Roland MC-707 in 2023!! What's next? Best upgrades and feature requests.

[@tommm4989]

Easily, EASILY, the number one request I have is 8 midi tracks. Just a shift function that toggles between one page that assigns the controls to the mc707 (as it is currently) and a second page where every track is a midi track. It would make this thing an absolute powerhouse of a studio brain

[@dogstare]

I’m really tempted but need to pack in the gas, love your videos ❤

[@ansonstiles]

I bought a 707 and have been totally overwhelmed. Tempted to sell it off but determined to make music with it someday…thanks for the in depth video, pretty inspiring

[@AppAxis]

How is it going now? I find it intuitive if you understand audio routing (diagram). After 2 weeks I was rolling! #MC707

[@beesting6135]

Get a DJ controller with Serrato you can get all your samples from there and use as an interface/mixer

[@isaac.anthony]

I like the idea of detaching volume fader from the volume perimeter, and making them all midi assignable as well. I often leave the volume all the way up and filter the sound in/out of the track.

[@FenixSongMusic]

Yah...I'd imagine this would be the lowest effort feature request possible (hahaha) ...turn something off. ;) But then, yes... midi assignable idea is better. Thanks for that refinery.

[@deathtrapdan]

midi assignable faders. 100%

[@olivergroves2007]

Side chain compression would be a nice to have. Other than that I’m happy with the 707 it’s a beast

[@BigMuff520]

The 808 kit sounded excellent. I had to come back and play it again. I’ll be waiting for the video on it.

[@FenixSongMusic]

Thank you! This motivates me to get that video going sooner.

[@LousyFacelift]

Please Roland - give us a more flexible high resolution substep function that can be used to insert different note values into a basic grid sequence for example to insert triplets or to emulate the strumming effect of a guitar in the step sequencer!

[@presentmomentmusic2023]

1. More clip looping time (only 60 seconds presently) 2. Shimmer reverb effect.

[@FenixSongMusic]

Roland #GAIA2 arrives, this one being a stated ZEN-CORE synth. As featured in the specs: FILTER DRIVE and something seemingly new: filter headroom. Excellent additions, Roland: please bring these to the MC-707! Filter Drive is where a lot of character of classic synths comes in and I would love to do more sound design on MC-707 using this for character.

[@MusicWizard85]

Good video. I like your tip about how to deep dive the sound design options. Another gem of 707 that's much less talked about is the ability to multitrack in to a DAW! I love being able to set up 4 or 5 707 tracks with internal, slightly tweaked sounds and record them individually at the same time. Then you can hook up an external synth, guitar, microphone, etc and assign it to a specific 707 Track and record right to your DAW. It makes a great mixer/DAW interface! My biggest complaint of 707 is the menu diving and very, very limited sample/external audio time.

[@waynet8496]

2 things I'd like is a computer editor like the TR editor. OR Zenbeats should be able to open and save the file format.

[@FenixSongMusic]

Yes, I'd like that too. The TR Editor was the good idea. Hoping to have the same here sometime.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

They already have a computer editor but they present it as another software synth that you have to by 200.00 😬

[@marcelduvenage3289]

Nice vid! My update wish-list would be an updated reverb for more lush sounds, think NigthSky/Blackhole and updated sequencer for generative style, the sequencer is great but feels a bit behind the times now compared to the Hapax/Oxi etc. Anyhow a few more features would be great.

[@andrewwilson5721]

I would like to see a reverb freeze function.

[@FenixSongMusic]

sounds good! that's on some other roland products right? i forget which one(s).

[@jonrichards333]

Local on/off so we can use the control surface and pads with DAWs. Currently you have to mute and unmute tracks to avoid midi feedback.

[@marianokin]

Awasome video. Ideal for 2023, connection directly with Zenbeats (like they did it with Versalab), or a editor for the computer ( like JupX 4example) instead to get the little screen …… regards

[@FenixSongMusic]

Seems like this is a top request! Thanks for voicing your love for this feature request.

[@LucidMusicIncRecordings]

It's time for preset saving and added insert effect slots on the tracks

[@GrootsieTheDog]

Come to think of it these two updates are really top of the list as they would greatly change not only functionality but make workflow vastly more utilitarian. Right now I have a bunch of “patch programs” where I design and name my patches. It’s a descent work around but not ideal by any means.

[@stevewoywitka3258]

change slider function, switch to rec motion, cc to pitch or effect control.

[@FenixSongMusic]

Totally! That would rock! These sliders are very prime real estate - would be great to see other SuperPowers for them. Thanks for your ideas.

[@judethree4405]

Why are there no preset beats that it comes with? I remember the mc505 had that and you could hit a button to add or take away each part of the beat (bass kick, snare, etc). Plus all the in moment effect adds, It gave a nice way to make a beat your own that was not your own.

[@FenixSongMusic]

idk. there's probably demo songs to use, I don't use them but some would. there are the mutes to take away parts. equivalent to moment effect could possibly be the Scatter performance effects. hope that helps bridge some gaps.

[@micaelarvidsson9034]

Record and save scatter fx on selected tracks

[@bassgeballer]

Do you know how to use the second side of motion (rec)??

[@Sopelmusic]

Roland has given us great updates 👍 My wish list: 1. vocoder 🥹 2. ability to transpose all (or selected) tracks with the option to record these changes (in motion?) 3. sequence to arpeggio (such as Roland Fantom G or Arturia Minifreak)

[@olivierdelor9099]

Ad a random for the tone melody

[@gladstone3532]

I love my MC707 but there is one major flaw for me. The fact that when you multitrack record over usb into DAW, any applied fx are not recorded! The MC707 is a great interface and I can make complete songs using it as the hub for my other hardware, but without the ability to multitrack record WITH applied fx, it is still an incomplete device. I really hope they address this in the next update!

[@FenixSongMusic]

true... a lot of devices are like that. Elektron when they go out multitrack do the same. not saying i like it but others are similar

[@geomagnetics]

great video btw. I'm not sure what you mean by the song mode item though. With scene chain you can automate scene changes. This gets pumped up with the Call Scene = type 2 option so you can chain 16 scenes and easily order them under the mute pad mode. Go into Utility / System Setting / CTRL tab and change Call Scene to Type 2. Now this changes your scene button function to bank select. Select a bank, press Mute, and then you can store new scenes with a long press of the bank button to any of the 16 step buttons. Then you can turn on Scene chain, set the repeat individually per scene and voila you have a pretty powerful song mode

[@FenixSongMusic]

Sounds Cool... so I reread the Update Notes for Version 1.5 for the Type 2 thing, then reread the Update Notes for Version 1.7 for the Scene Chain. This is basically the right kind of functionality but after reading the Update Notes I'm still unclear on a few things: Does the Scene Chain save with the project? (Tried it, yes saves.) What if you want to have different scene Chains comprising different songs? Can it save multiple scene chains per project? (I suppose using different banks... but still unclear about jumping around Scenes in different orders)

[@FenixSongMusic]

I'm experimenting more with it in this mode and I like it. it definitely works well... I suppose I was thinking about something like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqCkiZKdhpmAeLs ...or the Deluge method - each of which can "Arrange" more -- but there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Scene Chain method as I get used to it.

[@geomagnetics]

@@FenixSongMusic yeah i usually just do one song per project so ymmv but there are 4 banks of 16 that you can easily toggle now that the take up the scene buttons. So those can be 4 songs. Are you thinking about using it so arrange a whole set of songs? If were doing that I'd be hanging out in mute mode where the scenes are always there and you can jump around. Setting the master clock step length optimally can help smooth out the transitions too

[@FenixSongMusic]

@@geomagnetics yes, more than 1 song per project... as a Live performance need. Don't want to have to load up new projects and have dead time --at least not too much in a live set. Using MC707 with other devices can make 1 project last for a while if done right. Thanks for your commentary - helped me to dig deeper into its limits/potential

[@davidalexander9245]

mc707 sound design and effects ae off the scale way better than any other groovebox, bar none

[@Mr.Tubster]

Goodn Mate🙂 This was just wonderful

[@Mr.Tubster]

wanna join our promo mixtapes?

[@TeleporterM11]

How does the Mc 707 compare to the Elektron Rytm Mk2. Which is best for drums.

[@FenixSongMusic]

I've had a Rytm mk1... i like it a lot. I got it to do "the full groovebox thing" but the analog vco can be unstable for notes. If you just do drums the Rytm is pretty damn good. its analog. As I show in some of my videos on MC707 you can model drum synths too by using a whole track as say a Kick Drum. So i would say the mc707 could be more encompassing to make a full sound. Also, the TR8S can do tons of drum sounds.

[@dougport6322]

One button tap tempo would be sweet. Not having to press shift. Have you tried by chance a pedal input for tap tempo?

[@FenixSongMusic]

Exactly! Always a nice option :) No, haven't tried pedal. Right now I am using Syntakt as "brain for MC707" but most of the midi is turned off...just mainly for the tempo changes Syntakt can do more flexible (vs. 1 per project on MC i think) and transport control. It's working out really well!

[@drstupid1]

Should be able to save all MIDI and external audio input settings per project, so i don't have to tamper with multiple MIDI and audio routing assignments when swapping out external gear. We could then save templates based on different configurations. I've heard this requested before by others 😎

[@FenixSongMusic]

I think I've experienced a good deal of audio Input settings saving with the project but I'm not totally sure... which aspects of it are you finding are not saving? (per project)

[@isaac.anthony]

MC NEEDS a VST that is an actual controller for the boxes, like the TR8s app, and they should BOTH be VST or standalone apps. I don't like the zencore app and it's a pain in the ass to transfer patches.

[@isaac.anthony]

MC could use a FM engine, i imagine if the TR can do it, the MC should be able to?

[@isaac.anthony]

TR needs to have a generic USB driver like MC does.

[@isaac.anthony]

Probability sequencer options, similar to what Elektron has done, and many others are following...

[@isaac.anthony]

I insert an Elektron Drive pedal, for the reasons you go over.

[@FenixSongMusic]

@@isaac.anthony Agreed all around. Good call! Thanks

[@7177YT]

I'd like to trigger the arp from the sequencer like on elektron gear. At the moment the arp works playing the pads live sequenced steps won't be arped. That would do a lot for me. Cheers!

[@Sopelmusic]

You mean to transpose recorded sequence? If so, it’s possible but only live: select track, run sequencer, hold note and press any pad (C, D etc.)

[@7177YT]

@@Sopelmusic Nah What I meant was a bit like it's on elektron devices: If you put down some notes on the sequencer and activate the arp, those notes are gonna be arped as if you play the keyboard.

[@Sopelmusic]

@@7177YT Ok, basicly sequence to arp. It’ s on my wishlist too 😎

[@7177YT]

@@Sopelmusic yep!

[@straightforwardAcidTechno]

awesome machines

[@gorogne]

More voices if that's possible. For complex things, 128 is just not enough.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

1. Filter drive - I second that!🤩 2. More choice in knob menu (individual oscillator volume, pitch, filter - Osc1vol, Osc2Pitch for example)🔥 3. Color variation choices - the mc707 is already capable of more color variation as evidenced by sleep mode. So why not allow us to have more gradation between colors? (Two color gradient for faders is already capable as well). The color choices right now are so basic.🤔 4. More quick menus (func)- not just one or two levels.🧐 5. 1/1, 1/2, 1/4 song resolution - why just 1/8 & 1/16!?! Ugh.🥺 6. Random/probability per note - once again, it already has that for drum tracks, why not tone tracks!?!🙄 7. Better seq editor step navigation. If you want to edit step 98 for example, you should be able to navigate to that step much quicker. 😬 8. thanks Roland for adding the phonograph efx...that the mc909 already had and should have been included in the first place🙃 Better late then never I guess😊

[@FenixSongMusic]

wow, good points all! agreed!

[@GrootsieTheDog]

@@FenixSongMusic Just occurred to me but a filter env depth choice for knob would be very useful and one of those”why didn’t they add that in the first place” situations- because it’s so fundamental and important to sound modulation. Obviously you can set thus up via cntl 1-4 but...🤨

[@toddglacysacredsoundandliv7971]

Shimmer Reverb pleeze.

[@Guckst_Du_hier]

A sampler mode like a guitar looper.

[@FenixSongMusic]

yep! I think the Overdub feature in the looper would help it become this. I was just using it more last night and found after about 9 Four bar loops the memory was full. This would have to get increased for it to really act as the looper of our dreams.

[@waveshape]

change velocity for the whole pattern with one shortcut

[@GrootsieTheDog]

Sorry for the double comment but this deserves its own seperate comment - Dear Roland, (as is the case with the prior MC909 and other Roland synth engines) PLEASE add a *PER TRACK* master mfx level! You have it it for master reverb and master dly - why not master mfx?!?! Ugh. lol

[@FenixSongMusic]

That would be really nice. I think what you are saying, and I just need to confirm it because I haven't thought about it, is: its always 100% for the Master Mfx?? i believe you - I just haven't thought it thru. if so, you are right, that would be really good to have.

[@GrootsieTheDog]

@@FenixSongMusic Yes! You got it :) Its really weird - so if you go into the master efx menu you can adjust the overall delay and reverb master efx per chanel. But MFX only has the option of...on or off??? As a suggestion: Would be great for so many users (there is nothing on the entire youtube platform - except for a few vids here and there but nothing comprehensive) for a resource tutorial of the sound engine and deep dive sound designing for the MC707...the manual is just simply lacking compared to a Korg manual where functionality is explained from a synth designers perspective. For example, the Structure functionality (how to use the sync, ring, xmod & xmod2 properly - extremly powerful once you understand how to use them with differnt wave form combinations, volume combinations - especially paired with partial, i.e. single partial, pitch modulation,PM, & Fat squish) , the use of Saturation efx to create a filter pre and post filter drive quality, really dig into the efx and their parameters in relation to sound design, demystify the partial edit (its really siple once you wrap ypur head around it) etc. etc. I would like to do it myself as a series but Im just too busy to take the time to do proper youtube videos.

[@FenixSongMusic]

So, hi all! I love and appreciate all the comments here, and OBVIOUSLY ;) Roland does too!! Am I right?!?!? The only problem is this sort of backfired in a way (lol - sort of not serious....sort of) What am I talking about?!?!?! They did listen, they really did! They just took all these ideas and put them in the Roland SH4D. OOOOOOW!!! SNAP Did I mention I'm starting up a side hustle in an Amateur Comedy night - haha, thank you - I'll be here all week. But, hopefully, seriously, I'd like to think this is making a small impact. Lots of love, and keep making music with your favorite instrument.

[@Death_By_Media]

Not the most exciting, but umm mod & pitch wheel recording is ridiculous to not be built in . 2nd set of 8 tracks for external midi only Ala digitak would be damn powerful. Editor librarian and a real user patch section internally And of course expansion model compatibility

[@FenixSongMusic]

YES and YES PLS! Good ideas... I need the 707 to act as more of a command center and 2nd set of 8 midi tracks would really do it!

[@ionianechoes]

Probability and per cycle conditions for tone and drum tracks is the biggest lacking feature for me. Then also making all fx parameters assignable to the knobs. Many useful ones are not assignable.

[@FenixSongMusic]

True 'dat. I was just having an issue with that on an FX.

[@jackbauer1805]

I’d like it to respond to Msb/Lsb commands to be able to change patches with external gear. Also I wish you were able to save custom patches.

[@jerem680]

better arp the same as digitone.

[@DominicJacksonFilm]

The z core engine sounds weak af imo

[@dinshak86]

As a contrarian view...with the Mc707...Roland fit in too many things while compromising on quality and power to handle depth of sound design. Tried doing anything extra and it lags and misbehaves and the sound synth quality is not too notch like the TR8 or even close to the actual Zencore engine on a desktop/laptop VST :/