Roland MC-307 Drum kits and bass sounds (hi def recording)

The Roland MC307 is bloated with choice for sounds. It's capability to edit envelope and effects settings overcomes the slightly-dated vibe it gives off in its default form. Here we see all the default drum kits and bass sounds in action.

[@TheWaynelds]

I basically learned music structure 20 years ago on this thing. I was actually able to replicate the “Amen Break” on this too. I was really proud of myself at that time because the only Amen Break drum sounds on here are the kick drum, one of the three snare hits, and the crash cymbal. The ride cymbal and the punctuated snare took some work to master. So I made my own custom Percussion set, and I used a duplicate amen kick (which has the ride cymbal with the kick drum) for the ride cymbal and applied a high pass filter to take the lower end out of the kick drum/cymbal, and then change the attack and decay settings on a duplicate Amen Snare (for the punctuated softer snare hits) and the magic really happens when I use the Compressor FX to give it some weight. I wish I had an example to show, but my 307 isn’t working so well these days.

[@gearfacts]

Yeah the 307 is great, but I have seen a fairly high ratio of dead ones around.

[@orientalflux]

I lost this in 2007 and I got it back in 2019! I love this machine

[@gearfacts]

Classic 90's feels :) GF

[@happyfox711]

Lost 2, they never returned... 🤣

[@DirtyDiezel]

The 307 has the best samples at the highest quality of original Roland equip such as the TB-303, TR808,909,707,606,505 and much more.... It rocks for a sampled ROM based machine.

[@RaveTracks]

I've always fancied one of these and this vid make me want one even more. However I think my RM1x's might murder me in the night if I do ha ha. Great vid!

[@gearfacts]

Yes it's an interesting comparison between the two. I've made an RM1x video actually - or maybe two even, it was a long time ago when i had an RM1x. Gearfacts

[@RaveTracks]

That's how I found you. Not that I'm RM1x obsesses or anything. Ok, maybe just a bit.

[@gearfacts]

Oh nice one :) Thanks for watching my channel

[@dabeagle2439]

Don't worry I have a MC307 and two RM1x's and neither have even looked at me menacingly. They play very nicely with each other. Actually one of the Yamaha's is Mr Gearfact's old one that I bought off him!!!

[@DeliriumElectric]

RaveTracks do it man, I'd like to see what you could do with a 307 and Rm1x side by side 😀

[@markussamnell6408]

I keep debating myself if I should sell mine. But it is just so damn versatile and easy to handle once one gets into it.

[@gearfacts]

From time to time I regret selling mine, and that was over 2 years ago now. I think that says something :) #gearfacts

[@DJdoublevision]

great couple of pictures ...but wheres the demo

[@gearfacts]

This is the demo I uploaded: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nGeldat6jd1rgsU

[@36TRecords]

Great video. I just bought a mint-shape Roland MC-307, to add to my home studio. I own a lot of Roland gear, & love it all. My favorite probably being either the JP-8000, JX-8P, Fantom, etc. I was noticing in your great video here, the display & LEDs change colour. How do you do that, or what is the function key(s)? Thank You in advance. Perhaps you wouldn't mind from te to time, answering a question or two. I own a lot of other gear, programmed sound patches for the Korg X1,2,3; N264,364; Karma, & so on. I also own a lot of Pioneer DJ equipment, so perhaps if you have questions on other devices & modules, I could help you. I hope that You, Your Family & Friends are all doing well, staying safe & healthy. Cheers & Heavy Respect, STEPHEN W . c.2021 IDWT CommTech, Inc. c.2021 3:6:T RECORDS, Inc.

[@gearfacts]

Hi there, and thanks for that great comment. I can't remember what the lights changing color meant, but I just bought another MC307 a few days ago. I'll be sure to mention the lights (and hopefully an explanation) when I create a new video about this fascinating machine :)

[@rottenandremixedrecords]

I own one it's dope

[@gearfacts]

Just bought another one, always regretted selling the first. New video coming soon!

[@InkyDaCaT]

I've got this, just done video, I like the 505 for the controls but apparently it has less sounds😕

[@gearfacts]

The 505 is the only one I haven't yet tried. I was of the understanding that the 505 and 307 had a similar number of sounds but the 307 is deigned more for integration to DJ setup rather than a compositional setup with it's turntable-matching controls. I should read a bit more about it. Thanks for commenting :) Gearfacts

[@InkyDaCaT]

Gearfacts as i have understood, cus i just bought 307 and maybe i don't understand fx menu or maybe bust?? But 307 has same sound engine, just more menu giving, and 505 can effect each drum part which 307 can't do!!!! Which is super cool and 505 has more hands on control...BUT ONLY HAS 3RD OF SOUNDS😕 tbh keeping 307 and hunting for 505😉 they are so underestmitated slap effects here we go two of em😂😂😂and a mixer😆

[@maxwarfield6699]

And these are presets not something that you programmed, right?

[@gearfacts]

There's a tiny bit of my own work in there, but it's 95% presets, yep.

[@mikewhiteman23]

whats the difference between this and the 303 ? better drums on 303 and more butons but you dont get the DJ pitch side control anything else can you make a live set just as good?

[@gearfacts]

The main functional difference I think is the more informative screen :) GF

[@lcaise]

Im waiting for more (owner of 505 but 307 is still interesting!)

[@gearfacts]

I've gotta try that 505, it'd be an interesting comparison. Gearfacts

[@DirtyDiezel]

I thought the 307 had more sounds internally than the mc303 or mc505? I understand the 505 has a sampler but less sounds.

[@aramis844]

@@DirtyDiezel 307 got same 505 sounds, but less knobs. its the same machine, neither can sample or load external sounds

[@aramis844]

@@DirtyDiezel Oh really? I wonder how, I own mine and don't even see an audio input mmmmmmm

[@DirtyDiezel]

@@aramis844 your right it just has a mixer section my bad!

[@lorenzoraptor9601]

I want this unit for the drums/FX not so much the synths/keys or sequencer. Can I set up 2-3 kicks, 2-3 snare & 4-6 hi-hats on 1 patch/kit & then sequence it from my MPC ?

[@gearfacts]

Not as far as I'm aware (though there might be a clever way) ..I always set up several different tracks with different kits to do that.. #gearfacts

[@lorenzoraptor9601]

@@gearfacts I see 13 pads so that 13 drum slots correct ? Each pad can have its own drum sound. I assume it is easy to copy a drum sound from 1 pad to the next ?

[@gearfacts]

Err no... nothing much is easy on this unit!

[@lorenzoraptor9601]

@@gearfacts thanks for the warning; i almost got one

[@TheWaynelds]

@@lorenzoraptor9601 Actually, yes you can. Along with the 13 pads/keys, you can also change the octave range up and down by +/- 3 or 4. This allows you to have more than 13 drum/percussion sounds per drum kit. You can make your own custom percussion sets by choosing from a menu of drum sounds (there’s a lot) on each pad and even edit them by changing some parameters. However, you’d be better off using sample based software/ hardware for drums.

[@marcelmarechal1420]

I bought an MC-307, it still works great, I think? I have not been able to test the turntable emulation and just like your copy, the switch for the on, off and grab is broken. I guess I have to get the switch fixed. The user manual is like over 200m pages long and very technical. I can't seem to find any tutorials on the web about the MC-307. Is there anyone out there, that can help me? LoL Thanks!!

[@TheWaynelds]

I can help if you’re still stuck on something.

[@churricardo1457]

Can you use the drum sounds interchangeably? Or only one drum kit at a time

[@gearfacts]

No, you can put different drumsets on different tracks, no worries :) #gearfacts

[@lochlandoyle8158]

yes you can actually

[@lochlandoyle8158]

edit and you can choose individual samples interchangeably

[@pelamonia]

How many patterns u can make on the 307?

[@gearfacts]

I can't remember man, you'll have to google it sorry!

[@claud_b]

You can save 200 user pattern and each of it can hav a max. length of 32bars :)

[@PoupiDom]

Hi! Is this piece of gear a remake of the 303? Cheers

[@DirtyDiezel]

yes its a remake of the mc303. its the best model minus the d-beam and sampler that the mc505 had. It does have the best sounds and most presets.

[@wcloud983]

@@DirtyDiezel I agree....keep in mind that the first sampler in the MC series was the MC-909 though

[@lorenzoraptor9601]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_MC-307