Roland MC-4: The 1981 Music Computer

A look at the Roland MicroComposer / MC-4 from 1981. In 1977 Roland introduced the first ever microprocessor controlled digital sequencer, which was the MC-8 designed by Ralph Dyck. The MC-4 was the successor and was one of Roland's few CV/Gate digital sequencers before they moved over to MIDI shortly after. Both when it was new and many years after it was seemingly obsolete, numerous artists swore by it and they're now sought after. In the video we explore why. With thanks to Pea Hicks for the MC-8 footage and images. 0:00 Intro Jam 0:41 Origin of the MC series 2:54 Interlude 3:31 Demonstration of how it works 10:20 The end result 10:47 Summary of the experience 12:09 Others ways to program 13:16 Experiments & explorations 19:03 MC-4b etc 19:39 Who used it, when and why? Links: MC-8 History: https://rolandmc8.wordpress.com/ Vince Clarke MC-4: http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/vince-clarke/7547 YMO MC-4: https://youtu.be/wgkj7-VCmEw Chris Carter: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/roland-mc8 Landscape MC-4: http://www.muzines.co.uk/articles/burgeoning-burgess/3439 Thomas Dolby MC-4: https://fb.watch/beBq4hp7W5/ Hard Corps MC-4: https://youtu.be/swKs2TsuIw0 Toto MC-4: https://www.musicradar.com/news/toto-rosanna-synth-solo AFX (Richard D James) MC-4: https://youtu.be/t3Qx4Yg96Ao Roland's latest MC units: https://www.roland.com/uk/products/mc-707/ https://www.roland.com/uk/products/mc-101/