Roland MC-707, Four HUGE Tips for NOOBS

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[@dr.x6987]

Great tips i wish i had this video when i bought mine 2 years ago..... putting your own drum samples and is Major.... also editing your oscillators and effects on each sound is amazing as well you can go so deep on this machine it's crazy

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Jumping into the editor is 1/2 the machine

[@DJisaacAnthony]

Great tips! Mine best tip, is to hook it up to your iPad, there's multiple ways to insert iOS apps with your MC.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

iOS is great in general. I already use Auria Pro to record all my audio. I plan to bring a second ipad back in the mix with Korg Gadget and use 707 USB midi for that situation

[@DJisaacAnthony]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 i use it for longer samples, because the MC has limited sample time for loops, easy way to get around that limitation!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Nice, shows the diversity. We both use iOs in different manners

[@chrisb3389]

Yeah. There are some great ways to use an iPad with it. Recently I found that connecting the Tonality chord pads app as a MIDI controller is great for sequencing chords into the 707 easier than the internal chord mode (hosted in AUM). I’ve also recorded 707 clips into Loopy Pro or used Loopy Pro as a clip-launcher for the 707. Because to me the bass tones on the 707 are the weakest by default, I plan to use a 707 track to sequence the Mariana app by Moog and bring that audio into the 707. That way, it’s like me having a software version of a Minotaur to sequence from the 707.

[@milesholt3655]

Just really got into it the other day and can’t wait to buy mine to use it with scaler on those fucking sounds

[@taosophymusic]

Completely agree with you on the usefulness of the MC-707 and the drums thing. I have 10 synths ranging in price from $199 a $2000. If I had to keep one piece of gear, it would be the MC-707. The word groove ox doesn’t do it justice. It’s a mixer/midi sequencer/drum machine/synth/sampler/looper all with the Zencore sounds. With a midi keyboard and the MC-707 you are SET!!! Also I recommend getting the wood ends for it. Warms it up real nice when looking across the room in my studio (hint hint 👀)

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

707 feels almost endless with options. I love it and hope they do a MK2 or new version in a few years.

[@rgeraldc80s]

I want an MV-9900 with all the features of the MC-707 x 2 and the sequencing of the MV-8800. Complete workstation. Add the newest Fantom screen too.

[@Digiphex]

Nice tips. I would say as a tip edit the scatter to do tape stop and Bucephalus bouncing ball effects, etc. Because the factory scatter patches are more made to demo it and are kind of lame. Scatter is a freaking weapon if you make your own patches.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

The machine itself once you start going past presets is a beast. Nice tip, hope you have a good day !

[@DJisaacAnthony]

i been sleeping on the scatter efx, because i use the octatrak, there's a lot of crossover, i gotta figure out what MC does better than the Octatrack for FX.

[@heavysystemsinc.]

Yeah, the scatter is far more useful if you play around with it. I have to preset templates I switch between where one is a live remix (bottom row skips to 8th notes of the incoming audio which is good for little quick flourishes that aren't intrusive and the top has various vinyl/tape style effects, like a massive rewind, a slow down, a tape stop, etc.) Then I have another template which has more variety and includes MFX's tied to specific tracks at all times since I tend to use the same track types together on specific slots. It takes a LONG time to get to grips with scatter, but it's worth it and once you save a blank template you can load up at any time, you never have to set it again. You got your own hotrod you built from scratch. Also I highly recommend creating a template anyway just as a thing. The clip mode is part of my template, all the tracks are loaded up blank with clip mode already enabled.

[@lenine94]

I bought mine 1year ago i use it almost daily . And every week i discover new point of interest in this gear. Midi capabilities. Scatter edit. Routing. Sampling. Lastly using it with bitwig and a midi controller. Is something really crazy. It definitly a beast

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Couldn't agree more!

[@RavenWynters]

This guy knows what he is talking about and attempts to simplify it nicely - well done.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Have a good weekend bro

[@iiaaiiaannaaiiaaii]

Cool tips. To piggyback on your (very good) recommendation to turn on clips as the source per track- with one of the updates Roland now allows us to send program changes to external gear PER CLIP, which means if the piece of gear we are controlling with the 707 can receive program changes, every clip on that track/external gear can also have a unique sound in the same way clips can have unique voices internally .

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Hmmm, I wonder if different synths react better in that format than others. I’ve yet to explore that aspect. I can see that being insane with a Virus because it’s so stable with changes of patches and sound. Interesting

[@lobo7058]

Great Tips! thanks for sharing! more videos of the 707 please!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Just made a new one last night. It focused on drums.

[@Rattus9000]

Ay, another 707 video, that's what got me here. Some of your old videos are part of the reason I bought one. Got a tr-8s too the other day, have you tried that one yet?

[@DJisaacAnthony]

I put a TR8s, TD3 and an Octatrack into my 707. Having a TR frees up lanes on the 707 so you can layer more melodic elements, it's a great combo.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Not yet but I imagine they make a great combo.

[@VimyScout]

Love the MC-707. Have mine connected to my MX-1 and TR-8S through Ableton live. Also have a little S-1 on the way. Should just about do it for me 👍 Thanks for sharing.

[@quinapio]

Dude great tips! please keep it going, this is really helpfull

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Glad you enjoyed it. Will make others for sure.

[@mjamiep12]

Hey, great video. Can you recommend some drum sample libraries to look for? Especially for this genre. Thanks!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

The sets I have personally I can’t even find anymore online. Which means I’m going to start releasing smaller drum Kits built from the 707 and older kits I own that I use in my videos and create free drum packs soon. I’ve been thinking about updating my sample library too. I think I’d take a few trial of slice and make sure you have tons of space and a few days just to dump EVERYTHING industrial driven into a drive. That would be a solid starting point I imagine.

[@alecsbuga]

If you're like me and always forget to set "Sound source: CLIP" at the beginning, I found an option (on my MC 101 at least) to copy the sound to clip. So afterwards if you set the sound source to CLIP, the preset is pasted on the clip. I had both the 707, and two 101's in the past. I recently re-purchased a used 101 again, but I miss the sampling features and I"m gonna probably end up getting the big brother again 🙈.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I’ve done that so many times 😂😂😀😀

[@openmike04]

You're dead on about importing drum sounds. The Roland stock sounds aren't bad, but like you said, they are limited. That's a critical beginner tip. Save a few kits with sounds you like it a template.

[@espacemaxim]

An MC707 video is a good video, it's that simple

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Indeed it is!

[@chriscopeman8820]

Hope I can figure out how to update my new mc707 to the latest version.

[@kisho2679]

Will it be updated with stem separation feature from audio samples?

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

No, the sampler is a secondary aspect to this machine. The strong point / main drive is the powerful zen core synth engine. This allows light sampling on top of that the synth engine and midi aspects. MPC is the choice is you’re a sample head and want deep sampling options.

[@dinshak86]

I've been using the 707 decently for a while. When design sounds i feel it starts to die out with missing notes, reacts more sluggish as we create more intense clips. I wish there was a way to swap out the processor + ram for it to be performing live. Im scared on stage it will start dying with the bassbin shaking it up and the machines heating up.

[@daRooz22]

💯 % 🤍 your video. Simon✌️

[@kejo703]

Can you record an electric guitar directly into MC-707?

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Yes, You can sample and loop directly into the 707

[@RuiGon1]

Thanks.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

You're welcome

[@audiolego]

Would you sell the JDXA for the Novation Summit?

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I really enjoy the Xa. I think both sounds like a better way to go 🤣🤣. Why you ask ?

[@audiolego]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 I played a Summit and it's very instant. I think you'll be hooked. It has those electro industrial(very programmable) noises. I had the Bass Station 2 and it rocks as a mono but Summit. I want one. But I will not sell my Virus TI for it. I don't want to deal with the drama of shipping etc.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

@@audiolego Virus is great. I would honestly be happy with a Virus and MC-707 and keys

[@audiolego]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 even though I retired from buying synths because I feel I have the best setup now ever. I stilll fantasize GAS of selling this for " Moog Muse" or " Pro 3". This GAS will never wear of eh. Self control must be practiced. My last bought was the B 2600 in 2020.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I plan on picking up a Virus again some day. Like you said , it’s really all you need. Maybe that with a few other pieces. Virus just offers so many layering and multi tracking possibilities. It’s pretty endless

[@djkanyon]

Electribe\707\Novation Circuits are absolutely necessary for dawless stuff (unless you not using sequencers ecorders out of principle), There's no other gear that can record multi-track sequences with different sounds , polyphony\drums. No matter how limited them things are, still a must have. And once you have it you can never go back. Also props to Roland for still making this stuff, Korg seem to drop the ball with Electribes and i can't see if Novation is still in the mix of things... I just wish it was five-six hundreds and not a grand. But hey Roland was never budget friendly.

[@b1ist3rs]

Got mine used $600, looks great and came w/ stand. So you can find it that price range just be patient and look.

[@djkanyon]

@@b1ist3rs used market gon' get stronger now for sure!

[@espacomultiplo]

The ultimate MC707 OS is able to save Zencore patches already?

[@mudi2000a]

No you can only load them.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

He’s correct. You can load them from online.

[@mudi2000a]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 yes would be very nice if it worked also the other way round so you could export the patch from the MC-707 and load into Zenology or Zenbeats. But I’m afraid this will never come.

[@jeno.javori_music]

Hi, you mean you mean 8 x 16 Synths can be used and twaked in a set? Or Those are wave files?

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

They are all from the direct synth engine, drum machine or sampler so can be manipulated and changed via settings like a normal synth with all 128 sections

[@jeno.javori_music]

@@toddsmithmusic3172Thank you for your answer - So you mean I can insert 128 different syntpatches Drums, loops , and synthpatches? Thank you.

[@gibson2623]

I didn t understand that TRACK/CLIP thing......lol

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Basically if the setting is set to track. That track has to be the same sound and FX in every scene. Set to clip, you can have a completely different sound and FX in every scene on the same track. That makes even 4 tracks almost endless

[@gibson2623]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 Oh man! Thanks for being so kind with your explanation! As you said, that s much much better with the clip setting. Thanks!

[@thehowlingterror]

TLDW; Update it. Load your own samples. Change to Clip for each track That's about it.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I think those are very important things to do at the start of this machine.

[@bloopbleepnothinghere]

Your belt being undone is making me feel uncomfortable 😅