Roland MC-4 Microcomposer

Information

The MC-4 features an output patchbay on the right side of the control panel, using 3.5mm patch cords to connect to synthesizers. Four channels of outputs are provided: CV-1, CV-2, Gate, and MPX (multiplex), allowing control of four separate synthesizers. To the left of the patchbay are two switches and a control knob; the knob adjusts tempo, one switch enables cycle mode for continuous repetition of a sequence, and the other controls sync. The MC-4 can synchronize with other Roland equipment such as drum machines or another MC-4, enabling eight channels of sequencing.

At the center of the panel is a numeric keypad with an enter button. To its right are two blue keys for moving forward or backward through a programmed sequence, and below them a blue button to indicate completion of a single measure. On the left of the keypad are six editing buttons: insert, delete, copy-transpose, repeat, and two for moving the cursor left and right. Programming involves entering numerical values for notes—Middle C is assigned the value 24, with higher and lower notes correspondingly numbered—though this value is relative to the synthesizer's settings.

Step time values, set against a time base (typically 120, where a quarter note equals 120), determine intervals between pitches. Gate time controls the sounded duration, affecting phrasing such as legato or staccato. The MC-4 can also record live playing from a monophonic keyboard.

Roland MC-4 additional options

Several optional accessories expanded the MC-4's capabilities. The Roland MTR-100 was a digital cassette recorder for storing sequence programs, offering faster data transfer than standard audio cassettes; it required the OM-4 memory upgrade, which converted an MC-4 into an MC-4B. The OP-8 provided a CV/DCB interface, and the OP-8M a CV/MIDI interface. Roland endorsed TEAC Computer Tape CT-300, Maxell Data Cassette Tape CT-300, or M-90 for use with the MTR-100.

Notable users

Notable users of the MC-4 include Aphex Twin, The Cars, Suzanne Ciani, Vince Clarke, Depeche Mode, Devo, Rusty Egan, Fad Gadget, Die Form, John Foxx, Front 242, Heaven 17, The Human League, Kontour, Kraftwerk, Landscape, Adrian Lee, Daniel Miller, Giorgio Moroder, Masato Nakamura, Rational Youth, Martin Rushent, Tears for Fears, Isao Tomita, Toto, Wang Chung, and Yellow Magic Orchestra. Vince Clarke began using the MC-4 on Yazoo's debut album Upstairs at Eric's in 1982.

He later returned to it for Erasure's album Chorus in 1991, believing CV timing was tighter than MIDI, which he felt suffered from data bottlenecks. The MC-4's inability to program chords and its four-channel limit shaped the album's sound. For the subsequent tour, Clarke used an MC-4 as the main sequencer controlling a Minimoog, Roland Juno 60, Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Oberheim Xpander, and Roland Jupiter-8, synced to an Akai MPC60II for drums.

Eight MC-4 units were obtained as backups but were not needed; before the tour, chips were soldered directly to circuit boards for reliability. Clarke described the MC-4 as a pig to program but well worth it.

Did You Know?

• In 2011, Defective Records Software released MC-4 Hack, a computer application that programs the MC-4 via audio routed into its cassette input port.