ROLAND MC707 IN-DEPTH REVIEW

This is the Roland MC707 groovebox and sampler and my in-depth review of it. Sponsored by Storyblocks Audio. It's a great service. Check it out here: ​storyblocks.com/BoBeats
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[@BurstupTV]

I own several grooveboxes from Korg, Roland, Elektron etc. To me the MC-707 is the best one, almost the perfect groovebox. Since firmware update 1.72 it also has an arpeggiator and scene-chaining (= song mode).

[@djdeemz7651]

I'm looking for a groove box that is also a live looper I'm a scratch dj and want to hook my mixer up and have both options where I can drum a beat out live loop it then loop record in scratch s and build up tracks like that live , have you used any groove box that has this capabilities currently I'm thinking I need a groove box and a boss 505 to do what I want just wondering if there is anything that does both .....I have a machine mikro and even though this loop records its not quite right for a live performance

[@debernd82]

01:15 Intro 02:02 Sound 1 03:39 Overview 08:16 Inputs/Outputs 08:40 Setup Example 09:55 Sound 2 11:15 Creating Drums 15:19 Adding Synth 20:24 Clips 20:31 Mute Modes 22:09 Live Rec Clip 22:40 Sampling 24:56 Sampling Setup 27:26 Sample Edit 28:41 Mater FX 31:36 Pad Modes 33:10 Synth Engine 35:00 Pros / Cons 39:30 Fazit

[@BoBeats]

♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@davidpinto1195]

loopop style

[@DJDigitalJosh]

So a pattern is called a clip now? I hate when these companies try & change the terminology. You feel me?

[@MattiasHolmgren]

Sounds and looks like a wonderful device Bo. Thanks for the coverage.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

The return of the Roland MC, I was not expecting this amazing :-), thanks for the heads up Bo.

[@burnieking1401]

Hi Bo, I just recieved my unit yesterday and after playing with it for a few hours I have noticed a few additional things, 1. There is a lot of what appears to be classic JD/JV/XV sounds, going through the patch list a lot of familiar sounds come up from these range of classic synthesizers. 2. The synth engine not only has your generic waveshapes, but it also has a Supersaw osc... that means you can have 4 partials with a supersaw!!! Think massive detuned trance stabs. This is somewhat better than SuperNatural synth engine which was only 3 partials. 3. There are modeled filters, ie JP and modeled Juno Chorus. 4. This new synth engine allows almost 8x better resolution for sound editing, most synths follow the Midi CC of 128 steps ... this can be edited in steps of 1024. 5. There are 2 types of drum kits... Bank A = 16 hit sound kits (like the MC-808/909) or Bank B = 128 General MIDI sound kits (which I prefer) My first synthesizer was a Roland MC-303 back in 1998, and 20 years later this is by far one of the best bits of gear they have released (imo). Not only is it cutting edge Groovebox technology, it's an awesome sound module... I think I'll sell my Akai MPC Live now.

[@BoBeats]

thanks buddy! i might do an in-depth dive into the synth engine. Its quite deep as you’ve noted. how are you feeling the sound of it?

[@burnieking1401]

@@BoBeats Hi mate, yeah I really do like it, I'm a big fan of Ableton Live clip launch sequencing so this unit suits my recording style. I even appreciate in the sound library they have put all the 'synthesized' sounds at the top half of the menu, leaving all the acoustic sounds towards the bottom (these units are aimed towards electronic music after all). The Juno Chorus Multi-effect sounds bloody amazing even on a simple Saw osc, so lush. The one thing I cannot find yet is a metronome, although it's not hard to quickly insert a clip with a simple click track. Did you know in NOTE mode, in a drum track... if you hold MUTE or the SELECT button you can mute individual drum notes! I'm sure it's in the manual somewhere. lol :) And the icing on the cake, I can select any of the 8 channels from my midi keyboard and use it as a multitimbral device, something which really, REALLY annoyed me about the MPC Live.

[@burnieking1401]

@@BoBeats Using the MC-707 as just a stand-alone synth doesn't do it justice... hook it up to a midi keyboard and expand its sonic capabilities. I know some people have complained about the lack of an arpeggiator, but most keyboard controllers have that feature anyway. It's not a deal-breaker, plus it receives a lot more standard midi CC than it transmits. To be honest, I'm not overly happy with Rolands arpeggiators which they have put on some of their latest gear (FA/JunoDS/System1+8). I'm happy with basic up and down arps with 1/2/3 octave selects. Most of their arpeggiators use a massive library of motif sequences and forget to put just the simple plain traditional arpeggiator onboard.

[@PJAOK]

@@burnieking1401 Looks like they've been working on really deep arpeggiation functionality - now can be seen in the Jupiter XM - takes into account -how- and when you hit keys and uses actual NN AI to riff on it. Still absolutely admit it's sad not to have Random Arp on the System 8 given it's so deep otherwise. I have solved this for the System 8: TORAIZ Squid to the rescue there. Unsure how that will work with this. Also: The SH 101 is realistic even w resonance, but behaves in a non-speaker-threatening way. Very artistic. Feels like a! godly version of an SH 101 (having both owned one and using the System 1 / 8 ACB cut of it) I am

[@rustikinc63]

Want to sell me that Live?

[@paintedfoxes9889]

Im an og Mc -303 user . so naturally i am hella stoked on this

[@MikeFelkerVideos]

Great review. Would love to hear another one now that there have been many updates to the firmware.

[@jonison6847]

Brilliant, detailed (and also very chill) review - many thanks for making the effort to do this.

[@BoBeats]

You can buy a MC707 using this link and support the channel: Roland MC707 // 8 track synth and sampler EU: thmn.to/thoprod/473348?offid=1&affid=623 US: imp.i114863.net/rvkmd

[@craigmoran893]

@@LaszloVarjuTechno Not a toy or scam. are you having a bad day?

[@Gyrbae]

19:35 This guy is increasingly turning into Bob Ross of synthesizers.

[@Gyrbae]

@XymXir I was talking about his voice.

[@alexwestconsulting]

@XymXir You are a fucking idiot. Seriously. Bo puts tons of time and care into his reviews, and he gives fair reviews, pros and cons.

[@alancalvitti]

@@alexwestconsulting , who are you to call ppl an idiot? xymir is right: even @settings/1.5x speed, dude puts you to sleep

[@skyocean9977]

Gaz Williams from sonicstate is the real Bob Ross of the synth and gear world.

[@alexwestconsulting]

@XymXir The issue is that you said he's nothing but a saleman, which is simply not true. At this point he's likely paid to give a review by the manufacturer, but he doesn't endorse gear he doesn't like. And he gives fair reviews even when/if he's paid. Aside from not being true, you have effectively diqualified his artisitic side, and he's in this game becasue he's an artist first.

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Great video! Love the clarity filming on the LED most tutorials miss out on that (small but important) detail.

[@BURG]

nice overview, thanks for this one Bo, always top content! :)

[@proagg]

This sounds surprisingly good. Great demo Bo!

[@burnieking1401]

Hi Bo, if you check Rolands website, they now have a Firmware update to this unit... 1.02 A CUE function was added. A TONE STEP EDIT function was added. Waveforms were added to Motion Designer. A SCATTER function was added. A Metronome function was added. A Step Loop Mode was added. An automatic setting function for LOOPER clips was added. Shortcuts were added. Minor bugs have been fixed. Only out for a few weeks and Roland already on top of the bugs!! Nice work!

[@BoBeats]

Yes! Super happy with these additions

[@Taprecords]

Still rocking my Roland MC-505! It may be time to upgrade. 👍🏾👍🏾

[@mrdayvidjon]

Taprecords yeah I know whatcha mean but I think of marriage to the 707 wow

[@Taprecords]

David Jon E. Good point! I think I’ll do that! Awesome!

[@lennartstip6395]

Also still using a mc 505! The mc707 seems the perfect modern replacement.

[@Taprecords]

lennart stip You know it! 😎

[@devonhughes3805]

505 is a BEAST. Step-record, RPS, megamix, multiple outputs, long pattern lengths

[@satchie01]

Woooow, a couple of months ago I asked you about what would be today the replacement for a mc 808, I think this is now the answer! 👍👏👏👏

[@JackAcid]

Thanks for the review. I bought mine today as I feel that this will be a lot of fun to use. And it'll certainly be more than enough for me for the conceivable future.

[@JackAcid]

@@GrootsieTheDog I cancelled the order. Because I watched Bo review the Synthstrom Deluge... And that blew my mind. So I immediately cancelled the 707 and bought the Deluge. And it's changed my life.

[@PnPModular]

What a fantastic demo Bo you really got some lush sounds out of this guy...

[@strakspuntnet]

started 22yrs ago with the mc303 and now still jam weekly with a basis of rs7000 with mc505 or rm1x... (and a synth(an1x or prologue) for my part in the studio... replaced many parts of the grooveboxes and realized they were worn/used and finally beyond repair/original qualty... i cryed for years, dreamed of bying them new out the box... but are just tooo old to rely for as new. asked roland so much for new grooveboxes.. than they came with the cloud madness.. but now... now i ordered the mc707! thanks to you too! lets pray for a yamaha counter groovebox as well 🤜💥🤛

[@luisalmeida2866]

What I loved about this, were the sound expansions. Hands down superior sounds (to my personal taste) than MPC Live II expansions. I was sold immediatelly.

[@luisalmeida2866]

This is most probably the best Tutorial on the internet. Great job!

[@experiment8189]

After my experience with the Novation Circuit and the Korg Minilogue, this could easily be something that I would like to have it next.

[@mr_floydst]

This looks and sounds like the one groovebox to rule them all. Great overview and voiceover, as always.

[@boothbuster]

Floyd Steinberg I am still not convinced against MPC though, that seems easier to use to me. But this has sliders which is cool. I was like wow at first but trying to figure more out. I just upgraded my tr-8 to tr-8s too! :( this is just samples, or it’s the same acb drums of the tr-8? If the latter, I might return or sell my tr-8s. Or maybe sell it anyway since I still have the tr-8 also. Not really sure!

[@blakecasimir]

EDub I would sell the TR-8, keep the S, get an MC-707 :) MC-707 does not have the same ACB drums as the 8S, AFAIK.

[@boothbuster]

@@blakecasimir yeah it appears not. Just saw their official longer video too. If it had the damned drum modeling, this would be a way more powerful unit. I refuse to sell my tr-8 though because it’s very immediate to use still. (Plus I paid for the stupid expansion, lol.) Have to see if the tr-8s ever feels quite like that, you know...

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

Except there is no arpeggiator as far as I can tell. I haphazardly bought an mc307 from a pawn shop and was a bit blown away by what the arpeggiator does, though it has bugs. Only other groovebox I own is an mc909 which "has" a total crap arpeggiator. It looks like Roland gave up on trying to include a working arpeggiator with their grooveboxes. I'm still considering buying this though

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

@@ACABSTUDIOS how the feck is the 909 arp total crap? it's one of the best arps in hardware to date you baboon lol and it's completely customisable wtf lol. learn how to use your tools before you slate them jeez

[@V4D2]

This is the kind of device that almost makes me wish I was into making this style of music.. Thamks for the video Bo. ;) Sweet editing, too, as usual.

[@V4D2]

I dig the digitakt's concept, but this seems so much more comprehensive.. I say this time and again : I don't understand why companies don't make such a device that potentiates songwriting just as this one does... but more on a classical singer- songwriter style.. As in guitar..lyrics, drums, vocals, keys, etc.. I've been looking for an Akai Force-like device, that focuses not in hip-hop, EDM , or any electronika..but more on multitrack recording..and acoustic instruments library..so one can keep away from the computer.

[@TenMilL]

Excellent explanation! I’m in love 😍, looks like I’m gonna get me one. I miss my original MC303 and this seems spot on. Thank god they got rid of the D (dumb) beam.

[@TenMilL]

It uses SD cards, Roland loves SD cards.

[@phillytee9106]

When I first saw the MC-707 I thought, oh no not another Roland Groovebox, but this thing is way deeper than anything I've seen before, it has some really great features on it and you could easily make a whole track on this thing. I like that you can bounce tracks onto another track recording the Mixdown output etc. it's like using an old tape multitrack recorder bouncing tracks onto other tracks. The FX send/return is another great feature I think Roland have made a great product with the MC-707.

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

why not another groovebox? they are awesome if you know how to use it. 2. making a whole track as you put it is now more cumbersome than ever with no song mode, everything has to be done live, in my opinion that is shit and most people seem to agree. they went backwards while trying to go forwards. it's a disappointment, wtf were they actually thinking. designer needs sacked and somebody that knows what groovebox users want needs employed.

[@phillytee9106]

@@KZbinSupportTeams I will wait till I demo it, to see how useful it will be for me. Different people use gear in different ways. A groovebox to me is something you can program drum beats, basslines, melodies, sample loops etc. on and trigger them or use the faders to mix elements in and out live or in the studio to get different mix ideas or whatever you want. The MC-707 has the potential to do that well.

[@mikeexits]

Loving the recent frequent uploads man! Keep it up (as much as you can while maintaining your sanity and free time of course). :) You really inspire me.

[@meilstone2711]

This display takes me right back to my 90s music workstation! Makes me feel so young... :-))

[@sinewaymusic]

Seriously pleasing music there, well done!

[@saucearmy]

Nice...really really nice. Longtime user of MC505 and MC909...been waiting for a new roland groovebox for years!

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

except the 909 is still the best as this thing doesn't even have song mode. and weird workflow, wtf is clips and scenes to a hardware sequencer guy. they fucked up again

[@Cray23_Official]

Mc707 8tracks x 16 patterns(clips) =128 patterns Mc909 16 tracks x 200 patterns = 3200 Mc909 got arp, better screen and so on Yeah they fucked up when you look at 20 years old one and it has better sequencer and screen:))) 128 patterns per project is only going to do well in extremely repetitive genres and I’m not sure if that is going to be enough for more then 30 min:DDD it’s joke and don’t let me start on that hefty price tag:D

[@MusicianParadise]

You really need that Analog Heat to bring back some live into modern Roland synth and drum machines...

[@OscillatorSink]

Every time you say "mul-ti" I feel like I'm being tickled. Never change Bo.

[@BoBeats]

🤣🤣

[@Dea_Decay]

Did Roland know I was looking at older grooveboxes of theirs and decide to offer me this shiny new one that honestly looks a lot easier to use? Great review and I'm kind of loving it.

[@mrdayvidjon]

Dea Siculus what? Are you kidding shift for dayssssss

[@Dea_Decay]

@@mrdayvidjon Yes. Though lets be clear I have never owned a groovebox, I have never used a groovebox, I know someone who uses an older one but I've only seen her perform live or practice new stuff with it. I've never had the pleasure to sit down with her nor anyone else to really see how it works. I do play synths (not professionally) and I'd be interest in getting hands on experience with a groovebox but I'm not even looking to run out and buy one never mind a brand new one that costs this much. Realistically I would pick up a cheaper older one to learn on just like I would any instrument and having to press a shift key, even a lot, wouldn't dissuade me from one (not having $1000 / the fact I'd probably buy another new synth if I did would dissuade me). That all said I get how having to shift through things would be annoying. It can frustrate my experience to have to menu dive or press extra buttons when I just want to make music but I honestly think I'd have way more fun with it if I had one then I'd be frustrated. I like playing with instruments and I'm pretty patient, having to press buttons or keys in order to hear sounds is kind of a given but if I were to take the time and seriously study the features of different grooveboxes no this might not be my first choice but I could have said that simply based on my lack of money (which is way more frustrating than any shift key).

[@YouTubeSupportTeams]

the 909 is WAYY easier to use than this and has a proper big screen like a mini DAW. Out of all the grooveboxes it is without doubt the best standalone music studio you can get for the price range, nothing else comes close

[@Dea_Decay]

@@KZbinSupportTeams Thanks for the tip! I'll check out the 909! That sounds great!

[@AtomkeySinclair]

19:35 excellent alphabet scroll tool for naming. I hope firmware updates can support some of the changes needed, like the loop implementation - maybe midi flexibility as well... Great overview man - well done sir.

[@sudanjackson]

COOL review and tutorial! This is what we need to help us decide if we would like to buy a device. So what I learned from this Video: it's basically the hardware Ableton we've all wanted for years ;-)

[@dwellerintheden7973]

Thanks ! Best 1st look. don't be afraid to get wet with the Deluge if you need midi and cv, it's easy and deep plus it has 10 hr plus battery, no track limit too

[@NicleT]

Man! You’re so trippy! Excellent review 🌞

[@jthomaslambert]

Amazing intro. Just incredible-well done.

[@MrBasic]

This is truly exciting. Great reveal!

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

Mr. Basic riiiiiiggt, all that new Roland stuff!

[@MrBasic]

@@NoirEtBlancVie It is way more exciting than this weeks other stuff so far 🐙

[@BDKabrini]

Jus wanna say: I brought mine last week. $795. OMG! I don't care what anyone says about it. ITS AWESOME! (For me) MC707 TR8S SP404MKII TR-08 JUN06A JX-08 RC505MK2 KORG VOLCAS Beats-Sample-FM-and Mixer. Plus 11 guitars. 7 P.O.s smh. Something wild is come out if this "eventually"

[@rabevier8071]

Looks very light n portable the sounds and the synth engine sounds big n tweakable cool review!

[@BoBeats]

thanks buddy

[@earnestgildon2704]

Fantastic review! I was wondering how the workflow works as a live instrument. How is the cue function? Can you listen to and modify sections without affecting what is playing out on mains like a mixer? Or does the Octatrack still make a better live performance instrument? Keep up the fantastic work!

[@vainsacrosanct2014]

Hey Bo, love the review. Nice video as always. Could you do a 1 year review or something? Cheers from Belgium.

[@c31979839]

4:03, "so let's start here on the right..."

[@BoBeats]

haha lol!!! Noo i didn’t!!!! ♥️✌️

[@c31979839]

@@BoBeats haha i loved it!

[@BoBeats]

me: you got this bo. Left right. High pass low pass. My brain: leeeets shuffle!!!

[@minusmartin]

bo: “don’t say it don’t say it...” SAYS IT

[@admaiora777]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@thatmidlifevlogger4463]

really great in depth video!!! thanks!!

[@BenGaudi]

Thanks Bobeats, great new review. This new Roland machine is full of functions and good ideas. For sure, it will have a lot of success. Then, in my opinion, which clearly depends on what kind of material I used to make music (more semi modular and modular) I found the sound very neutral and definitely too synthetic to considerate the 707 as a possible new machine in my set up. But I understand it could satisfy many other musicians...

[@SPIRIT706]

Hey Bo, Hello from Kalamazoo Michigan, USA. Thanks for the super high quality video, the care you put into your contributions to the YouTbe world is extraordinary. I was wondering if you can create non-linked automation on the Motion Rec. function of the MC-707, like Ableton Live's Link/Unlink function for creating automation change over the course of any length of the looping pattern. Cheers

[@BoBeats]

Thank you! As far as I know the automation is tied to pattern length.

[@pixelflow]

Are they going to give you an MC101 to explore? It looks super cute!

[@ChazSeamus28]

That synth sounds delightful

[@theelectronic4051]

Can’t wait to hear what the built in 303 sounds are like

[@NoirEtBlancVie]

First! Also, If say I were going to buy Bo a synth I’d have to ask “What do you get the guy who has everything?” Seriously, you have all the goodies right now. Hehe 😋. Saw all the goodies Roland has coming out, very impressive lineup, hope you get your hands on the new Jupiter!!!

[@BoBeats]

Yeah I have the Boutique and Jupiter here. I didn't fancy the Fantom (MAYBE I WAS WRONG IT LOOKS SO COOL IT HAS A SEQUENCER!). I am working on some coverage of both but I didn't really have time for it today and this video needs it space in the sun I think... 40 minutes. Lol. What happened there.

[@animalneumatico7001]

You know what Bo, I dont usually like your compositions. Not that theres anything wrong with them, everything is really well done and its obvious that a great deal of knowledge and care is put into them, its just a matter of taste, you and I are not into the same type of music I guess, and theres absolutely nothing wrong with that. I still watch all your videos because theyre so so well done and informative, and you have a great presence with your soft voice and your gift of explaining things in an understandable way. That being said, and the reason Im posting, I LOVE the composition at the 2:30 mark, gave me real feels and I just had to comment. Keep up the amazing work!

[@burnieking1401]

Hi Bo, I've said this before on another channel, but a trick you can use for midi tracks is to create a user patch with all the partials turned off (I used to do this for my MC-808 when I used it as only a midi sequencer/drum machine) that way you don't have to lower the volume and it won't use any polyphony. This also allows midi channel volume messages to control external synth as well without the internal sounds to play.

[@burnieking1401]

One thing I would like to know, is can you record a clip live on the fly? In other words, every time you record a clip do you have to stop the sequencer and go into the record mode? Like all previous MC sequencers before this.

[@burnieking1401]

As a side note, the MC-707 MIDI implementation only sends CCs 80-83 (The 3 main knobs for each channel + an MC-101 knob), hopefully Roland update the firmware and allow it to send the other standard MIDI CCs. Channel volume would be nice, plus MIDI tx options in the system menu. I'm sure they could do this.

[@BoBeats]

Thats clever!! Thanks buddy!

[@BoBeats]

so you can just hit rec, and hit a clip on a looper, while the machine is playing, and on next cycle it will start recording. So yes. Live.

[@SynthgodXXX]

Very cool sounding unit! Thank you so much for sharing this! A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[@cougarman8]

Aside from not finding a way to have a count-in, I also haven't found a way to solo mode! Only mute! If I want to solo a drum sound I have to mute all the others...I wonder why there's no solo button.

[@NunyaB1s]

I recall the MC-505 lacking a solo feature too, it's a product line "feature." That said, I didn't realize I wanted a solo until I read this ROFL.

[@Onelychild]

Great review! I love the Roland MC 707, it's a great gadget. Have you done any reviews on the Theoryboard Thy333

[@trevormalcolm4328]

Hi Bo. I’m really interested in getting the MC 707. But can you tell me when in sample mode if you sample, say 4 bars of a drum loop can you loop the middle 2 bars, the bit you wanna keep while in edit mode? Great videos, please keep up the good work! (Specially the MC 707 videos)

[@BoBeats]

If you check ”Roland is listening, Mc707 update” video I made I think maybe you can get the answer from it. Basically you can set start/end points for anything you record and save this

[@sip303]

As you mentioned the RM1X, could you make a cool video about it. I recently got one so a hands on video i could really appreciate!

[@mojodrum3215]

It would be nice if you could do a review of the Akai Force which has four synth engines:)

[@NicleT]

Roland was obviously “inspired” by Ableton Live. But I must say: Shift + menus on hardware aren’t very handy when performing.

[@cremefresh1]

hahhaha indeed, still love my ocatrack tho :P

[@PJAOK]

I love this unit. It's fun and powerful. I notice there's no way of transitioning between Projects though without the Groovebox being silent. That can be worked around (other sy nths arpregi, looper RC 505) but tis a pity there's not the ability to chain Projects and? let the system pre-load the next. That's sorta what's supposed to happen in a DJ scenario no? Do you have any advice in that area? How's it 'done' if you want to keep the music pumpin for hours?

[@somethingelsedoesmatter]

Looks very different than the original Roland Grooveboxes. I loved my time with the MC-505, which was brief, but felt very creatively freeing. I got an RM1x after that, but at the end of the day, I hated it. It felt very tedious to work with by comparison to the MC-505. These newer releases sound nice, for sure.

[@eugenetusmenko6039]

Great review, thanks! One thing I can't get - how transitions between projects are managed during live performance? Is it possible to switch to next project without stopping current song?

[@BoBeats]

No. Projects take time to load

[@eugenetusmenko6039]

@@BoBeats So, one live set of 60-120 minutes should be stored as one project in 16 clips per track with 8 saved scenes? It's looks not really possible) As well as putting up with unpredictable pauses between "tracks" to load project... Huge question (to Roland, off course), how do they planned this unit to perform live more than one track?

[@Cray23_Official]

Finally an answer to my question about this box and it’s big massive no from me as it is not made for live performance its just pathetic and I would rather get rs7000 or mc909 and sequence my synths and samplers with it as this is worst then sketch pad for music. Total disgrace from Roland and they should fired everybody in that team for not understanding live performance capabilities and needs

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

Asm hydrasynth, korg mini synth, arturia keyboard, roland dozen of new products.....hope you enjoyed your summer Bo, this is gonna be a busy september , and i’m not even thinking about headphones from a legendary speakers and microphone brand .....no, not even thinking about it....;)

[@BoBeats]

me reviewing headphones = internet explodes

[@thom-alphaxiii-5106]

BoBeats hahaha worth trying

[@SPIRIT706]

Hi again bo, one more question, thanks for the quick reply to the last one: Can you assign midi channels to the different tracks to be played from external midi keyboards? I would like to use the novation sl mkiii to control all 8 tracks with midi simultaneously. Thanks again

[@pirukapekka]

Nice review, actually got lot of useful information from all Your reviews. Im not musician but had fun long time ago with MC 505 ;) I have small question also :) Looking for some groovebox setup...what to you think mc707 vs elektron Digitone..for me they looks like designed for same purpose.. Kind regards Raul

[@basicnoise]

Haha, I liked that delay demonstration. On that long pad sound :) nice vid though!

[@andreumateulamas]

Looks like the hardware version of Ableton... having ableton million more possibilities but being this more fun beacuse is more physical.

[@regend762]

Pioneer Toriaz Sp-16 mimics Ableton Live clips also but Roland nailed the drum\synth \sampler programming options into clips.

[@_B.C_]

Does it play samples from the card directly, or do samples have to be loaded onto onboard memory like the tr8s? If so how big is its internal memory? Does it work over usb audio to the MX1s usb inputs? Will the new JU-06a add 4 voices to the JU-06, like if you had two JU-06?

[@regend762]

Per CDM, "internal sample memory is limited - irrespective of how spacious a sound card you use. That tops out at 6 minutes stereo, 12 minutes mono, at 44.1/16-bit WAV (which is the minimum format)." Nothing published yet as to how much memory is in there. Looks like it is not expandable.

[@matogarfo]

Hi, what's that USB - MIDI hub you are using for Arturia MicroLab please ? thx

[@geocache66today]

Great Vid Bo, did you discover how to change the Event or Tone of a Drum sound for any given step? I know this option is available with Tone but not immediately obvious with Drum?

[@BoBeats]

yes, you just shift press the pad in a drumkit = can edit and change that individual sound. But you cant make sample changes per step

[@geocache66today]

@@BoBeats hey Bo, thanks for that. Shame not available per step. Digitone has this nailed, right !? ;-)

[@elvinlewis4233]

When are you going to review "The Force"? It IS...a groove box, synthesizer, full d.j. and producer unit. I love it..although still learning it. I'd live to get ur take.

[@V4D2]

Me too!

[@Official_Goku]

Elvin Lewis me 3

[@elvinlewis4233]

@@Official_Goku Right? I'm my opinion, it's one of the most powerful devices out there for music production. Difficult to get one's head around, because it's so unique. But make no mistake, it is a beast. I also have MPCX. Equally formidable, different work flow.

[@MrJanHjohnson]

this is awesome!

[@robthedrummer5190]

4:04 That would be your other right! LOL. Keep up the great work, Bo!

[@BoBeats]

🤣👊🏼

[@damiensimper]

This thing is fire!

[@asleep909]

Funny you mention the RM1X...considering I just traded my Modal Instruments Skulpt for one in very good condition...:) I'm skeptical of these Roland Grooveboxes, since I was given a MC-303 to review before it was released...and I could not in good faith give it a positive review...but Roland has come a long way since that...

[@kiickinballistics]

Kevin Kennedy ...given the MC303 came out over 20 years ago (and yes I had one), this MC707 has had plenty of time to prepare. I also had an RM1X a few years back. Great machine. Not sure about the onboard sound on this new Roland box. It’s not jumping out at me like my analog rhythm did...but it has some great performance features.

[@inthefade]

The mc-303 was my first drum machine and first synthesizer about 17 years ago. Fun box, but this is certainly a step up. However, I'm also a little skeptical of the sound. Surely using your own samples and some external effects would bring this along further, but it feels like they haven't used the best DACs possible compared to Elektron or other companies. Something feels thin about the sound output in general.

[@davidthomas6293]

Hi Bo, are you also going to review the MC 101, mainly interested in possible mangling of samples

[@SampathHebbar]

I really love my Circuit

[@MBEG89]

Ok what the hell, how does this thing sound so good.

[@iphatbass]

Few years ago i was looking all over internet for MC909 and MC505. This looks waaay better! Must have it! ;D

[@mrdayvidjon]

Predrag Bajić hey my mc505 is much Easier to use and still sounds very cool

[@DaraM73]

When are you eating in September? So many reviews!

[@mpingo91]

Herrings. Herrings all the time, like they all, Swedes. :P

[@gnippuz]

Wonderful review ! Just a question... Is there a STEP RECORDING mode as seen on the JD-XI? I mean, you press STEP REC and you can enter notes and step auto moves to the next and can you edit later those steps choosing which and reentering the note? Thanks in advance !

[@gnippuz]

..sometimes manuals must be read before asking :D "Automatically Advancing the Step During " Input (Step Input Mode) Step input mode automatically advances to the next step each time you press and release a pad. This is a convenient way to quickly enter an arpeggio pattern. 1. Hold down the [REC] button and press the step button. You’re in step input mode. 2. Press a pad (key) to input a note. When you release the pad, the step advances. * By pressing the [REST/TIE] button you can advance the step without inputting a step

[@raw3239]

Thank you. Perfect tutorial.

[@vileguile4]

When you hit shift+sample to edit there was "MFX" there in the menu - is that for easy resampling with effects?

[@alancarmody8848]

RM1x baby!

[@waynet8496]

Man I miss my one, bought it new in the late 90s, cost a fortune back then. Almost thought of buying one again recently.

[@zorr86]

Im going for a simular setup, It will arrive soon and looking forward to it! Can you somehow pinpoint me to certain settings in the 707 that are important for midi keyboard, stereo (multi)fx and mono/stereo synth ? Great video btw!

[@claudiongleur]

thx for the review is there a pickup for the 3 knobs(filt fx mod) if you change the effect for example or do they jump? is detune assignable to one of the three knobs ? what kind of midi does it receive ? could i hook up a novation controll xl for example or just a midi keyboard? thanks

[@steveedwards4495]

Great vid mate. I'm a total newbie, apart from playing with an opz and pocket operators. Not sure whether to go for the TR8S or the mc707? I don't have any studio setup so can either be used with just headphones?

[@craigmoran893]

both. the tr8s is just a drum machine. The mc707 is much fancier.

[@Alyag]

Hi Bo, Just curious which model of the USB/MIDI hub you're using. My day job is in music instrument retail (specifically the recording/keyboard/pro audio department), and the question of "can I connect my USB-MIDI controller to a MIDI module" comes up often enough, however, the store I work at doesn't currently offer any options in that regard. Would love to be able to point people in the right direction, and potentially even snag one myself down the line. Any suggestions you might have would be tremendous. Many thanks!

[@BoBeats]

Check out RetroKits: small dev but with awesome track record. Also Kenton USB host for a more ”rudimentary” host which works really well. I use a ton of Kenton stuff. RetroKits is more versatile but the bare bones look might scare some away + its more complex

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

woah..... I'm gonna grab a mixed drink and watch this whole video since I'm REALLY on the fence about buying this.

[@ACABSTUDIOS]

Nah, I'm not getting this. It's pretty cool and while I'm sure it costs $1,000, it's not worth $1,000

[@BoBeats]

Glad if I helped you decide, one way or another

[@mpingo91]

How did you make that "cheesy" lead @3:26? If it was made entirely with the MC707 and its pads, without using an external MIDI keyboard with a modwheel etc.

[@BoBeats]

its a preset and i did some motion recording to ad that vibrato like effect

[@jarrettt9895]

Just ordered one of these. I was wondering if you can assign a knob to mix in external FX individually. For example, using the Heat through the send/return and having varying amounts of wetness for each track. Thanks for your vids, they are great!

[@BoBeats]

this is one thing I never quite understood. You can set it to master out affecting all tracks, but from what I gather tou can also set it to Reverb send (so one of the controls) which should mean individual levels

[@jarrettt9895]

@@BoBeats Thanks for the fast reply! At least it has assignable outs so I have a few options. I can't wait to dig deep into this machine. You sold me on Circuit and now this so good job.

[@BoBeats]

@@jarrettt9895 i hope you enjoy it and join the 707 group on FB. So much knowledge there

[@jarrettt9895]

@@BoBeats Word.

[@billyates9970]

What do you think is a better piece of equipment and which do you think will stay relevant longer? The Roland MC-707 or the TR-8s?

[@levijessegonzalez3629]

Can you split the pads so half are used to trigger loops / patterns and the other half can be used to sample quick sounds you can "play" live? Hope that makes sense

[@TheDjmrobertson]

YO! could you please do a video on the RM1X?? so little decent info on youtube. would love your review, tutorial, etc., etc., etc. Cheers

[@synthlord2368]

Yes please!

[@SRDhain]

This is the most comprehensive video of this I've seen yet. Still not sure if you can transpose melodic sequences live on-the-fly (i think not, unless it's in a submenu), but thanks for doing this, it's appreciated. Do you know if it can RECEIVE midi cc via external synths and controllers etc? Im assuming it can, as it has a midi in, unless its only basic note on, velocity & pitch.

[@BoBeats]

i think it can receive midi cc yes to control certain parameters, and i havn't found any way to transpose stuff on the fly (could be that there is, the manuals are.... lacking)

[@SRDhain]

@@BoBeats thanks for the swift response, Bo. I guess they're still finalizing the o/s, so hopefully any discrepanices such as the ones you've mentioned in your review and any midi based anomalies , should be ironed out. Not allowing one shot & on the fly looping, is a bit of an odd omission, considering the comprehensive spec they've packed in already. I suspect delays & lagging with controls are due to the processor(s) being taxed hard, which as already mentioned should hopefully be corrected before the unit ships to dealers.

[@BoBeats]

@@SRDhain yeah we can always hope for small improvements that would really take this to the next level

[@SRDhain]

@@BoBeats indeed. I suspect there's some parts rationalisation going on here (the physical layout is 90% identical to the tr8s), which may also include the ram chips and chunks of the o/s. That's cost effective engineering and de rigueur for most products, but can mean you're at or approaching the limits of the hardware and software in each successive device, unless you compact the coding or add even one extra chip on the board for speed. On a related note, It'll be interesting to see the workflow on the 101, which is almost a quarter of the size, but sounds the same. Looking forward to hearing about that soon. Have a great day, mate.

[@thriveimagedesign]

If Roland improve the midi output to include cc's I'm sold. Seems like a rather large oversight, perhaps as you said its just due to it being a pre production unit.

[@DaveChips]

So much new gear in last few days... 😁

[@pricejoss]

Hi Bo, this may not be the best forum in which to ask this question but I’m just starting out with music production and looking to find the best piece of kit to begin with that I can learn on. This seems to cover everything. Would you recommend it to a novice, or is it overkill? I’d like to buy something that I can grow with as I improve rather than need to keep upgrading - keeps costs down. My other thought is invest in a DAW. I’ve played around with Ableton Live.

[@MarianoPerez]

I'm new to all this groove box stuff so bare with my elementary questions. Can one create anywhere from 10 to 12 tracks (like a one hour set) on this box and then perform them live one after the other? Is there enough memory (slots in the step sequencer), or whatever you call it? Thanks.