Roland Micro Composer MC-80 User manual

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MC-80
Micro Composer
TurboStart
TBS93 © 1999 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 21080 Page 1
It’s a Fact…
The MC-80 Micro Composer builds upon the
successful MC-50mkII as a stand-alone MIDI
sequencer. It’s enhanced by features typically found
in many of today’s computer-based sequencers.
Features include:
• Stand-alone professional MIDI sequencer with
powerful composing, arranging, and realtime
performance capabilities
• Enhanced 480 TPQN resolution for greater feel
•Several storage options: internal floppy drive,
hard drive/ ZIP®drive, or external hard drive via
optional SCSI port
• MARK and JUMP buttons provide quick realtime
arrangement of songs during practice and
performance
• Advanced Quantize, Realtime Phrase
Sequencing (RPS) and Arpeggiator functions
• Large backlit LCD for quick song selection and
easy sequencing operations
•Assignable footswitch options such as Mark/Jump,
Play/Stop, and Fade Out.
• Optional VE-GSPro Voice Expansion Board
turns the MC-80 into an independent workstation
adding over 1,000 high quality GS sounds and
powerful effects
•MMC and MTC compatible with two independent
MIDI Outs offering 32 independent parts and 64-
voices of polyphony (with the optional VE-GSPro
Voice Expansion Board).
Connecting External MIDI Devices
The MC-80 features two MIDI Outs and two MIDI Ins
for flexible routing of external MIDI devices. Use the
following procedure to connect a MIDI keyboard
and/or module to the MC-80:
1. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of the
MC-80 to the MIDI IN of your MIDI keyboard.
2. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of the
MIDI keyboard to the MIDI IN of the MC-80.
3. Connect a MIDI cable from the MIDI OUT of the
MC-80 to the MIDI IN of the MIDI module.
Playing the Demo Songs
Use the following procedure to listen to the MC-80
demo song featuring tones from the VE-GSPro:
Note: The VE-GSPro must be installed in order to
hear the MC-80 demo song.
1. Press TOOLS.
2. Press F3 [MIDI], then press F6 [EXPBOARD].
3. Press F6 [DEMOPLAY] to play the demo song.
4. Press F5 [DEMOSTOP] to stop playback.
5. Press EXIT to return to Song Play mode.
Selecting/Playing Songs
The MC-80 allows you to quickly dial up a song and play it
without any load time. Use the following procedure to
select and playback a song:
1. Place the disk with the song data into the floppy
drive.
2. Press SELECT and turn the VALUE dial to select
the desired song.
3. Press PLAY to begin playback.
4. Press STOP when you’re finished.
Selecting VE-GSPro Tones
Installing the VE-GSPro equips the MC-80 with 1117
tones and 42 rhythm kits. The VE-GSPro emulates
the tones of the SC-55, SC-88, and SC-88Pro
modules. It is necessary to select a tone map before you
select a tone, and then load the song into internal memory.
Use the following procedure to select tones:
1. Use the CURSOR buttons to select the track to
the right of “Rec.”
2. Turn the VALUE dial to select Trk 1.
3. Press F4 [MICRO] and press F1 [CREATE].
4. Use the CURSOR buttons to select Program
Change.
5. Press F5 [LIST] to view the tone maps: 88 PRO,
88 MAP, 55 MAP.
6. Press F5 [88 PRO] to select the SC-88Pro map.
7. Use the CURSOR buttons to select the desired
tone.
8. Press F6 [CREATE] to confirm your selection.
9. Repeat Steps 1-8 to select additional tones as
desired.
10. Press EXIT to return to Song Play mode.

®ÂØÒňή
MC-80
Micro Composer
TurboStart
TBS93 © 1999 Roland Corporation U.S., 5100 S. Eastern Ave., Los Angeles CA 90040 Faxback # 21080 Page 2
Recording MIDI Tracks
The MC-80 can record MIDI data on 16 tracks. Use
the following procedure to record to a track:
1. Refer to “Selecting VE-GSPro Tones” to select
sounds.
2. Use the CURSOR buttons to select Rec.
3. Turn the VALUE dial to select Trk 1, and press
REC.
4. Use the CURSOR buttons and turn the VALUE
dial to select the desired values for Tempo,
Count In, Rec Mode, and Quantize.
5. Press PLAY to begin recording.
6. Press STOP to return to Song Play mode.
Using the Arpeggiator
The MC-80’s arpeggiator allows you to play notes
simply by holding a chord on your MIDI keyboard.
Use the following procedure to select an arpeggio
pattern:
1. Press F1 [SETUP], then press F4 [ARPEGGIO].
2. Use the CURSOR buttons to select Style.
3. Turn the VALUE dial to select SEQUENCE B, and
hold down a chord on your keyboard to listen to the
selected style.
4. Repeat Steps 3-5 to select and listen to other
styles.
Using Realtime Phrase Sequencing
(RPS)
RPS enables your MIDI keyboard to trigger sections
of a song with different keys. For example, you can
copy the verse, chorus, or solo sections of a song to
individual keys. Then you can experiment with
different arrangements by triggering different keys in
realtime. Use the following procedure to load a demo
song with RPS patterns:
1. Insert the MC-80 Demo Disk into the floppy
drive.
2. Press SELECT.
3. Turn the VALUE dial to select
PhraseSeqDemoGs.
4. Press F6 [LOAD] to load the file. Then, press
EXIT.
5. Press F1 [SETUP].
6. Press F3 [PHRASE] to display the Phrase
Sequence page.
7. Use the CURSOR buttons to select “Key(Note).”
8. Turn the VALUE dial to select 37(C#2).
9. Hold down C#2 on your MIDI keyboard to hear
the brass pattern.
10. Press other keys in the key range from C#2-C4
to hear other patterns.