No. Mc307 opened the way!
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That is exactly what I would like to see. But that will probably never happen. When I take a look into the manual of the SP-404 MK2, I have the impression that Roland has done everything right in terms of sampling and sample editing.
With Roland, it annoys me that especially the sampling features on each model are incomplete in a different way.
The looper needs to go, or have a complete overhaul.
I set up a looper track the other day, for the first time in a while, “let me just filter that a little” oh yeah you can’t even filter on those tracks. Functionally they are so bare bones it’s like a MVP they built and accidently shipped
Makes sense as a bridge between a tone track and a sampled loop though, doesn’t it ? (Not that that will let you have a moving filter on it if you’re loading it onto a drum pad though)
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I prefer them to further improve their existing MC’s. Although they have matured quite a bit, there is still room for improvement.
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My thoughts exactly. I ended having two separate setups, one based around 707 and other around DT for same reasons (and use cases) as you described. I’m quite happy with them, could be without either.
Heads up ! New version of Zenology Pro is available now. Not much appears to have changed beside the interface display, but exporting from the “model expansions” seems possible (will do a test later on the MC101.)
At least there’s that !
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Nope… The MC101 doesn’t recognise a “svz” user file with patches from the model expansions. Maybe other users can run their own test to confirm that. Oh well…
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So I just wanted to talk about the tone engine.
I just bought an SL88, and played around with the MC 101 a bit.
But because of the work it takes to set everything up, I also bought the V collection. I then ran through some of the emulations.
Now here is my point.
I went back to the MC101 to compare the E piano sounds to the Rhodes emulation by Arturia, and I have to say, I like Roland’s better!
Scrolling through so many presets in such a little display can get annoying, but I cannot knock the sounds. Plus, say if I want to play with Juno sounds, muxing with the parameters on a 101…. I hate it. I never remember where everything is.
But they both work great in their own respects, and the hybrid presets on the 101 are like a version of Analog Labs.
Good lawd.
Those 808’s in the Synth bass section.
Goddammit they bang.
The 101/707 is a fuckin beast.
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I know I’ve said it a hundred times, but ZEN-Core is one of the most amazing engines ever made, and criminally undervalued and misunderstood. Maybe most of all by Roland?
It’s way too complicated and exposes too many sharp edges to just plop in a device like they did with the 707 (to say nothing of the 101!). So they really needed to make plugin for DAWs that let you easily manipulate device params like overbridge and easily transfer presets. Zenology Pro should be this, except it completely left out the “live control and/or preset transfer” part.
And all that complexity of the engine is actually a huge plus when it comes making macro synths out of it. Which again, Roland’s done to great effect with the model expansions (and now the SH-4d). But the missing step is being able to run these everywhere. Is it still just the FANTOMs and Zenology that can use them? It’s sad.
I personally still really enjoy building patches on my 707, but I’m a bit of a masochist about these things. It could be so much better.
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Or, what if Roland released a PG-200/800/1000 type programmer that you could plug into the MIDI of any ZEN-Core box and twiddle all the parameters? And what if it had memory so you could transfer patches and kind of cart them around? I mean, give the thing screens. Charge $1,000. I’d get it in a heartbeat.
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I think the overlooked use of the looper is to process samples and change the BPM or pitch while holding the other constant, allowing you to resample back to a drum pad. It’s 1 minute of memory is almost too little for standard looper duty, but as a processing utility, you can make it work.
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Agree … a slightly deeper version of what I said
I know with zen v2 they have 500 new presets… but which ones are they??
was trying to figure this out last night haha.
Banks PRST_H – PRST_L are the new ones.
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How good is the 707 as a midi sequencer?
Is it worth as that for external gear?
Also, can the sliders and knobs be used for controlling volume and other param on external gear?
As a sound module everything I heard sounds very generic… are there good sounds videos?
Thanks!
I’m having a bit of a problem.
I’m trying to use the mc101 via usb in Logic, but have my audio interface be the Scarlett 18i20.
I also have a midi cable going in. I’m basically trying to use the 101 as a sound module, but cannot hear it.
I can get some signal if I enable the 101 as an interface, but can’t hear it through my laptop speakers.
The way I got it working is to bypass the 101, and just use the external out into the 18i20.
Is this the way, or can I use it via audio over usb?
Thank you!
Have you tried making an aggregate device that contains both the Scarlett and MC-101?
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I don’t know what that is. In Logic?
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