what do you think about roland mc505 ?

[OurDarkness]

A very cool machine. The two things I don't like:

1. It can't load samples.
2. The filter is weak.

Other than that it's very easy to use, and very quick to get ideas.

[elan]

ok, no prob for the samples, i've the computer and an mpc for that..

what about the filters, in which sense are weak? not enough resonance peak?
or they sounds bad?

and which are the cool things you like in that?

thanks!

[cynic one]

good sound engine and it's easy to program new ones.

if you already have a computer / mpc, use those as your sequencer. i'm not a fan of the roland sequencer.

i usually sequence / sample mine from the mpc1k. also, it's good to have a keyboard hooked up so you can play in hits. those little chicklet keys suck.

it's dope because you can use it as an 8 track sound module. basically it's a jv1080 with a better interface for editing patches. that's how i use mine.

[cynic one]

one thing i'll say as well...it's easier to track out individual sounds if you go the sequenced mpc / computer controlling 505 route.

[Acid Hazard]

A lot of people think it's just a silly Groovebox, but under the hood is a full on Synth! As stated, it's a JV-1080. Fully editable, just a PITA with that little ass LCD screen. But capable of some really nice sounds.

[d1rtynyc]

Just a note....
Make sure before you buy a used one that the screen is in great shape.
No lines or bad contrast.
The screens on these are the 1st thing to go. My roomate has one with a shot screen and I've seen a few on Craigslist with shot screens too.

[crufty]

might think about an electribe mx1. i think its more versatile then the mc series in terms of tweaking.

[DannyMac]

One of the MOST under-rated synths ever in my op. Find on cheap and you are on to a winner

[DannyMac]

The other thing is that you can load in your midi seq from any other machine/daw. Just lock time code and record.

[elan]

aand what is your point danny?
what do you like of it?

[Zionpro]

co-sign the screen issue...but they are fun and pretty much problem free besides that

[pyvnd]

Originally Posted by DivineChemical

The sounds are kind of dated, but still good if you don't mind that.

If you already have a MIDI controller, I would look into a Roland D2 instead. Same thing as the MC-505, even the same sounds, just a different interface and because it wasn't as popular as the MC-505, you can get them for ridiculous bargains.

Same sounds but nowhere near the same. The D2 has a pair of RCA outs, the 505 has 6 1/4" outs. The D2 interface doesn't have many (any?) knobs either. I had a D2 for a little while and got rid of it because editing sounds was not intuitive at all.

[Zionpro]

after thinking about it a bit...the jog wheel can have problems too forgot to mention (easily fixed though)

I am partial to this device but the sounds are a bit dated...There are still things I'd use it for

a better alternative to this might be its bigger brother the MC909...I really like this thing...fun, tweakable and still very usable...a bit more expensive though (for a used one)

[BlueGenie]

Originally Posted by Zionpro

after thinking about it a bit...the jog wheel can have problems too forgot to mention (easily fixed though)

I know this is an old thread, but I recently acquired a mc 505 with a faulty jog wheel. How do I fix it? thanks.

[sirdss]

Love it...if it's good enough for Peaches it's good enough for me.

[bluegreengold]

I played around with one for a while. The build quality is questionable, and sequencing on it is not really intuitive. What is cool is that you can assign patterns to the triggers, and you can mix sequences lives using the faders.
In the end I didn't really value the sequencer too much, so I traded towards an xv5050 cause I did enjoy some of the sounds.

[modularjack]

It's a cool box and all, but you'd really be better off saving up another couple hundred bucks to get the MC909. It's a serious leap forward-- 16 track sequencer, sampler, huge screen for editting, more controls, expansion boards. It's no contest. Yes roland editting is pretty deep as it always is but.. the raw waveforms are very very dated now. Better to get one with a sampler so you can keep up.

Crufty's comment about an electribe being deeper? Sorry but that is completely false. Electribes are cool and all but they have 20% or less of the programming options of a roland groovebox. Hell even the MC303 has more bells and whistles. Not knocking electribes, they are just a very different animal. Good for short loops and monophonic synth parts, not composing.

[Yoozer]

That's the problem with bumping ancient threads; nobody ever checks the last post where people ask a question. Allow me to help!

The new question is: how do you fix the MC-505 jog wheel?

Originally Posted by modularjack

Crufty's comment about an electribe being deeper? Sorry but that is completely false.

It's also 4 years old

[lcaise]

I have mc505 with screen problem. Need to fix it, it's not so expensive, and worth to do.

Pretty good mashine

[AustinJeep10]

Well, the ROM preset patterns are just horrible and should *not* be used as the benchmark for how usable the machine is for programming your own. In fact, do *not* listen to any of the ROM patterns or songs at all, period. Do run away from them quickly. IMHO, it actually has a very decent set of PCM waveforms of vintage Roland drum machines and synth sounds for house/tech-house/etc, if you make your own drum kit patches and your own patterns. Run it through outboard gear or some decent channel strip plugz to give it meat, it can carry its weight if treated right. but God forbid though if I accidently press play on a preset ROM pattern or song ...

[lcaise]

yes right, patterns and songs are terrible.
But TR-808 kit sounds awesome

[Jobot]

The squencer does some wild things when you overload it with notes and it starts having a heart attack picking which notes assign while poly is running out. With its age The faders on the front crap out also, they start jumping values and that get annoying quick.

[portervance]

I had an MC 505 for a few months before upgrading to an MC 909. The 505 was fun but not something I could use to get real sounds out of. The presets are whatever, but like others have mentioned, the filters don't give that extra power or oomph that make your tweaked sounds really shine. The screen on mine burnt out quickly too but I was able to buy a new screen on eBay and do a replacement.

I would say if you can get one for less than $300 then go for it, but otherwise I would spend $500-$600 on an MC 909

[BM0]

The Grooveboxes are FUN. Great for newbies that want to tinker with electronic music production but are not certain if they will want to really stick with it. One day, we will see MC-303's and 505's in vintage toy shops. I kinda still want an MC-505. Back in the day, I bought an MC-303, but really wanted the 505. If I would have went with the 505, I would have been completely broke, and that was my deciding factor.

There should be a thread for those to pay homage to the Grooveboxes.

[dubmunkey]

Was my first sequencer, couldn't get on with the sounds but loved it as my workstation for triggering external samples and synths

[sameal]

not sure how to fix the jog wheel, but i have a replacement screen for trade if anybody needs one.

i originally bought the screen for my jx-305, but i found another solution for it.


i also have a jx-305 for parts if anybodys interested in that. and i made a reaper file for the firmware update.

[EDM NRG]

I too had an MC-505 for a few months and upgraded to the MC-909. My experience with the 505 was similar in that the sound did not have as much to offer. I agree that you should try to pay less than $300 for the one. Just be aware that what you are buying has limitations. The 909 is a better deal, but it will cost you a lot more. If I wanted to buy a groovebox now, even if it was only for fun and not songwriting, I would seriously consider the 909.