Go for bigger one, i have a small one and I found it great but limiting in terms o tracks. 101 is good for travel or as an additional device in the studio
The 101 is great if you're always on the move or want to add it onto a bigger setup, but the 707 can be a hub for several other things with the audio inserts. No sampler on the 101 also limits what you can do without resorting to a computer. Resampling a whole channel on the 707 and dumping it as a one-shot in a drumkit allows a lot more flexibility and variation.
Got my 101 earlier this year and I really think it is an amazing machine. So impressed and it is now part of my standard setup. At first I thought it was a bit lacking as there were some things I couldn't do with it, but I did manage to figure out some workarounds.
Nice to see your process. I just have the 707 (secretly also want a 101), but a lot of the concepts translate. I liked your idea of doubling tracks in the DAW to parallel process and also pitching one up an octave. I also use Reaper and now I want that Spaced Out plugin. I have had trouble finding delay and reverb plugins that work well together and are easy to configure. Last thing I'd mention is how useful I've found the master FX multi-band compressor on my 707 for those times when I just want to put a stereo mix somewhere like Instagram. If dialed in well, it adds clarity and punch that can make any project sound more polished and produced. Obviously, if you go multi-track USB to DAW it makes more sense to do that there, but don't sleep on it for that scenario.
I have the mc 707. I have done several complete tracks with it. For me, I think it’s good as a standalone box, but much better when I either import some samples into the mc or use the mc as a sound source in my daw.
Now I will look more into "Vapor" sound. Love couch surfing with mine too, and backyard/park jams are a treat. Hello, from Sacramento. Thanks for all the great MC-101 tips and tricks.
A lot of the Zencore sounds are almost comically modulated. I find myself scaling them back frequently. Still struggling to find my flow with the MV-1, but it's improving.
I definitely agree that the MC-101 is more of a sketch pad and then production tool, rather than something to jam live on. The live performance features are great for coming up with ideas and b sections though. I love playing with the random, reverse and inverse sequence playback modes and occasionally stumble on more interesting arps or basslines. But the song doesn't shine until you run it through the DAW and sprinkle some magic on top of it. For certain more retro-inspired genres, the MC-101 is pretty much perfect, though I wish it had the Elektron sequencer workflow which is so much faster. Nice production techniques btw!
Yeah I think it's genuinely underrated for production. I've gotten pretty efficient with the sequencer and I definitely see *some* parallels with Elektron stuff, but it's definitely got some jank.
@@GabeMillerMusic Where I find the Elektron workflow to be *so* superior is when it comes to copying steps (just cold any number of steps and hit Copy, then hold another step and hit Paste - and the thing is, Roland could implement the exact same workflow without any compromises, but for some reason they want more button presses for the same thing) and trig locks (hold a step down and twist a knob). I've gotten pretty fast on the MC-101 too, but there's no getting away from the fact that the Elektron flows much faster in pretty much every regard. Another pet peeve of mine is that the MC-101 doesn't let you preview a step in the sequencer. They should just make it possible to hold a step and press Sound to preview it.
Great videos, love the details. Side note: you can use the motion designer on the 101 to do some basic psuedo sidechain. (Automating the volume control).
@@_mickmccarthy I knew I saw the vid on here somewhere. I use MD to create a transform affect with the square wave controlling the volume. Haven’t seen anyone do that yet, try it out. With a little delay and flt sweep it’s a nice touch. Cheers
Is there a way to mute/solo Tone tracks besides using the faders? It would be nice if there was a mode that made buttons 1-4 and 9-12 become mute/solo buttons.
As long as I’ve had the 101, I’ve never really done much with the drums. It’s probably the least inspiring part of the thing as they all sound generally the same. That said, it was really cool what you did with them in the first beat! Thanks for sharing ✌️🎶🎵🎶
If you're looking to make this sort of music (or something else that makes use of old drum machines, LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX etc.), you should check out a huge free sample pack called IV Vintage Drum Machines. Has a frankly stupid amount of content. Incredibly useful, and free!
for next MC-102 i want it to have usb c + bluetooth connection to other midi and ipad software for having more edit and even making track recording more easy and please please give it a graphic lcd screen that i can see the wave and scroll the menu more smooth more buttons ? like real undo and have more track and sounds engines and maybe somehow have 1 of track be controll from ios VST ?
Awesome work as usual Gabe! You seem to to have max 3/4 audio treatment on each track. Am I right? I ask that cause I'm really struggling sometimes to mix my music and I'm asking myself if I'm not complicating things a little bit ^^... Circuit tracks user here, but the MC101 is on the tobuy list !
I don't have any albums that are exclusively Circuit, but albums and EPs where full songs are just the Circuit Tracks or the Tracks with connected synths include: - Space Music - Synth Hop - The Neon City - Duo Older projects like Endless Glow, Mobile Production, etc have multiple songs made on the OG Circuit by itself.
Hi Gabe! Thanks for this vid! I got a question: is there a way to do sidechain on the 101 like on the circuit? I'm trying with the lofi compressor and the other compressor as well but it doesn't do the trick, and i can't find any tutorials about this 😅
Hey Gabe-Just wanted to give you a heads up-Isotonik Has a Big City Contest-I imagine you are well aware, but I wanted to give you a heads up-just in case. *Peace*
Man I'm jus waiting on an MC606. 101 portability with 707 functionality. OOOOOR a Circuit with both tracks AND rythm features. Let's have it already!!!
Hey Gabe, Maybe you can help me out. I got myself in a pickle. I bought a J-6, expecting I would be able to change the synth using a program change midi command. It does not. Thinking about picking this up, but want to know for sure that midi program change will allow me to switch instruments on each track. Looks like there was an update to the program change functionality, but it's not outlined in the documentation. Can you try it and let me know? (Want to use it as an external synth sequenced by the m8.)
I'm not sure, but given that you have to menu dive to select patches, I'm guessing you can't do that. What it DOES have us the ability to change the patch on a pattern by pattern basis, so you could set it all up in advance in a dedicated project, then switch patterns to switch the patches. I'm not sure how midi implementation of that would work, but at the very least you could switch patches or scenes on the unit itself.
@@GabeMillerMusic That sounds like it will be perfect, actually. I could prepare multiple patches in several different patterns or scenes and switch between them using the PC signal. Thanks so much for your help!
@@GabeMillerMusic Hey, going back through your videos. I did pick up the MC-101, and the patch switch on clip works perfectly. I'm using the m8 to sequence midi program changes on both the J-6 and the MC-101. The midi implementation for that is actually really simple. By default each track receives the program change command on its dedicated channel, and it changes the clip. This lets me change instruments on the track directly in the m8 pattern. But, I found out something really cool with the J-6. When you switch from chord mode to arp mode, it retriggers whatever note is currently being played. This lets me dedicate a separate track that's literally just groove. It's super powerful. I posted a demo on my channel. Working on a longer set now. Thanks for everything you do.
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
I love jamming on the MC-101 and then finishing up in the DAW... multi-track is so useful!
A piece of me still wants one of these and the bigger one, god bless anyone making vapor and synth wave these days!
Go for bigger one, i have a small one and I found it great but limiting in terms o tracks. 101 is good for travel or as an additional device in the studio
The 101 is great if you're always on the move or want to add it onto a bigger setup, but the 707 can be a hub for several other things with the audio inserts.
No sampler on the 101 also limits what you can do without resorting to a computer.
Resampling a whole channel on the 707 and dumping it as a one-shot in a drumkit allows a lot more flexibility and variation.
I agree with other comments: go for the 707 unless you need portability or have very limited space
Yes man. More MC-101 content 🎉
Got my 101 earlier this year and I really think it is an amazing machine. So impressed and it is now part of my standard setup. At first I thought it was a bit lacking as there were some things I couldn't do with it, but I did manage to figure out some workarounds.
Nice to see your process. I just have the 707 (secretly also want a 101), but a lot of the concepts translate. I liked your idea of doubling tracks in the DAW to parallel process and also pitching one up an octave.
I also use Reaper and now I want that Spaced Out plugin. I have had trouble finding delay and reverb plugins that work well together and are easy to configure.
Last thing I'd mention is how useful I've found the master FX multi-band compressor on my 707 for those times when I just want to put a stereo mix somewhere like Instagram. If dialed in well, it adds clarity and punch that can make any project sound more polished and produced. Obviously, if you go multi-track USB to DAW it makes more sense to do that there, but don't sleep on it for that scenario.
I have the mc 707. I have done several complete tracks with it. For me, I think it’s good as a standalone box, but much better when I either import some samples into the mc or use the mc as a sound source in my daw.
Loving the cracking up in the middle of the video :D
Thanks for your hughes YT-Videos, its always a pleasure to watch you! best wishes from Vienna 👋🏼
Now I will look more into "Vapor" sound.
Love couch surfing with mine too, and backyard/park jams are a treat.
Hello, from Sacramento.
Thanks for all the great MC-101 tips and tricks.
Cant wait to see your 1.8 update video!
It's already out! Hopefully it's helpful: th-cam.com/video/48XBRh0KuoY/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for these videos. I wound up buying the mc 101 and have found your videos to be very useful.
A lot of the Zencore sounds are almost comically modulated. I find myself scaling them back frequently. Still struggling to find my flow with the MV-1, but it's improving.
Great video! love the bloopers.
It’s so good Gabe! I need one!
Nice work as always! 👍
Good info, thank you that helps😊
I was searching for synthwave presets and didn't realize my MC-101 had them already.
this is amazing - as always!
I definitely agree that the MC-101 is more of a sketch pad and then production tool, rather than something to jam live on. The live performance features are great for coming up with ideas and b sections though. I love playing with the random, reverse and inverse sequence playback modes and occasionally stumble on more interesting arps or basslines. But the song doesn't shine until you run it through the DAW and sprinkle some magic on top of it. For certain more retro-inspired genres, the MC-101 is pretty much perfect, though I wish it had the Elektron sequencer workflow which is so much faster. Nice production techniques btw!
Yeah I think it's genuinely underrated for production. I've gotten pretty efficient with the sequencer and I definitely see *some* parallels with Elektron stuff, but it's definitely got some jank.
@@GabeMillerMusic Where I find the Elektron workflow to be *so* superior is when it comes to copying steps (just cold any number of steps and hit Copy, then hold another step and hit Paste - and the thing is, Roland could implement the exact same workflow without any compromises, but for some reason they want more button presses for the same thing) and trig locks (hold a step down and twist a knob). I've gotten pretty fast on the MC-101 too, but there's no getting away from the fact that the Elektron flows much faster in pretty much every regard. Another pet peeve of mine is that the MC-101 doesn't let you preview a step in the sequencer. They should just make it possible to hold a step and press Sound to preview it.
Great videos, love the details. Side note: you can use the motion designer on the 101 to do some basic psuedo sidechain. (Automating the volume control).
Yeah I was gonna add this, teabreakbeats (who has been mentioned in a few of Gabe's previous 101 tutorials!) has a good video on it
@@_mickmccarthy I knew I saw the vid on here somewhere. I use MD to create a transform affect with the square wave controlling the volume. Haven’t seen anyone do that yet, try it out. With a little delay and flt sweep it’s a nice touch. Cheers
@@pshealy69 nice one, will check that out!
@@_mickmccarthy thanks for the shout out!
@@teabreakbeats and thank you for all the great content!
Is there a way to mute/solo Tone tracks besides using the faders? It would be nice if there was a mode that made buttons 1-4 and 9-12 become mute/solo buttons.
Amazing bro!
As long as I’ve had the 101, I’ve never really done much with the drums. It’s probably the least inspiring part of the thing as they all sound generally the same. That said, it was really cool what you did with them in the first beat! Thanks for sharing ✌️🎶🎵🎶
If you're looking to make this sort of music (or something else that makes use of old drum machines, LinnDrum, Oberheim DMX etc.), you should check out a huge free sample pack called IV Vintage Drum Machines. Has a frankly stupid amount of content. Incredibly useful, and free!
@@_mickmccarthy Thank you! I’ll definitely be taking a look at that😀
Yeah I pretty much always swap them out for custom drums unless I want something vintage-y
for next MC-102 i want it to have usb c + bluetooth connection to other midi and ipad software for having more edit and even making track recording more easy
and please please give it a graphic lcd screen that i can see the wave and scroll the menu more smooth
more buttons ? like real undo and have more track and sounds engines and maybe somehow have 1 of track be controll from ios VST ?
Awesome work as usual Gabe! You seem to to have max 3/4 audio treatment on each track. Am I right? I ask that cause I'm really struggling sometimes to mix my music and I'm asking myself if I'm not complicating things a little bit ^^... Circuit tracks user here, but the MC101 is on the tobuy list !
Great video :D
In wich of your albums you use only or only only the novation circuit tracks? Thanks 😊
I don't have any albums that are exclusively Circuit, but albums and EPs where full songs are just the Circuit Tracks or the Tracks with connected synths include:
- Space Music
- Synth Hop
- The Neon City
- Duo
Older projects like Endless Glow, Mobile Production, etc have multiple songs made on the OG Circuit by itself.
Hi Gabe!
Thanks for this vid! I got a question: is there a way to do sidechain on the 101 like on the circuit?
I'm trying with the lofi compressor and the other compressor as well but it doesn't do the trick, and i can't find any tutorials about this 😅
Unfortunately, as far as I know, there's no clean way to sidechain on the 101, I always do it when mixing in post.
@@GabeMillerMusic what a bummer, guess i'll have to learn how to do it in reaper then 😅
Thanks for your reply!
one of the many reasons i prefer 707 to 101 is audio routing, i know you like to travel with 101, i'm surprised you don't use 707 in studio...
i love it for the 40 years of Roland preset sounds. some day they will give us a computer editor and i will care about tweaking synth patches.
Hey Gabe-Just wanted to give you a heads up-Isotonik Has a Big City Contest-I imagine you are well aware, but I wanted to give you a heads up-just in case. *Peace*
Man I'm jus waiting on an MC606. 101 portability with 707 functionality. OOOOOR a Circuit with both tracks AND rythm features. Let's have it already!!!
What do you have ur eyes on these days?
@@333_Tarot neither of these have hit the market yet, honestly haven't been in the market for hardware lately.
What did you do on the unit itself to beef up the drums? Or was that only on the DAW?
You skipped how you gave it "girth"
Was it just tuning them down?
If I recall correctly, yeah it was just tuning them down.
Hey Gabe, Maybe you can help me out. I got myself in a pickle. I bought a J-6, expecting I would be able to change the synth using a program change midi command. It does not. Thinking about picking this up, but want to know for sure that midi program change will allow me to switch instruments on each track. Looks like there was an update to the program change functionality, but it's not outlined in the documentation. Can you try it and let me know?
(Want to use it as an external synth sequenced by the m8.)
I'm not sure, but given that you have to menu dive to select patches, I'm guessing you can't do that. What it DOES have us the ability to change the patch on a pattern by pattern basis, so you could set it all up in advance in a dedicated project, then switch patterns to switch the patches. I'm not sure how midi implementation of that would work, but at the very least you could switch patches or scenes on the unit itself.
@@GabeMillerMusic That sounds like it will be perfect, actually. I could prepare multiple patches in several different patterns or scenes and switch between them using the PC signal. Thanks so much for your help!
@@GabeMillerMusic Hey, going back through your videos. I did pick up the MC-101, and the patch switch on clip works perfectly. I'm using the m8 to sequence midi program changes on both the J-6 and the MC-101. The midi implementation for that is actually really simple. By default each track receives the program change command on its dedicated channel, and it changes the clip. This lets me change instruments on the track directly in the m8 pattern.
But, I found out something really cool with the J-6. When you switch from chord mode to arp mode, it retriggers whatever note is currently being played. This lets me dedicate a separate track that's literally just groove. It's super powerful. I posted a demo on my channel. Working on a longer set now. Thanks for everything you do.
what mic arm are you using?
The one by Rode, it's great.
So should i buy this or a Circuit Rhythm?🙋🏻♂️
I did a dedicated video comparing the two!
th-cam.com/video/Mzb9aOq0bOY/w-d-xo.html
A virgin!? 😂
Great vid btw 👍 Keep it up Gabe! 😺🎛🎹🎧🚀
Sounds swirly. Like swirly.
Swirly makes brain chemicals happy
@@GabeMillerMusic nice. nice like beans and rice. 🍚
The MC101 is a powerhouse. Sadly, utterly let down by it's childish form factor & frustrating menu diving.
The menu diving is definitely a bummer, but I love the form factor. It being so small makes it lovely for making stuff on a whim anywhere.
@@GabeMillerMusic True, but there lies it greatest weakness.
Gabe you are great Creator, but I will not Buy a 101 *peace*
I'm not trying to sell you one! Just showing off how I got some sounds I like from a gadget I like
Your loss, more for the rest of us :)