Why I Bought A Roland MC-707

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I wanted to jump into the reason I bought the MC-707 over the other grovebox options in the market right now. Between Elektron, MPC , Korg and Novation you've got many hardware "groovebox" options on the table and a few people have asked why I took the Roland MC-707 road. Hope you enjoy the video and feel free to leave your opinion.

[@LarsRosenquist]

Great vid. Got an MC-707 to go with my TR8S two months ago and it's so addictive I'm only using my DAW for final mixing and mastering. It's like you said, it just keeps drawing you in, exactly what you want with a centerpiece.

[@calvobianco]

@@codingsafari Drum synthesis and dedicated knobs essentially. I find it a lot easier to lay down drums with the TR-8S than with the MC-707. Though the MC-707 is no slouch either, the drum editing is pretty deep, just more cumbersome.

[@johnsaunders6510]

I sold my Circuit Track to get a MC707 and I'm really glad I did. It's so fast to get things going on the MC707 and it's incredibly deep as well. A very impressive bit of kit.

[@fender97]

MC-707 is fantastic. It takes a while to get used to workflow and sounds amazing. Firmware updates have made a big difference.

[@veganchris2923]

Right on. I love my MC-101, not because it’s the most powerful thing ever, but because it fills my need. I just wanted a portable sketch pad for ideas, and possible beats and backing tracks if I decide to do a project with just that and a synth. I personally didn’t need a 707 because I have a Fantom where I can do my in depth sound design. But the Zencore engine sounds awesome. Enjoy!

[@jcchaconjr]

I've got an MC-101 (and TR-6S) and while it sounds awesome and is great for sketching out ideas, I feel the compact size (and hence need for menu diving) kind of holds it back somewhat. I know why portability was an important factor, so I don't blame Roland for their design choices, but with all the videos I've seen on the 707, I feel like I should give it a shot. That said, I've since gotten the TR-8S (definitely no regrets there), so I will probably sell my 6S to chip in toward the purchase of a 707. I'm still on the fence about selling the 101, because as I said, the portability is a plus, despite the menu-diving tradeoff. I thought somewhat the same about the 6S, but as the 101 can also do beats, I can always work on the 101 and layout the beats on the 8S later.

[@andesneko]

It'd be nice to have a 404 or whatever in between. The 707 is so big, and the 101 has less options due to its size.

[@JH-te1ct]

I purchased the MC-707 and an Elektron Octatrack mk1 around the same time and for around the same price, and I have to agree that I found the MC workflow to be much more intuitive and easier to pick up than the Octatrack. The zencore engine and the HUGE banks of presets in the MC-707 let me make music instantly. It took me much longer to put together a track on the Octatrack. I really like the Octatrack for its features and live performance capabilities, but it's learning curve is steeper imo. That being said I am finding the deeper menus in MC-707 a little tricky to sort out when it comes to creating your own synth patches. Modifying presets to sound the way you want has been the way to go for me at the moment.

[@vincebu6441]

The 707 rocks. But Roland overall has always been great. My experience in the 80s writing thrash metal was always done with DR drum machines. The workflow was easy and the drum sounds were awesome.. The Roland DR5 piano ripped too!! I was a regular Tchaikovsky with that unit.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I love the 707

[@vincebu6441]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 Agreed!! I did have the 303 in the 80s.. I thought I was the man lol.. Nowadays the 303 isn't even scratching the surface..

[@samueldavies8461]

My first synth was a Roland JDXI and used it to control my setup (Dreadbox Typhon, Monologue Xd). The MC 707 is a natural extension to the JDXI. I would definitely recommend the JDXI as a first synth over the 707 though

[@theokingshango]

lol thats where im at👍 8 tracks and pads instead of trash keys

[@RobbekenSynthMusic]

Sometimes I really miss the Electribe I had. MC-707 seems like a superb upgrade from that and even more performative. Happy to hear how you’re enjoying it. I’ve been holding off on the 707 for a while, but maybe soon…

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

You had Electribe 2? The King Korg engine is sick in terms of sound

[@RobbekenSynthMusic]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 yep! I sold it to afford different things, but I was thinking about getting one again before the 707 was announced. It was rather good! I liked using the Kaoss style pad with effects.

[@theokingshango]

my thoughts as well. some folks are very brainy with music/machines. i like to get high and jam/compose without much thinking of deep settings👍 this seems like perfect box to upgrade from my jdxi

[@audiolego]

Yesss dude I’m so happy for you. I was going to have that but went with the sampler instead. I’ve always wanted to try the Mpc workflow. part of me feels I should of went 707. The mc707 I feel is radio ready man

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I've always been a "light" sample person. Did you see the possible mpc pro keys leak?

[@audiolego]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 a friend Poli popo mentioned on his channel. That will be good for keyboard beat makers. I learned that I get a different vibe using the pads to create melodies. I like it.

[@cliftonoquinn1865]

I've tried everything. I didn't want a DAW in the box. I wanted something that I could capture solid ideas on. Push 2 and 3 came close. But the price!?! I owned a Push 2 - but I am not an Ableton user. LIVE is a fantastic DAW. But I am a Cubase user. I didn't want to learn a new DAW. Trying to, hampered my flow. Push 3 (iCONTROLLER), with its built in interface, was tempting. Again, the price and still bound to a computer screen. Then I realized what was so attractive about the Push compared to other offerings (MPC, NI and such). The screen didn't look like a computer! The MC 707 gets to the point. And it gets there at the right price. With knobs AND FADERS, you can get things done. Then, export the stems for a deeper dive using your DAW. IT IS TRULY DAWless.

[@FuZZbaLLbee]

I started with the circuit, then had an MPC live, then the MC-707 and now I mostly use the analog Rytm and Four. With those Elektron boxes I stick to the analog engines. Now I use the 707 as a Groovebox, for when I don’t want to connect multiple machines. Love the synth engines

[@davidotoole8170]

I'm a bit biased cos I'm a 707 user and have nothing else groovebox-wise to compare it to. Pretty much my first piece of kit too. I'm with you with regard to sampling - only use samples to add to a track rather than build around it. Also I love the workflow. It seems to just make a heck of a lot of sense to me. The presets are pretty good, but yeah come alive when you get into a bit of sound design! I bought it maybe two months after its release, so yeah it's been a while and sustained it's usage as the consistent updates have made it stay first of mind. Needless to say I'm very happy with it.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

MC-707 is a powerhouse. I do see the value in other options and everyone is different. I know I made the right choice for me. =)

[@ShaighJosephson]

It would be alot better if they added the Phantom touchscreen interface and improved the sampling capabilities...

[@periklisliakakis9046]

Hello!! Can you tell me plase if it is better to have someone mc707 than the trs8?

[@Rompler_Rocco]

Probably should stop clicking on these til I can afford one! Totally with you. Surprised by the "less clean" sampling vs Digitakt, I'll have to listen closer for that. Glad you chose right!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I could be wrong. I don't have them side by side and it's been awhile since owning the Digitakt. It has no synth engine and is a pure "sampler" with midi so would make sense that aspect to be a more defined in terms of audio engine. Again, my memory could be wrong, I'm a stoner =P

[@Rompler_Rocco]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 HA!! Totally got you & I appreciate that answer :) ...was just curious because if the Digitakt does 16-bit/48khz mono, and the 707 does up to 24-bit/96khz stereo, it would be cool if something else in the hardware was making the difference. But it was more intuition/ stoner-memory comparison, I completely understand ;)

[@micheldejesus3319]

I just order MC707, I already have a TR8S and I will use maschine mk3 for mainly vocal edm samples

[@dmares700]

Amazing choice! I was stuck between this and the verselab1 found one on reverb for uber affordable. Comes on Friday!!

[@alecsbuga]

Verselab doesn't allow deep editing of the synth engine

[@nowavecharles]

I can understand what you mean about sampling. I only use them as spice too. That’s an interesting idea though. Building a track based solely around samples. Hmmm.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Many do it every day ! =)

[@71collective]

Picked one up couple of months back and love it 👌👌

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Glad you enjoy it~

[@georgegeez8708]

Hey Todd. I believe you made a great choice. It's everything in one and it suits you well. I understand what you mean about sampling as far as music. I at one time with my MPC was making alot of music which was very sample based. During my time when I started making music all the producers I looked up to and also mentored me were mainly all sample based producers. I went and got the MPC because it did everything I wanted. The work flow and sequencer were second to none. But I learned, and at the fault of some major producers in the business, that sampling was going to cost you. Alot of music I made at that time was not accepted by labels because of the samples. All told me the music was awesome but they were not willing to negotiate with samples included. So now I'll be playing with all my new synths in my arsenal to make the music I wanted with limited samples. Looking forward to your future muaic and jams with your 707. Enjoy.👍👍👍👍👍

[@SkywalkFPV]

Interesting, I wonder how that would work for digital piano`s for example, that are also just based on samples.. I assume when you buy digital/analog instruments, that all there samples/sounds they can produce is here for you to utilize.. While you make it sound more like copyright, I cannot believe that would be the case.. Like If I would buy the real piano that sound is also tailored and recognized by one brand and just like a specific wooden guitar makes there own unique sounds, so once you buy it that sound is yours to make music with.. You are essentially buying the license to those sounds, Right o.0..?! Just like buying plugins for your daw to create sounds, they are just yours to create with - not only on consumer level but also professional, how else are artists making there music 'there own' (I believe it is about the full composition they create, not the individual sound that were used to create that composition) Feel free to clarify my understanding, cheers!

[@georgegeez8708]

@Skywalk FPV I don't know if you understood me when it came to samples. The sampling I was referring to was taking a portion of a record and using it in my music. Nowadays, it is not easy to use samples from others' music.

[@SkywalkFPV]

@@georgegeez8708 Ohh hehe, my bad.. You mean like vocal chops then, I guess - It makes sense that way..

[@espacomultiplo]

Hi there! What about NOT having a song mode at the 707? I'd had one of MC909 sold here im Brazil... it was great, but, fro a groove to another, it cuts totally the sound... it was terrible to play live sets... what about this one? And... want about the few scenes on that grid? After Mc909, I used to play live sets with Ableton Live + AKAI APC40... it was a lot better 4 me... nowadays... I do not play live sets anymore, but I'd like a machine more than a MAC + Ableton to hang around... What do you think? Ahhh... ZEN CORE... is there an editor out of the box for it?

[@thechronicnoizeco.6675]

Seems like better value and a little more future proof than other options.

[@badkimchi7726]

I've publish a few song made on the MC 707, and still got many more I'm working on.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I’m loving the machine !

[@badkimchi7726]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 I'm going to experiment some, using my phone as a sampler and run it through the MC 707. Hopefully I can come up with something cool for my EP.

[@romi2910001]

Just ordered a 707 I was also considering the akai force.. was that one an option? and if so why did you turn it down. For me the main reason was the sound on the force, didn't like it..

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

It was a option at the time. If you mean sound as you’re a Roland sound fan comapred to Akai options, yes. I lean towards that sound and loved the classic MC groovebox series from Roland. That all pushed me this direction

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

I have the opposite experience with the 707. I don’t really use mine too much. Exporting and creating zencore sounds into the 707 is powerful. But I’ll keep it as I’m tired of selling stuff. I prefer the Elektron WF better.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I didn’t vibe with elektron at all as I stated but everyone is different. We’ve got options for a reason

[@tedstriker2000]

'') hav the mc101 new electribe sampler and older emx1 linked together, its a joy to play

[@WarzoneVictoryWins]

Deluge is another option. I think Digitakt is great, but it took me a few months to find a good workflow. It's really good when you pair it with a multi-timbral synth like access virus. mc 707 looks good also. I just hate the screen and the hefty price.

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

At this point you can snagged them used at a very decent price for features, I got mine mint for 780$ I love the screen myself, better than Deluge interface in my opinion. I would argue the 8 part zen core engine alone is worth 1k. Everyone will have various views and opinions tho

[@petert7807]

So funny that I love the electribe2 workflow for my techno sketches! But prefer the much deeper zencore sound engine of the roland over the 'kingkorg' sound engine. 😂

[@maciejlegowicz5834]

Interesting. I started back in the day with MC303 and then JX305. At that time those machines were really something. Along the lines I had Electribe 2 - it was really good, but I think a lot of limitations put me off. Now I have MC707 and MPC Live. Both machines are great and the best when they work together - what's lacking in MC - MPC has, and opposite. One thing that annoys me - which is my personal opinion - in the case of MC707 is the sound library. With ZenCore engine Roland sound designers could go a few steps forward. If you scroll through drum kits it sounds like you have only 4 that are available :-) I'm also missing battery power, like in MC.

[@SergeyCoder]

Yeah. Elektron’s workflow is like programming music, not playing it :) I don’t think that is bad, but not for me. I’m a developer & working with programming software every day - Elektron’s workflow is the same. You should learn keys combinations, hotkeys, tricky actions. I haven’t MC but it has pads, the main thing that allows to PLAY music, not just programming it 🤷‍♂️

[@andrebrown4677]

Congrats! I thought you were waiting for the Drumlogue but I imagine the 707 easily Competing! Have Fun!

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I think MC-707 was a better choice for me

[@TeleporterM11]

How is the build and quality of the MC 707

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

I think it’s solid. I’ve heard various opinions. It’s body is plastic but sturdy.

[@TeleporterM11]

@@toddsmithmusic3172 How soon do you think Roland will build another drum machine.

[@InkyDaCaT]

What ever suits you is the best instrument😉💗🙌

[@unclemick-synths]

As much as I love my MPC it doesn't fulfill my need for a proper groovebox.

[@EnervatedSociety]

Well sampler/sequencers, often categorized as "Drum samplers" so it would make sense that it doesn't fill that need. Personally I'd take an Akai s900 over any Roland groove box. I'd also take an MPC over any RGB not only because I value sampling more than Roland's digital synths but because of the pad orientation. Finger drummers would get me on that one. But hey, why not both if you could swing it? ;)

[@unclemick-synths]

@@Leviathan-mj8gi yep, people that really know the MPC can do groovebox things on it but it doesn't have that immediate step sequencer interface for changing up the beat live - especially note deletions. It didn't make my Korg SQ-1 or Volca Sample redundant.

[@unclemick-synths]

@@EnervatedSociety yep, I'm definitely heading towards both.

[@beesting6135]

Roland gives you more for the money

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

They can be a bit pricey for flagship but are worth the investment

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Used you can snag killer deals

[@ShaighJosephson]

I got rid of the MC-707 because of all the menu diving and limitted sampling ability... I replaced it with an Akai Force which is so much better in so many ways...especially with clip transitions and sampling... The MC-707 is way overpriced and should be about $500 for what it is, IMO...

[@toddsmithmusic3172]

Disagree. Different things for different people. I’d never but force over 707. Synth engine in 707 trashes the Force. I could care less about sample time. I want the stronger synth engine. You do you but your taste doesn’t apply to everyone. Glad you found something that works for you in the end