All user reviews for the Roland MC-303

First groove box, obviously this is the first created by the brand

UTILIZATION

Familiarize yourself with the various manip for editing sounds, changing sounds, etc., but just fast, very fast and very intuitive as a small machine

SOUNDS

Too bad no bank to create user defined sounds, all sound settings are stored with copying the pattern of a little crappy

sounds have a tendency to look a little cheap now, but he left it mind-blowing 303 Little Miss, so many sounds and functions in such a small box, magic

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since the beginning, some buttons (hand / mute / enter / exit / short the most sought what) went wrong is old and unusable, due to heavy use but not brutal, has tested at a purchase.

I think the principle of groove box friendly enough and cost for those who do not finance major, all in one may offend, but he knows to good service.
I also went through after her older sisters had, MC 505 / 909 / the 808 (because you have a crappy PC, so no interest because if you chose a groove box is not shit to do with computer, not ..) but I kept my little 303.
the top for me is the 909 but I'm off topic

Name-di-diou!
Groovebox first!
I raqui one month's salary at the time to pay me this machine!
What is annoying with this stuff, and I say without hate is that there is a max of plant patterns and a minimum of user patterns! Cagadou you say! Is yes!
MIDI In / Out and Through no!? How-that Mr Roland!?
No separate outputs (Grrr!)!
It is a MôlleBox you have done that? Hi hi I kidding!
It's from a good feeling ...
Roland TB script no more.
The quantifiquation (shuffle, groove & grid) is cool but the arpeggio styles are a first confusing but we can work something out (after much effort & patience).
The effects are cheap, there is a severe lack of distortion! Lol!

UTILIZATION

The use becomes a standard if it has a groove box (preso I'm a regular logic Roland), it spoils it if we started working with other like Korg grooove box (aka ESX- 1 & EA mk2 Because different logic and oh so intuitive ...).
I recall that it was the first of its kind, so ...
Editing sounds is picturesque. And must be wanting to sound different!

Note the album "Groovebox Experience" (I have the CD! Mdr !!!), made by producers more or less known, just with a Mc-303. If the composition with a Mc-303 boot you do not listen! Under penalty of being bummed a life! LOL!

The manual is a manual, what about the other ...?

SOUNDS

As for sound, it was at the time, but over time see an erosion wear ensues.
In 2008 I do not only serves as percussion sound module (606,808,909), it goes for that (with the BassBoost).
And I done with arpeggios to feed my electibes that is sorely lacking.

Ps: I put anyway good grades because it's my first groovebox, eh!? Gotcha!?

OVERALL OPINION

Well ... I would do this OUUUIII choice!
Unless you invent a machine back in time!

I envy the guys who still have a set electro / analog period (like Aphex Twin, Autechre, FSOL, etc ...)

But good. Roland Roland Roland will be the father of involuntary zic techno / elctro / trance all the same!
Solgan in their 80's were "We design the future" is not it?

The trick is that the crazy side argus this machine tends to go up!
Hallucinating! Anyway I do not separate and takes good care like an old granny ...
I'm a big sentimental what do you ...

Hi all,

Ben from the previous opinion that does not want to buy a mc-303, I would say that the machine is to make his first compositions. It is ultra-complete and impressive any beginner in electronic music. (I mean really a "beginner-beginner" eh) have a PC or a machine learning too easy clamp electro music on the hardware, the ear first ...

The connection is sufficient to begin.

Sounds supposedly are not editable, it's true that the rhythm part is a little light, but no matter, the sounds of drum kits can be placed in public areas synths. A lot of different sounds, special sounds roland become known and well used, it can be good too (as totally the opposite if they are used as is, without modification).

Effects contrary to the legend very well. Just figure out how to solve them in the sub-menus, and it rolls. (These are effects very well for a beginner, if by turning the knob, you will not hear them, open the manual)

The sequencer is really complex, but my "brain of the European" (according to the previous opinion) helped me find the manual in pdf and then print it so that I can use the machine with his eyes closed or almost .

UTILIZATION

The functions are simple ... machine is a basic but in 1996, at ease, there was already better. (But not as many sounds, functions ...)

It's still not easy to do so, but there is the challenge with this capricious groovebox, understand, but once understood, it's slippery!

The manual can be a torture if it has already opened a manual yamaha, even at the time, too, must do so.

SOUNDS

The sounds are of course electro, it is the roland sounds, they're already all bent and twisted, we hear everywhere, TV, radio, movie soundtracks, teuf, etc ... It is not uncommon to recognize familiar sounds in many different music.

For me, the sounds are enough for this machine and use to do with it. The problem of export twelve o'clock the bride wanted to use it to mock-ups, otherwise fine.

OVERALL OPINION

I have long, 7 or 8 years, with many exits (small live), equity head of satisfaction, reflection ...

After spending time in the closet, I decided to renovate to find the comfort of original work.

The 505 is cheaper and more maintenance, but it is still better.

If as a beginner, you do not have much patience, do not too damaging and please someone who likes to dig the brain (it is sometimes as interesting as making music - sometimes only ...)

Many people will be dropped to the delight of those who know how to use it is limited to patient people, I'm repeating myself, but with the record, we can take some time for a top-notch dj .

It is not really made for dancing teuf 5000 people, but the personal pleasure of going out and taming its own pattern, gives good prospects for compositions.

That's it for me! and this is only my opinion!

chao at all + + +

-This machine was a standardized connector, jack l / r, 3 MIDI, effect pedals or switch, headphone jack ......
There are many sounds in a lot of DIFFERENT styles, but are not ditable!
Yes-but not the top though, as can any of the machines

UTILIZATION

Yes it is simple sanitation includes fast! but I needed the manual for appronfondire is less intuitive That a korg emx of, but a pig liver that was the thing is childish!

SOUNDS

There are sound deadly in this machine in my Premire use I made a trip back in time through the dance of the 90s, the era of my young teenager Wow! it's crazy it is techno, house, drum n bass, jazz and even as salsa lol
Vidament a groove box is then asked not to be raliste in these sounds.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for three months, it is a treat, I possde of machine korg, roland sampler and an old, but I must say that with this machine I found I really love roland vai to SAVE invest in 808 mc lol

Hi!
I totally do agree with the latter opinion, this small groovbox be very useful and well Designed when you spend time.
The connection noon is basic, even too much, but enough. The squenceur when he is super simple roland what!

UTILIZATION

The manual, feed as a magazine, rvle practice but is not essential.
The paramtrage of certain functions is not very intuitive (the volume of tracks, effects ...) but my preferences are going to transpose and quantize mode (3 types).
Its use in midi is limited in that it transmits only by sysex (dc and pg).

SOUNDS

It is clearly oriented techno, the 90s, with a grain trs spcial a little cheep.
I only use low trs sounds original, in fact I made patterns and then I spring the notes on my midi synths ext. The pace box is not bad but a lack of clear EHJV, despite the presence of mgabass.

OVERALL OPINION

I purchased 8 years ago and is still my prfre ... I'd buy for beginners on video when I saw that used the spinnaker!
Bon is a small machine, it alone is not enough but for beginners or a little curiosities be interesting for the price.

See directly on the site.
But its weak point, that's internal memory.

UTILIZATION

The manual is not easy to find but there en opportunity to find the PDF on the web.
It relatively easy to use even if I find less than intuitive Korg
But we must not forget that this is the first of Roland groovebox!

SOUNDS

If I bought this groovebox was primarily due to its characteristic "old school" is meant more everywhere.

Do not look for a MC 808 or MC 909 or you can find sounds outdated ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 5 years with a 1 and a ESX EMX 1 KORG home complementing synth part.
I'm having a show his old sounds and play them with the Korg effects.

His biggest weakness is that memory capacity. Just create a dozen pattern well documented and it is already a maximum capacity.

But complement it with another machine is really nice to use.
I never would sell it is especially rare to find in good condition hand ...

The Roland MC 303 groovebox interface has MIDI IN and OUT, an input for a pedal, a pair of stereo outputs and a headphone jack independently.
And a jack adapter.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Roland MC 303 groovebox offers four types of effects: delay, reverb, flanger and chorus.
Delay and Reverb can be parameterized (8 effects edited):
Adjusting the delay time.
Adjusting the effect sound overall.
Adjusting the effect sound for each part.
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------
The Flanger and Chorus can be parameterized (8 effects edited):
Adjusting the delay time.
Adjusting the effect sound overall.
Adjusting the effect sound for each part.
________________________________________________________________________________
The Roland MC 303 groovebox has 448 Tones.
It features rhythmic enssembles modifiable by:
Realtime Modify: Cutoff, Resonance, LFO (modulation rate)
Envelope Attack, Decay, Release
Panpot, Level Portamento time
Effect: Time / Rate, EFX Level
Play Quantize: Timing, Velocity (Grid, Groove, Shuffle)
Arpeggio (34 styles) and modified by Accent Ocatve Rate Range
Other: Low Boost, Master Volume
-------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
These rhythms are enssembles:
TR 909
TR 808/Elec.
CR 78 / TR 606
Jazz Kit
Brush kit
Jungle kit
House Kit
Techno 1 kit
Techno 2 kit
Techno 3 kit
Abstract Kit
Hip-Hop Kit
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
It has not erasable Paterna plant type:
Goa trance (18)
Trance (27)
Gabba (5)
Techno (8)
House (22)
Hip-Hop (6)
Jungle (26)
Jazz Funk (6)
Trip-Hop (13)
Salsa (1)
Samba (1)
________________________________________________________________________________
It is possible for Cubase to sequence the Roland MC 303 (use as a sound module for example).
It is possible to record MIDI files on Ableton (via the cord noon).
The aplications are diverse and varied you must first have a sound card performance.
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Sequencer and features:
Tracks: 8
Songs: 10
Patterns presets 133/Rps 211/Variations 300 / Patterns Maximum 50 users.
Stokage note: approx. 14 000 notes
Tempo: 20.0 to 240.0
Recording Mode: Real Time / Step 1 / Step 2

UTILIZATION

The general configuration is simple and the manual very clear.
The usual functions are easy to access.

SOUNDS

Tones are varied and variés.Les opportunities editions tones make dynamic, lively and harmonious.
Sound banks are different because of the 448 tones there are 29 in total all genres
Chalestons / Ethnic / sounds / strings / synth-Multi ...
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
The effects:
Realtime Modify: Cutoff, Resonance, LFO (modulation rate)
Envelope Attack, Decay, Release
Panpot, Level Portamento time
Effect: Time / Rate, EFX Level
Play Quantize: Timing, Velocity (Grid, Groove, Shuffle)
Arpeggio (34 styles) modifiable by Accent Rate and Octave Range
Other: Low Boost, Master Volume
... Are effective and make creative compositions.
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Banks sound like synthesizers low (close to the mark Mythic devices such as the Alpha Juno / Mks 50/Tb 303) when added to any effect, I agree for my music composition.
_________________________________________________________________________________

OVERALL OPINION

I own this groovebox for 15 years
It was at that time the first camera (digital) involving a motor rhythm / samples séquençablent / control surface!
The feature I like most is its sequencer (which allows me to control other midi synthesizer).
I certainly do it again this election.
Here is a link to my compositions made from the Mk 303:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gupotus?feature=mhum

What to say about this relic ...
This is an all in one of Roland, ie, a sequencer, a drum machine, a pseudo synth (rather a sample player to be exact) effect, an LFO, an arpeggiator, a groove quantisize. .. midi in and out!

UTILIZATION

could not be more simple, super intuitive, useful for doing cool stuff in 5 mins! The manual is clear, everything is accessible is a toy!
groovebox mode, it's simple
expendeur mode, it is much less ... MIDI is catastrophic! need a shit pc and DC to change the sound ... I will not explain the rest.
groovebox slave mode is even worse: the damn bike gets everything that is sent to the same party that selected ... frustrating! if not master a few tricks you can drive (8 midi channels including one for the rhythm) but it does not send any program change, even more frustrating! use as is writ ...

SOUNDS

Ben 15 years ago it was the road, now it is outdated, especially since it is a mere sample playback and editing possibilities that are limited to a small filter and a ridiculous lfo ( damn pretty good but not enough)!
ah ... something interresting: the arpeggiator ... crazy stuff! simple hyper and out of line notes follies, I still used occasionally to make lines on my RM1X sequencer and then play with other synths rather effective!
quantisize the groove is not too damn bad either but I rarely used ...
Indeed some not too bad but lacks disto ... no separate outputs; damage ...

OVERALL OPINION

Well I keep out of nostalgia, I bought a release in France in 97, this is my first machine, ideal for beginners but for a liveur confim keusse is ... Today it is the west compared to other bikes but can still make some stuff interresting ...
Conclusion: good machine but too old now (the 2CV is trying to survive against a hybrid car lol)

See the official docs, however, MIDI is bad implementations on the machine, for example, can not be used as an expander several tracks, one can not order one with an s sequencer software ... In standalone

UTILIZATION

is very nice to use, if you really break the head above, one can get out of very nice things!

SOUNDS

It was the first machine I had, I really enjoyed, but now she sleeps in the back of a closet, I keep in memory what!
Sounds to me much more, the filter is rather nice, short, a good tool for discovering the sounds of electronic music!

OVERALL OPINION

As I cry, good machine for beginners, discover the sounds of synths, their Paramtres and automation of parameters.
APRS, good plugs are the same Manir more ergonomic work sometimes, but the MC303 is a machine, and it is very pleasing to fiddle with a machine Plutt a mouse!
Personally, I think are good Electribe intressant, but also more CHRISTIAN!

I like this thing alot....many features packed into a little metal box.

Price paid

250

UTILIZATION

Easy. Simple as that. Short on memory though.

Typical roland quality....which is very good.

SOUNDS

Sounds are OK. Work at them and you can get some cool things going. Effects arent that good but for a all in one box...the price and features can't be beat.

OVERALL OPINION

I dig it and have made some excellent tracks on this unit alone...Just use you imagination.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 0-, 2002)

Well, for the price paid, it doesn't have everything for sure. But for the task as a groovebox, it's awesome. Only problem, too little memory and no memory card. It can't be used alone for sure. I luv the realtime features, can manipulate easily to get what i want. The arpeggio naming is confusing with digits and numbers. However, the arpeggio manipulation is unlimited, and that's good!

Price paid

$850

UTILIZATION

Very easy to manipulate, takes awhile to read the manual, but once understand, it is so easy to control that my hands can flicker between the controls as fast as a DJ scratching the decks.

Very small, buttons are easy to press and actually fun. email roland for queries about battery life, quick reply and detailed.

SOUNDS

Awesome fat sounds! Good drum sounds and bass sounds. Sound for acid, d'n'b, hip hop, techno, psi/goa, breaks. The synth sounds are bad, unclear, muffled. But well, it's a groovebox not a synth. FX sounds ok only, sadly, not much fx appliable. Filters are pretty good!

OVERALL OPINION

I luv this model becos it sounds good, easy to carry around and very easy to manipulate. Normally, i filter the sounds a lot and get a lot of combinations. The ability to manipulate arpeggio patterns are fantastic, making it a very artistic tool. I think it has a lot of potential if Roland can add in good storage, parametric eq, more room for loops and better fx, it could very well set in as a DAW directly without a pc.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)

I paid alot because I bought it back when it first came out. Now I see it on ebay for a little over $100 and I might buy another one. It does it all, it just doesnt have the clarity of the big boys. The arpeggiator rules. So easy and alot of different presets. Great for snare fills in trance or fast moving hi-hats in hip-hop.

Price paid

$800

UTILIZATION

This is a true story. It was like 1996 and I went to a house party years ago and there was this dude that had cerebal palsey tearin sh*t up with this machine. He just had it plugged into a dj mixer then into an amp and like 5 house speakers. He tore the shit up for like 3 hours straight. I never even heard of the machine at the time. About a month later I got mine. Read the quick start and you are a producer. Everything is easy.

Strong lil box I must say. One key stuck then broke. One button stuck then broke. I actually took it apart with like 5 screws and repaired it myself. But Roland usually makes good stuff.

SOUNDS

Sound quality is just okay. Great for dance genres but hell, nowadays they are pullin dance synths into hip-hop. The lead synths just arent good enough to make a professional trance/house track alone. But the basses are primo and I miss having them. Since the sounds arent huge on polyphony, the ones that purposely sound rough, are awesome.

OVERALL OPINION

I want another one for a couple sounds you cant get anywhere else. I miss its appreggiator and basses. Imma get another one. I shouldna sold mine. My advice to everybody. If you can....NEVER SELL YOUR EQUIPMENT!!!!. Youll miss it later and it makes for a bigger versatile studio.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 2-, 2003)