Roland MC101 vs. MC707 // Review, pros & cons (MC-101 vs MC-707)

Hello , does 707 has drum synthrsis engine ?

Had to replay - thank you!

A differenc: audio in on the 707? I only have the 01, I don’t know if it’s the case. Thanks for incredible videos !

Wow, Roland went prehistoric in their sample editing to 1985 where you don't see the wav and just see numbers like on the old SP12's. Too many compromises, but the price is over $500, for a little over that you could get a superior in every was MPC one, with a real screen. Roland is just all over the place. MC-101 shouldn't exist, the MC-707 is good but it should be about $600 new. Just greed.

Considering the upgrade to the 707, i love doing everything on the 101. But when introducing samples its a pain to edit. Also even though you chop them up beforehand, I always find myself needing to adjust them on the MC101. Just more buttons and more tracks seems very nice as well.

I'd love the 707 but the 101 will do nicely gonna get one soon

101 is short 707 is longevity.. for some reason I think the knobs are very cheasy.

Good news - Roland keeps adding additional functionality to both models including sound design for the 101

hello, cool .. mc 101 have to stop for loading a new project, ok for one song but not for live act.. strange for modern machine.. ;) best vibes

Thank you, excellent video. Question if I may, I am looking for an equivalent to Yamaha QY100, which suited me in the day but after a very very long gap, want to start ‘tinkering’ again because it fascinates me, would this give me that or any suggestions, please?

Quick question if I may: can I use the 101 to sequence external synths via midi? I used to do that with the original Circuit but it felt a bit cumbersome as I had to mute the internal synths. Thank you!

Great video as always. I owned the 101 for about 6 months. It serves as an excellent source for the immediacy of traditional "bread and butter" synth and instrument-like sounds, though the menu-diving could be a bit fiddly at times. This is why I ended up selling it. That said, I am actually coming to regret my decision as I took for granted, the easy functionality of its SH 101 style step sequencing, live scatter and performance effects and precise automation recording capabilities. Save the 707, it's difficult to find another groovebox that can do all of the things it can do. Contemplating buying it again, but might hold out for Roland to come out with another new version (besides the SH 4D). I will be checking your page weekly for all possibilities! Thanks Loopop.

MC101 could have been a great choice as a MIDI syncable looper - but oops no audio input. I just love how Roland messes up everything. Why did I even bother looking into this knowing it's Roland?

These two boxes really need the same software editor love that the TR-8s and 6s got. So frustrating. Please, Roland!

So MC-101 with a good external Midi controller seems to be the way to go, also budget-wise...

hello, i have had mine for a few days. the instrument is simple but has a lot of options and menus.... track one is relegated to drums by default. Can I change this and, for example, make four tone tracks or does the first one always remain for drums?

So the 101 doesn't work on Mac?

My 707 is on it's way and I'm counting the minutes until it arrives. Thanks for a great video kind sir.

Lol, I had the same screen from the 101 in my Roland D10. 😂

Can you save a project on the 707 and load it on the 101?

Nice the Roland is continuing to provide firmware updates to this product line.
I think the latest update, gives expanded synth editing access, to the 101.
And usb class compliance.
Further blurring the distinction between the two.

Absolute Class. Fantastic review and comparison. Thank you Loopop

Hi Loopop, You do such a great work with all your videos! ...I just wonder if you can play simultaneous loops (from several pads) in a single Loop Track in the Mc-101. I just can´t find that info. Thank you!

Thank you for the video

I wonder if I can connect to a Roland Mc101 via Midi in a Boss Rc loop station (like rc500 or rc5) in order to send a loop of guitar to the Roland and then can I run this guitar loop in a clip..

Can you save and recall step sequences/patterns separately from saving entire projects?

Always what I need to know mane!

Krakatoa lawn mower loopop that's a great review ! I have a question for you - i'm just about to acquire my first groovebox to have some fun with ( i'm not a musician ) in preference to a synth for synthplicity ( sic ) and the Roland looks the bees knees to me so would i be better to go for the MC707 initially and grow in to it,since cost is not a consideration ? If i go MC101 first and then want to progress later i then have to make a second purchase in the future so what thinks thee.I gather the MC101 is more about portability and creating music on the go but i probably wouldn't do that anyway if that helps ? Or perhaps you could suggest an alternative path to start my creative journey bearing in mind i'm 68 and time may be of the essence !Later....came across your review of the Korg Wavestate and it does sound good and i think i've added it to my list.

Hi Looppop, does the 101 recognise velocity data from and external MIDI keyboard. I downloaded the 101 MIDI implementation chart and under velocity it only indicates note on and note off info - not a value between 0 and 127.

Bought a mc101 ..Anderson’s had a demo shop model got it for £250 and it looked new.
Brilliant piece of gear..amazed how small and light it is and it can run off a power bank !
I used too use a Roland xp30 and a few other synths when doing rehearsals but I now just use a aKai advance 49 and the mc101 it gives me all the sounds I need in a small lightweight package

Can I MIDI my MPC Live pads to the MC-101 so that I can have velocity sensitive pads to use with the MC-101?

How do you use them together? I was hoping to use the 101, as an extra 12 tracks and potential automation of scenes. Also using 101, as a mix down device. I welcome anyone’s thoughts.

Had me at Harmonizer and Ratchet!! Oh wait! At scatter too lol! MC 101 seems like a affordable sampler groove box compromise for this starving musician.

Can you chop samples?

thanks. .. are the scenes and clips just arranging the same 4 tracks (101) and 8 tracks (707) of pattern data? Or are the clips and scenes / patterns able to contain different tones, so a song can have more sounds than the 4 and 8 respectively?

Are you able to play all four tracks via MIDI IN at once? I'm looking for a portable "sound module" that can also stand on its own. And if that's possible, can you play via MIDI IN even while the tracks are playing from the internal sequence?

What do you mean by "Pads: 16 vs 8"? One has 16 pads and the other has two sets of 16 pads. What is "8" referring to?

Hi, I'm having trouble finding out if this can be used directly as a midi sequencer/composer with other gear/synths? From what I gather this can be a glorified MC500? I don't have much use for the synth engine/ drum machine capabilities.

This was really well done and informative thank you!!!

Waiting for a competent review of the MV1

The best explanation of something in my life :-) THX a lot for this. I am just struggle between 707 and Verselab and THX to this review 707 is my choice. Looong live the King ;-)

Instead of thinking that the 101 is the smaller version of the 707, I now think that the 707 is the bigger version of the 101. Roland has to step it up if the 707 is going to be twice the price of the 101.

edit: thank you for the video!

Hello, let me say this, My Guru On Instruments Field,
I can not find the information about compatibility of two mentioned above. Maybe you can help me. My question leeds to problem as follows:
Is it possible to store a project in one and load into another (f. ex. can I load project from 707 onto 101 loosing tracks 5 to 8, or project from 101 onto 707 having tracks 5 to 8 empty)?
I wish you the same quality of your films in next 2021 Year (better no one in my opinioncan be :)))) ) RGDS

Are the letters on the 101 screen bigger? For my old eyes that matters! LOL. DID THEY GET THE MAC OR IOS ISSUE UPDATED?

Just curious if the Jupiter XM patches for classic Jupiter, Juno etc... are all in the mc101 as well

first of all thanks for ur god-tier reviews. so i own a TR-8S and am very happy with it, only thing i am missing is a proper synth and a convenient way to play voice samples. do you think the mc-707 or even the 101 can do this job ?

Can you add swing grooves and/or get the beats off the grid or make them wonky?

Great video. It would be nice to see a video that explains midi capabilities with this. I could see one of these devices, especially the smaller ones, being useful in a band setting, with drums like the Roland SPD 8 series. Also would like to know if I can send CC messages through an iPad to one of these devices.