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Ok Microflip, here's your explanation on why the MC-303 kicks ass. Lets start off by stating that this unit is probably something I would reccommend to someone who has fooled around with computer music sequencing and soft-synths for a while, and needs a starter unit that will teach them most of the stuff they need to know about hardware sequncing, sound synthesis, drum grid programming and simple DSP effect processing. Let's start with the sequencer. Ok, so it's memory is limited, but you can get around that by not programming too many control or pitch bend changes, use the LFO for those things, or better yet, do it in real time. You can program your sequences in step or in real time, and you can program your patterns in 2/4 3/4 and 4/4. The sequencer is fairly solid in the newest version, and mine, though it was a v1 never crashed when I used it live. On to the drum section. Fairly standard roland kits. Good stuff for simple dance music type stuff, and maybe techstep (though prolly not), the drum sequncing is very good, and works in a drum grid while you play mode, which means you will hear the changes you make to the beat as you make them. This makes learning how to program beats a lot easier, it's also great if you get a simple phrase sampler and program sequences of sampled drums from the MC-303. The arpeggiator, without a doubt, is one of the best there is out there for this price range, and I know people who have hesitated to sell this unit for that reason alone. The synth section, though it is sample based is much more versatile than many people think. You have 1 LFO for each voice, unfortunately not midi syncable, which can be set to random, square, or sawtooth waveforms, and can be assigned to any one or any combination of amplitude amount, filter cutoff frequency, or pitch (this can be manipulated while a sequence is playing). You have one 24db low pass filter for each voice, which on some voices does self resonate a bit, not as much as real analog, but its a half decent emulation of such (this can also be manipulated in playback). You have an ADSR envelope for each voice and it too can be manipulated during playback. There are a few other things about this unit that I loved, and I knew the box inside out. I think most of you who speak of its limitations really didn't learn how to use it well, or were just expecting something different, because for what it is and what it's supposed to do, it's a great frickin box (easy to transport too).
Peaceout,
http://www.mp3.com/caspar
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