Owner’s Manual Owner’s Manual (this document) Read this first. It explains the basic things you need to know in order to use the MC-101. PDF Manual (download from the Web) 55 Reference Manual This explains all parameters of the MC-101. To obtain the PDF manual 1. Enter the following URL in your computer. 2. Choose “MC-101” as the product name. http://www.roland.com/manuals/ Before using this unit, carefully read “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” (p. 20) and “IMPORTANT NOTES” (p. 23).
Panel Descriptions [PROJECT] button Top Panel 1 Accesses the project menu screen. 2 3 6 4 5 Here you can load a project and make settings for it. When used together with the [SHIFT] button, this functions as the [CLEAR] button. By using the [CLEAR] button together with other buttons, you can clear the recorded contents of the step sequencer or the contents of a phrase. TRACK SEL [1]–[4] button Select tracks. 1 Common Section 1 [VOLUME] knob Adjusts the volume of the OUT jacks.
Panel Descriptions [p] (play/stop) button 4 Control Section Starts or stops playback. [C1]–[C4] knobs [t] (rec) button Necessary functions are assigned to these knobs depending on the operation. Turns on/off recording of your performance using the pads. If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [t] (record) button, QUANTIZE turns on. & For details, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF).
Panel Descriptions [FX] button [EXIT] button Assigns the [C1]–[C4] knobs to control the FX parameter of track 1–4. Returns to the previous screen. If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [FX] button, the COPY screen appears. 5 Pad Section Pads (16 pads) The operation of the pads depends on the pad mode that’s selected. If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [EXIT] button, the TAP screen appears.
Panel Descriptions PAD [SEQ] button Switches the pads to SEQ mode (p. 15). In SEQ mode, you can use the lit pads to step-record a melody or steprecord drums. Front Panel If you hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [SEQ] button, you can then make settings related to SEQ mode. PAD [NOTE] button Switches the pads to NOTE mode (p. 14). In NOTE mode, you can use the lit pads to play a melody or drums.
Panel Descriptions 2. Taking care to observe the correct orientation of the batteries, insert the batteries into the battery case. Rear Panel (Connecting Your Equipment) * To prevent malfunction and equipment failure, always turn down the volume, and turn off all the units before making any connections. B [POWER] switch & “ Turning the MC-101 On” (p. 7) E MIDI port Connect MIDI devices. D 3. Close the battery cover. * If you handle batteries improperly, you risk explosion and fluid leakage.
Panel Descriptions B [POWER] switch Turns the power on/off. C O (USB) port Use a commercially available USB 2.0 cable (type B) to connect this port to your computer. It can be used to transfer USB MIDI and USB audio data. You must install the USB driver when connecting this unit to your computer. For details, refer to Readme.htm in the downloaded file. & https://www.roland.com/support/ * If USB bus power is being supplied, the unit operates on USB bus power.
An Overview of the MC-101 MC-101 System Setting Project Project Setting User Sample Track Mix Multi Effect Track 1–4 Reverb Tone/ Drum Kit/ Looper MFX Track 1–4 EQ Master Compressor Equalizer MASTER FX Setting Chorus/ Delay Track 1–4 Types of track and their internal structure Type: Tone Type: Drum Type: Looper Type: None Tone Drum Kit Looper None MFX MFX MFX Clip 1 Clip 1 Clip 1 Preset Drum Kit Browser (Load) Clip 16 8 Clip 16 Clip 16 Save Load Tone SD Card Audio Data P
An Overview of the MC-101 The MC-101 can simultaneously play back up to four independent tracks. Track type: Tone Clip setting: You can assign up to 16 clips to each track, and switch between these clips during playback. Tone: What is a Track? Phrase: There are three types of track. Tone: Drum: Looper: A track that mainly handles clips that have pitch. A track that handles drum and percussion clips. A track that handles audio loops.
An Overview of the MC-101 What is a Project? What is the Browser? On the MC-101, data for one song is managed as a unit called a “project.” Projects are saved on the SD card. This lets you select the material that you need for the project that you’re working on. A project contains data for tracks, clips, and tones, and the data for the samples that are used. Selecting preset tones and drum kits If you want to keep the results of your editing, save the project.
An Overview of the MC-101 Master FX Setting USER SAMPLE The MC-101 is equipped with five master effects. User samples used by tones and drum kits. Settings for these effects are saved in the project. 55 Reverb Adds reverberation to the sound. 55 Chorus/Delay Gives the sound depth and spaciousness (Chorus), or delays the sound in an echo-like manner (Delay). 55 Master Compressor Compresses loud peaks of the master output, making the volume more consistent.
Performing and Producing Loading and Playing a Project On the MC-101, data for one song is handled as a unit called a “project.” Projects are saved on the SD card. 4. Press the [p](play/stop) button. The project plays. Switching Clips (CLIP Mode) 1 2 3 2 4 1. Press the [PROJECT] button. 2. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the LOAD menu and press the [VALUE] dial to confirm. 3. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the Project that you want to load, and press the [VALUE] dial to confirm.
Performing and Producing Selecting a Tone or Drum Kit Loading a Clip from SD Card 2 2 3 4 5 6 1 1 1. Press the PAD [NOTE] button. The pads are assigned to NOTE mode. 2. Use the [VALUE] dial to change the tone or drum kit. MEMO 55 When you press the [VALUE] dial, a detailed menu appears. 55 You can strike the pads to audition the sound of the selected tone or drum kit. 1. Stop playback the project. Make sure that the [p] button is blinking.
Performing and Producing 5. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the clip that you want to import, and press the [VALUE] dial. Recording a Pad Performance 6. Use the [VALUE] dial to select the import-destination, and press the [VALUE] dial. Performing with the Pads (NOTE Mode) 1 3 By using the NOTE mode of the pads, you can perform using the illuminated pads. 6 7 4 2 5 1. Use the TRACK SEL [1]–[4] buttons to select a 1 track. 2 2. Press the PAD [CLIP] button. 3.
Performing and Producing About the Step Sequencer The phrase data included in a clip is played back by the step sequencer for each track. Using Scatter (SCATTER Mode) “Scatter” is a beat-synchronized effect. It lets you add a sense of digital groove to the playback sound. By setting pad mode to SEQ, you can check and edit the content that is played back by each step.
Making Various Settings Editing Settings Here’s how to edit the settings of this unit. 1. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the Returning to the Factory Settings (Factory Reset) Here’s how to return the settings of this unit to their factory-set state. [FILTER] button. The UTILITY menu appears. 1 2. You can make various settings by turning the 2 3 4 [VALUE] dial to select a menu item and then pressing the [VALUE] dial to confirm. & For details, refer to “Reference Manual” (PDF). 1.
Making Various Settings 3. To execute, press the [VALUE] dial. If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button. * Factory reset does not restore the contents of the SD card to their factory-set state. For more about the data that was on the SD card when shipped from the factory, refer to the following URL. Using a New SD Card If you’re using a new SD card, you must first format it on the MC-101. & https://www.roland.
Making Various Settings 2. Replace the SD card. Attach the SD card protector as necessary. * Never turn off the power or remove the SD card while the SD card is being accessed. 3. Hold down the [SHIFT] button and press the [FILTER] button. The UTILITY menu appears. 4. Use the [VALUE] dial to select “SD CARD FORMAT” and press the [VALUE] dial. A confirmation message appears. 5. Press the [VALUE] dial to execute. If you decide to cancel, press the [EXIT] button.
Main Specifications Roland MC-101: Groovebox Power Supply Ni-MH Battery (AA, HR6),Alkaline (AA, LR6) x 4, or obtained via USB port (USB bus power) Current Draw 500 mA Expected battery life under continuous use Ni-MH battery (AA, HR6): Approx. 4.5 hours Alkaline (AA, LR6): Approx. 3 hours * These can vary depending on the specifications of the batteries and the conditions of use.
USING THE UNIT SAFELY About WARNING and CAUTION Notices Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of death or severe injury should the unit be used improperly. Used for instructions intended to alert the user to the risk of injury or material damage should the unit be used improperly. * Material damage refers to damage or other adverse effects caused with respect to the home and all its furnishings, as well to domestic animals or pets.
USING THE UNIT SAFELY WARNING Turn off the unit if an abnormality or malfunction occurs In the following cases, immediately turn off the power and contact your dealer, a Roland service center, or an official Roland dealer for service. • If smoke or unusual odor occurs; or • Objects have fallen into, or liquid has been spilled onto the unit; or • The unit has been exposed to rain (or otherwise has become wet); or • The unit does not appear to operate normally or exhibits a marked change in performance.
USING THE UNIT SAFELY CAUTION Handle batteries carefully If used improperly, batteries may explode or leak and cause damage or injury. In the interest of safety, please read and observe the following precautions. • Carefully follow the installation instructions for batteries, and make sure you observe the correct polarity. • Avoid using new batteries together with used ones. In addition, avoid mixing different types of batteries.
IMPORTANT NOTES Use of Battery • Before installing/removing batteries, make sure to turn off the power to this unit and disconnect all connections to other devices. • The life of the supplied batteries may be limited, since its primary purpose was to enable testing. • If operating this unit on batteries, please use alkaline batteries, Ni-MH batteries. Placement • Using the unit near power amplifiers (or other equipment containing large power transformers) may induce hum.
IMPORTANT NOTES Using External Memories Intellectual Property Right • Please observe the following precautions when handling external memory devices: • Do not remove the device while reading/ writing is in progress. • To prevent damage from static electricity, discharge all static electricity from your person before handling the device. • Avoid touching the terminals and protect them from contact with metallic objects; make sure they stay clean. • Do not bend, drop, or apply strong force to the device.
