Just wondering, if anyone has done anything to their 202’s to be controlled by A4. I know that http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0vjJ3JHQ-s to add like 10 CV jacks to the case (not sure if it’s worth the hassle for me atm). Here’s what I want to have ideally:
[ul]
[li]Be able to control pitch and gate via A4’s CV[/li]
[li]Have slides (no modding needed afaik)[/li]
[li]Control accent from A4 (that could be tricky)[/li]
[li]Control VCF cutoff from A4.[/li]
[li]Basically, have an acid bass machine with an A4’s sequencer.[/li]
[/ul]
The mod that I mentioned above has all of that, but I really want to hear someone’s hands on experience. I.e. maybe having CV control over accent is not as vital as I think it is.
Having owned 2x 202s (now down to one) for last 20+ years and an A4 in my arsenal—I love the quality of the 202 sequencer and all it’s so called short-comings.
The A4 is also a fantastic box, but you possibly can achieve very similar results from the A4s own synth engine and leave the 202 to do what it does best. I’ve always descibed and seen the A4 as a super-charged MC-202 of sorts.
For years I too contemplated modding my 202s (along with everything else in my studio like), but it seems like a lot of fuss for little gain, IMHO.
It’s a very personal thing, so please don’t take my comments in the wrong way, as it will depend on how you use your gear. Generally speaking, I find trying to “control” older analogue gear beyond their manufactured spec or via a simple over the counter solution can deter from making music itself.
Maybe the best thing is to ask yourself how do you know you will need those particular mods unless you have heard them and put them into practice and were of value to you and your musical output?
Of course this is all very personal and happy for you to tell me to go fuck myself at anytime
Thanks for pitching in! This is exactly what I wanted to hear.
My only gripe against 202’s internal sequencer is that I won’t be able to use it much in a live setting, by the looks of it. I’ll be more than happy if you could prove me wrong (if you cared to, that is). Being unable to save sequences, or quickly improvise something on stage sounds like not fun.
I’m not really looking to push the 202 in some obscure directions. I’m actually hoping to do the same stuff that I would with an internal sequencer, but with the ability to save patterns and quickly recall them on stage.
My 202 is still on its way actually, but I read everything I could find over the last couple of days, and this is the picture in my head so far.
I’ve done some and owned some quite extensively modded gear
AK a “devil fish 808” (dont tell robin i called it that)
Owned his modded MS-20
I’ve done full patching to Arp Avatar, 2 X CR 8000, SEM
Quite frankly I couldn’t own a standard 808 now
and basically turned my avatar into a poor mans 2600
And if you heard and saw my 2 sound modded, trigger patched stereo CR8000’s they were stupid amazing.
So imo its great way to get a new sounds without sellign and buying.
I have been using a 202 in my live sets since 1995. Besides my 303 and 909, my 202 and its 2 channel sequencer is pure gold. I built a career performing “live” (in truest sense—no computer, pure hardware) techno/acid and the 202 has always been there for me.
I have my 202 modded to accept CV/gate that bypasses the internal CPU via a toggle on the front of the unit. I generally control it via sequencer/MIDI data through the Analog Keys. Honestly, it works great. It turns, what used to be at least, a less expensive synthesizer in to 90% of an SH-101. I do not have a gate input set up for accent control, but it’s not a huge deal for me. I can’t recommend it enough honestly. I don’t think I would ever sell my 202.
@Honeysmack I have no doubt that it can be used as a live instrument, but maybe not in a way that I wanted to use it. Did you just play it, or did you load sequences from somewhere? In other words, how did you overcome the limitation of being unable to save sequences? Or did you just accept it as is? Both are fine by me, but I’m just really curious.
@Housecliche Did you find yourself missing the “Accent” feature of the internal sequencer? Or did you just simulate it by using Filter CV?
@20000 That’s really great to hear! One of the major points of getting MC-202 ($550) over BSII ($360) was the possibility of CV control (amongst other obvious things that make MC-202 the classic that it is).
I can’t recommend the 202 enough - but I realize it is a question of taste. The BSII is probably a much more capable monosynth with it’s multiple filters, et cetera, but it all comes down to sound for me - and the sound of the 101/202 is really worth the tradeoff in flexibility that can be made-up for elsewhere in my hardware setup (especially with an A4/AK).
Yeah I just use the cv on filter not to exactly simulate accent but generally to control variation of the bassline. I had the 202 sitting around and when I got the A4 it was an easy decision to have the Kenton mod put in as I had no other cv controllable synths at the time. I totally respect the guys who dig the 202 sequencer as is - I haven’t really taken the time myself but I know it’s capable of greatness from what I’ve heard. Seems that unmodded you can easily dinsync with A4 too - so you really just need to check what flow works best for you - A4 sequencer into full mods gives you on the fly immediacy - dinsync with unmodded gives you Honeysmacks “programme first then go” approach - both have there merits.
Just tried DINSYNC between 202 and A4. Worked surprisingly well! The internal sequencer will take some time to get used to, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.
Still want to try and mod the 202 for CV pitch, gate and VCF in, just to see which way works better for me.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to get any response at all. Thanks everyone! I like this place
[quote=“” 13seven""]
Just tried DINSYNC between 202 and A4. Worked surprisingly well! The internal sequencer will take some time to get used to, but it’s not as bad as I thought it would be.
Still want to try and mod the 202 for CV pitch, gate and VCF in, just to see which way works better for me.
Honestly, I didn’t expect to get any response at all. Thanks everyone! I like this place
[/quote]
Hey I totally forgot but if you look on my profile page you’ll see a very serious and noisy video I made of modded 202 sequenced via A4 and 202 filter modulated with light sensor
It is possible to control the mc202 via external sequencer cv/gate/acc by modding it. Had one with these exact features in the 90’s. Got a guide from Tom Carpenter (analog solutions) if memory serves me.
Portamento worked the same as from internal sequencer, i.e. tied notes would provide legato slide. The internal sequencer has its merits but could also be a PITA. This mod allowed a LOT more flexibility. A4 sequencer would be far more awesome…
Personally I feel acc has more merit than vcf control with mc202, although you could hook up all 4 cv’s FTW!
Not sure if Tom still provides mod kits anymore? Had sh101, pro-1, tr606 all modded which really opened up their sonic potential.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, really appreciate your input!