Roland’ =resvascs< Mc-303 OWNER'S MANUAL Before using this unit, carefully read the sections entitled ‘USING THE UNIT SAFELY" and “IMPORTANT. NOTES" (p-2; p27). These sections provisle important information concerning the proper operation of the unit. Adltonaly, in order to feel assured that you have gained a goed grasp. fof every feature provided by your new unit, this manual should be readin its entirety. The manual should be saved ‘and kept on hand as convenient reference. Features of the MC-303 High-quality sound set The MC-303 provides a total of 448 types of sound ideal for today’s dance scene, including 40 types of synth bass, 35 types of synth lead, and 33 types of synth pad, 12 different rhytiim sets are also provided Rich array of powerful patterns In addition to 133 high-quality preset patterns for immediate use, 300 variation patterns provide addli- tional variety. You can also store up to 50 user pat= terns that you yourself creat. A sequencer that gives shape to your ideas ‘You can arrange a song in realtime simply by switch ing the playback patterns. During recording, you can even switch the recording Part for non-stop recording. RPS (Realtime Phrase Sequence) ‘Simply by pressing the keyboard pads, you ean play back pre-registered phrases, These phrases can also be played back simultaneously with patterns. Arpeggio function for easy creativity Arpeggios can be played the easy way — simply by pressing the keyboard pads. Arpeggios can be played simultaneously with pattems, and ean also be record function changes the “groove” ‘Three types of quantize are provided: grid, groove, and shuffle. Even.during pattern playback, you can. create a variety of groove feelings simply’ by turning a knob. RTM (Realtime Modify) function for free changes in sound By operating knobs such as Filter, LFO, and ENV, you. ‘can create realtime changes in the sound even while patterns are playing, Knob movements can also be recorded, Easy operation for live performance Functions and operability are especially designed for live performance; you ean mute the playback of spe- ciffe Parts or rhythm instruments, and even transpose pattems in realtime as they play back. Low Boost function for powerful sound The low boost circuit adds emphasis to the low fre- quencies, proviling satisfyingly powerful sound even. through headphones. Copyright © 1996 ROLAND CORTORATION Al rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of ROLAND CORPORATION,SING THE UNIT SAFELY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREVENTION OF FIRE, ELECTRIC SHOCK, OR INJURY TO PERSONS ‘About AX WARNING ond A CAUTION Notices About the Symbols ‘Used for instractions Intends 8 AXWARNING the user to the isk of death or severe other adverse effects caused respect tothe home and. al Furnishings, animals or pets injury. should "the unit be used improperly “ Used for instractons Intended & alert Uke user tothe risk of injury oF materia Mamage should the unit be” used improper A\CAUTION + Material damage refers to damage or bs well to domestic "The A symbol alens the user wo important Instructions orivamings:The specific mening of the sym! Is Setermined hy the sesign contained within the Ih the case the Syinhalaf ff, it sed foe ns, waning, or alerts to dager. The © symbol aleris the user to jem that mat newer toe cared ont ae forbudden) The specif Ung that ‘rust not be dene i indicted by the design coneained feithin the circle Inthe case of the symbol at Tet it won that the unit must sever betisassemble. [The @ symbol alerts the os terial out. The specific thing that must Pr done is cated by the design cman within the cirle. In we case of the symbol at let it meats that the power 0 things that must Be| & cord plug must be unplugged frown the outlet, ALWAYS OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING AXWARNING WARNING + Botore using this unit, make sure to read the instructions below, and the Owner's Manual + Do not open for mosify in any way) the unit oF is AC adaptor + bo not attempt to epair the unit, oF replace posts Within it (except when this manual provides specific instnstions dtwcting you 1 do so}. Refer all ing to your dealer sonnel. ‘oF qualified Roland service per ‘+ Nover use or store the Subject to temp unit in places that are ature extremes ( sunlight in ai enclosed vehicle, near a heating, ‘duct, on top of hest-generating equipment); or are Damp (ex, baths, washrooms, om et Fao + Humid; or * Dusty or are Subject to high fvels of vibration, + This unit should be use only with a oek oF that isrecommended by Roland + When sing the unit with 2 rack oF stand recom- menada by Rola the rack or stand must be caret Ty place soit is level and sare to remain stable. IF not using rack or sland, you stil need ho make ste that any Toeation you choose for placing the unit provises 1 level surface that will properly support the uni And keep it from wobbling, A © 8 8 A 0 +e sure to ue only the AC adaptor spt ith thetnit Ao, make sur the ine welage at the insta Inon mashes the input velinge spoted on the AC ‘captors Body. Oller AC adaptors may use a fer: ent pela ar be desi oft different voll their wse col result in damage, malfunction, a eae trie shock «Aull damaging the power cod Do nat bed It ©) excessively, step mit place heavy objets on it ee damages cord can easy became a shock oe ie haz fant, Never se 4 power con attr it has been dan + This unit ther alone or in combination with an ) Ample and headphones ox speakers, may be capa be of producing sund levels that could cause per manent hearing Ines, Do not operate for 9 lang per fo of time ata igh volume level, or at a level that is uncomfortable 1 you exper mice any hearing loss oF ringing in the ears, you should imavediately stop using the unit and consult an ausliologist + De maa any bcs eg lamable mater, ©) ids of any hind (water, solt dei, ‘te to poneteate the unit—— (= ZAWARNING Deauvion ] + Immediately turn the power off, remove the AC Adaptor from the outlet, and request servicing by your dealer or qualitied Roland service personnel wher + The AC adaptor or the power-supply cor has ben camages: or + Objects have fallen into, oF liquid has been spilled onto the wit; or ‘The unit has been exposed train (or otherese has become wel: * The unit oes not appear to operate normally or exhibits « marked change in performance + In households with small chikdren, an adult should provide supervision unl the child 8 capable off: Towing all the rules essential fr the safe operation of he unit, {+ Protect the unit from strong impact A (Donot drop i) + Bo not fr he units peersuppy cod to share ©) an outlet with an unreasonable number of other levies. Be expecially careful when using extension conde—the al power ase by all devices you have Connected tothe extension cords eutlet must never exceed the power rating (watts amperes) for the ‘extension cord, Excessive leads can cause the insula tion on the cord to. heat up and eventually melt though. + Before using the unit in 9 foreign country, consult with your dealer, or qualified Roland service person el +The unit and the AC adaptor should be Tost so ‘ie location oF position doesnot interese with their proper ventilation, ‘+ Always geosp only the plug oe the body of the AC adaptor when plugging into, oF unplugging from, an ‘outlet or this uit + Whenever the unit is to remain mused! for an extend peri of time, disconnect the AC adaptor + Try to prevent cords entangled. Also all cords and cables should be placed so they are out of the reach of chile ond cables from becoming * Neer cmb on top of nar place heavy bist on ) ‘the unit + Never handle the AC adaptor by, oi pus, G) with wet hands when phigging inte, of unplugging from, an outlet or this un, ee | ) {tall conds coming fam enteral devices + Before cleaning the unit turn of he peer and QB tmp the AC adaptor fom the ute (Quick Str > + Whenever sou suspect he possibity of Hhtning QD in yourarea, disconnect the AC adaptor from the oat le.Features of the MC-30B. Important Notes Front and rear panel Chapter 1. Introducing the MC-303 Hows the MC-308 is organized. The sound source The quencer Chapter 2. Playing back patterns Viewing the number of measures in a pattern, ‘Mating a pattern posing during playback (Realtime Transpose) Correct playback from the midlle of a pattern (MIDI Update) Selecting, pattems from the keyboard pad (Pattern Se). Creating a variation of a pattern (Variation Pattern. ‘Chapter 3. Modifying the sound Playing sounds. Shifting the keyboard in octave units (Octave Shit, Selecting sounds Parameters that change the s Parameters set by operating the knobs. Parameters set by using a menu Using the knobs to change the sonnel in realtime (Realtime Modify) Effects Delay/ Reverb. Flanger/Chorus ‘toting part settings in a pattern (Pattern Setup Write) snd [Part parameters) Chapter, Play back phrases from the keyboard (RPS) Using RPS to play back a phrase stering phrases in an RPS set Chapter 5. Using the arpeggiator Using the arpeggiator Creating an arpeggio playback pattern Selecting the arpeggio style (Axpeggio Style) Accent Rate) Adding expression to the arpegaio Cha ange of the arpeggio (Detave Range) Making detailed settings Sequence ofthe notes inthe chord (Moti) Beat Pattern. Backbeat timing (Shuffle Ratei ing the pitch Chapter 6, Changing the groove of a pattern (Play Quantize) Selecting the Part for Play Quantize. Correcting inaccuracies in rhythm (Grid Quantize) Specifying the resolution, Appling grid quantize Adding, swing tothe rhythm Shattle Quantize) Specity the resolution Applying shutfle quantize Adding fee to the thythm (Groove Quantize “mpl Applying groove quantize Selecting, 2 4 15 6 6 26 38 a0 0__ Chapter 7. Recording a pattern Recorcling your playing as you perform (Realtime Recording) 46 Recording procedute 46 Changing the Recording Part during recording, 48 Recording arpeggios 48 Recorsling knob movements {Modify data) nn) Smoothly recording between Patterns : 4 Erasing unwanted data during recording (Realtime Erase), 49 Recording notes one ata time from the keyboard (St Recording procedure Recoruing nates one by one (Step Recording 1) Recording individual rhythm instruments (Step Recording 2) Individually editing notes that were input (Micro edit) Creating a pattern Recoreling drums and bass using step recording, Recoreling the olher instruments using realtime cording op RECORD) sn 50 Chapter 8. Editing a Pattern (Pattern Fait) Copying a Pattern (Pattern Copy} . : ot Copying a portion of a Pattern (Part Copy) : 6 Erasing unwanted data (Erase) 63 Deleting unwanted measures (Delete Measure) 63 Inserting blank measures (Insert Measure) of Changing key (Transpose) 65 ‘Changing the strength of notes (Change Velocity) 65 Modifying the length of the notes (Change Gate Time). 66 Sliding the tinxing (Shift Clock). : 66 ‘Thinning out unnecessary data (Data Thin} 7 Modify a Pattern aecording to Play Quantize settings (Edit Quantize). 67 ‘Chapter 9. Creating a song Selecting a song 68 Recording a song, “ a Praying hack a song, : 69 Storing modified settings to 9 song (Song Setups Write) es Chapter 10. Editing a song (Song Edi) Copying a song (Song Cop, 7 Deleting unwanted patterns (Delete Pattern) es Inserting a pattern (Insert Pattern) a Chapter 11. System settings ‘Tuning the MC-303 (Tuning), Playing back a song repeatedly (Song Loop) Changing the function of the pedal (Pedal Assign) Synchronization settings (Syne Mode) ‘Transmitting signals for external synchronization (S rnc Out Specifying how the metronome will sound (Metronome) Adjusting the metronome valiume (Metronome Volime) Adjusting the velocity produced when you pressa keyboard pad (Pad Velocity) Viewing the remaining memory space (Available Memory)———— Chapter 12. Using MIDI What is MID? 7 Contiolling the MS-L - 7 Selecting Tones from an external MIDI device 76 fachroniaing an external sequencer to the MC-303, 77 Synchronizing the MC-303 to an extemal Sequencer... 7 Saving data (Bulk Dump). : 8 Using the MC-303 as a sound module a 80 Appendices Troubleshooting, os 82 ror messages st Restoring the factory settings (Factory Preset) : st Tone list. #5 Rhythm set list 90) reset pattern ist. sn 4 Aspeggiv style list, 98 Groove quantize template list x MIDI implementation 01 Topical index 17 Specifications 121 Index iImportant notes tn addition to the items listed under “USING THE UNIT SAFELY” on page 2 please red and observe the Power Supply: Use of Batteries + De not use this uni the same power circu with any device that will generate line noise (sch as an eectic ro arabe lighting system). + The AC adaptor will begin to generate heat after long hours of consecutive use. This is normal, and isnot # cause + Before connecting this unit to other device, turn off the power to all units: This will help prevent malfunctions andor damage to speakers or other devices. Placement + This levice may interfere with radio and television rep. tion, Da no use this device in the vicinity’ of such receivers, Maintenance + For everyday cleaning wipe the unit witha soft, dry cloth for one that has been slightly dampened with water. To femave stubborn dirt, use mild, nonvabrasive detergent Afterwards, be sure 10 eipe the anit thoroughly wth a so + Never use benzene, thinners, alcohol or solvents of any kind, to avoid the possibility of discoloration and/or defor Repairs and Data «Please be aware that all data contained in the it’s em Gry may be let when the uni sent for repairs. Important dita should always be Packed up in another MIDI device (e.g. sequencer, of vetitten dawn on p ble). During repairs, due care is taken 10 avoid the loss of, data. However, in certain cases (sich a8 when circuitry er (whem poss felated to memory itself is out of order), we reget that ‘ay not be posse to restore the data, and Reland assumes no liability concerning sich lossof data, Memory Backup + This unit contin a battery which ponsots the unit's mem ny circuits while the main power sso Wher this batters tacos weak the mage shown btw wil apeaein the sleplay. Once you see this message, have the baltery replaced with afresh one as sim as posible to aod the toss of all data in-memory. To have the battery replaced consult with your desler, or qualified Roland service por sonnel Additional Precautions + Please be aveare that the contents of memory cif ine= trlevably lost as a result of a malfunction, or the imp ‘operation ofthe unit To protect yourself against the risk of loosing important data, we recommend that you perioscl- Iy save backup copy of important data you have stored in the unit's memory in another MIDI device (e.g., sequencer) + Unfortunately, it may be impossible to restore the con tents of data that was stored in the unit's memory once it has buen lost. Roland Coxporation assumes no Tability co cerming sch loss of ata + Use a reasonable amount of eare when wsing the unit's wher controls and sehen using its jacks boutons, side tnd connectors, Rough handling can strike or apply strong pressure to the display. during normal operation, noise may be heard from the display + When connocting / disconnect connector itself—never pull on the eable, This way you will g all cables, grasp the + To avoid dist volume at reasonable le Phones, s0 yout ont 1 your neighbor, try to ep the units Js. You may prefer to use head sf to be concemed about those ‘round you especialy when tis ate at night, + When you need to transport the unit, package it inthe box (including posing) that came in, possi. Ot ‘You will need to use equivalent packaging materialsFront and rear panel Front panel 14:13 1. VOLUME knob Adjust the overall volume (Quick Stat 3) 2. ARPEGGIO (© ACCENT RATE/OCTAVE RANGE knob Adjust the arpey efect (p29 © ARPEGGIO button Switch arpeggiation on/off ip.38) 3, PLAY QUANTIZE @ FiNtING VELOCITY Adjust the depth ofthe Play Quantize eect p84. 45 (© QUANTIZE button / QUANTIZE indian Turn the Play Quantize effect on/off, and select the type of will be used (pA, 4, 45), 4, EFFECT (© TINE/RATE/EPX LEVEL knot Aafust the way’ that ollcts are applic yp 9.33.4) © EFFECT bution Select the type of effect aust by the TIME/RATE/EPY LEVEL knot tp 12 5. REALTIME MODIFY (© REALTIME MODIFY indicator Ths will ight when Realtime Modlfy ison (p29) © RN PAN/PORTAMENTO bustton tise panpot location) of the specified part will shift ran domly (p22. When the FUNC button inlcator is blinking, this button switches Portamento on olf (p23). (© LFO/PORTA TIME (FO portamenta tims) knob Adjust the LFO eos fr each part When the FUNC bution indicator is blinking, this knob adjusts the Portamento Time ofthe specifies Pat (P23) #LObetwn Select the pavameter that sill be adjusted Bt the LEO knob