Vintage Synth Explorer

Roland • MKS-50

The MKS-50 is a rack-mount version of the Alpha Juno. It has the same synth engine and architecture, with some added features like 16 programmable chord memories, the ability to store velocity, volume, panning, de-tune, portamento and other similar parameters within each patch you create. The optional and highly recommended PG-300 will give you traditional slider type control of all editable tone parameters which include DCO (digitally controlled oscillators) LFO, bend, ENV, pulse, waveforms, noise, PW/PWM, high pass filter, VCF filter with freq/env/res/LFO/kybd, VCA envelope, chorus, and more.

Its sound is not quite as warm as the previous Juno's but it's still a nice addition to any techno synth rig. Other features include better MIDI implementation than previous Roland synths, a nice LCD display, an LFO capable of a very slow rate for some cool sweeping effects, and a great bass sound (especially nice for acid basslines) and noise effects! It is used by Überzone, Astral Projection, Fluke, Future Sound of London, Pet Shop Boys, and Vince Clarke.

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Posting Rules: Please keep your comments relevant! Do not post requests for help, do not use for sales, do not post unless you have something interesting to say about this instrument, or we may delete your post.

 

oli

Posted 8 days ago

I've had mine for a few weeks. Just been playing with the PG300EMU. Soft editor is pretty good.
Can do nice Juno string pads. Not sensational, but good, musical, useful, and reasonably warm soundning. Some leads can be quite fun too.
FIlter is not bad, but also not sensational. I prefer the Juno 106 filter. Not sure if the circuit is very different, but sweeping the MKS-50 filter via MIDI CC can be a bit steppy. Unfortunately, I think on-board controls are still preferable.
I paid $US180. I think at $150 to $200 it is appropriately priced. I'm happy to have it in my rack.

thomas

Posted 63 days ago

I got mine some weeks ago. I control it with sound diver.

If you're into the genuine roland sound, go for it. If you like the Drexcyia, Dopplereffekt thing... you will like it a lot.

I managed to coax nice unison sounds from it. I set it so that every voice uses it's own channel and I use the pitch wheel(s) to detune the voices. I need the daw's sequencer to do that however. lol it's a bit of a pain in the butt but it works and sounds soooo good.

Not ''powerful'' in technical terms but it's sound sends shivers down my spine so I can't ask more for the 185 bucks I paid for it. Kind of like the Korg Poly 800. It should be added in the the ''related & alternatives'' list. Definately.

KrZ

Posted 73 days ago

I have hade one for ages. it was my first synth. Maybe it is the the interface, the DCOs or the coarse steps in the envelopes but I have never really gotten much out of it. Not saying it is bad, but potential buyers should try it and tweak it cause it is not so very flexible(atleast not in my hands).

Michael

Posted 109 days ago

Hi,

If you own this synth and a Mackie Control C4 or C4 Pro control surface, I am proposing Layouts (.c4i and .c4l files for C4 Commander software) that will allow you to access all synth parameters in an intuitive and user friendly way.

For additional information, please go to:

http://mapage.noos.fr/michael.rosner/ C4DESIGN/index.html

Enjoy the music!

jonny

Posted 160 days ago

This is easily one of my favorite sounding synths ive ever owned. i catch myself trying to recreate patches i made with it. It does sound dated and was a bit overused by early techno artists (lords of acid-lust) but once you own one you really cant blame them. damn does it sound phat! i sold mine off for cheap due to a bad chip but i still miss it so.

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