Roland MC-50 - Basic MIDI track recording (Crystal Waters - Gypsy Woman)

A viewer (Shimmy Disco) asked me how to record several MIDI instruments with different MIDI channels on several tracks.
You will learn the following points with this video:
- Basic MIDI recording
- Quantizing
- Creating clean loops
- Copying tracks
- Changing MIDI channels
- Merging tracks
- Transposing tracks
The Roland TR-8 is synced to the MC-50.
I will record the following parts:
On track #1 - MIDI channel number 1 (Korg M3R)
On track #2 - MIDI channel number 3 (Yamaha DX-100)
On track #3 - I will copy track number 1 and change the MIDI channel to number 4 (Roland JV-880)
On track #4 - MIDI channel number 5 (Roland JV-1080)
Later on I will merge all tracks to only 1 track and I will copy this track to another track with the intention to transpose this track.
So, a complete and basic video about how to record with the Roland MC-50 Micro Composer.
Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!
Check also my website:
www.themidimaniac.com
Here a link to the original song:
• Crystal Waters - Gypsy...
Grtzzz,
Roger

[@andrem7466]

Just got a pair of MC-50 for that cheap that I couldn't resist from buying, including original power supply and original printed manuals and this video from you is a very good starting point after reading the manual. Great!

[@theMIDImaniac]

My apologies for my extreme late reaction.... So cool to read that the MC-50 still keeps on receiving love from new users. And the complete package you bought is great! Enjoy!

[@newrorican]

Thank you so much for this video. I also have this, but know little on how to work it. I learn so much from your channel.

[@theMIDImaniac]

newrorican you’re totally welcome! 👌🏼✌🏼 happy to read that you learn something from them.

[@shimmyyyyyyy]

Thanks Roger! Great video and very nice song selection!! Thankyou for the help!!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Shimmy Disco it was a real pleasure to do. And the songs I choose are purely based on my youth emotions. 🤗✌🏼

[@timsaddler6402]

Great video - had my mc50 repaired yesterday after being broken for a few years so looking forward to getting into Roland methodology- started sequencing 30 years ago originally on alesis mmt8 !

[@theMIDImaniac]

Tim Saddler great that you had it fixed. Never played with the Alesis sequencer but people are very positive about it. And yeah, these Roland sequencers are fun to play with. Enjoy!!!

[@richardwalley2862]

Thank you thank you thank you for posting this!!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Richard Walley you’re welcome! ✌🏼 These kind of reactions make me continue grabbing vids. 🤗

[@robertolpz1379]

Thank you midi guy, you are the best teacher here!!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Roberto! Muchísimas gracias por tu piropo. Thank you so muy for your compliment! And thanks for watching my videos. I really hope they help you. Grtzzz, Roger

[@robertolpz1379]

Roger The MIDI MANIAC de nada, gran trabajo Maestro!

[@Vissepisse11]

Great and really helpful content as always Roger :) I am soon the owner of a MC-50 in mint condition. €40 crazy cheap imo. I envy those who can combine sitting in front of the computer and still be playing/making music (and having fun while doing so) but I know I sure can't. Producing music is imo meant to be performed, spontanous and fun.. not clickityclick click tweak click and 4 hours later still stuck with the same uninspired beat. Once again thanks for being the number one mc-50 guru on youtube :)

[@theMIDImaniac]

That's a reaaaaal bargain! Sincerely happy for you! And don't envy the DAW-people because you understand how producing music works. We live today in an instant-fun society with fast scroll habit. The DAW-less movement is getting stronger, though! (yes...it has a name today....in the 90's we were just synth nerds and now your'e a DAWless musician. :D Too much honour, regarding the MC-50 guru....Highly appreciated. Thanks for watching my vids and good luck on the new piece of gear! Grtzzz, Roger

[@Zeal808]

Incredible :-)!! Thank you so much! I think I found the sequencer I’m looking for

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thank you for your great comment! It’s indeed an amazing sequencer. Rock solid and still usable today. No computers so no updates. And I’m just showing the top of the iceberg. It can handle so much more. Good luck and thanks again!

[@johnnydekock]

Very nice Roger. Will you show program changes with different sounds from different sources at some point please.

[@stcezaire06]

Awesome demo and awesome squencer

[@theMIDImaniac]

angy choup Hi! Thanks for your positive comment. Very appreciated 😃. And yes, the sequencer is amazing. A real hardcore midi sequencer 💪🏽👌🏽✌🏽🤙🏽

[@stcezaire06]

thanks , I have the possibility to buy one and I want it

[@gaborhertelendy]

Very useful

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks a lot. Sorry for the extreme late reply.

[@Pan6888]

Thanks for such informative video much better than a manual (to be honest i coudlnt unserstand how do i record reading the manual- i tried to sell my unit nobody wanted it but after spending some more time with this one i think its easier and faster than a DAW if you know what you are doing. Thanks for bringing this nice piece of studio gear back in life and music making !

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks a lot for your comment. Sorry for the very late reply.... The MC-50 is an amazing stable sequencer. You're right...once you know what you're doing, the unit brings gold to you.

[@Pan6888]

@@theMIDImaniac No worries btw i want to use this one to transfer sysex files to my dx 7 but it seems that the floppy drive format is different between the pc i use and the mc 50, ever used this sequencer in order to transfer sysex to a synth ?

[@sheltzoner]

Hey roger love this series! Just wondering if it’s possible in a song to have tracks that have step recording and tracks with real-time recording. I can’t figure out how To switch back and forth.

[@MariusVideoOfficial]

Hi, then when You press record and pause, play the keyboard and MC-50 record the program change msb lsb and patch number? I have to put It manually using with my yamaha mm6, I have to try with my other keyboards

[@ambiguationdotnet]

This is AWESOME! Thank you so much for making this tutorial! Question @ 10:45 - track 3 has the contents of track 1 + track 3 on it after the first merge... in the video you then merge 2 + 4 onto 2, and then those onto 3... are you able to combine (merge) 2 + 4 onto 3 (which already has 1 on it, also) without going via 2? Thanks again!

[@mr.zeitmaschine6878]

Thanks for the explanation. How do you connect so many instruments to this machine? It only has two midi ports. Also can you do a full song on it? Do you have to play the whole song in to it one by one layering? Which channel was your beat machine connected to? Thanks

[@tyshekashay]

Does this drum machine export audio (from an external source like a drum machine for instance) just like it receives it, does the volume get lower on export?

[@theMIDImaniac]

dj killon Hi! Thanks for asking. Sorry but I have to disappoint you because it’s not recording audio. It’s recording midi events. The sounds are coming from my hardware gear and are connected to my VS-1824CD mixer. And it’s not a drum computer but a sequencer. Could be that I misinterpreted your question. Have a good one.

[@iixorb]

This was really helpful - thanks !! I'm currently trialling an Alesis MMT-8 and the MC-50. I haven't yet worked out how to create groups of (say) 8 bar patterns on the MC-50 and arrange them later on in any order I want, into a song. This is really easy to do on the Alesis MMT-8 but the MC-50 has left me a bit confused in this respect. Perhaps it's not possible on the MC-50 as it's more of a 'linear' sequencer rather than pattern based?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Thanks for your comment. You're right, the MC-50 is a linear sequencer and doesn't work with patterns for the instruments. Only the rhythm has to be done that way.

[@iixorb]

@@theMIDImaniac Thanks :-) I'll stop looking for something that's not there ;-)

[@PatrickDiAngelo]

It's very similar to the sequencer of the roland xp series..on the xp-50, it has 16 tracks (plus a beat track..), it has shuffle and "groove templates", which is quantize based on ...well, templates..:) , but it doesn't have a 2nd midi out.. This mc-50 looks like an easy and simple sequencer to use...and if it keeps a tight timing, it's very good for sure...later in the '90s, when they came close to millenium, sequencers with a lot more functions and strength came out, like the korg electribe's and yamaha rm1x-rs7000, but sometimes maybe it's easier to work with smth like this, or a sequencer that i heard a lot of people love, the alesis mmt-8...kawai has got it's version too, Q-80 if i remember right...

[@theMIDImaniac]

Well done with those remarks! What's missing on the MC-50 is shuffle/groove. That's why I synced the TR-8 in this video because 'Gypsy Woman' has that shuffle in the beat track. Yes, that MMT-8 should also be something. I just lost my heart with this machine because of its looks, its floppy drive and its user interface. Perhaps in the future I will try an Octatrack or similar. But the past years the MC-50 kept on making my day ;-)

[@GeneralDead1978]

Roger did you try Yamaha QY700? Great sequencer with big screen and even pianoroll. Shuffle\groove exist in qy700.

[@theMIDImaniac]

GeneralDead1978 No, never tried that sequencer but I’ve read interesting reviews about it. Let’s start a search for it because a shuffle function would be great instead of syncing my TR-8. Thanks for the tip ✌🏼

[@jesseanderson3835]

How to I get a looped playback? Edit: Got it, Shift Play.

[@leegreveson]

Just another tip for you, again, rather than use the Alpha dial, you can input values using the keypad, especially when using the edit functions. So to Quantise, just hit "Edit" 9. Then also enter values using the keypad. Less arduous than the dial which comes into its own in microscope mode, when you need to whizz through MIDI data. When I used to sequence on the MC300 regularly, you get used to knowing what options equated to which numbers and you could work quite quickly. Pity they don't make these anymore, with some SD card file storage option, rock solid for live performances. Great playing by the way.

[@theMIDImaniac]

Lee Greveson ✌🏼👌🏽 thanks again! Yes, I’m familiar with those shortcuts. In the videos I show the functions through the alpha dial to make it more visible for the viewers. This machine can go so deep, as you know. Perhaps an idea for a boutique version? Mc-500? 😁💪🏼

[@leegreveson]

Roger The MIDI MANIAC Ah good, totally agree why you were demonstrating using the dial now, good call. Yes, on the surface it is basic, but so powerful, all it has to do is deal with numbers. A Boutique version would be awesome and would probably run on batteries too 😂 There is something quite magical about hardware sequencers, you put numbers in and music comes out. I'd love a Sequentrix Cirklon but way out of my price range.

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

I put a usb module in my MC-50 for the storage.

[@gerijones3038]

@@pascalvanelstlande6954 Was it easy to do Pascal ? ... I've just bought one today and the disk drive doesn't seem to be working :)

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@gerijones3038 Oh yes. you can open the back, there are 2 connectors to be replaced. you can order it here nl.aliexpress.com/item/32595250052.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dhLtWBV instructions can be found here kzbin.info/www/bejne/ame9Z358mbqegac

[@rhondafeldman]

Hello I'm new to Midi and just picked up a Roland mc 50. Is there a way to record midi information from your midi keyboard to the mc-50 when it's just going into the midi "in" and you have two other synths coming from the midi "out"?

[@theMIDImaniac]

rhondafeldman Hi! Welcome to the world of midi. In this video I explain how to set it up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqmqY52aat-pb8U I also recommend to read the manual. It gives a lot of useful information. midimanuals.com/manuals/roland/mc-50/owners_manual/ Let me know if it helped! Grtzzz, Roger

[@CVC509]

Can you talk about how to loop a certain area in which you might want to do over dubbing ?

[@theMIDImaniac]

I indeed can do that. I already tell you how to do it. It's by using block-repeat but a video would be helpful, I know!

[@wilckaudio3280]

Your instruction vids are great!!! I have a question: I would like to use the MC50 live with several midi machines (synths, samplers,...) Is it somehow possible to record something during playback the other tracks?

[@theMIDImaniac]

wilck audio 😁😃 thanks a lot!! Yes, there is a way to do it. In fact, the tracks are always playing during recording. The only thing is that you want to have it looped, right? In that case you need to create a block repeat and you need to turn of the beep of the metronome. I will give it a try also soon. Just curious if you can do some creative things on the go. Grtzzz, Roger

[@wilckaudio3280]

@@theMIDImaniac Thanks for your answer. Now I checked out some things: its possible to record over a looped part. But only on the same Midi channel. Do you have any idea, how to change the midi channel of a new track without stopping the playback from the other ones?

[@theMIDImaniac]

wilck audio I’ll try something like this: on my master keyboard I will change the midi channel for the instrument to be played. Let’s see if that influences the recording. I guess that would work. Keep you informed.

[@olsonwaters4116]

okay so does it have a song mode? Where you can chain the tracks together and save it all as just a whole song with transitions?

[@theMIDImaniac]

There’s indeed a way to chain the songs. This is a separate mode where you can load multiple songs to have them played as a chain.

[@yrureadingthisname]

Hey How would I create a loop say from measure 2 to 9 or anything else? I want to have it so my CC messages are set-up on the first measure and then my song can start on the second measure and just loop for the 8 or 16 bars. Any help would be appreciated!

[@theMIDImaniac]

yrureadingthisname Hi! The function you’re looking for is called ‘block repeat’. You can determine a specific block to have it looped. On page 69 of the owner’s manual it is explained. Now you can use the 1st measure for CC and from the second a block loop. cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/MC-50_MC-50MKII_OM.pdf?_ga=2.114808836.24105590.1554668089-457738611.1550925704 Good luck! Grtzzz, Roger

[@yrureadingthisname]

The MIDI Maniac Ah! Ok so I setup the block repeat parameters so measures 2 through 17 are repeated. The only thing is to have it loop I have to hit pause+play at the same time and doing so skips the first measure, going straight to measure 2. Is it possible to have measure 1 play then proceed to have measures 2-17 loop? Can you turn block repeat on/off while playing? Thanks again for your help man! Really appreciate it.

[@giuliocesarecipriani]

fantastic how-to .... can I ask you another info ? How I must to connect a keybord to MC50 and sound module? I don't understand how made it... when I play something on my kbd I hear the sound (is in local on) but I don't hear nothing thru the sound module (only when I start "play" after the recording). Wjat I haven't correctlu set? Best regards

[@theMIDImaniac]

Giulio Cesare Cipriani Hi! Did you see this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqmqY52aat-pb8U Perhaps it helps answering your question. Thank you so much for your compliment! 😁✌🏽👌🏽

[@giuliocesarecipriani]

Ok. Your video is perfect ! I will do it.... only two questions again: I want to replace the FDD with a gotek USB drive. Have you never done it ? It really works? Second question: I've seen your video with MC50 and SP808. On the first midi channel of my MC50 I've connected an U220 sound expansion. On the second channel I want to connect another sound expansion. Do you suggest me the Sp808 ? Or I can to connect a better machine (low price !!!!!!!) ? Do you suggest me something?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Giulio Cesare Cipriani Hi! I did the Gotek on my W-30 and S-330 but was not satisfied so I replaced the floppy back. There is a better solution with SD-cards. But I just like the sound of floppies 🤗. Second question: the U-220 is multi timbral so you can get more sounds on other tracks. The SP-808 is a beautiful machine but it has also its flaws. What would you like to add? I mean...a JV-1080 is around 150€ and a SP-808 also. The JV-1080 offers very cool sounds. Very natural and deep. Or a JV-1010. That one has the sounds of the 1080 & 2080 + session expansion. But it all depends on your wishes and type of music. Grtzzz, Roger

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@theMIDImaniac The jv 1010 en 1080 are great combined with the recently aquired U220 , D50, Korg M1 and Korg X5 , I think I nearly own more than the holy trinity of the 80ties and early nineties

[@emmarossignol4445]

How do you have multiple synths/drum machines plugged in? Are you using a merge box or just using the thru ports on the units?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Hi! Thanks for asking. I use midi patch bays to combine all my gear. I always recommend to use patch bays/merge boxes when you have more than 3 units to connect. This keeps the midi signal clean.

[@Kekke466]

Hi Roger, I have really odd behaviour with a Roland A500 PRO used on the input of the MC-50. I tried various settings in the MIDI parameters of the MC-50 but I can't play anything decent in real time without having hanging and blocked notes. Does this have something to do with with the gates and steps? Really breaking my head over this. My setup is: Roland A500 PRO -> MC-50MKII -> MIDI OUT 1 on Behringer pro 1 ->MIDI OUT 2 on Roland R-8 MKII

[@theMIDImaniac]

Kekke466 hi! Let me check this. A500 is midi keyboard. So, cable from midi out to midi in on MC. Then other units from midi in to midi out on MC. Settings on both sound units = Omni Off to make sure that they respond on only 1 midi channel. Problem can be that a500 is not able to distinguish the both machines. So you can also use daisy chain. Cable from module midi in to midi thru on other module and then just to 1 midi out on MC. Use on MC out A in this case. Give it a try and keep me updated. ✌🏽

[@Kekke466]

@@theMIDImaniac Roger, today I updated my Behringer Pro-1 with the lastest firmware and magically it works perfectly now with the soft thru midi out 1+2. I can confirm that there was really strange behaviour before because with my JX8P it worked flawlessly. After updating all behaviour is normal now. Thanks for thinking with me. Glad I got it working! Regards

[@yvesdropBeats]

Before you had the vs 2480?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Yes, at that time I had the VS-1824 and the MC-50. Also a rock solid combination.

[@Berkner80]

Looking to use this to control other sound modules for live performance. Want to create MIDI sequence on PC then use MC-50 to control everything. Can this be done on MC-50? I am looking to get one maybe. Thanks

[@theMIDImaniac]

Berkner80 hi! This can be done with the MC-50 MKII. That model can handle .MID files. I will give it a try also when I find a floppy drive for my computer to read DD-flops. I did it once with my MV-8000 which can save .MID files and it was readable by my MC-50. Very cool!

[@Berkner80]

@@theMIDImaniac Thanks, So I guess the MC-50 will only read 2DD floppies. If so I will probably look around for something that will read 2HD or replace it with a USB floppy emulator.

[@theMIDImaniac]

Berkner80 yes, that’s a great idea. I also read about your idea to put in a USB-solution which would solve it immediately.

[@Berkner80]

@@theMIDImaniac Yes, I wasn't sure if that would work or not but I guess it might.

[@theMIDImaniac]

Berkner80 I’ve seen successful installs of USB-units in MC-50. And then the file-exchange will be no probs. I had a Gotek in my W-30/S-330 and it worked perfect regarding transferring files from computer to the gear with an USB-stick. My ‘problem’ is that I just love the floppy sound. That’s why I keep on using floppies and Zip disks for my gear 😅

[@AntonioLausin]

How change the tempo , the strats in 120bpm in the 12 messure change the tempo to 125bpm, it's possible? thanks man

[@theMIDImaniac]

Antonio Lausin Hi Antonio! I will grab a vid with this feature. ✌🏼

[@AntonioLausin]

Thanks!!!!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Grabbing+editing is done and the vid is uploading. This is the link, but due to slow upload speed it will take some time. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIquo6CkgZdreZo I expect it will be online in an hour.

[@AntonioLausin]

Pero si hablas español!!! a ver si haces el video jejeje, que me interesa para pegarle un tiro al mac y pro tools de una vez!!!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Antonio Lausin siiii! Llevamos ahora cinco años en España entonces me defiendo un poco. Sobre ProTools y el mac...lo siento...no toca música con mi Mac. Ya trabajo demasiado con mi Mac y por eso no quiero ser pendiente de mi ordenador con mi música.

[@richardwalley2862]

Do you know what the difference is between the mc50 and the mc50 mk2?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Richard Walley yes, the MK2 can play SMF (Standard MIDI Files). That’s the main difference. The buttons of the MKII are little less quality. You could upgrade your MKI with a chip to make it equal to the MKII.

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@theMIDImaniac How can you put the midifiles into the MC-50

[@alianshampoprisioners7056]

I can used with only one synth?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Yes, it can. I suggest to use a multitimbral synth and not a synth which can only produce one sound.

[@devonhanofski]

Hi Roger. New to MIDI, and there's one thing I can't figure out. I am using an MC500 with a single synth. When I record track 1 and 2 with the same synth, but different sounds/patches, I can only get track 1 and 2 to play with just 1 of those sounds depending on what sound is on the synth. What am I doing wrong here?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Kool Kerney hi! Thanks for asking. Important to know is if your synth is multi-timbral (able to play sounds in different channels at the same time). Which synth do you have and I will check out the manual online. Thanks! ✌🏽✌🏽

[@devonhanofski]

@@theMIDImaniac Thanks! I couldn't find (or recognize) any info on what it is I have to do, but it's an Alpha Juno. I must be able to record my patch info into the MC500?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Kool Kerney ok, the alpha Juno (1 & 2) are mono-timbral synths. This means that they can produce only one sound at the same time. Two tracks on the MC-500 will therefore only play the same sound...

[@devonhanofski]

@@theMIDImaniac Oh dang, thanks for your help!

[@theMIDImaniac]

Kool Kerney any time! I love the Juno! Amazing analog synth. Did you check out my template for the BCR-2000 to have easy control over the Juno synths? No more button pressing, just easy turning knobs.

[@richardwalley2862]

What about using a drum machine?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Richard Walley Hi Richard! In what would like to see a drum computer attached? In the video you hear the TR-8 synced to the MC-50. The tempo change affects also the TR-8. But perhaps you have another idea so I can grab a vid about that. Thanks! ✌🏼

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

The first time I get the right information to use the MC50

[@theMIDImaniac]

Thanks for your great comment! Happy to know that you received the right information. Grtzzz, Roger

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@theMIDImaniac I just Bought the JV 1000 with a MC50 in it. does it work the same

[@theMIDImaniac]

Pascal Vanelstlande congratulations on your JV-1000. Yes, it’s the same software 👌🏽💪🏽

[@pascalvanelstlande6954]

@@theMIDImaniac can it be used as the mc 50 to play the other synths ? Or does it aply to the jv 1000 only

[@theMIDImaniac]

Pascal Vanelstlande it should be able to trigger also other synths. My old D-20 can trigger old synths and so can the newer JV-1000.

[@RosalvoParadella]

Como seria a configuração pra utilizar somente 1 módulo de sons ?

[@theMIDImaniac]

Rosalvo Paradella a configuração seria: cabo MIDI MC-50 MIDI-in a teclado MIDI-out. O módulo MIDI-in a MC-50 MIDI-outA. É muito mais fácil configurar tudo com este setup. Sorte!

[@RosalvoParadella]

@@theMIDImaniac obrigado amigo !! Comprei um emulador de disquetes da Gotek, mas comprei o errado. Comprei o que emula disquetes de 3.5". Vou ter que mudar o firmware interno por um Hxc2001. Vc sabe dizer se realmente é preciso trocar o display de 3 dígitos por uma tela OLED ?

[@theMIDImaniac]

@@RosalvoParadella O Gotek 3.5 "deve funcionar com o MC-50. Eu também tinha. Comecei a usar o disquete novamente. Mais velha escola: D Não há necessidade de substituir o LED, eu acho.

[@RosalvoParadella]

@@theMIDImaniac muito estranho. Ô meu não funcionou normalmente. Agora já instalei o HxC2001 flash floppy firmware. Vou instalar hoje pra tentar novamente. Obrigado amigo.

[@MariusVideoOfficial]

Hi, then when You press record and pause, play the keyboard and MC-50 record the program change msb lsb and patch number? I have to put It manually using with my yamaha mm6, I have to try with my other keyboards