Roland MC-202 MicroComposer
This is an analog synthesizer/sequencer. It sounds very much like the TB-303 and SH-101 bass synths. Sometimes considered the "poor man's 303". It has a very evolved form of TB-303 like programming (more like the MC-4) and SH-101 like controls of the VCO, VCF, VCA, LFO, Envelope and Mixer sections. The LCD display is a great feature too.
The MC-202 was sort of a next-generation TB-303. So the idea was to program sequence/patterns into it internally which would give you those 303 basslines that we've come to love. But programming the MC-202 is a bit too intense and over done for the simple monophonic bass line. However you can control it externally by hooking up a MID-CV/Gate converter. Then you basically have yourself an SH-101!
The sequencer is actually a 2-channel CV/gate sequencer, with both channels being capable of driving a separate external synth. It's a very useful unit, also, for its DINsync capabilities; it can receive on one port, and send over two, and also can 'split' DINsync to branch a sync signal out to multiple devices.
This machine is best for those who want to get 303-like patterns (it has accent just like the 303) and basslines with an SH-101 sound. If you can handle programming the notes into its sequencer you can have a lot of fun. It is used by Autechre, Future Sound Of London, Coldcut, The Human League, Underworld, Aphex Twin, LFO, Jedi Knights, Plastikman, Astral Projection, Sabres Of Paradise, Freddy Fresh, Jimmy Edgar, ProtoType 909 and Taylor 808.
- Demos & Media
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Video 1 - Roland MC-202 Vintage Synthesizer Overview
Video 2 - modified 202 acting as a 303 ACIDAudio Clip 1 - Two cool MC-202 bass synth loops taken from the Future Music CD, Issue 76.
Manual - Roland has made manuals for most of their products available as free PDF downloads.
Patch File - This is a text file outlining the settings for an Acid Patch on the Roland MC-202. Courtesy of Music Machines.
- Specifications
- Polyphony - Monophonic
- Oscillators - Single VCO : Simultaneous sawtooth and square/pulse width waveforms and 1 Sub-Oscillator
- VCA - ADSR Envelope or gate.
- Filter - Resonant 24dB lowpass with cutoff, res, env, mod, kybd
- LFO - 1 sine wave with delay and rate controls
- Memory - Volatile sequence memory using batteries or do a Cassette Tape Dump
- Sequencer - 2 Tracks, 2,729 notes capacity
- Control - CV/GATE and Tape/Clock/DIN Sync
- Date Produced - 1983
- Websites of Interest
- Resources & Credits
Images from Perfect Circuit Audio.
Additional information provided by DAC Crowell.
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I have done them to mine, brilliant. Except i left out vca as it hardly does anything. I made a change to the MOD CV it so it effects both the filter and pitch, you just do the mod as shown then cut the trace to the pitch mod slider, then put a jumper to it from the filter mod slider.
The extra outs on cykorng are cool but not needed.
But massively recommend doing the subatomic mods, especially his version of the accent mod.
Check out MC202 Hack to load sequences from midi into tape input.
I've compared this side-by-side with a 101. On the 202 the envelopes seem slightly faster and the filter/resonance sounds a harsher at the top and more mellow at the bottom. You can get some surprisingly mellow lead sounds from it. Plus it will overdrive more than the 101.
Almost essential to get the CV/Gate kit from Kenton as it's useless trying to sequence it otherwise. I don't use the on-board programming as it now works perfectly with the CV mod and a MIDI/CV converter.