Roland MC-303 Groovebox User manual

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MC-303
Groovebox
TurboStart
TBS48 © 1999 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 20042 Page 1
It’s a Fact…
The MC-303 provides 448 dedicated dance sounds,
including 40 synth basses, 35 synth leads, 33 synth
pads and 12 different rhythm kits. The sounds of the
MC-303 are derived from classic analog products
such as the TB-303, SH-101, TR-808, and TR-909. It
includes 133 preset patterns with 300 variations and
50 user patterns. The MC-303 features a Real Time
Modify (RTM) function that allows you to make
changes to a sound using knobs and buttons during
playback. In addition, a Real time Phrase Sequencer
(RPS) allows simultaneous playback of phrases
triggered from front-panel buttons. Other features
include: Grid, Shuffle, and Groove Quantize and built-
in vintage synth arpeggios. A unique low-boost circuit
adds emphasis to the low frequencies, providing a
powerful sound.
Restoring Factory Settings
1. Hold SHIFT and power on.
2. Press ENTER.
Playing the Demo Song
1. Hold SHIFT and press PLAY MODE.
2. Press PLAY.
3. Press STOP to end playback. Press EXIT to
leave Demo Mode.
Playing Patterns
The MC-303 contains 133 preset patterns with 300
variations. In addition, it includes 50 user patterns.
Use the following procedure to play these patterns.
1 . Press PLAY MODE to make the PATTERN
indicator light in the lower left corner of display.
2 . Use the SELECT buttons to make the
PTN/SONG indicator light.
3 . Turn the VALUE dial to select a pattern.
Hold SHIFT and turn the VALUE dial to change
patterns in increments of ten.
4 . Press PLAY. Turn the VALUE dial to select a
new pattern. The new pattern number will appear
under NEXT in the display and will play after the
current pattern finishes.
5 . You can adjust the tempo of the pattern by
pressing TAP three times at the desired tempo.
6 . Press STOP to end playback.
Playing Rhythm Sets
1 . Press the PTN SET and RPS SET buttons so
their indicators are off.
2 . Press the PART SELECT button to make the
indicator light.
3. Press PART R to select the rhythm part.
4 . Use SELECT buttons to make the TONE
indicator light.
5 . Rotate the VALUE dial to select the desired
rhythm set.
6 . Play the built-in keyboard to hear the
instruments.
Use the Octave (-) or (+) buttons to access all of
the instruments in a rhythm set.
Modifying the Sounds in Realtime
1. Press PLAY MODE to make the PATTERN
indicator light.
2 . Use the SELECT buttons to make PTN/SONG
light.
3 . Turn the VALUE dial to select Pattern A11.
4 . Press PART SELECT to make the indicator light.
5 . Press the PART 4 button, and then press PLAY.
6 . Turn the RESONANCE knob all the way to the
right. Change the sound by turning the CUTOFF
knob.
Note: LFO and ENVELOPE can also be edited in
realtime.
Using the Arpeggiator
1 . Press the PTN SET and RPS SET buttons so
their indicators are off.
2 . Press PART SELECT to make its indicator light.
3 . Press a PART button (1-7).
4 . Press ARPEGGIO ON to make its indicator light.
5 . Play a few chords on the keyboard pad.
6. Adjust the emphasis of the arpeggio by turning
the ACCENT RATE knob.

®ÂØÒňή
MC-303
Groovebox
TurboStart
TBS48 © 1999 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 20042 Page 2
Recording a Pattern
1 . Select a user pattern (u01-u50). (See “Playing
Patterns,” earlier in this TurboStart.)
2 . Press REC. Its indicator will blink.
3 . Press the desired PART button (R,1-7) to record.
4 . Press PLAY. Recording will begin after the
selected count-in measure(s).
5 . Press STOP when finished.
Note: While recording, you can erase previously played
data. Hold SHIFT and press ERASE to enter Erase
Mode (Ers). Hold the keyboard pad that corresponds
to the note/instrument you wish to erase. Hold REC to
erase all notes/instruments.
Playing RPS Phrases
1 . Press RPS SET to make its indicator light.
2 . Use the SELECT buttons to make RPS SET
light.
3 . Play the keyboard. Layer phrases by pressing
keys simultaneously.
4 . Turn the VALUE dial to change the RPS SET
(there are 30 RPS Sets to choose from).
5 . Press the RPS SET button to stop this function.