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Roland MC-101 4-track Groovebox

4-track Sequencer, with 3,000 Sounds, 80 Drum Kits, 90 Multi-effects, USB/MIDI, AA Battery Power, and SDHC Card Support
$499.99

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Roland MC-101 4-track Groovebox
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Your Powerful and Portable Groove Production Workstation

Offering over five hours of operation from AA batteries, the Roland MC-101 Groovebox is ready to produce tracks and perform sets just about anywhere. It packs the sequencer, synthesizer, and effects from the flagship MC-707 Groovebox in a compact, four-track version. The ability to create your own samples and loops, and its powerful sequencing capabilities make the MC-101 a smart solution for integrating with other synth modules. Whether you need a portable production center, or a compact sequencer to go with your other synth gear, you’ll be impressed with the Roland MC-101 Groovebox.

Tons of built-in sounds to expand on

Right from the start, the Roland MC-101 is loaded with over 3,000 sounds, including pounding basses, vibrant leads, spacious pads, and much more — and that’s in addition to over 80 preset drum kits. You’ll quickly be able to start creating your own custom loops, with high-quality sample recording up to 24-bit/96kHz sound quality. And with 90 types of multi-effects processing plus mastering effects, you have endless options for re-sampling and processing your custom sounds.

Clip-based sequencing for production and performance

Like the most popular sequencing apps for your computer, the Roland MC-101 features clip-based sequencing that gives you a ton of creative potential. Four tracks are available — use the built-in ZEN-Core sounds for pounding drums and vibrant synth sounds and effects. Producers at Sweetwater love how easy it is to connect other sound modules via MIDI and sequence them from the MC-101. Whatever you create, you can save your audio and projects to SD card media (included).

Roland MC-101 Groovebox Features:

  • Modern groove production center with 3,000 built-in sounds and 80 drum kits
  • 4 tracks of sequencing or audio playback, up to 64 sequence steps
  • 16 expressive pads for playing bass lines, grooves, and melodies
  • Clip-based sequencing with up to 16 clips per track (128 total)
  • Save your custom sounds and projects to SD card media (included)
  • Built-in multi-effects include 90 types of track effects and mastering effects
  • Looper supports time stretch and pitch shift
  • Combines sequencing and groove production in a single portable package
  • Five hours of operation from 4 x AA batteries
  • Equally suited for making music on its own, as a master sequencer for external synths, or as a groove station locked to a master sequencer

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Beat Production Sampler with Sequencer
  • Internal Sound Engine: ZEN-Core Drum Tones/Kits
  • Screen: LCD Display
  • Pads: 16 x Performance Pads
  • Sounds: TR-808, TR909, Juno-106, SH-101
  • Presets: 3,000 Tones, 80 Drum Kits
  • Polyphony: 128 Voices (varies by sound generator load)
  • Sequencer: 64-step Sequencer, 4-track, 16 clips per track
  • Looper: 4 Voice Polyphony, Time Stretch, Pitch Shift
  • Sampling: Sample Playback/Import, WAV (up to 24-bit/96kHz)
  • Effects: Multi-effects, Track EQ, 9 x Chorus/Delay, 7 x Reverb, 90 x Master Effects, Master Compressor, Master EQ
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (L/mono, R)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/8"
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Storage: SD/SDHC Card Slot
  • Power Source: USB bus powered / 4 x AA batteries (Ni-MH, Alkaline)
  • Height: 2.43"
  • Width: 8.81"
  • Depth: 5.18"
  • Weight: 1 lb. 9 oz.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MC-101

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Excellent machine

Didn't buy this when it first came out but once I saw all the updates it become an obvious choice.
By the time I decided the price had risen quite a bit but I think overall it's worth it.

It sounds great throughout the various catogories and especially those modeled/sampled after Roland's classic synths.
Right now I'm mainly using it as a sound module for the Akai MPC One. Not sure how many people realize that each track can contain 16 clips and each can contain a different instrument. These clips can be changed via midi from any external sequencer. So you have 4 tracks x 16 clips which is 64 different sounds if you want them, all of which can be switched via midi. All of this is just one project and you can set up different configerations in countless projects.
And one last thing, because it is a self contained groove box I can pull it out of the studio and sit on the couch and have fun writing all kinds of things within the box. Great stuff!
Rated 5/5

Very fun little groovebox

This is my first step into this kind of technology and it has been amazing! Completely changed the way I make music. I thought it would take me forever to learn my way around it but it is quite intuitive and easy to work with. 100% recommend.
Music background: Been playing for about 7 years, only folk genres and rock until now.
Rated 5/5

Firmwared to Success

The MC101 started out kinda rough, but Roland has Firmware updated the hell out of it. The workflow using shift commands takes some practice, but is easily mastered after 2-3 weeks of dedicated use. The synthesizer is great for mostly sketching, except for bass sounds (Pair it with a Dreadbox Typhon). The sample stretch algorithms could use some improvement. Everything else is pretty much a winner. Roland, keep coming with more updates, glad you are listening to end-users (Roland).
Music background: Youtube
Rated 5/5

The little brother that handles itself well.

I have both the MC-101 and MC-707. Most of my kit is Roland, actually.

The 707 is excellent for stage and group performance, but the 101 is exceptional for on the fly. One would feel that having half the controls buried in the Shift menu might give it trouble, and not having a visual patch list with categories can slow you down. The latter part does a little, but not by much if you learn your way around.

This could almost be a second drum machine for me. The only thing not making it a primary is my TR-S8 which has the custom filters and setups.

It has onboard programs that really show what it can do and help generate ideas, especially if you are someone like me who has the concepts, but sometimes struggles a little at first to put concept to work.

It plugs wonderfully into my MX-1 and uses the phantom USB socket without issue - so if it is part of your kit and you want to save on batteries, this is a great option if you have both. It will use the onboard clock of the MX-1 in default state.

The only downside is a one-octave keyboard and entering notes in a tone track to the sequence can be a little gamey. However, the visual line is intuitive, it is easy to pick up, and travels well.

The tracks themselves do not have a general mute switch, something lacking from the 707. However, you can easily get around this by making an empty clip (most of the presets do it in clip 1) and swapping to it as active, if you do not want to do a fader mute.

All in all, it is good for travel, well worth the polyphony. It will not equal to the big brother in the 707 as far as complete utility. This is something I would consider a graduate instrument. When I return to playing my 707 after noodling on this, I'm going to have a lot more control.

The reviewer is a former band student who doesn't quite grasp keys and basic music settings well yet, has listened frequently to electronic music and is worming their way through the initial learning.
Music background: Baritone/Tuba (concert band), some keyboard as a youth (dabbler), extensive listening/studying, strong with patterns and logic.
Rated 5/5

Versatile Groovebox!

I used to fiddle around with loopy software some years back. I wanted to start making music again but didn't want to upgrade my PC nor be co fined to creating at my desktop. And so I found this to be a SUPERIOR choice for it's many capabilities found in multiple other machine types. It doesn't do EVERYTHING an MPC does, but it has lots of capabilities. It doesn't do everything a drum machine does, but gets the job done with flying colors.
Same goes with synthesizing, changing shapes and motions of samples, engineering the sounds to your taste and style. I even use it as a soundboard for irritating housemates!

A lot of possibilities within this little box.

Of course I love the portability of it, no doubt. There are tons of samples, leads, synths, drum kits and instruments built within. Start from scratch right out of the box.

It's super easy to learn the "mechanics" and find a workflow for creating projects. I love this groovebox and recommended this for all around easy music creation.
Music background: Lifetime Alum; School of Rock

Simply put, modern electronic music wouldn't exist without Roland. Many of the electronic musicians here at Sweetwater cut our teeth on TR Rhythm machines and fondly remember programming our first TB-303s. We owe a good part of our careers to this amazing and innovative company. It's been fun to watch and grow right alongside Roland, as they've introduced wave after wave of revolutionary keyboards, digital pianos, and more. For example, Roland's V-Drum Kits continuously redefine the possibilities of electronic drums, beginning with SuperNATURAL technology to the latest Prismatic Sound Modeling. We're huge fans, and we'd love to tell you all about them. Whether you want a pocket-sized synth or a cutting-edge video mixer, if Roland makes it, then Sweetwater is 100% behind it.

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