After many hours, I finally figured out what was driving me crazy related to fixing a mistake. I had a fairly intricate drum track with one crash cymbal that I recorded one sixteenth beat earlier than I intended. I kept watching the beginning of your lesson 2 over and over and over again. It looked so simple, but it just wasn't working that way on my machine. I finally realized that when you hit sequence to light up the notes, it only lights up one instrument at a time. You have to use the value nob to light the instrument that you want to fix, before you can fix it. I'm sure it would have been confusing if you had explained that also at the same time, but it would have saved me hours when I went back to see how to fix my mistake. Thanks for all of your lessons, I never would have been able to enjoy my MC-101 without them!
Back to say thanks again. My brain isn't wired to make this box intuitive but your clear explanations (& the notes I've made on all your points haha!) have totally unlocked it for me. I'll be all over your other tutorials now 👍
The second part of the tutorial is really good too. Even for people who don't speak English very well, everything is explained factually and clearly ... keep it up. Greetings from Germany
I'm Saving money to buy a MC101. When I'll do it, I wanna let you know that if you have a patreon (or I can support your channel in any way financially) I really wanna do it. You are making real, complete lessons and I feel like stealing just watching this for free. Big up man!
Just purchased this, and I am so grateful. Much of this is review, but starting with the basics is EVERYTHING. It lets us with experience get to a place where we can actually have fun with new features, faster. Very good instruction.
HA! I just commented on your first tutorial about removing something (notes/sea) and maybe find the answer in your next tutorial. BANG! Out the gate, I find that answer in your next tutorial. Genius work sir! THANK YOU!!!
I just bought the MC-101 but have problems with programming the editors song called Papillon. I found the sound I can make clips and adjust the length of the clips and I can use clip chaining and using "scenes". I can't programme the parts where the sequencing loop in the song is silent. I need to programme some sort of click track or a snare drum, for the drummer in the band to keep perfectly in sink with the song when the sequencing loop starts again in the song. So I programmed the sequencer loop and programmed a snare drum in parts of the song where there is no sequencing loop. I can't get it to play the sequencer and the snare drum in the right timing for the song. It either plays the sequencer and it just doesn't play the snare drum, while it seems to be programmed ok, at the right clip. So it just doesn't switch from track 2 (the sequencer loop) to track 1 (the snare drum) in the song. It just stays at track 2 only and tht is empty at those parts of the song. I used making "scenes" with the all tracks but this doesn't help. Can you help, thanks a lot in advance Bart from the Netherlands.
Just treated myself to one of these. I use the Synthstrom Deluge, and this adds a nice extra layer to my tracks. Great little tutorials, fella. Keep them coming.
Just wanted to say a Big Thank You! for these tutorial vids you made, especially this one that i`v probably watched 5 times over! LOL I just uploaded my first experimental track on here today, and wouldn`t have been able to do it without your help! Cheers! xx
That’s a brilliant tutorial, thanks. I was looking for a way to chain clips, but setting the ‘play step Length’ for clips will do the trick to make a song!!
@2:27 About removing messed up notes: You can also just have the sequence running, arm record and then press Shift + Project. Whatever is playing while these are pressed will be deleted, BUT you'll only her the deletion on the second pass. (That is, it gets played and is then deleted. This is presumably so you can hear what it is you want to delete.) Anyway, it's a lot faster than manually selecting the notes and then doing the key combo.
I keep waiting for someone to try to open the door behind you and you shout "MOM! I'm making a tutorial! Gosh! (Just came back to reup on some knowledge since it's been a min since I used the 101...i love how dense with info your vids are)
I just ordered one of these and like some I'm daunted by the menu diving muscle memory combos to come :) your tutorial is great as it's really step by step. Wish someone had come up with that for that funky orange D2 which required a PHD in manual management :)
Ahora utilizo el traductor en subtítulos en español para entender la explicación detallada, que te agradezco mucho mucho, sigue explicando el mc 101 , se agradece mucho.
I’m late to the game but this is really helpful. I’ve been wanting to get an MC101 or TR6S to compliment my Jupiter Xm instead of laptop/iPad or my old Yamaha 8 channel sequencer.
Thanks once again for the time taken to produce and edit this video. It would be good to see a video on connecting the MC 101to a DAW like Ableton and using the MC 101 as a sound engine, i'm having issues with connecting my MC 101 to Ableton Suite as it destroys track 1 ( Drums ) making it sound like a cheap transister radio and very tinny, this doesn't happen if i connect my MC 101 to Ableton light, there seems to be an issue with this Daw. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers
Gordon NoWay Hmm interesting. I don’t use Ableton but I know a lot of people want to use it that way. I’m definitely going to cover midi settings as much as I can. I have Live lite (9 I guess) but I can try to do a general lesson with computer connectivity (I’m an FL Studio user). Off the top of my head maybe you have a limiter or something on that track (happens to me all the time in FL, not sure if it’s easy to do by accident in Ableton). Anyway I’ll look into doing a DAW integration video, thanks for the input!
Great videos, I would love to see a full set live, or at least a few songs, for see how is the workflow when u change between songs, and also for see the full potential of the mc101 in full live performance. Like for example it’s possible to make songs from a scratch? Like add drums, bass, harmony on the go without stop the music and then change to a whole new songs? Love your way of explain,it’s really clear
Thanks! There’s a ton of flexibility on the 101. With 16 clips on 4 tracks and (as of firmware 1.5) 128 scenes, there’s possibility in some genres (techno, house, etc) of putting a full set together inside of 1 project and playing continuously. You can see an example of a quick mix I did just on the 101 here: ruclips.net/video/Uy4zOXRBpV4/видео.html You can definitely build up full songs in other genres too, but if you wanted to do a set like that you’d probably have to switch projects which takes maybe 10-15 seconds of silence. For me that’s not a big deal, I come from a rock background and the time to switch projects isn’t really longer than a guitarist setting up the pedals for the next song. An example of that is this take I did on take 5, which uses about 6 clips per track. So theoretically you could play 2 or 3 songs like that in a row before you have to stop and switch projects. ruclips.net/video/_OQXnyaXmw8/видео.html I hope this helps! I have more of the beginner videos planned and maybe a breakdown of those performances so you can see what’s going on and better understand the potential. In the meantime feel free to keep asking questions.
Yes! This is possible and will be covered in a video soon! The way to do it is to hit shift and the track number, then scroll over to “track source” and change it from “track” to “clip.” Then each clip in the track can have its own sound. Word of caution: If you change this setting on a track you already have worked on, you’ll lose the sounds you already had. It’s definitely a great feature though, and can allow for complex and exciting arrangements!
Side note! When changing the custom clip length, you can easily add or remove 1 bar/measure by holding shift while you twist the knob to change the value
Thanks for the video! How do the four measure indicator lights denote navigation or edits for steps 65-128? Looks like a fun music tool and hope to get one soon!
The two arrows above the 4 lights scroll each measure. They represent measures 1-4. When you get to measure 5 the light for measure 1 lights up like you’re on a new “page,” and now the lights correspond to measures 5-8. Same with the flashing light that indicates which measure is playing, it flashes the light if you’re currently on the “page” that corresponds to the correct half of the measure. It isn’t perfect, sometimes the flashing is on the page that you’re not looking at, so it looks at first glance like it isn’t playing. It forces you to use your ears though and there are enough flashing lights around that after using it often I can sort of “sense” where things are from the other lights going on, so it isn’t too big a deal.
nice workshop BenCoe, are the clip chaining features saved with the main project? please say it is so. Are there limits to the amount of clips that could be chained? With the base amount of clips/tracks, etc. what would you say is the maximum bar length one could have in a project? (a complete composition) taking into account possible unused clips in any track, with the new clip chain feature, etc. how long could a song/project be in bar lengths (maximum steps/ 4/4 time signature in any given clip) thank you very much for your time/MC-101 knowledge BenCoe!
Thank you! Yes, the clip chaining setup is saved with the project when you save it, so once you have it set up for a song, it will stay set up that way. There’s no restrictions on how clip chaining works, and you can clip chain in loops, but you have 16 clips per track, and each clip can be up to 128 steps. So maximum track length depends on your workflow. Your total maximum, never-repeating music in one project, made by chaining 16 128 step clips one into the next would give you 2048 unique steps, that could just play one after the other when you hit the button. In 4/4 time with default pattern scaling (meaning 1/16th note steps) that’s 512 beats. At 120 bpm, that’s almost exactly 4 minutes 16 seconds. So in that way, you could have 4 tracks of music that never repeats once, and you could just hit play and you’ve got a whole song. Practically (for me anyway) my music repeats fairly often. I normally have 1 or 2 intro clips per track that chain into each other, then they chain into say the verse, which maybe loops twice before chaining into the prechorus then into the chorus. Then the chorus chains back into the verse. That way I press play at the beginning and plays intro1->intro2->verse->prechorus->chorus->verse-prechorus-> etc.. and loop around that as long as I want. To add variation I’ll unmute drums or change filters the second time around. Then I’ll set up a separate scene that’s the bridge, and maybe that’s two clips (16 bars) long. That will chain bridgeA->bridgeB->prechorus and so get is right back into the original song structure. If it’s a standard rock or punk type song I’ll trigger the bridge scene once around where the bridge is supposed to go in the song, if it’s more techno/edm stuff, I’ll trigger the bridge whenever it feels right, and keep messing around with the song structure as I go. Practically, most of my songs end up being 6-8 clips per track with this sort of method, and they’re a good 3-4 minute, normal length songs. For reference, if you check my other videos, the techno mini mix (self isotechno) is about 6 minutes of (I think) relatively engaging techno, and it uses only 4 clips per track. The take 5 cover I uploaded uses 3-6 clips per track, depending on the instrument. Basically I think you can pretty easily fit an entire song or two in one project, depending on the genre, but I think for longer sets you’ll need to load different projects unless you’re real creative about the setup. Hope that helps give some perspective, I know it was a long read lol let me know if I can clarify anything better.
@@BenCoeMusic hello, thank you very much for taking the time to explain this, Wow! the MC-101 has got potential, Roland always coming up with rock solid gear, thanks again !
Thank you! Right now there’s no arpeggiator but as of firmware version 1.5 there is a single key chord mode on tone tracks. I haven’t had a chance to really dig into how it works yet but I’ll definitely cover it in a later video.
teabreakbeats thanks I’m glad it looks so effortless, the final video is like the 5th time running through the whole lesson haha. I try to have an idea of where I’m going and after doing it a few times it works out alright. I love your tips videos!
Yea , really good job. You actually know what you're talkin about. A lot of videos I've watched on the MC have been incomplete. Thank you for being thorough and knowing the criteria.
Yep! Hit shift and the track number and set the track type to “clip” and then each drum clip can have its own sounds. Be aware switching this setting on a project you’re already working on will likely remove the sounds you already have in the drum track and reset them to the init kit.
Great Post. Im Having problem with pc audio looping. pc audio can make its way to the phones but not able to loop the clip goes green and can see its not capturing or even making it to the 8th measure it cuts
Having difficulty making a song. I want a 1 measure beat as a count off. That would be track 1 clip1. Then I want a different beat for the song which is on track 1 clip 2. When track 1 clip 2 is playing I want the bass on track 2 and the rhythm keyboard on track 3 to play as well. I want this to play for 8 measures and then the bass on track 2 and rhythm keyboard on track 3 to play a different pattern for 8 measures. From there I want to go back to the previous pattern. Then I want to add a different pattern etc... Can you help?
Hello BenCoe. Again, thank you for your tutorials ! So helpful. On a TONE sequence, Is there a way to shift a clip (not all clips) to the left or to the right in the sequence (without doing a cut & paste ) ? Actually, in "Note Utility" menu on the MC-101 (by pressing a STEP, then Shift + FILTER). In this menu, there is a "Shift Note Right" / "Shift Note Left" function. But this function shifts ALL the steps of the sequence by 1 step and not just the selected step (which I would like to do). Thank you
Thanks for the reply I’m glad these are helpful! Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any way to do what you want (yet!). Maybe with a future update. For now though your best bet I think is to hit shift+program and the step you want to move (this will delete it) then re-make the step where you want it to be.
My pleasure! I definitely love the 101 and it’s certainly a capable device for a pretty reasonable price. Have you looked at the new Roland MV-1 verselab that was announced yesterday? It sits between the 101 and 707 I think, definitely has some cool features in it, and it’s 700$.
@@BenCoeMusic Hey Ben. Yeah, I saw the MV-1, but it didn't seem to dig as deep into sound design as the 101 or 707 does. I really don't know much about the MV-1 other than the limited review(s). But it seems like there are certain pre-designed 'templates' that keep you pretty much structured. Maybe you know more?
It’s so weird that Roland as a company just don’t explain their machines .They for instance sold me a Jd o8 with the sequencer from hell and the instructions are only available on line ..
Hello Great tutorial! I just got the mc-101 and am a complete beginner at this. The main excuse for buying it was to use as a compact sound module for gigging with an external midi keyboard. I found that if I use empty tracks and set them all for the same MIDI channel (or send midi in to ch 1-4 simultaneously) I can actually play all sounds at the same time, or if I want only 1 sound, I can turn off the 3 others using the faders, or play any of them at different volumes by adjusting the faders accordingly. Great! However, I think it should be possible to get more combinations using clips, as the sound is a "property" of the clip. But it seems if I create a new clip on a track, with a different preset/sound, this also changes the preset/sound on the other clip on the same track. :( Maybe I am doing this all wrong, but shouldn't it be possible in theory? Any other way to achieve this? Regards Hallvard
Yes, it’s totally possible and for some reason in these videos I don’t talk about it until lesson 3 or 4 but I should have mentioned it here! Just hit shift + the track number to bring up track settings, then scroll over to “sound source.” Change it from “track” to “clip” that way each clip can have its own sound. Just a warning, when you change the setting it resets the track to the initial sound, so if you’re working on a sound you care about remember the preset you were on before you do it. Playing all or some of the tracks at once is one of my favorite ways to use it as a sound module, it opens up a ton of possibilities! Glad you’re enjoying the 101 and thanks for watching the videos!
@@BenCoeMusic Great! That work just as you said. I would say the flexibility of this little device is fantastic. And I am just scratching the surface of what it is capable of! I guess I have to browse through the remaining tutorials now.
bellissimo video e spiegato alla perfezione complimenti....la mc 101 e' possibile suonare con un tastiera midi o tastiera una korg m3 e sfruttare i suoni
For some reason I cannot duplicate like you explain in the "Double Clip lenght" part. I press [SEQ] and the the arrow to the right but the "duplicate" text does not appear. Help me Obi Wan....
Hmm good question, do you know what firmware you’re on? I think that the duplicate function was added at some point. When you turn on the 101 it should tell you what your firmware version is.
@@BenCoeMusic Thank for your quick reply. I have version 1.02 so that must be the problem. I just got it and no time yet for updating it. Thanks again!! Great tutorial, that really helps!!
No problem glad I can help! I checked the manual out just to make sure I was giving you good info and it does look like that functionality was added in firmware 1.3, so that’s definitely the solution! In case it helps I followed this tutorial for updating and it worked perfectly (the process is identical no matter the version). ruclips.net/video/QpUub7LAZDo/видео.html
Hello, sorry I have another question that does not relate to this video but maybe you can help. I uploaded a longer sample of about 8 measures to a note on the drum pad (track 1). For some reason the volume of the uploaded sample lowers during playback in the sequence while the original sample has no volume changes. I tried editing the effects but with no luck. I hope you have some advice.....
I think (though I’m not certain) if you set release high enough the note will carry out. Maybe you could automate the release to be high on the step the last note is played to help carry through?
Thank you Ben. You are correct... depending on the tone, there is some release carryover... I think it's just one of those workflow workarounds where if I want to pattern some long notes, then I'll have to dedicate a new clip to break up the progression, then resample on the Looper track if need be. I appreciate you responding!
No. The sample memory per slot is limited something around 10-15 seconds of stereo audio, but you're not really limited to how many of those clips you can import per song that i've found, so if you make each clip have a different soundbank (or load up everything into a drum track chopped up) you can 'technically' do it, but it's not as easy as, say, an sp404 or something.
When I try to double a track length using Edit and Seq, it doesn’t work. Is there any reason for this? I tried on multiple different sessions and got the same result.
Have you updated the firmware? I realized since putting this video up that that particular feature was added in firmware 1.3 and I should have mentioned it in the video. When you turn on the 101 it should tell you on the screen which firmware you have.
No, just per clip shuffle. This can be a little annoying to set up but it gives more flexibility to the grooves you can make. If you copy and paste a clip it will also remember the shuffle settings which can make it a little easier to keep everything consistent.
Does anyone know about how to actually output what you’ve created as an audio file for upload onto soundcloud etc (ideally through GarageBand if possible?)
This is the music production equivalent of writing software using assembly code. With this level of complexity, why not just start a DAW and hammer these tones into a playroll in ten seconds? 😳
Shift + project + sequence= my new words to live by. I love you, Ben. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤❤❤
After many hours, I finally figured out what was driving me crazy related to fixing a mistake. I had a fairly intricate drum track with one crash cymbal that I recorded one sixteenth beat earlier than I intended. I kept watching the beginning of your lesson 2 over and over and over again. It looked so simple, but it just wasn't working that way on my machine. I finally realized that when you hit sequence to light up the notes, it only lights up one instrument at a time. You have to use the value nob to light the instrument that you want to fix, before you can fix it. I'm sure it would have been confusing if you had explained that also at the same time, but it would have saved me hours when I went back to see how to fix my mistake. Thanks for all of your lessons, I never would have been able to enjoy my MC-101 without them!
Fantastic intro to the mc-101. looking forward to the midi keyboard tutorial. Keep up the good work! It is much appreciated.
Back to say thanks again. My brain isn't wired to make this box intuitive but your clear explanations (& the notes I've made on all your points haha!) have totally unlocked it for me. I'll be all over your other tutorials now 👍
Thank you. Awesome and understandable. You are great. Thump up! I‘m flashed.
The second part of the tutorial is really good too. Even for people who don't speak English very well, everything is explained factually and clearly ... keep it up. Greetings from Germany
I'm Saving money to buy a MC101. When I'll do it, I wanna let you know that if you have a patreon (or I can support your channel in any way financially) I really wanna do it. You are making real, complete lessons and I feel like stealing just watching this for free. Big up man!
Just purchased this, and I am so grateful. Much of this is review, but starting with the basics is EVERYTHING. It lets us with experience get to a place where we can actually have fun with new features, faster. Very good instruction.
The style of your presentations is unique. You have a gift. Thank you for all of your excellent tutorials! You're an excellent teacher!
Thank you very much, man! Your videos were the final reason to buy mc-101. So i did a couple days ago. And this little thing is fire!
Superb, clear and helpful, thank you
Hi Ben ,
Appreciate your work. I’d have hard time without your tutorial...
Merry Christmas!
Great video, consider listing the time stamps under the video description so users can revisit “the manual”. Thanks!
Fantastic idea, thank you! I updated this video and Lesson 1 and will definitely do it in the future as well!
Great tutorial thanks for posting!
HA! I just commented on your first tutorial about removing something (notes/sea) and maybe find the answer in your next tutorial. BANG! Out the gate, I find that answer in your next tutorial. Genius work sir! THANK YOU!!!
This is Gold. Thanks Ben!🤩
I just bought the MC-101 but have problems with programming the editors song called Papillon. I found the sound I can make clips and adjust the length of the clips and I can use clip chaining and using "scenes". I can't programme the parts where the sequencing loop in the song is silent. I need to programme some sort of click track or a snare drum, for the drummer in the band to keep perfectly in sink with the song when the sequencing loop starts again in the song. So I programmed the sequencer loop and programmed a snare drum in parts of the song where there is no sequencing loop. I can't get it to play the sequencer and the snare drum in the right timing for the song. It either plays the sequencer and it just doesn't play the snare drum, while it seems to be programmed ok, at the right clip. So it just doesn't switch from track 2 (the sequencer loop) to track 1 (the snare drum) in the song. It just stays at track 2 only and tht is empty at those parts of the song. I used making "scenes" with the all tracks but this doesn't help. Can you help, thanks a lot in advance Bart from the Netherlands.
Just firing up this video. Glad to see another one!
Thanks for sharing these tips. Nice and quick tutorial!
Excellent quality video. Looking forward to more MC-101 videos.
Ben, you have the best tutorials on MC-101! Thanks a lot!
What a great teacher!
Great stuff Ben, Thanks for the tutorials!!
Tidy, you know how to teach, thank you. Subscribed.
Just treated myself to one of these. I use the Synthstrom Deluge, and this adds a nice extra layer to my tracks. Great little tutorials, fella. Keep them coming.
I sold my Deluge for a MC-101 (and a Novation Circuit) ;-)
Im gonna get a deluge in the future!
How do you use it with the deluge? I’ve been on one for a couple of years and just added one of this
Great tutorial, thank you!
Very informative! Thanks for the breakdown on clip chaining and clip play length ✌️
Super Video
With your help I understand the XFM.
The first part was great too.
Greetings from Germany
Ingo
Thanks for sharing, very helpful to get started!
I love your teaching style !!!
This is a perfect tutorial - very much appreciated 👍
this was helpful for a non beginner also. thanks
Glad to hear!
Another great tutorial. Keep up the good vibes bro, love it
Excellent
Just wanted to say a Big Thank You! for these tutorial vids you made, especially this one that i`v probably watched 5 times over! LOL I just uploaded my first experimental track on here today, and wouldn`t have been able to do it without your help! Cheers! xx
great video man, thank for it, learned a lot
Absolut lifesaving explanation. Otherwise who would use this device? But song and device is nice.
Pain i’m not speak inglés. Have intuit the explications ,and you are good explicación. Good Job..
Awesome tutorial series
Thanks for The tutorial!!
Great info! Subbed
That’s a brilliant tutorial, thanks. I was looking for a way to chain clips, but setting the ‘play step Length’ for clips will do the trick to make a song!!
Really helpful. It filled in a few gaps I was missing like double length, and single note delete 🙂
Man Thank You!!!!! You got the Juice!
@2:27 About removing messed up notes: You can also just have the sequence running, arm record and then press Shift + Project. Whatever is playing while these are pressed will be deleted, BUT you'll only her the deletion on the second pass. (That is, it gets played and is then deleted. This is presumably so you can hear what it is you want to delete.)
Anyway, it's a lot faster than manually selecting the notes and then doing the key combo.
Great tip!
..W0W..explained very nicely done ..💎💎💎💎💎🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
Thank you!
I keep waiting for someone to try to open the door behind you and you shout "MOM! I'm making a tutorial! Gosh!
(Just came back to reup on some knowledge since it's been a min since I used the 101...i love how dense with info your vids are)
I just ordered one of these and like some I'm daunted by the menu diving muscle memory combos to come :) your tutorial is great as it's really step by step. Wish someone had come up with that for that funky orange D2 which required a PHD in manual management :)
yoour presenting skill is awesome fella , very good tutorials, thanks
Leonard from the Big Bang Theory teaches the mc101, awesome.
Ahora utilizo el traductor en subtítulos en español para entender la explicación detallada, que te agradezco mucho mucho, sigue explicando el mc 101 , se agradece mucho.
I’m late to the game but this is really helpful. I’ve been wanting to get an MC101 or TR6S to compliment my Jupiter Xm instead of laptop/iPad or my old Yamaha 8 channel sequencer.
Glad it’s helpful, best of luck on your journey!
Thanks once again for the time taken to produce and edit this video. It would be good to see a video on connecting the MC 101to a DAW like Ableton and using the MC 101 as a sound engine, i'm having issues with connecting my MC 101 to Ableton Suite as it destroys track 1 ( Drums ) making it sound like a cheap transister radio and very tinny, this doesn't happen if i connect my MC 101 to Ableton light, there seems to be an issue with this Daw. Looking forward to the next one. Cheers
Gordon NoWay Hmm interesting. I don’t use Ableton but I know a lot of people want to use it that way. I’m definitely going to cover midi settings as much as I can. I have Live lite (9 I guess) but I can try to do a general lesson with computer connectivity (I’m an FL Studio user). Off the top of my head maybe you have a limiter or something on that track (happens to me all the time in FL, not sure if it’s easy to do by accident in Ableton).
Anyway I’ll look into doing a DAW integration video, thanks for the input!
Press shift + scene + clip with your left foot while humming the theme to Batman to edit a song ;)
Hey Ben, thinking about getting the mc101 for guitar rig. Would I make a 12 bar blues song by chaining together three 4 bar clips?
Great videos, I would love to see a full set live, or at least a few songs, for see how is the workflow when u change between songs, and also for see the full potential of the mc101 in full live performance. Like for example it’s possible to make songs from a scratch? Like add drums, bass, harmony on the go without stop the music and then change to a whole new songs? Love your way of explain,it’s really clear
Thanks! There’s a ton of flexibility on the 101. With 16 clips on 4 tracks and (as of firmware 1.5) 128 scenes, there’s possibility in some genres (techno, house, etc) of putting a full set together inside of 1 project and playing continuously. You can see an example of a quick mix I did just on the 101 here:
ruclips.net/video/Uy4zOXRBpV4/видео.html
You can definitely build up full songs in other genres too, but if you wanted to do a set like that you’d probably have to switch projects which takes maybe 10-15 seconds of silence. For me that’s not a big deal, I come from a rock background and the time to switch projects isn’t really longer than a guitarist setting up the pedals for the next song. An example of that is this take I did on take 5, which uses about 6 clips per track. So theoretically you could play 2 or 3 songs like that in a row before you have to stop and switch projects.
ruclips.net/video/_OQXnyaXmw8/видео.html
I hope this helps! I have more of the beginner videos planned and maybe a breakdown of those performances so you can see what’s going on and better understand the potential. In the meantime feel free to keep asking questions.
Do u know if each scene can have new sounds loaded on a track? Say like the first verse is piano on track one, then verse 2 is a synth on track one.
Yes! This is possible and will be covered in a video soon! The way to do it is to hit shift and the track number, then scroll over to “track source” and change it from “track” to “clip.” Then each clip in the track can have its own sound. Word of caution: If you change this setting on a track you already have worked on, you’ll lose the sounds you already had. It’s definitely a great feature though, and can allow for complex and exciting arrangements!
Side note! When changing the custom clip length, you can easily add or remove 1 bar/measure by holding shift while you twist the knob to change the value
This is true! Useful tip, thanks!
Thanks for the video! How do the four measure indicator lights denote navigation or edits for steps 65-128?
Looks like a fun music tool and hope to get one soon!
The two arrows above the 4 lights scroll each measure. They represent measures 1-4. When you get to measure 5 the light for measure 1 lights up like you’re on a new “page,” and now the lights correspond to measures 5-8. Same with the flashing light that indicates which measure is playing, it flashes the light if you’re currently on the “page” that corresponds to the correct half of the measure. It isn’t perfect, sometimes the flashing is on the page that you’re not looking at, so it looks at first glance like it isn’t playing. It forces you to use your ears though and there are enough flashing lights around that after using it often I can sort of “sense” where things are from the other lights going on, so it isn’t too big a deal.
nice workshop BenCoe, are the clip chaining features saved with the main project? please say it is so. Are there limits to the amount of clips that could be chained? With the base amount of clips/tracks, etc. what would you say is the maximum bar length one could have in a project? (a complete composition) taking into account possible unused clips in any track, with the new clip chain feature, etc. how long could a song/project be in bar lengths (maximum steps/ 4/4 time signature in any given clip) thank you very much for your time/MC-101 knowledge BenCoe!
Thank you! Yes, the clip chaining setup is saved with the project when you save it, so once you have it set up for a song, it will stay set up that way.
There’s no restrictions on how clip chaining works, and you can clip chain in loops, but you have 16 clips per track, and each clip can be up to 128 steps. So maximum track length depends on your workflow.
Your total maximum, never-repeating music in one project, made by chaining 16 128 step clips one into the next would give you 2048 unique steps, that could just play one after the other when you hit the button. In 4/4 time with default pattern scaling (meaning 1/16th note steps) that’s 512 beats. At 120 bpm, that’s almost exactly 4 minutes 16 seconds. So in that way, you could have 4 tracks of music that never repeats once, and you could just hit play and you’ve got a whole song.
Practically (for me anyway) my music repeats fairly often. I normally have 1 or 2 intro clips per track that chain into each other, then they chain into say the verse, which maybe loops twice before chaining into the prechorus then into the chorus. Then the chorus chains back into the verse. That way I press play at the beginning and plays intro1->intro2->verse->prechorus->chorus->verse-prechorus-> etc.. and loop around that as long as I want. To add variation I’ll unmute drums or change filters the second time around. Then I’ll set up a separate scene that’s the bridge, and maybe that’s two clips (16 bars) long. That will chain bridgeA->bridgeB->prechorus and so get is right back into the original song structure. If it’s a standard rock or punk type song I’ll trigger the bridge scene once around where the bridge is supposed to go in the song, if it’s more techno/edm stuff, I’ll trigger the bridge whenever it feels right, and keep messing around with the song structure as I go. Practically, most of my songs end up being 6-8 clips per track with this sort of method, and they’re a good 3-4 minute, normal length songs.
For reference, if you check my other videos, the techno mini mix (self isotechno) is about 6 minutes of (I think) relatively engaging techno, and it uses only 4 clips per track. The take 5 cover I uploaded uses 3-6 clips per track, depending on the instrument. Basically I think you can pretty easily fit an entire song or two in one project, depending on the genre, but I think for longer sets you’ll need to load different projects unless you’re real creative about the setup.
Hope that helps give some perspective, I know it was a long read lol let me know if I can clarify anything better.
@@BenCoeMusic hello, thank you very much for taking the time to explain this, Wow! the MC-101 has got potential, Roland always coming up with rock solid gear, thanks again !
Nice tutorial. Is there an arpeggiator ? Or a single key chord mode perhaps ?
Thank you! Right now there’s no arpeggiator but as of firmware version 1.5 there is a single key chord mode on tone tracks. I haven’t had a chance to really dig into how it works yet but I’ll definitely cover it in a later video.
Firmware update 1.60 added an arpeggiator and some other cool things. And yes, Single key chords were added on a previous update
thanks!! :D
Nice!!! I wish I could sit in front of a camera and rattle off a 35min video without a script!
teabreakbeats thanks I’m glad it looks so effortless, the final video is like the 5th time running through the whole lesson haha. I try to have an idea of where I’m going and after doing it a few times it works out alright. I love your tips videos!
Yea , really good job. You actually know what you're talkin about. A lot of videos I've watched on the MC have been incomplete. Thank you for being thorough and knowing the criteria.
Great lesson man, thanks a lot. I have a question. Is there a way to hold the scene tab in place to switch scenes easier?
Thanks! And yeah if you hold clip and then press shift the pads should stay in scene launch mode.
@@BenCoeMusic great! Thanks a lot. I actually would prefer to have 16 scenes in one page and not having to move pages around...any way to do that?
Great vid! Is there any way to have clips with different drum kits?
Yep! Hit shift and the track number and set the track type to “clip” and then each drum clip can have its own sounds. Be aware switching this setting on a project you’re already working on will likely remove the sounds you already have in the drum track and reset them to the init kit.
@@BenCoeMusic thanks for your help👍 just tried it,yessss!!!! Thank you!
I just realised how unrecognized your channel is. So I'll just give you a comment and a thumbs up just to interact :)
Thanks for the support!
@@BenCoeMusic Do you release any music? I'll give that a listen too :)
Great Post. Im Having problem with pc audio looping. pc audio can make its way to the phones but not able to loop the clip goes green and can see its not capturing or even making it to the 8th measure it cuts
Having difficulty making a song. I want a 1 measure beat as a count off. That would be track 1 clip1. Then I want a different beat for the song which is on track 1 clip 2. When track 1 clip 2 is playing I want the bass on track 2 and the rhythm keyboard on track 3 to play as well. I want this to play for 8 measures and then the bass on track 2 and rhythm keyboard on track 3 to play a different pattern for 8 measures. From there I want to go back to the previous pattern. Then I want to add a different pattern etc... Can you help?
Hello BenCoe. Again, thank you for your tutorials ! So helpful.
On a TONE sequence, Is there a way to shift a clip (not all clips) to the left or to the right in the sequence (without doing a cut & paste ) ?
Actually, in "Note Utility" menu on the MC-101 (by pressing a STEP, then Shift + FILTER). In this menu, there is a "Shift Note Right" / "Shift Note Left" function. But this function shifts ALL the steps of the sequence by 1 step and not just the selected step (which I would like to do). Thank you
Thanks for the reply I’m glad these are helpful!
Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any way to do what you want (yet!). Maybe with a future update. For now though your best bet I think is to hit shift+program and the step you want to move (this will delete it) then re-make the step where you want it to be.
Thanks for this! Still debating between this and the 707... I'm leaning towards the 101...just because the $999 price tag is a bit too much.
My pleasure! I definitely love the 101 and it’s certainly a capable device for a pretty reasonable price. Have you looked at the new Roland MV-1 verselab that was announced yesterday? It sits between the 101 and 707 I think, definitely has some cool features in it, and it’s 700$.
@@BenCoeMusic Hey Ben. Yeah, I saw the MV-1, but it didn't seem to dig as deep into sound design as the 101 or 707 does. I really don't know much about the MV-1 other than the limited review(s). But it seems like there are certain pre-designed 'templates' that keep you pretty much structured. Maybe you know more?
Does the box only have the key of C? Or can that be changed?
It’s so weird that Roland as a company just don’t explain their machines .They for instance sold me a Jd o8 with the sequencer from hell and the instructions are only available on line ..
Hello Great tutorial!
I just got the mc-101 and am a complete beginner at this. The main excuse for buying it was to use as a compact sound module for gigging with an external midi keyboard.
I found that if I use empty tracks and set them all for the same MIDI channel (or send midi in to ch 1-4 simultaneously) I can actually play all sounds at the same time, or if I want only 1 sound, I can turn off the 3 others using the faders, or play any of them at different volumes by adjusting the faders accordingly. Great!
However, I think it should be possible to get more combinations using clips, as the sound is a "property" of the clip.
But it seems if I create a new clip on a track, with a different preset/sound, this also changes the preset/sound on the other clip on the same track. :(
Maybe I am doing this all wrong, but shouldn't it be possible in theory?
Any other way to achieve this?
Regards
Hallvard
Yes, it’s totally possible and for some reason in these videos I don’t talk about it until lesson 3 or 4 but I should have mentioned it here!
Just hit shift + the track number to bring up track settings, then scroll over to “sound source.” Change it from “track” to “clip” that way each clip can have its own sound.
Just a warning, when you change the setting it resets the track to the initial sound, so if you’re working on a sound you care about remember the preset you were on before you do it.
Playing all or some of the tracks at once is one of my favorite ways to use it as a sound module, it opens up a ton of possibilities!
Glad you’re enjoying the 101 and thanks for watching the videos!
@@BenCoeMusic Great! That work just as you said. I would say the flexibility of this little device is fantastic. And I am just scratching the surface of what it is capable of! I guess I have to browse through the remaining tutorials now.
👏👏👏
Thank you
bellissimo video e spiegato alla perfezione complimenti....la mc 101 e' possibile suonare con un tastiera midi o tastiera una korg m3 e sfruttare i suoni
Grazie mille!
For some reason I cannot duplicate like you explain in the "Double Clip lenght" part. I press [SEQ] and the the arrow to the right but the "duplicate" text does not appear. Help me Obi Wan....
Hmm good question, do you know what firmware you’re on? I think that the duplicate function was added at some point. When you turn on the 101 it should tell you what your firmware version is.
@@BenCoeMusic Thank for your quick reply. I have version 1.02 so that must be the problem. I just got it and no time yet for updating it. Thanks again!! Great tutorial, that really helps!!
No problem glad I can help! I checked the manual out just to make sure I was giving you good info and it does look like that functionality was added in firmware 1.3, so that’s definitely the solution! In case it helps I followed this tutorial for updating and it worked perfectly (the process is identical no matter the version). ruclips.net/video/QpUub7LAZDo/видео.html
Hello, sorry I have another question that does not relate to this video but maybe you can help. I uploaded a longer sample of about 8 measures to a note on the drum pad (track 1). For some reason the volume of the uploaded sample lowers during playback in the sequence while the original sample has no volume changes. I tried editing the effects but with no luck. I hope you have some advice.....
Is there any way to sustain a note when changing clips? The note just falls off at the end of the clip. Thanks in advance.
I think (though I’m not certain) if you set release high enough the note will carry out. Maybe you could automate the release to be high on the step the last note is played to help carry through?
Thank you Ben. You are correct... depending on the tone, there is some release carryover...
I think it's just one of those workflow workarounds where if I want to pattern some long notes, then I'll have to dedicate a new clip to break up the progression, then resample on the Looper track if need be.
I appreciate you responding!
hagan un tutorial para sincronizarlo a un sp 404 y otro de usar el sp 404
can you import a complete song 3,5 minutes of wav sample into a clip?
No. The sample memory per slot is limited something around 10-15 seconds of stereo audio, but you're not really limited to how many of those clips you can import per song that i've found, so if you make each clip have a different soundbank (or load up everything into a drum track chopped up) you can 'technically' do it, but it's not as easy as, say, an sp404 or something.
When I try to double a track length using Edit and Seq, it doesn’t work. Is there any reason for this? I tried on multiple different sessions and got the same result.
Have you updated the firmware? I realized since putting this video up that that particular feature was added in firmware 1.3 and I should have mentioned it in the video. When you turn on the 101 it should tell you on the screen which firmware you have.
muyyyyyyyyyy buenoooooooooooooooo
Is there metronome ?
Is there a global shuffle function?
No, just per clip shuffle. This can be a little annoying to set up but it gives more flexibility to the grooves you can make. If you copy and paste a clip it will also remember the shuffle settings which can make it a little easier to keep everything consistent.
Does anyone know about how to actually output what you’ve created as an audio file for upload onto soundcloud etc (ideally through GarageBand if possible?)
ruclips.net/video/fb3rZKtE604/видео.html
Scenes explanation is outdated in this video after the update
these must not have sold at all since my algo sent me four videos on this thing
This is the music production equivalent of writing software using assembly code. With this level of complexity, why not just start a DAW and hammer these tones into a playroll in ten seconds? 😳
How to delete a Clip?
Hit shift+project (typical key combo for delete) then press the clip you want to delete. The menu should pop up asking if you want to delete it.
love your tutorials but i cant hear it to well
Also this work flow seems horrible coming from a circuit user to much menu dive