! It’s insane, thank you dude it’s epic!

[@naughtystudios]

Just caught this video by accident. I'm off to dust off my 303 now as I've just learnt stuff I didn't know it could do. Thanks Man. Great video.

[@cameronleggett]

Thank You!! Best MC-303 How to ever.

[@Oddisy]

just got my 303 from a local gear store for $200 and im making some insane shit for my live hardware sets! this video helps a ton

[@cloud9savagehenry]

Just picked one up. So very excited.

[@moogdome2562]

Thank you so much. what a great demo. Just bought one today. Love vintage.

[@graxjpg]

Hey I came out not too long after this thing did and I am not vintage! Hahaha I also love old gear. I just bought one of these and I can’t wait for it to arrive.

[@ramirojotabeats]

thanks very much ! i finally can understand the machine!

[@EQuBEMusic]

Thank you for uploading this video.

[@KingSkullie]

You're welcome. I can only hope that it helps more people understand how to use their mc-303's.

[@junkhausen]

King Skullie just got one today and this video has been such a help. thank you!

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

+King Skullie very cool job you've done. Thanks for taking the time to do it! 🎼🎵

[@drsynthpattern]

Quite a lot of useful tips for the JX-305 here too. Thanks for the upload!

[@jingremlion8241]

Thank you kindly. This instructional has convinced me to purchase a MC-303.

[@barronmarshall2331]

just a quick thank you for putting this on youtube. i own a 303 and cannot find the manual, this is great.i subscribed so i can come back and watch a bunch of times.have a good one and thanks again.

[@XHALE303]

U cant? Took me 2sec, Here u go: archive.org/details/synthmanual-roland-mc-303-owners-manual

[@barronmarshall2331]

hi xhale303: thanks for the link that is very thoughtful of you. I did find it online some time after finding this video. funny as I was working on my 303 last night. it came back like I had just set it down. it really is a cool little piece of gear. anyways thank you for being so kind as to extend a helping hand. not enough people out there willing to help a stranger, so I with all due sincerity wish you all good things. if you happen to put any of your music on youtube I would love to hear what you do. have a great night! peace!

[@XHALE303]

barron marshall Anytime, check my channel for some of my MC303 fiddeling :)

[@barronmarshall2331]

hey xhale303: I am on your channel, cool art by the way! I am having a little trouble finding your tunes at present. I am not so computer familiar so it may take me some time. I see your toys. mpc, 303, and one other piece of gear I cannot make out. but I wanted to thank you for the invite. I hope I can hear some of this. anyways have a good one. peace!

[@XHALE303]

barron marshall I linked a few tracks for you, but my comment was deleted, so search for Apocaliptisch, Dub of the whales, Landscapes & Enigma's Box...all done on the MC, vocals from SP202

[@dedytron]

Thanks for sharing this video. You're just simply amazing.

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

THANK YOU THANK YOU & Merci Beaucoup!!!! I've had an mc-303 stored away in a box for a very long time. This will be a huge help in learning this unit. Thanks again for uploading! !!! \m/~L~\m/ Rock on! Also this video (DVD) is no longer available to purchase from Roland or any other vendors or distributors.

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

This is a truly comprehensive tutorial on the mc303. I've not seen a better video on this subject. Can't thank you enough!!!!!! :0)

[@ostube6035]

This walk through was so helpful and answered all of my questions. I appreciate the time and knowledge you have bestowed upon us. I intend to use this as quick reference when in a pinch. Thank you :-)

[@billyrigney4455]

I can't believe how easy this box is to use from watching this video 👍🏻

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

Maybe easy to use but hard to master.

[@desktorp]

I'd like to see KZbinrs pulling off the crumpled fabric backdrop. You just don't see that anymore.

[@cougarman8]

I wish there was a video like this for the MC-505. Would be so helpful!

[@LousyFacelift]

I realize this comnent is kind of old but I made a series of tutorials for the MC-505 on my channel.

[@FrancisMaxino]

I recorded a song doubling this up as a sound module controlled from my MT-100 sequencer/sound module to beef up the MIDI tracks in 1998. Gave it all heaps of resonance...@

[@88SPIKE]

Excellent video - thank you, I understand a bit more now

[@MyImmaculateQueen]

Could anyone on earth have explained it better than this guy? Nope!

[@section23]

Brilliant upload, thank you!

[@DaggaDaze]

Thanks So much for the upload.. def is helping me understand my machine big time! Im scared though cause although I'm getting pumped about it as a new old toy i fear wwhen it stops working then thats it..forever.. no respawns lol again thank you my friend

[@ShpiraLTD]

Thank you so much for uploading this.

[@rodrigocunazza]

You da Man! Thanks King Skullie Lord of the Lost 90s Video Tutorials

[@jamesreynolds2190]

Thanks for this fella.

[@jcoverpass]

2 bands that I know of that used Demo patterns from this unit without modifying them at all: Static X and Columbine

[@danh4677]

Thanks for uploading this mate!

[@carbon1740]

Nick this as brilliant!, I've had my Goovebox since 1999 and tucked away for such a long time I had forgotten completely some basic functions, this really helped a lot ! Somehow with just a few clicks to this video all came back to me, would it be possible to do a time stamp for the different parts of the tutorial to easy access what you need instead of clicking through? That would absolutely awesome! Thanks again Nick. Best, Lilly B.

[@billyrigney4455]

carbon1740 someone has already added a time stamp for this video in the comments section. Enjoy

[@KingSkullie]

I put the time stamp in the description when I first posted the video. In fact, I took the time to get the exact times for each section. For some reason, KZbin removed most of the description and would not allow me to add to it. I added it again from what DI MB posted. BTW, Nick is the guy in the video, not the person who posted the video.

[@carbon1740]

@King Skullie Thank you. All credit to you for posting the video. Thank you for doing that.

[@carbon1740]

@King Skullie Thank you. All credit to you for posting the video. Thank you for doing that.

[@KingSkullie]

You're welcome! I'm just glad so many others can benefit from this. I bought this video back in 1997 and it really helped me understand the MC-303 much better. I also noticed there was a serious lack of a good walkthrough or tutorial online for using the 303, so here it is. I just posted one for the SP-808 too for anyone who uses that lovely old sampler! youtu.be

[@FrancisMaxino]

When I used this as a sound module in the late 90s I could just change the MIDI channel on the keyboard or have my multi-MIDI channel MT-100 fire off any sort of sounds I liked and it can do far more as a module with straight MIDI than is shown in this tutorial. .

[@INVISIBLEpussy]

Thanks so much for this. The manual is a joke. I can finally understand what I'm doing. Greetings from Scotland

[@daviddexter4945]

Thank you!

[@meklootngerard1496]

Thx man just bought my mc303 last week i love it still learning

[@WhoStoleMySign]

thanks for this one.. i always prefer Video above books..

[@reddenstudio]

Thx for the video. I watched every second of it. Thumb up!

[@ratface1987]

And I just watched the whole thing... Hahah

[@zenbeeby2986]

Absolutely Brilliant Many Thanks

[@floydboxterjr2801]

I didn't know you could do all that the video helped me out a lot thank you

[@SynthMinx]

Thank you for this. I want to use my 303 more and this will help!

[@goon8905]

Great video thank you for uploading.

[@Teddysk89]

I respect this guy

[@ElectricLabel]

Thanks for posting this, really useful.

[@juliogargano8968]

Excellent !. Thank you !

[@Gatopanzon_1976]

Thanks! awesome material.

[@Upgradeo8]

Flashbacks 👀

[@Mr_ToR]

I remember testing it at Sam Ash's old location in NYC when it first came out and I was really fascinated with how bad it sounded. Probably it was the filter that put me down due to the 303 reference and since I already had an AKAI S3200 it made no sense to me buying a PCM based device. Also I remember the samples being somewhat muddy and not so nice as well. It is also fascinating to me that Roland is still milking the cheap promise of 303, 606, 808, 909, 101, JP-8 etc. That's why I never bough anything newer than JV-1080 that Roland made... D-550 is the most digital I can get in my studio :-) Anything after that makes no sense to me to choose over a plugin. The older Roland stuff is gold...

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

What's another instrument that is good and affordable and not too hard to learn? MC-303 may not sound that good but at least it's affordable for the normal person and can make some decent sounds.

[@LousyFacelift]

@@MeneTekelUpharsin The Korg EMX is more limited in functionality, especially its sequencer but also a lot easier to use than the MC-303 and tons of fun!

[@6lukaslsm]

this looks like one of those old Dharma-videos from Lost :D

[@pupusaslordking5617]

+6lukaslsm not

[@Teddysk89]

+6lukaslsm can you link for another?

[@bigupz6818]

Haha true 😂

[@luismoreira1992]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 my dream machine

[@jelledevries1201]

a Masterclass!

[@mypandashallflyyy]

Nick Cooper the 🐐

[@Simplertous]

This is kind of complicated. I’ve spent a lot of time already getting there slowly. I might just use my Arturia Keystep Pro to sequence this groovebox lol.

[@AndrewJohnClive]

Nice! Thanks man!

[@gilbertkelly-sx8gh]

invaluable

[@graxjpg]

Sweet!!

[@808j3]

The only thing that reminds me of my early music making days. All DATS lost.

[@andresavilabogado3383]

Does anyone have this video subtitled to the spanish?

[@alexandreisavirov8511]

Congrats for such an amazing and very handy video. Q: I got the mc-303 recently and I am wondering how can I make a drum part using different drum sounds, so instead of using the whole sound of, say, the 909 kit, i can, for example, record the kick of 909 drum kit, the snare of HIp drum kit, etc. One idea would be creating two user patterns one with only the kick, second ptr with only snare, sharing same timing, and then create a phrase with both running together. Is there any other way? Thanks u.

[@Meteotrance]

tell me why ? i never had this video tape, my learning process was very painfull back then, but a good friend show me how to make madness with this cute litlle box thing.

[@JackHekler]

good video, do you happen to have the mc 505 video manual?

[@cougarman8]

JackHekler I wish there was a 505 one I could watch

[@onox4740]

did they make a video like this for the MC-505?

[@MrBencoussens]

can you set which mini channel to listen on? my MC 303 plays all channel data and i have 6 channels with data

[@simaovalinho1924]

Thanks :)

[@rufus3898]

Where was this video when I bought the 303 in 1997?🤣

[@BrancoArgenta]

Is there a way to hold the note while using the arpeggiator?

[@dame3726]

nice

[@discomyass]

is there a video manual for the mc 505 also??????

cool!!!

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

44:32 How do you get to the drum loop? The screen looks like it says U07 which is a user pattern. I don't know how to make one because the video hasn't covered it yet.

[@danielortizdecaracas]

Is there a place to download modified improved patterns for the mc 303? I really don't like presets very much, I don't see much use for them

[@soufienkhalfaoui7593]

But it still doesn't tell how to erase a whole User Pattern. I mean to turn the big "U" to a little "u".

[@stefanie_m466]

yeah , my roland D2 can do al the same but it is completly different on the panel but functions hel yeah , the same

[@ro-co5946]

Is there a way to move from one pattern to another but only play the rhythm from the new pattern and then build the new pattern up from there (what I mean is, can you mute aspects of a pattern you’re not currently playing)

[@djtribetp5206]

To control my mc 303 from my mc 505 how to have i to connect them? What is the right sequence to connect them to my pc for a recording session?

[@IgnatiusCaelestis]

This guy's name is Roland I believe.

[@theMilett]

Dios mio, deséenme suerte.

[@davidbrown8600]

It's weird. Watching this guy in 2018 and realising he is Tatsuya Takahashi's Great Great Great Grandfather.

[@matatias]

His voice, and maybe hair… very similar.

[@cltsunbury1]

Hi there. Can you help me? I've made a beat in the Rhythm part using the 808 and want to adjust the pitch/octave of the 808 boom bass kick sound. Can I do this to that particular kick rather than having to input the sound via a separate part?

[@XHALE303]

No, u have to use a track if u want to change the pitch of a particulair drum, cant be done seperate in the rhythem section

[@cltsunbury1]

Ok thank you.

[@XHALE303]

Chris Thomas No probs :) if u have the option i advice u to get your kick out of another device, your kick will be fatter trough a different output with more control & it releases the MC a bit as it often struggles when all 8parts are played

[@snupicel]

Hey man. It seems you know your stuff so I have a couple of questions if you don't mind answering. Can you have separate filter settings and separate effect settings on each part? (it looks like it's global). Also, same question for individual drums in the rhythm part.

[@neoseyes]

Do you know the Yamaha rs 7000. Does it work in a similar way?

[@dj2bklyn]

this little device did alot lol

[@jamesreynolds2190]

How do I access controller 124 omni off?

[@INVISIBLEpussy]

NO IDEA how to use it as a sound module. don't get it

[@patrickbertlein4626]

Whats the difference between transpose and tone?

[@BrancoArgenta]

Can you set different measures for each part?

[@Guitarist888]

That looks like a cassette player.

[@dj2bklyn]

output assign is false should say MIDI out assign

[@tonydavidson968]

Would this info convert to a 505

[@KingSkullie]

Tony Davidson I doubt it. I was lost using a 505 being used to a 303. Some parts may be similar but not enough. They are quite different machines.

[@MeneTekelUpharsin]

@@KingSkullie Do you know another sequencer/sound module like the MC-303 that's not too hard to learn?

[@phoggphogg]

> "actually"

[@djsomar8164]

Para aquellos de habla castellana y que busquen el manual de la Roland MC-303 en castellano y con los gráficos ya que la versión para latino América nunca salió con los gráficos explicativos, cosa que si traía el manual en Ingles y en Alemán. Me llevo su trabajo el editarlo y lograrlo lo comparto con quien lo necesite ;=) mega.nz/#!SJBWCS4b!GyxfPKvCK9qxjAPyXSbWFwXn7qMAw5UfvFvYIjPXHzU

[@X_Undead]

Ya no está disponible, es posible que vuelvas a publicarlo. Por favor y muchas gracias!!!

[@klaasj7808]

why did they, myself included, wear to big t-shirts. still cant understand it, looks stupid.

[@Fugu6000]

a matter of feeling comfortable, i suppose

[@jevogroni4829]

It was a trend from hip hop

[@FrancisMaxino]

I recorded a song doubling this up as a sound module controlled from my MT-100 sequencer/sound module to beef up the MIDI tracks in 1998. Gave it all heaps of resonance...@

[@FrancisMaxino]

I recorded a song doubling this up as a sound module controlled from my MT-100 sequencer/sound module to beef up the MIDI tracks in 1998. Gave it all heaps of resonance...@