Roland MC-505

The Roland MC-505 is a groovebox conceived in 1998 as a combination of a MIDI controller, a music sequencer, a drum machine, and a desktop synthesizer with many synthesis features: arpeggiator, oscillators, and voltage-controlled filter, control of attack, decay, sustain and release, different envelopes and 2 Lfo. It was released as the successor to the Roland MC-303 and is a compact version of the Roland JX-305 Groovesynth without the full set of 61 keys. It is also the predecessor to the Roland D2, Roland MC-307, Roland MC-909 and the Roland MC-808.

Roland MC-505 groovebox
Manufacturer	Roland
Dates	1998–2002
Price	£782 UK, $1299 US
Technical specifications
Polyphony	64-note^[1]
Timbrality	8-part^[2] (Including a separate rhythm channel)
Oscillator	Yes
LFO	Yes
Synthesis type	Sample-based synthesis (rompler)
Filter	Yes
Storage memory	512 preset sounds, 26 drum kits
Effects	reverb/delay, chorus/flanger
Input/output
Keyboard	No
External control	MIDI in/out^[1]

Features

The key features of the MC-505 are:

• 64 voice polyphonic digital subtractive synthesis engine (derived from the Roland JV-1080) with 251 different oscillator, acoustic and drum sample waveforms
• 512 built-in preset sounds, 256 user sounds & 26 rhythm sets (includes the Roland CR-78, TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, TR-707 and R-8)
• 8-track MIDI sequencer + Mute Ctrl Track
• Recording length of up to 32 bars per pattern
• 714 preset sequencer patterns, 200 user patterns, 50 user songs
• 3 multi-effect units: Reverb, Delay and 24 different EFXs
• Infrared D-Beam controller for hands-free sound modulation
• MEGAMix function for intuitive realtime mixing of beats and patterns
• 5 volt Smartmedia card slot for doubling user patch and pattern memory

Tribute Album

In 2000 the Grand Royal record label released a compilation album At Home with the Groovebox, where all the artists contributed a track primarily using the Roland MC-505. Artists included Beck, Money Mark, Air, Jean-Jacques Perrey and Pavement. This was considered to be an interesting and well received album.

Notable artists

• Beck
• Chicks on Speed
• Cibo Matto
• Duo 505
• Eric Prydz
• Freddy Fresh
• Gustavo Cerati
• James McNally (Afro Celts)^[3]
• Kirlian Camera
• Lasgo
• The Legendary Pink Dots
• M.I.A.
• New Order
• Peaches
• Radiohead
• Rambo Amadeus
• Skinny Puppy
• Sean Lennon
• Grace Ives^[4]
• Juan Atkins
• I-F
• The Prodigy

References

1. "Groove is in the art". Future Music. No. 68. Future Publishing. April 1998. p. 21. ISSN 0967-0378. OCLC 1032779031.
2. . Sound On Sound. April 1998. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
3. White, Paul (February 2004). "Afro Celts". Sound on Sound. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
4. "Grace Ives' Hot Mess Anthems". Pitchfork. 16 June 2022.

External links

MC-505 PDF Manual Links:

• Online Roland MC-505 PDF Owners Manual Location
• Roland MC-505 Service Notes Manual Schematics

Other Links:

• Roland US Corporation, MC-505 site and files.
• Roland MC-505's discussion Group Forum, at Yahoo! Groups
• Roland MC-505 FAQ v.1.041
• Sound on Sound review
• "Roland MC505 - next up from the mc303 comes the 505 - same thing, more power". - (Dancetech.com "A London, UK Independent Product Reviews site". - Date: March 16, 2000)
• At Home With the Groovebox - Compilation of artists using only the MC-505 featuring Beck, Air, Sonic Youth, Pavement, Jean Jacques Perrey, Gershon Kingsley, Cibo Matto, Sean Lennon and others. Released in 2000 by Grand Royal.