mpc 2kxl and roland mc-303

Does anyone use this combo and how does it work?

I used to have a 303, but got rid of it a years ago, so I've never used it with my MPC. I have used it to sequence and control sounds on the little Boss 202 Dr. Sample I used to have and it worked fine. I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't work well with the MPC. I think I'd mainly use it as a sound module though.

I never really liked the grooveboxes cause every one I ever had or played with was really skitzy, it'd lock up for no reason at the most inconvenient times.

I have a 202 also. I used it to record high hats, because of the clarity and non backround noises. Its just easier. the only fuzz is reconnecting it everytime i want to use it.. Never tried the sampler yet..

smashngrab, this combo kinda sorta sucks, in my opinion.

I was playing with my old MC 303 the other day, borrowed it back from the friend I traded it to to see if I could sequence it with MPC.

No dice.

The 303 can function as a tone generator, sure, you have to reset it into that config or send the proper CC to it. But one thing about tone generator mode: Only one channel. This means you can only play one instrument off the 303 at a time, as sequenced by an external device, which quite frankly sucks. It's the whole point of a "groovebox" to have multiple sounds available at once. Roland bombed on this one.

In internal sequencer mode, you could certainly program an entire song to sync to the MPC, but it's not worth it in my opinion, this combo.

Maybe if you have a keyboard and are a skilled keyboardist, but I am not and have not. The 303's internal sequencer bites. For drum patterns it's alright, though locked to a 16th-notes only grid, x0x style. For the internal synths, you have to either record em real time or program in step mode. I don't know for certain but I believe step mode is not steppable by the MPC, so you're on your own trying to figure out where the hell you are.

I always hated the 303's synth sequencer and it's the main reason I traded it away in the first place. It's got some kinda cool sounds and knob tweaky editing, but I would never pick up another 303 if I had the chance. Sell it if you value your sequencing.

Hope this helps.

-(thync)

yeah it helped alot, im just looking for something cheap with good bass sounds to go along with my samples

Its an rack mount analog synth. It focuses on bass sounds. Bass sounds kind of Dre like. It goes for $1500 but the bass sounds thick and fat. I think you can get a futureretro 777 for about half the price but I never heard one in action.

For bass sounds analog is usually the way to go. The problem is that analog is very expensive (i.e. the se 1 is a 1 channel monophonic synth, so is the future retro). You can get some pretty fat synthbass on a roland jx 8p (which is analog) but it requires a little programming to get it to sound right. I think those sell anywhere from 200 to 400.

There are some good digital synths too for bass. I like the korg trinity, ms 2000, the ensoniq mr rack, the roland jp 8000. And don't sleep on cheaper synths like casio's and smaller and medium grade synths like the roland xp 10, and alesis qs 6. These synths have a cheesiness to them which can sound funky and in some cases very phat.

The 303 is a very capable multitimbral sound module. Not only that, the sounds are a collection of all the requsite "modern music production" synth and drum sounds. It is (with a little processing) very possible to produce some nice sounding stuff with the MPC and 303. In addition, the sequencer is capable of much more than just "... a 16th-notes only grid..." programming paradigm. I use the 303 both as a source of samples and as an external sound module. I'll sample the 303 into the MPC and mess up the sounds using the MPC's native processing. I'll also sample arpeggiated patterns from the 303. There's tons of ways i use the 303 with my MPC. I could write a book. Any one interested in hearing some of what i'm talking about can mail me privately and i'll send you an mp3.

In the future, thync, read the manual.

I am trying to use the MC-303 as a sound module and have not been able to get it working. I can only use one sound bank using one midi channel, how do you set midi channels on the MC-303?

Uno/1

gams

I found part of my answer here. I still dont know how to change midi chanels on the MC-303. Anyone?

http://support.rolandus.com/helpdesk/in ... _ID=100770


Uno/1

gams

to use the 303 as a generator press the song mode button while turning it on the screen will read mc-303 then you can use as a gen. you can use different sounds on different tracks
you just have to set up your mpc to make the changes

i use this set up NO problems

the only thing is the sounds are kinda weak but it's no TB 303

i have not used the sequencer on MC yet as i don't have the manual for my MC but i have to much still to learn about everything i'm doing with my set up

i also have the EF 303 which is nice with the MC they compilament each other.

good luckwitit