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Roland MC202 w/MC2oh2 Hi Res CPU, 2oh2 External Controller & More - $2,800
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Excellent condition Roland MC-202 with MC-2oh2 Hi Res CPU Upgrade.
Includes:
Brand new Tubbutec MC-2oh2 External Controller;
MC-2oh2 overlay for updated functions;
Original Box, Data Cassette, Roland Carry Bag, Owner’s Manual, Original CPU & components removed for the CPU Upgrade, and the Original LCD/Button Board;
Compatible power supply.
Will ship UPS insured (insurance is for purchase price only - sales tax not included).
From Tubbutec’s website:
Introduction
MC-2oh2 is an upgrade and feature extension for the Roland MC-202 synthesizer / composer.
It replaces the original CPU, keyboard PCB and display of an MC-202.
MC-2oh2 introduces a completely new control scheme for MC-202 synthesizers.
The sound however stays the same and many additional features are added.
Features
Optimized for live performance, turns your 202 into a ‘groove box’.
Three completely independent synthesizer control channels:
The internal synth, the 2nd CV/gate output and a 3rd MIDI out or DRUM channel. Each channel has its own clock divider and MIDI input and output.
Can be clocked via MIDI, DIN-sync or trigger using the TAPE-input. Internal Swing generator
Versatile sequencer with 32 patterns, chainable in song mode, edit patterns and songs while playing, shortcuts for quick live arrangement. Seven sequencer play directions. Per-step probability of gate and modifiers.
Sequence editor with copy, paste, insert and delete options, can modify note pitch, length and note-modifiers on the fly
Per-step probability for gates and modifiers
Arpeggiator with multiple octaves, seven direction modes including ‘order of key press’. Can inherit the ‘chemistry’ of existing sequences, optional euclidian mode and live shortcuts.
Sequence recorder: Can record key presses or Arp output. With overdub mode and quick setup
Additional modulations: Accent, Filter and PW envelopes
Additional noise sound with envelope.
8-bit LOFI drum sample output with various sound modifiers, sample packs can be uploaded via MIDI
Save and recall up to 8 sets containing sequencer and modulation parameters. No batteries needed
MIDI CC control of all additional parameters, filter cutoff, pulse width, clock dividers and more.
Midi velocity can be linked to various sound parameters.
Various CV-input modes including a ‘direct’ mode.
Optional HiRes version of MC-2oh2 allows pitch bend control and microtonal tunings.
High quality OLED display
Firmware update via MIDI sysex
A detailed guide and list of all features can be found in the user guide.
Some features in more detailMultiple channels
MC-2oh2 features a layered architecture with three completely independent synthesizer channels:
Channel 1, the internal synthesizer
Channel 2, the “external” synthesizer
Channel 3, used for drum sounds or for an additional external midi synthesizer
At any moment, you can switch to a different channel shown on the display and tweak settings of that particular channel. The other channels will continue to function – the arpeggiator or sequencer keeps running and it is still possible to play other channels via midi.
Note properties
In the MC-2oh2 each note has a pitch, one of 5 possible lengths (including rest) and one or more of the following modifiers that further manipulate the sound:
Accent: Triggers the MC-202 accent envelope
Filter Accent: Triggers the MC-202 or additional MC-2oh2 accent envelope
Portamento: Triggers portamento
Noise: Triggers the noise sound with its own envelope
Sequencer
MC-2oh2 features a pattern based step sequencer with 32 patterns that can be chained to a song. The sequencer is optimized for live performance: You can change the playing pattern, edit a pattern, program a song and much more while playing without losing sync.
The pattern editor allows you to modify, copy, paste or move notes and their modifiers
There is also per-step probability control of the gate and modifiers (accent, filter accent, portamento and noise) of each note.
There are four different probability levels you can set, two of which are adjustable globally.
When playing a pattern, the probability will be taken into account:
A note with a gate probability of 33% for example, will only play a third of the time on average.
Arpeggiator
A powerful arpeggiator with seven directions and multiple octaves.
The directions include a mode which plays the notes in the order they are pressed. This allows you to program little sequences on the fly.
The arp can inherit the note properties (length, modifiers, etc) of patterns, which allows dynamic and rhythmic arp sequences.
The arpeggiator also has an euclidian mode (Euclidiator) that enables further rhytmic structures.
Recording
MC-2oh2’s recording feature can record from the keyboard or the output of the arp. You can set it up to record into a new pattern with adjustable length, or into an existing pattern. An optional overdub feature allows corrections and ever-evolving patterns.
At any time of the recording process, it is possible to switch into the pattern editor and modify the recorded pattern. Afterwards you can continue with the recording without having to stop the sequencer. This is perfect for playing and composing live and a lot of fun!
Modulations
Many additional modulation sources for filter and pulse width are available. These are controllable via the config menu and MIDI CC:
Filter accent: Triggers when a note has only filter accent, adjustable amount, attack and decay
Filter ADSR: An additional filter envelope with delay, looping and invert functioniality
Filter LFO: An additional filter LFO with multiple waveform, frequency between 0.1Hz and 1Khz, syncable to clock, lfo delay and reset functionality.
Pulse width ADSR: An additional filter envelope with delay, looping and invert functioniality
Pulse width: An additional filter LFO with multiple waveform, frequency between 0.1Hz and 1Khz, syncable to clock, lfo delay and reset functionality.
Drums and Samples
The 3rd channel can be used to program and play LO-FI drum and other samples.There is audio output via Tape-OUT jack or the internal speaker. The samples can be uploaded via MIDI sysex.
Note that the sample feature is fun, but limited. Only one sample can be played at a time, samples are of low quality and there is only a limited number of ways to modify the samples. Use this feature or don’t, just don’t expect a full high quality sampling engine 😉
Samples can be modified using Accent, reverse, double speed or half speed modifiers.
Download sample packs
Noise
Compared to other classic synths the MC-202 was always lacking a noise waveform – until now. With each note you can trigger a noise sound with a custom envelope – or turn noise on forever. Noise is mixed with the other existing waveforms (saw, rect and sub) and goes through the filter. You can also adjust the noise sampling rate, ranging all the way from pure white noise to crunchy LOFI bubbling.
MIDI control
MC-2oh2 features MIDI in and output using the existing DIN-sync sockets on the back. The sockets keep functioning as DIN-sync as well.
Each of the thee channels can be controlled via midi and each channel has its own midi output sending sequences and arpeggios. There is also an additional ‘keyboard’ channel that allows you to play other midi gear via the MC-2oh2 keyboard.
Filter cutoff, pulsewith and all of the additional parameters and modulations can be controlled via midi CC. Midi velocity of incoming notes can be linked to filter cutoff, envelope parameters, accent and more.
Sets
Sequencer data, as well as additional modulation parameters can be saved as a set. Up to eight sets can be saved in MC-2oh2 and can be recalled easily.
Sets can also be transferred using MIDI sysex to be stored or manipulated outside the MC-2oh2.
Defective Records have created MC-2oh2-Hack – a software for PC and MAC that uses these features and let’s you edit MC-2oh2 sequences, modulation parameters and allows sample upload.