Roland MC-101 vs. MC-707

The latest loopop video is a head-to-head comparison of the new Roland MC-707 and its budget alternative, the MC-101.

Video Summary:

In this video, I compare the Roland MC-101 to the MC-707, as well as give context to other instruments in the category: standalone hardware grooveboxes – meaning machines that let you create multitrack musical performances with drums, synth sounds and even looped clips.

Both the MC-101 and the MC-707 have the same core sound engine with around 3600 synth presets and over 600 drum samples and dozens of kits, but the 101 gives you more limited access to changing that sound engine’s parameters and creating your own presets. Other than that, a surprising number of features are equally accessible on both instruments.

Topics covered:

0:00 Intro
1:00 Tracks
2:30 Controls
4:55 Pads: 16 vs 8
5:55 Velocity
6:30 Screens
7:05 Portability
7:20 Connectivity
8:45 Mutual params
9:45 Effects
11:00 Clip params
11:35 Seq params
12:35 Sound design
16:10 Clip & scenes
19:20 Looping
20:35 Timestretch
21:05 Sample edit
21:35 Scatter
22:15 Chord & misc
22:55 Pros & cons

9 thoughts on “Roland MC-101 vs. MC-707

  1. i think the best comparison would be mc-101 vs. model: samples. i think 6 tracks + elektron sequencing for $50 less would win out, but the mc-101 might have some cool tricks up its sleeve too.

    1. No, not with a crippled synth engine. There are lower priced alternatives with a lot more control, like the Circuit, for example, or the Electribes. It’s almost like mini-rompler, which can be fun, but not for $500.

  2. Lack of outputs for mixers makes these toys to me. It is a shame they have great gear but with no serious audio outs.Over USB keeps everything in computer land.

  3. Agreed, compared to what the competition offers, the MC101 is a LOT of money. $299 would be a better price point, $500 is just over the top for its capabilities.

  4. The MC-707 compared to the MC-808 that I still use has only 8 tracks instead of 16 and no motorized sliders, all which gives less live performance control. The MC-707 display is from the stone age. The MC-101 that I returned to seller offers less bang compared to what any Korg Electribe can offer for half of the bucks. The only plus of the MC-101 & 707 is the poly capability per track. The factory sounds or samples of the Roland MC-101 & 707 are as impressive as their 505 & 808. The only difference is that they’ve added fx to those and I wonder why cuz there’s onboard fx controls. So I happily keep my MC-808. If Roland would cut the price tag in less than half then I might consider a 707. My second mint MC-808 I got for 330 USD recently, so why should I pay 990 USD for an MC-707 that would give me 3 x MC-808?

  5. $500,- is not so much money for a MC101. Actually VERY cheap.
    I consider buying one only because of the sound engine and the 3500+ legendary Roland sounds.
    I checked the sound banks (7+) and they are exactly and completely taken from some legendary Roland gear: XV5050, Newest Fantom (with all the Jupiter and Juno emulations), Fantom G, AX keytar and JV880. So by buying this, you ‘ll get all those in the house.
    Good luck buying a circuit (I have one, the Rhythm) but this is totally different stuff.
    It’s 35 years of sound development in one case.
    Don’t mind the number of tracks or some artifacts.
    If you want to be a producer you should have more than one sound source or sequencer.
    No pandora’s box in music.

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