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Blups
Published on 06/08/09 at 10:41
Hardware sequencer track 8 tracks + 1 + 1 track tempo pace. 16 MIDI channels.
True sequencer, so all types of MIDI messages can be recorded (DC, PG, SysEx ...)
Warning: "8 tracks" does not mean "8 MIDI channels" on the same track can store 16 channels of MIDI if you will, at the same time or even several times through the Shuffle Record. As well, each track may be specifically assigned to one or other of two outputs MIDI Out, so one can easily manage up to 32 MIDI channels simultaneously. (Yes!)
Connectivity:
- MIDI: IN, OUT1, OUT2, THROUGH
- Tape Sync II
- Metronome (click for audio SoRIE, may be useful in live)
UTILIZATION
The configuration can be difficult but with practice, can not quickly spend more time looking through menus, which proves they are well arranged. Sure the screen is very small, but still good ergonomics. The 8 buttons to mute the tracks are great and the Track View, which allows using a double entry table, quickly see which tracks contain data on what MIDI channels. Really helpful. The speed of loading of the menu is good (I'm also a user of the MC-300, and this improvement is a real pleasure).
The different recording modes are easy to access and use. I mainly use the mode and manner REAL microscope, but the Step mode is also simple to use.
The track is programmed to pace like a drum machine system (patterns). Very practical too.
You might think it difficult to move the sequencer software to hardware sequencer, but finally we made this unit a pleasure. This is another approach, fast and intuitive, which goes to the essentials. No headaches.
The manual is thick but its reading is necessary in my opinion. However, it is clear and complete with practical examples.
SOUNDS
Off topic
OVERALL OPINION
I use it recently but I used a long time MC-300 (with exactly the same operating system). What I like most is that this is a hardware! It may sound archaic, but ...
I plan to use live footage and for that I have absolutely no confidence in the computer. There, it's solid, the reliable, the predictable. If it is to work as the time comes, it will work like that. And no update or uninstall impromptu unhappy will not make his erratic behavior. (And then also, if the clumsy dropped or stepped on, not only am I willing to bet it will not be broken, but even if so, when considering the price I got it, I do not make a big disease. I would not say the same for my laptop.)
In addition to the live, super-MRP system is a real pleasure. I have not tested yet, but here's how it works (after a previous configuration that does not seem complicated):
You light your sequencer now a special key pressed.
He understands that you are experiencing representation and automatically loads the MRP system (from the ROM), your setup and your songs (from floppy).
And he waits.
You only need to start playback by pressing play, or better, using a footswitch. At the end of the song, it will position itself at the beginning of the next (in the order that you set beforehand) in a situation of waiting, etc..
One can also set it directly connects two pieces, or it leaves a time (configurable) between two pieces.
In short, you turn it on and you do not take care of anything except to press the pedal when to start. For live performances, there is not much more practical than a mouse?
The disadvantage of this system is probably the RAM is limited. I have not tested live yet so I do not know if it's really a problem.
The eight tracks are not a limitation as explained above.
Other practical aspects, the manual said that the MC-50 MKII is compatible with the MIDI files (format 0). I have not tested either, but it is a significant feature that was not the MC-300.
So yes I do it again without hesitation that choice, especially at the price I got it (I made a very very good deal at 20 euros)
And no, it is not so archaic that it use hardware sequencer in the 21st century!
True sequencer, so all types of MIDI messages can be recorded (DC, PG, SysEx ...)
Warning: "8 tracks" does not mean "8 MIDI channels" on the same track can store 16 channels of MIDI if you will, at the same time or even several times through the Shuffle Record. As well, each track may be specifically assigned to one or other of two outputs MIDI Out, so one can easily manage up to 32 MIDI channels simultaneously. (Yes!)
Connectivity:
- MIDI: IN, OUT1, OUT2, THROUGH
- Tape Sync II
- Metronome (click for audio SoRIE, may be useful in live)
UTILIZATION
The configuration can be difficult but with practice, can not quickly spend more time looking through menus, which proves they are well arranged. Sure the screen is very small, but still good ergonomics. The 8 buttons to mute the tracks are great and the Track View, which allows using a double entry table, quickly see which tracks contain data on what MIDI channels. Really helpful. The speed of loading of the menu is good (I'm also a user of the MC-300, and this improvement is a real pleasure).
The different recording modes are easy to access and use. I mainly use the mode and manner REAL microscope, but the Step mode is also simple to use.
The track is programmed to pace like a drum machine system (patterns). Very practical too.
You might think it difficult to move the sequencer software to hardware sequencer, but finally we made this unit a pleasure. This is another approach, fast and intuitive, which goes to the essentials. No headaches.
The manual is thick but its reading is necessary in my opinion. However, it is clear and complete with practical examples.
SOUNDS
Off topic
OVERALL OPINION
I use it recently but I used a long time MC-300 (with exactly the same operating system). What I like most is that this is a hardware! It may sound archaic, but ...
I plan to use live footage and for that I have absolutely no confidence in the computer. There, it's solid, the reliable, the predictable. If it is to work as the time comes, it will work like that. And no update or uninstall impromptu unhappy will not make his erratic behavior. (And then also, if the clumsy dropped or stepped on, not only am I willing to bet it will not be broken, but even if so, when considering the price I got it, I do not make a big disease. I would not say the same for my laptop.)
In addition to the live, super-MRP system is a real pleasure. I have not tested yet, but here's how it works (after a previous configuration that does not seem complicated):
You light your sequencer now a special key pressed.
He understands that you are experiencing representation and automatically loads the MRP system (from the ROM), your setup and your songs (from floppy).
And he waits.
You only need to start playback by pressing play, or better, using a footswitch. At the end of the song, it will position itself at the beginning of the next (in the order that you set beforehand) in a situation of waiting, etc..
One can also set it directly connects two pieces, or it leaves a time (configurable) between two pieces.
In short, you turn it on and you do not take care of anything except to press the pedal when to start. For live performances, there is not much more practical than a mouse?
The disadvantage of this system is probably the RAM is limited. I have not tested live yet so I do not know if it's really a problem.
The eight tracks are not a limitation as explained above.
Other practical aspects, the manual said that the MC-50 MKII is compatible with the MIDI files (format 0). I have not tested either, but it is a significant feature that was not the MC-300.
So yes I do it again without hesitation that choice, especially at the price I got it (I made a very very good deal at 20 euros)
And no, it is not so archaic that it use hardware sequencer in the 21st century!