Roland MC-500 mkII: Basic MIDI Recording tutorial
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- #roland #MIDI #MC500
In this video I show you how to do some basic MIDI recording with the Roland MC-500 mkII MIDI sequencer.
This unit entered the market in 1988 and became a center piece in a lot of MIDI-setups.
Still today this beautiful unit is rock solid.
Imagine this: You can record 8 tracks with each 16 MIDI channels = 128 instruments. In 1988 this was awesome (and still today in 2020)
I show you how to:
- Record tracks
- Quantise notes
- Make clean loops
- Create Rhythm Patterns
- Create Rhythm Track
- Record control movements (Cut off/Resonance)
- Replace recordings
Just some basic steps to work with this classic sequencer.
Thanks for watching!
Grtzzz,
Roger
www.themidimaniac.com
I remember that in 1992 a friend of mine who played keyboards bought one of these and I was stunned while he operated the buttons. I didn't understand absolutely anything he did.
my favorite sequencer, its so creative to work like that, more pleasure, more satisfaction to compose music VS daw and plugins.
I feel you! This unit asks more from the composer and that makes it so much fun!
A beautiful machine .So happy I have one
Owen Parker so happy that I found one too. 25€!
@@theMIDImaniac Same ! got it for 20 €
@@bresk13 bargain!!!!
You probably dont care at all but does anybody know a method to get back into an Instagram account..?
I stupidly forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me!
@Santiago Micah instablaster =)
Fantastic tutorial. I am rediscovering this machine, after having sold it 30 yeas ago! Now I have bought another one secondhand.
Hi! Thank you so much!
Great that you found one. It’s such a beautiful unit. Rock solid, vintage and reliable.
I’m planning to do another video.
Meanwhile enjoy yours!
☺️✌🏽
I used this one in high school in the 80s.
todavia lo no lo vi , pero ya me emociono
Always great to watch you work , wife loves your accent!
Bruce Eddings Thanks! And eh...do I have an accent? 😅🥴
Hug for your wife (and for your too ✌🏽)
very good done this example of midi recording lovly melody also.
I recall my youthful days!
Actually MC500 is perfect sequencer.
You got that right! It's a beauty!
Thanks for the tutorial. This is the style of editing I like - old school. DAWS don't work for me, because the OS and other software will update on it's own without asking, and that it absolutely unacceptable. I just ordered 1 of these and hope it solves my last issue - the need to move MIDI files from my computer to this sequencer to initiate new tunes. I've read converting between MRC files and MIDI files in both directions works. Wish me luck.
My last resort is the MPC ONE, which works, but I hate the workflow, and it runs advertising for things I don't have, even though I am offline. Specifically, it makes things that are NOT available for use selectable... they look like they ARE available for use. You have to "try and fail" EVERY TIME or MEMORIZE the dead end trails to nowhere.
I think the MPC ONE workflow and so many others like it were created by a bunch of SADISTS. This is common practice now for all new HARDWARE technology that sells SOFTWARE upgrades for said hardware.
can't imagine using this today
Excellent video. I have a MC-300 under my desk that could do with some attention, and I think I feel like it now...
Go for it!
The MC-300 is also such a wonderful machine!
Excellent tutorial. You sound like Espen Kraft.
That’s two great compliments in a comment. Thank you so much! ✌🏽✌🏽
That's high praise. And totally justified.
Great work Roger! I have the MC-80 it has a 12GB Hard disk built in, but I have never actually made time to play around with it. I believe the workflow is totally different on the MC-80 a much newer generation
.
Thanks! The MC-80 is a superior machine. I mean...the arpeggiator, the hard drive and the quantise options are music to me.
MC-80 is my favourite machine to work with. I transitioned to it from an MC-300 and couldn't go back as it was just so much more convenient. Proper undo function and enough channels to handle any composition without bottlenecking. I even bough a second one for spares, in case my main rig ever goes bad. One model has the Zip drive option that I prefer, as it makes moving files back and forth a lot easier with the PC. Hard drive one only has 2GB. I didn't think they could even go as high as 12GB. I have tried replacing the hard drive with a compact flash to IDE adapter, but wasn't able to find a working match. The controller is very picky when it comes to the type of device it'll accept. Both sequences have VE-GS, which is an SC-88 on a card. Makes the setup more portable. The arpeggio has so many options... infinitely customizable. Only thing lacking is a decent FX processor, so I tend to hook up either Strymon pedals or a Behringer FX mixer on the output. Large LCD makes editing on an MC-80 a breeze. Internal help system is actually helpful. Yamara RM1x is a close contender for the favorite spot, but it's apples to oranges, as the workflow is completely different. Roland I'm absolutely used to, plus it has all the sounds I was growing up with from the British electronica scene.
@@enilenis you can’t put a 12gb hard drive in it he is lying
Funnily enough, I've just bought one of these sequencers...
Edna's Disco Machine great! Me too! Found this one for cheap. Was on my wish list. Love the looks of it.
I have one of these too. 😌
Excellent work ROGER .Great
Thanks a lot! Sorry for the extreme late reply...
Very good. God bless
very good tutorial video great done:)
Love it,im getting one
ARRahman recorded Urvashi Urvashi using this machine ,Great song
i had this babay some years ago, seeing this video now i understand how to work it;-) if i can get a MC500 i will try it again. i do have a MSQ700 that i haven't used yet. Somehow still reverd to the DAW
Hahahaha...it's with most machines. Afterwards we understand them better.
The software is identical to the MC-50 and I have that one already for years.
I understand that going to your DAW is much easier.
Otro excelete video Roger. Tengo esta maquina tambien, guardada por ahora. Esta muy bien construida y pesada me gustan las teclas, parece un sumadora. ;-)
Mima....acabo de encontrar tu mensaje....
Sobre ese secuenciador...me encanta!
Great tutorial you !
Thank you!
Sweet demo man..
Thanks a lot!
Great! This Midi cc recording of the filter cutoff is just very usefull. U have all the gear daisy chained or are u using some kind of midi interface which collects all the midi data from the synths and controllers before u go to the midi in on the sequencer? Thanx ps: a picture of your midi setup would be just great!
Hi again! :D
Just answered your question on the MC-50 video.
It's a great feature to have that information also recorded.
Regarding my setup: This is a video from march 2020. The setup is almost the same, but now with an extra midi patch bay.
ruclips.net/video/NiTIJrYLHY8/видео.html
Hope this helps.
Super gemacht Roger ✌
Herzlichen Dank! Mit viel Freude gemacht ;-)
@@theMIDImaniac ich dank dir auch 🤘 und ja das glaub ich dir ist ja auch einfach ein super Sequenzen 😎🤘
@@theMIDImaniac und der beat is auch fett geworden 😑
Christian Torma doch einfach.
@@theMIDImaniac 😁🤘
Great video! 😃 Can it do polyrhythms like different time signatures on different tracks or glueing (repeating) parts that don’t end with a bar but anywhere else?
Great video - and I like your MC-50 one as well. I have an MC-500 MK1 and an MC-50 (and also a Yamaha QX5) - they’re fantastic and the workflow is so good. One thing I’m trying to find out is how popular these were for song composition compared with computer-based MIDI sequencers that became available from the mid-80s on Ataris and Amigas etc? I know computers quickly became popular as MIDI sequencers around the same time as the MC-500 was released, so have been wondering how popular it and similar units were.
not popular at all people used macs
Well back then if you could afford a computer you would use that because it was more powerful, bigger screen, etc. We used an Atari ST with Pro 24 and then later with C-Lab Notator. Of course, Macs were also popular if you could afford them. Standalone sequencers like the MC500 were also popular, especially for live use because of the portability factor.
GRANDE
stefano lorizio muchísimas gracias! ✌🏽✌🏽
Thank you for this video! Recently picked one of these up and this sure helps a lot. I'm having a little trouble with how to set the midi tracks up. Can you provide some insight?
rkatastrophe great to read you have one!
Check out this vid with the MC-50. It’s the same way to set it up. Same software.
ruclips.net/video/hxG2jd5zv9c/видео.html
If you need more help, let me know!
That's going to help tremendously. Thanks!
Thanks for the great video! I recently bought one, and I'm trying to make it sequence my tr-505's rhythm track like you have done yours. I really want the freedom that playing each instrument individually to create beats. So far so I've only been able make it start/stop though. I'd prefer to let the mc-500 do the work and skip programming in the tr-505 if at all possible. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
Hi!
Wonderful, the TR-505!
The way you want to control the 505 is super easy.
You have to disable the midi clock on the 505 first.
Then you have to create so called rhythm patterns.
I assume you’ve another controller connected.
Check out this video where I use the MC-50 to record the drums of the TR-8.
Same idea and works the same on the MC-500.
Roland MC-50 Tutorial: More Rhythm features in step+real time
ruclips.net/video/_fD7G1n0RZA/видео.html
Good luck!
Great vídeo, the blue light is death on my 500mkII :(
You could replace it. The MC500-series are pretty easy to solder due to the old PCBs inside.
Hope you manage it.
Great video l subscribed. I'm looking for something to just replay the keyboard parts l play for the length of a song because l can't figure out how to do it in Pro Tools using a loop of my performance so l have to play it all live.
Hi!
Are you familiar with the Roland sequencers?
I mean, are you looking for one or do you already have one and you want to know how to use block repeat or a loop?
Thanks for subbing! ✌🏽
@@theMIDImaniac I don't have one yet just looking for something easy to use. I'm so bad I've never heard of "block repeat" and turning a short sequence of an instrument performance into a loop never sounds right so I'm forced to play it live for the entirety of the song.
@@kevinjackson7539 boss RC-505 could be something for you too.
Live looper. Amazing unit.
Look for it on YT.
Very flexible piece of gear.
@@theMIDImaniac That does look cool thanks for the suggestion. Can the MC-500 just play/record a keyboard part until I tell it to stop? Sorry for all of the questions do you have classes where you teach some of the basics? Technology makes it's difficult sometimes to turn what's in my head into an actual project.
@@kevinjackson7539 no probs with the questions.
I’m now a weekend out with my wife. Belated Valentine😉
Anyway, yes…you can play record/play until you tell to stop. By pressing a button or by pressing a foot pedal.
At the moment I don’t give lessons but I’m thinking about it.
You can record sound 9n sound but there is no live punchin. So no overdubs over loops. You have to practise 9verdubs first then record. That melody can get tedious as well.
Nice video. Could you make a shorter one about step sequencing chords?
Pui Thanks for the suggestion. I will do that soon!
Thanks!!
I just got mine today from original owner for $50 upgraded.But for some reason the pause button doesn’t work the same like yours to record.I press rec-pause-and playing but doesn’t activate the rec
Thanks, great video! Any idea if I can update my Roland MC300 software so I can also do real time rhythm pattern recording?
Hi!
You can load without any problem Super MRC into your MC-300.
In this article they mention it.
Be aware that the internal memory of the MC-300 is less than the MC-500MkII (Which I used in the video)
BTW, I didn't know that the MC-300 didn't support realtime pattern recording.
www.muzines.co.uk/articles/roland-super-mrc-sequencing-software/2193
Hi,
Great tutorial. Just subbed to your channel.
I have an MC-300 since yesterday and was wondering if you could do a tutorial video on how to program sequences using the keypads on the right.
Cheers from Antwerp!
Great video! I have an MC-500, and I'm having trouble properly integrating my Roland JV-1010 synth module with it. I'm trying to figure out how to apply different sounds from the JV-1010 at the same time to different tracks on the sequencer. Could anyone help with this? Thanks!
Hi Alec!
Thanks for passing by and dropping a question.
Regarding the JV-1010 it’s important to have it set on performance and not on patch.
Then you need to set your midi keyboard on the corresponding midi channel. With program changing on every channel you can select sounds.
So, you start with midi channel 1, record it with the MC and then channel 2 and so on.
Most important is to have it set on Performance.
Hope this helps!
@@theMIDImaniac Thank you!
Hi... great video.... but I didn't understand how to assign different MIDI channel for different tracks... thanks
Hi! Thanks for subbing!
Regarding your question.
See it as follow. Every track on the MC can handle 16 midi channels. You decide yourself on what track you’re going to record which midi channel.
It’s like an old tape-recorder. You decide which instrument goes on which track. The machine doesn’t decide that for you.
Tracks ≠ midi channel.
Perhaps I’m unclear on this subject.
Thanks for answer, on my MC300 I don't know haw to do it, I'll check better the manual, thanks so much.
Hello Sir Maniac... I've just received my Roland MV 8000. It is my standalone. I would like a midi keyboard as to play the piano and synth sounds of the R mv8... Can you point me in the right direction. I'm not using a daw. Some I'm having a hard time finding the right hardware... Thanks
Hello, great video !
I just bought it and it is great !
Unfortunatly, i can't use the metronome. I check the function and set it on, check the volume behind, but, whenever i launch the recording, it doesn't work. Is there something else to do ?
Thank you !
You could use the line out of the metronome.
Connect a cable to a mixer and you should hear the metronome now.
Also, you can adjust the volume of the metronome in the menu of the MC. In FUNC 2 you can check how the metronome is set.
0 = off, 1 = rec only, 2 = rec& play and 3=always.
Good luck!
@@theMIDImaniac thank you for the answer. I did, but nothing comes out...
@@olivierlegallmusic hey, then I think there’s a loose joint inside of the metronome.
If there’s no volume at all.
You could create a rhythm track and then step record a rimshot to have at least a pseudo metronome meanwhile.
Opening is not that difficult. It’s an old machine with pretty large solder joints.
Hope it will work.
Hi Roger, thanks for this! Just got one so I am getting used to it. I am running MRC 500 software, and when I quantize following your steps - I hit ENTER and it beeps, but the track light goes off and it appears to delete the REAL recording. Any ideas of what's going on here?
Hi!
Thanks for passing by and asking this. It looks like ‘replace rec’ is activated.
Ai...sorry for the short reply. If I’m right hitting two times the record button will set ‘replace rec’.
I have to check this in the manual.
shift play.. i dont know ever have it. thanks
Rendy Ridwan you’re totally welcome!
@@theMIDImaniac can i asking?
@@rreemmoorrii Always! Ask me!
@@theMIDImaniac i dont know.. i patch this gear as master sequence , and pss 590 to write and do other sound, i choose some tune , and mc303 be in module mode , microkorg in his job in midi channel 1, why every i restart all device. and want to continue my work. i dont forget to save song before, but all setting get wrong.. all tune back to started setting again.i must set all it again.. can you tell me what should i do sir? thank you.. i have some excercise to you but this more important.. thanks 🙏🙏🙏 children - robert miles .. you play so perfect
Dear Sir. Does the mc 500 have a battery that needs to be replaced. Thank you
Hello!
The answer is NO. The MC-500 has no battery. The software will always be loaded into the memory chip.
@@theMIDImaniac thank you Sir for an extremely fast response. Have a lovely day.
I have the baby brother, MC300, once you get used to the workflow, these are great sequencers. Shame Roland don't produce a more upto date hardware sequencer as powerful yet simplistic, with flash storage, as floppy is the only weakness. Roland please repackage like the MC50. With 16 tracks x 16 channels please!!!!
Lee Greveson These units are amazing. I totally agree on your statement to ask Roland to reproduce something like these MC’s.
I found this one last week online for an amazing price.
The calculator-look is so cool.
After 32 years I finally got one 😅.
Does it have a maximum number of measures it records?
Hi!
Songs may be up to 999 bars or 87,381 quarter notes in length. This can be recorded all at once.
And every track can record 16 midi channels simultaneously. So, in fact you have an 8-multitrack digital taperecorder.
Peace. I have the roland mv-8000 version 3.54 . I'm trying to sample into it, how can I change my INPUT SELECT setting on the sampling page from COAXIAL to analog input / in-line input? When I select it . It won't change . Thank Wiz
Papa wizzz.....I didn't reply on your question....Sorry....
Did you find the solution yet?
It should be very easy to select it on the Sampling Page.
I always switch between R-Bus, Optical and Analog just with the dial.
@@theMIDImaniac bless at u, hope u safe, so sir I didn't find it yet
@@theMIDImaniac let me know asap, I still didn't find it yet, on the sampling page it's still stuck on coaxial, trying to change it to analog or line input so I can sample into it, it won't let me change off the coaxial input setting. Thanx I await your reply be safe bro
I have one of these but its missing the system floppy
Willeh I can send a backup disk to you. Mail me roger@themidaniac.com 😉✌🏽
In your honest opinion, which is better
the MC-50 or MC-500 mkII ?
Well, the software on both is equal. I do love the old school style of the MC-500mkII.
But I prefer the MC-50 as the software is installed in the ROM.
No floppy-loading time.
Thanks for asking :D
The MIDI Maniac Thank you as well for your amazing tutorial. Would have never sold mine in perfect condition if I had seen this 2 years ago
@@helio1055 Thanks and sorry to read that...
I bought this one also a few months ago in good condition with all original software.
I had to have it because of the looks :D
Roland company should understand the demand of their customers and need to make this product again with today’s new generation provision
When company only look after money this is will only happens
No proper keyboard they are making after 2012 ,
It would be awesome to see a new generation sequencer like this one.
i've been looking at an MC-300, is it any good compared to this?
Mikkel Pedersen hi!
Yesterday I had a nice conversation with a new user of the MC-300. He asked me some questions so I started reading the manual of the MC and I was surprised about the equality of both 300 and 500.
It’s a scaled down version and can handle 5 midi tracks (1 rhythm and 4 midi tracks). This seems nothing but every track can handle 16 midi channels.
And it has two midi outs which means you can control 32 midi channels at once.
If you’re looking for a steady midi recorder then these old mc sequencers are a safe choice.
It’s incredible fun to work the old way. Give yourself some time to learn how to work with. You will enjoy it.
I guarantee you that you will only use 50% of the possibilities.
My first question should be: what would you like to achieve?
@@theMIDImaniac nothing huge really. I've just been fiddling around with two synths i had and have been looking for a good drum machine and a method to piece something together by myself and tape it. I'm just kinda new to the synth scene, but i love it!
Mikkel Pedersen with your setup the MC is excellent to begin with.
Not too difficult.
If the price is right, do it!
@@theMIDImaniac Made a deal at 55 bucks! thanks for the advice!
Mikkel Pedersen 😃😃💪🏽👌🏽✌🏽🤙🏽 great deal!!
Enjoy!
This one has drums?
No, the MC-500/300/50 don't have drums incorporated.
The MC-80 has a possibility for an add-on to have sounds, including drums.
Pro 24 v3 on Atari ST is a lot easier!
There is no live punchin.
There is!
Page 137 of the enclosed file it is explained.
cdn.roland.com/assets/media/pdf/MC-500MKII_OM.pdf
Ok it's just a simple loop that demonstrates the use but you cant make an arrangement with one loop. Also you need to change patches. Can it do program changes? ❤
@@theMIDImaniacI'm talking after you do overdubs. You can do the overdub from the beginning but during the play you should be able to add parts while the track is running. That seems to be something the early sequencers were not capable of. Although now I have a ensoniq mr76 it seems to be capable of. But I havent tried it yet. I am not sure which sequencers have this capability I am looking for that. ❤