The Roland Super Quartet - The 80s band in a box!

[@Goldfishclown]

You have just invented a whole new style of music. I suggest we call it "Rock-rolling" to stay well away of copyright infringement.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Genius.

[@crisgriffin3042]

Just "fossils music".

[@atomictraveller]

i can relly assure you, this style of music is venerable "synth demo" i've seen it myself from 18 years of synth development. it takes a person and leaves nothing behind.

[@TheSnowLeopard]

I might write a cover version, "never going to copyright strike you"

[@mahjonglover3614]

Rolling rock

[@JoeyFTL]

This channel is a well of pure, unadulterated gold

[@AlexBallMusic]

With a smattering of cheese on top. :)

[@annother3350]

I think it's adulterated

[@waynetardiff9328]

Absolutely!!!!!!!! :D

[@waynetardiff9328]

Awesome "outro"!!!!

[@gcoudert]

I considered acquiring one a few years ago but I wasn't sure whether I could work with its limitations. I'm pleased I waited and bought the Jupiter-X which is digital, I know. The Super Quartet is a stunning synth nonetheless.

[@middle_pickup]

A 106 and a 707 in one box with midi? That's like a third of Daft Punk's Homework in one box. Impressive. Most impressive.

[@andynexusfeio]

pretty sure you can play the entirety of around the world with, it except for the vocals.

[@MarcCoteMusic]

My songwriting partner of the time had one of these - the white version. We paired it with the MC-500 sequencer. They made for a good jam and songwriting tool. That was the start of my decades-long MIDI adventure.

[@mjklein]

I was a recording engineer/producer in the 80s and I used all that stuff. Thought nothing of it at the time.

[@adat9547]

😂

[@rachelar]

😂

[@julianmorrisco]

Me too. In fact, the limitations used to drive me mad, sometimes. Only 4 parts! (although that was incredible at the time). It was only later that I realised limitations are usually key to great creativity.

[@apolloc.vermouth5672]

I kind of wish they still made workstations that just do a few things incredibly well. Those presets still sound pretty fresh and usable.

[@EspenKraft]

Sweet review Alex! A cool and cheaper way of getting the higher priced 707 and 106 combined, albeit in a more cumbersome package perhaps, in terms of usage. Thanks for the hilarious demo song! :)

[@AlexBallMusic]

..and thanks for the cameo. 😀

[@nobodynoone2500]

Less cumbersom if you already have a controller/daw. I love the 106, but it's huge and less reliable.

[@Windowserrorsong]

I love seeing synth youtubers making appearances on other channels. It’s like this fun nerdy world of synth nerds. Also, good demo! I had no idea Roland made units combining other instruments like this. 🤔

[@XavierRadix]

Producers in 1985: "I wish there was a f*cking machine that can just make a quick, cheesy, top 40 pop hit without having to hire all these damn musicians!" Roland: "Yes."

[@AlexBallMusic]

Great. Can I save my settings? Roland: No.

[@muddymike10]

And it's name is Alex 😃....

[@Meteotrance]

That was probably what they have in mind, instant synth pop tune in a box, even more interesting today if it's what you Looking for...

[@Nervejam]

Brilliant. Love the "copyright free" song. Mad.

[@N1K5TA]

❤..nice cameo Espen..both you lads are killing it 🙌

[@AlexBallMusic]

Gotta love a bit of Mr Kraft.

[@AllanGildea]

Love those chord sounds! Nice video, thanks! And your 80s track was FABULOUS ( to the max, as we said back then).

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Allan. Did it achieve "totally tubular" status?

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

This is incredible. An early groovebox, but with a certain vintage charm with that iuno-106 sound!

[@nobodynoone2500]

This thing is still one of my go-to synths. It's not super complex, but the sounds it makes are so pleasing and always fit in the mix.

[@wildhorse4262]

omfg the Espen cameo was f*cking outstanding

[@AlexBallMusic]

Cool as a cucumber.

[@muddymike10]

Pardon my ignorance - Espen is cool and famous for...?

[@wildhorse4262]

@@muddymike10 he has a popular 80s synth channel

[@muddymike10]

Thanks Nick - I will track it down...

[@АлексйУваровъ]

I also liked it a lot.

[@totallypixelated]

A friend of mine has owned one of these for nigh on 30 years :) I remember being mightily impressed by his hand crafted Cubase mixer maps to control it via SYSEX back in the day.

[@DCeeMusik]

That track at the end. Please tell me you're putting that out! That was a tease, man. I'd buy it.

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Golden. Loved it. It's funny as recently I've been trying to educate myself on what exactly the mks 7 does . You have single handedly answered everyone of my questions without me even asking. Top man 👍🏾👍🏾

[@AlexBallMusic]

Glad to have been of service.

[@rainy2063]

adamski alex ball ecpen kraft at a same time oh god :D

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

@@rainy2063 I am not thee famously known Adamski btw hence his surname begins with T lol.

[@baconfister]

Everyone single one of your videos just Rocks the Casbah. You are an impressive and talented musician!

[@AlexBallMusic]

So you're saying that the Shareef don't like it? ;)

[@genx1144]

🤣🤣 Espen “Galaga on Acid” Kraft I’m gonna have to rack up my super quartet again. Forgot how fun it can be. Thanks Alex! 🍻

[@AlexBallMusic]

Aha, I thought some folk out there would have one. :)

[@MikkelGrumBovin]

Lololol

[@dzod]

When that melody came in at 8:20 I was punching the ceiling with joy only to be disappointed when he track ends 9 seconds later. Alex you cant do this to us. I want to hear more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Sorry, I went for the Monty Python sudden ending instead.

[@atomictraveller]

points dzod to joy electric land

[@DCeeMusik]

I feel the same way. Didn't even let the fourth measure of the melody play out. Just pumped the breaks on us.

[@BobFrein]

I bought mine in 1987 when they were closing them out...about $200 as I recall. Still use it today, one of my favorite synths. Great video.

[@jlindborg1105]

Very fun presentation once again and a nice hint to Espen Kraft too!

[@AlexBallMusic]

"Hint of Espen Kraft" is one of my favourite fragrances.

[@BradfordGuy]

That was awesome! I used to own a TR-707 that I had purchased new in 1986. That is a piece of equipment I wish I had hung on to - that drum machine is a part of musical history.

[@thekiwiclipper1113]

That was actually a really cool jam at the end. Thanks for the upload, I’ve never heard of the super quartet before.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I'd heard of it, but just never seen it anywhere. Quite a fun unit.

[@SamBegich]

I came here to learn things. I left with a song stuck in my head. Love this channel

[@AlexBallMusic]

It can remain there on a copyright free basis. ;)

[@FoxGAMING-NTF]

@@AlexBallMusic Is it based off of a real song? I don't actually recognize what it is but it's very catchy.

[@drdoom2020]

This is one of my favourite bits of gear! Excellent for song writing quickly. Can be directly controlled with a Juno 106, and instantly shares patches. I’ve been hard panning the 707 drums with my midi’d Korg KR55, beefy! Excellent work as usual Alex!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Ooo, love a bit of drum stacking. The KR-55 is great, bet it's even better with midi! You're right, I forgot to mention you can pair it with a 106 for double Juno action. Jim's from EarMonkey sent me a video of him doing exactly that. Very cool.

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

I was always fascinated with the MKS-7 among those early MIDI modules that Roland ground out during the mid-80s. It’s great to know that it could be played in real time, but part of me wonders now whether the objective of Roland research and development was to respond to Bob Yannes and his designs of both the SID chip for the Commodore C64 and the chip incorporated into the Amiga. It’s almost as though this particular module was intended to be like an upgrade to those units and to be controlled less from a real-time keyboard player than from a computer. “Copyright Free” almost sounds like the perfect step into Weird Al Yankovic territory. One of his practices is to write style parodies, and this is like the perfect reflection upon both Rick Astley and Breathe. If he ever caught this video, I could just hear him saying .”Why didn’t I think of this?” It’s so cool that you included that clip of Espen Kraft (who is the 80s) at the game console. Was that an authorized collaboration?

[@TheKiriru]

Each time I watch your video, Alex, I end up listening to the cool music!

[@CMansfield]

I had one as well as an MKS 30 but I lost MKS 7 when I sent it off for repair and it never came back. I loved,the drum sounds, and even found a use for bass preset 10 (tuba) when I wrote a brass quintet. Thanks for the run-through, it really was a,fun little machine.

[@We.Are.Lockhart]

Simply the best synth-youtube-channel ever. Thank you Alex! (By the way, my GAS just found an MKS-7 on Reverb...)

[@RobertDorschel]

I love how, whilst you play bits of the presets, we hear that lovely Roland chorus noise. Pure gold. Also, the number of times I've rejected trading gear with one of these as a portion of the trade, at least five times. I don't feel so bad about that as a Juno-106 and TR-707 owner.

[@jaco1982za]

Awesome one Alex! And an awesome appearance by Espen Kraft as well! :-)

[@youngchool]

5:54! A surprise cameo! I love the Karaoke moment 6:23, copyright free = copyleft! Oh i wonder where I can buy the goggles? Another fantastic episode, THNX Alex (and Espen)!

[@LouisSerieusement]

OMG ! What an awesome module, why we never see one of those ? I love instruments in rack format, so handy for live performances ^^ Thank you so much Alex your channel is a goldmine ! And your passion is always inspiring

[@AlexBallMusic]

Yes, guess it's a little overlooked because it's just a black box which hides what's in it. Actually pretty convenient in many ways as you say.

[@Nastic88]

I also have enjoyed this synth by controlling it with a Juno 106. Fun stuff! Keep up the great videos!

[@thegodsrockstar]

In 1995 after graduating college I got a Roland MT-32 and MKS-7 all for $150. Couple years later swapped the MT-32 at a pawn shop for a Casio CZ101. Fwd to 2020 I still have the MKS-7 & CZ-101. Best $150 spent.

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

Hmmm. I’m pretty sure, that ESPEN KRAFT’s arcade cabinet says ‘Asteroids’ on it, but only… isn’t that the game titled ‘Tempest’?!? I seem to remember that very game being showcased in the Rush video for their song called ‘Subdivisions’. A really gnarly sounding Oberheim synth makes an appearance as well. THANKS AGAIN, Alex!! Always great and insightful demos and information!! You ought to have a trophy in the likeness of each and every synth that you’ve shared with us (or maybe just one big huge trophy in likeness of a studio wall with all those synths)!!

[@mr.smileytm]

I just got the Juno DS88 so seeing this bit of history of Roland is awesome! I love your vids, man.

[@elsongs]

Very cool, I had one of these in the early-mid '90s when I was younger and cheap. I got addicted to the Engineering Mode but was frustrated since I couldn't save my patches. I made my very first house song on the MKS-7 back in '95. Eventually I sold it and years later got a real Juno-106, which serves me to this day. I wish there was a way to get the MKS-7 Chord part presets in Sysex format for the 106; they were different than the Juno 106's factory banks and had some real cool pads in there. BTW, the tune at the end sounds like early-era Calvin Harris! BTW, I hope you're already aware of the 80017a chip failure issues that plague the 106 and MKS alike.

[@stue5257]

Another great video , encore ! My pal Abrucidnation has one of these in his rig and it's great fun building a track with it.

[@AZOffRoadster]

I dug my 106 out the closet the other day and am in the process of refurbishing it. It had been in my closet since the '80s. Original box. Rarely used. It'll be on the market soon.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Nice. Have the infamous voice chips survived? You'll no doubt get a pretty penny for that with box. :)

[@jonathananderson32]

Oh god the cameo by Espen Kraft...I properly laughed at that one. Another quality video.

[@АлексйУваровъ]

Cool cut in with Espen inside. Definitely like.

[@mindmesh7566]

Interesting stuff. A great look back.

[@richardalldredge9129]

Love the song at the end!! Always rocking it! Sooo happy I found your channel! Thanks for sharing your amazing talents!!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks for the support. :)

[@KuroMicra]

Great video, as always. I want one of these rack mounts.

[@matzeknoob3688]

Very cool video! A wonderful review of the Super Quartet.

[@Echo_System76]

The glasses..... This broke me completely (-Weeping-). Thanks for this video.

[@ababababeebababa]

Sweet little unit. I need those LED glasses!!

[@gregsullivan7408]

Great stuff! I got a lot more enjoyment listening to this than I did of a demo of a fancy new high tech synth.

[@machiwoomiapoo]

Awesome video! It sounds so funky! :) Keep up the great work! I'm always enjoying your videos. Take care, Sam.

[@PendelSteven]

I've got a feeling this was used a lot from '85 - 90s for radiojingles / commercials / tv-tunes still. Or I might just recognise the sounds of the TR707 etcetera that were put in it. Think about it, tv / radio often needs a tune in no time.

[@rdoetjes]

Yay!!! An Espen Kraft cameo!!! And yet another great video from Mr Ball!!! I feel 12 y/o again!

[@neilloughran4437]

Wow... this takes me back.... Juno and TR707 sounds were what my mate used (sprinkled with DX7) on his mid 80s stuff... the bass has a wonderful chunkiness and even the preset chord sounds are fat! Great stuff...

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's a box of nostalgia for sure. :)

[@MythicalVigilante]

Fantastic

[@themadsamplist]

That Espen Kraft feature had me laughing out loud :-D

[@ianwynne764]

Hello Alex: I really like the humour and fun you bring to your videos. They are also most informative. Stay safe and well.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks Ian, much appreciated. I hope you're safe and well too!

[@miiclarky]

Oh this is absolutely lovely. Love synthwave.

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

What a cool video and what a weird, fascinating device! Never heard of it before. How did you process the drums? I guess it doesn’t have separate outputs for the drums, so did you just process them as one track? Sounds really good, while I can’t help feel a little underwhelmed when I use my own TR-707..

[@AlexBallMusic]

It has a total stereo out, mono out and then separate (mono) outs for the four sections. So I recorded separately and added various FX in the different demos, yep.

[@AlexBallMusic]

The trick with 707 is to drive it with an analogue mixer. Sounds amazing. instagram.com/p/B9RuOjAhn0Y/?igshid=114lq5bo0alax Or process with a non linear reverb for that classic gated sound.

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

Yeah, sorry. I meant purely the drums. They sound so damn punchy in your video. Did you compress the full drum track? Thanks Alex 🙂

[@ClemensWennersMusic]

Alex Ball yeah, good idea! I have to give it a fair chance out of the box. I almost always go for my Oberheim DX immediately... Thanks mate!

[@wlattkouzd]

I think you have our permisson to make those jams longer. Heck, I'd say it is wanted to make them longer. Because in fact, it is wanted.

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks. I try to strike a balance between the length of the video and the amount of playing and talking. Got some videos with full tracks coming soon.

[@gobblegobblebarfbarf]

Agreed, take a page from Espen. I love his long videos, like where first he has a new original song (perhaps with a "music video" in an abandoned railway station somewhere, or just watching him play in the studio), and then he breaks down the chords, and then he breaks down the sounds/equipment, and then he breaks down the mix, and THEN he does a review of a mini-cabinet Galaga machine.

[@robgs]

Now you're going to have to get Espen to do a remix of that song :-)

[@chriswareham]

Damn you Alex! Been wanting one of these for ages and now the prices are going to skyrocket off the back of your vid 😄

[@ozboomer_au]

Great video.. and many memories of the '80s... I used the VST version for a looong time, as well as the VST version and a Sound Canvas (on a board - SCC-1B) and its VST version... and I still reckon they're all very usable instruments (when y'consider how some of the modern 'arranger keyboards' sound). I just never realized that the MKS-7 was based on the 106+707.. Whizzo. ...and thanks again for a fun video.

[@PlasticCogLiquid]

Sometimes I wish I was just stuck with a unit like this and never allowed to use anything else, you'd be bound to make some good stuff when you're stuck with it!

[@ricardlupus]

Excellent presentation of this unusual machine. Thanks!

[@jerelmani]

I think the ultimate controller for the MKS-7 is the Juno-106!

[@mrxsg]

We used to have one of these in our studio. Great little module!

[@AudioPilz]

Damn, now I want one

[@AlexBallMusic]

"Welcome to rad gear, the show about the world's most 80s audio tools"

[@AudioPilz]

@@AlexBallMusic it won't get any more 80s than that. Great video, as usual

[@öüöïiß]

The bass sound is overwhelming!!!

[@TheMirolab]

There's a guy on Ebay that sells a Logic-Environment-based Editor for the MKS-7 and it works great for only $25. You can edit EVERYTHING just like you had a real 106. It's still a bit fiddly since you cannot save changes on the MKS-7, and you can't really save patches in Logic's environment, but it opens up a whole new world of sounds, if you already own an MKS-7 and use Logic. I hadn't used mine in many years, and recently found it had a dead voice. I was able to buy a new voice chip replacement (from Syntaur) and got the dead voice working again!!

[@dionysiaex5538]

One can only imagine what Geert van Schlänger could do with this and a dirty movie in need of a soundtrack.

[@DarkSideofSynth]

I guess the 1st thing he'd do is change the name to "Foursome", more fitting to his line of business, if you know what I mean ;)

[@bencetasi5602]

That would be very shexy 😄

[@antongracon3345]

I just realised something. The name Van Schlanger sounds like Ken Danger. What are the chances?

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Wait what? No cowbell?! What were they thinking?! :((

[@kevinurso1944]

Alex, you continue to impress! Keep up the good work!

[@themetamorph]

Fantastic video-had not heard of that machine before.Love the sounds!

[@Mr_ToR]

5:48 That Espen Kraft bit was awesome :-D

[@mvoproject]

Thanks for another one excellent video, Alex! And cool song indeed =)) I think I share with it on Facebook group, yes?)

[@SanderAnderon]

you're a great documentarian Alex, ditto your solid key chops, endless thanks for these amazing vids

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thank you Randy.

[@TheFuturetive]

There are also a few juno 106 software editors that will tweek it too.

[@nobodynoone2500]

the mks-7 specific ones are worth seeking out for the extra (and missing) features compared to the 106.

[@johannesschroth9620]

Great Music - now I think I need this mks7!

[@Meteotrance]

80's New Wave and synth pop in a box it's surprisingly good, consider it's a rompler drum machine combine with early DCO analog synth and MIDI, there some hidden treasure like that for hobbyist, as long as the sequencer of my MC 303 works i keep it, can be usefull if my computer broke, i have a Nord keyboard and some analog synth that can be control with it, and a fancy used 4 tracks tape recorder.

[@Gluttonite]

I must have done like 7 pelvic thrusts during the jams

[@travisjohnson108]

That was a very enjoyable overview

[@Drumsdude123]

Absolutely stunning review! Creative funky inspiring!!

[@markusfuller]

Loved the track Alex now be careful as youtube may place a strike against yourself as you own the copyright for the track you just played without your permission.

[@AlexBallMusic]

I wouldn't actually be surprised! 😉

[@arrowfitzgibbon7775]

sweet chord progressions!

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks

[@lesterfalcon1350]

All your videos have been great to watch, really informative, nerdy, but without being clinical about it. I love the element of fun in them, you clearly enjoying yourself. And your compositions to show them off, as at the end of this video are so good. BUT that copyright free song was genius, I think you alter-ego should be Dick Ghastly

[@AlexBallMusic]

Thanks

[@kiko1935]

I almost got one until I realized that it was a little more complicated than just being a Juno 106 in a box. But definitely a lot of potential

[@AlexBallMusic]

It's there, just needs the controller to unlock it. Couple of things are missing or simplified, but it's pretty much a 106 plus friends.

[@MD_Builds]

OMFG that Karaoke Copywrite free chorus is pure gold!

[@itstheterranaut]

I had entirely forgot that I used to own one of these! Great vid.

[@thegodsrockstar]

Can't believe I got my MKS-7 along with a Roland MT32 all for $75 back in the early '90s. Ended up selling my MT32 along with my KX5 but kept the MKS-7. Need to send it to SynthSpa and add it back to my studio.

[@h2o1969]

What a fun little box. Of I could get ahold of one, I'm sure it would be an 80s nightmare, quite unlike the cool sounds you plucked from. Some vid as always. You make it all looks so easy.

[@Juanelromano]

Excellent! Cheers from France !!

[@T.H.W.O.T.H]

Those 80s specs are hilarious! 👓

[@RegebroRepairs]

So, it's Synthwave in one machine. Well, you need a keyboard and reverb.

[@BarryWarne]

Handy little unit

[@dalejason]

Excellent as always Alex 👍

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

The bass sounds on this are so warm.

[@morpheustorus232]

ffs I had one of these in the days when I never realised the greatness of it and subsequently sold it.. damn

[@caseyrocksohard]

Loving that 1985 jam

[@PerChristianFrankplads]

Alex, the chord progression at 3:36 strongly remind me of something. Were you inspired by a specific track or artist there?

[@AlexBallMusic]

Not based on anything specific. Just a kind of parallel motion thing.

[@PerChristianFrankplads]

@@AlexBallMusic: OK, and I'll post a reply if I remember what I was thinking of.