Yoonchi's Roland MC-303 Page

Since the well-known MC-303 page at Planet MC-303 is most of the time down, I've decided to upload this page.
It was becoming kinda annoying to not have all the MC-303 functions online, so I made up my own page, with the information I found on the Planet MC-303 and the rolandus site.
I've more or less used the same form as the Planet MC-303, but adjusted things to my liking.
Have fun!
Syntax
For a fast explanation of the MC-303 functions, I will use the following symbols:
'A'+'B' means you should hold down 'A' and press 'B'.
A specific keyboard pad to be pressed is indicated as '1'-'16'.
The SELECT '<' '>', 'PLAY MODE' and 'QUANTIZE' buttons have two or more indicators associated with each button.
If a button is to be pressed to make a specific indicator light, the name of the indicator will be given.
The following symbols printed beside a button name indicate the status of the button indicator.
Press the listed button to switch the indicator to the specified status:
O: lit
*: blinking
#: dark

Listening to the demo

Listen to the demo: 'SHIFT'+'PLAY MODE' then 'PLAY'.
Stop the demo song: 'STOP'.
Leave the demo mode: 'EXIT'.

Pattern

Select a pattern mode: 'PLAY MODE' (PATTERN).
Select a pattern: SELECT '<''>'(PTN/SONG) then VALUE dial ('SHIFT'+VALUE dail).
Playback: 'PLAY'.
Stop: 'STOP'.
Fast-forward: 'FWD'.
Move to end of pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FWD'.
Rewind: 'BWD'.
Move to beginning of pattern: 'SHIFT'+'BWD'.
Change tempo: SELECT '<'(TEMPO) then VALUE dail('SHIFT'+VALUE dail).
Change tempo alternative: press 'TAP' three or more times.
Display the number of measures in a pattern: hold down 'SCALE/MEASURE'.
Mute a part: 'PART MUTE' O then 'PART'.
Mute a rhythm instrument: 'RHYTHM MUTE' O then the 'PART' for the rhythm instrument to be muted.
Transpose during playback: 'REALTIME TRANSPOSE'.
Specify the amount of transposition: 'REALTIME TRANSPOSE' then VALUE dial.
Play back correctly from the middle of a pattern: 'SHIFT'+'STOP'.
The MC-303 contains 133 preset patterns with 300 variations. In addition, it includes 50 user patterns. Use the following procedure to play these patterns:
Press 'PLAY MODE' to make the PATTERN indicator light (lower left corner display).
Use the SELECT buttons to make the PTN/SONG indicator light.
Use the VALUE dail to select a pattern. Hold 'SHIFT' and rotate the VALUE dail to change pattern in increments of ten.
Press 'PLAY'. Rotate the VALUE dail to select a new pattern. The new Pattern number will appear under NEXT in the displayand will play after the current Pattern finishing.
You can adjust the tempo of the Pattern by pressing TAP three times at the desired tempo.
Press 'STOP' to end playback.
Recording a Pattern:
Select a User pattern (u01-u50). Refer to Playing Patterns.
Press 'REC'. The indicator will blink.
Press the desired 'PART R 1-7' button to record.
Press 'PLAY'. Recording will begin after the selected Count-In measure(s).
Press 'STOP' when finished.
While recording, you can erase previously played data: Hold 'SHIFT' and press 'ERASE' te enter Erase Mode (Ers).
Hold the Keyboard Pad that corresponds to the note/instrument you wish to erase (hold 'REC' to erase all notes/instruments).

Pattern Sets

Select a pattern set: SELECT '<''>'(PTN SET) then VALUE dail ('SHIFT'+VALUE dail).
Select a pattern set alternative: 'PTN SET' then OCTAVE '-''+'.
Select a pattern from a pattern set: 'PTN SET' then keyboard pad.
Register a pattern in a pattern set: 'PTN SET' then keyboard pad.
Register a variation pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'13' then VALUE dial then 'ENTER'.

Pattern Editing

Copy an entire pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'1'.
Copy part of a pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'2'.
Erase unwanted data: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'3'.
Delete unwanted measures: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'4'.
Insert blank measures: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'5'.
Transpose: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'6'.
Change note velocity: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'7'.
Change note length: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'8'.
Fine adjustments in timing: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'9'.
Thin out unnecessary data: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'10'.
Modify a pattern according to the play quantize settings: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'11'.

Song

Select song mode: 'PLAY MODE'(SONG).
Select a song: SELECT '<''>'(PTN/SONG) then VALUE dail.
Playback: 'PLAY'.
Stop: 'STOP'.
Fast-forward: 'FWD'.
Move to end of song: 'SHIFT'+'FWD'.
Rewind: 'BWD'.
Move to beginning of song: 'SHIFT'+'BWD'.
Store modified settings in song: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'15' then 'ENTER'.

Song Editing

Copy a song: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'1'.
Delete unwanted patterns: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'4'.
Insert a pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'5'.
Modifying the Sound in Real Time: Press 'PLAY MODE' to make the PATTERN indicator light.
Use the SELECT '<''>' buttons to make SONG/PATTERN light.
Rotate the VALUE dial to select pattern A11.
Press 'PART SELECT' to make the indicator light.
Press the 'PART 4' button, then press 'PLAY'.
Rotate the 'RESONANCE' knob all the way to the right. Change the sound by rotating the 'CUTOFF' knob in real time.
LFO and ENVELOPE can also be edited in real time.

RPS

Select an RPS set: SELECT '<''>'(RPS SET) then VALUE dail ('SHIFT'+VALUE dail).
Use RPS to play back a phrase: 'RPS SET' then keyboard pad.
Register a phrase in a RPS set: Mute all parts except the one you wish to register then 'RPS SET'+keyboard pad.
Playing Rhythm Sets: Press the 'PTN SET' and 'RPS SET' bottons so their indicators are off.
Press 'PART SELECT' botton to make the indicator light.
Press 'PART R' to select the Rhythm Part.
Rotate the VALUE dail to select the desired rhythm set.
Play the built-in keyboard to hear the instruments. Use the OCTAVE '+''-' buttons to access all all the instruments in a rhythm set.
Playing RPS Phrases: Press 'RPS SET' to make the indicator light.
Use the SELECT '<''>' buttons to make 'RPS SET' light.
Play the keyboard. Layer phrases by pressing keys simultaneously.
Rotate the VALUE dial to change the RPS SET (there are 30 RPS Sets to choose from).
Press the 'RPS SET' button to stop this function.

Arpeggio

Play an arpeggio: 'RPS SET'#'PTN SET'# then 'ARPEGGIO'O then play keyboard pads (or MIDI keyboard).
Select a style: 'SHIFT'+'1' then VALUE dail.
Select a style alternative: 'ARPEGGIO'+VALUE dail.
Add accent: 'FUNC'O then ACCENT RATE knob.
Change the pitch range: 'FUNC'* then OCTAVE RANGE knob.
Change the order in which the notes of the chord sound: 'SHIFT'+'1' then SELECT'>' then VALUE dail.
Change the beat pattern: 'SHIFT'+'1' then SELECT'>' then SELECT'>' then VALUE dail.
Change the backbeat timing: 'SHIFT'+'1' then SELECT'>' then SELECT'>' then SELECT'>' then VALUE dail
Store arpeggio settings in a pattern set:'SHIFT'+' FUNC'+'14' then 'ENTER'
Using the Arpeggiator: Press the 'PTN SET' and 'RPS SET' buttons so their indicators are off.
Press 'PART SELECT' to make the indicator light.
Press a 'PART 1-7' button.
Press 'ARPEGGIO ON' to make the indicator light.
Play a few chords on the Keyboard pad.
Adjust the emphasis of the arpeggio by rotating the 'ACCENT RATE' knob.

Play Quantize

Specify the part to which play quantize will be applied: 'SHIFT'+'QUANTIZE SELECT'* then 'PART'
O Grid Quantize
Select the resolution: 'SHIFT'+'2' then VALUE dail.
Select the resolution alternative: 'QUANTIZE'+VALUE dial.
Apply grid quantize: 'QUANTIZE'(GRID) then TIMING knob.
O Shuffle Quantize
Select the resolution: 'SHIFT'+'4' then VALUE dail.
Select the resolution alternative: 'QUANTIZE'+VALUE dial.
Apply shuffle quantize: 'QUANTIZE'(SHUFFLE) then TIMING knob.
O Groove Quantize
Select a template: 'SHIFT'+'3' then VALUE dail.
Select the resolution alternative: 'QUANTIZE'+VALUE dial.
Apply groove quantize: 'QUANTIZE'(GROOVE) then 'FUNC'# then TIMING knob ('FUNC'* then VELOCITY knob).

Tone

Select a part: 'PART SELECT'O then 'PART'.
Play sounds: 'RPS SET'# 'PTN SET'# then play keyboard pads (or MIDI keyboard).
Select sounds: SELECT '<''>'(TONE) then VALUE dail ('SHIFT'+VALUE dail).
Transpose the pitch: 'RPS SET'# 'PTN SET'# then OCTAVE '-''+'.

Modify the sound

LEVEL: 'FUNC'* then LEVEL knob.
PANPOT: 'FUNC'* then PANPOT knob.
RND PAN: 'FUNC'# then 'RND PAN'.
PORTAMENTO: 'FUNC'* then 'PORTAMENTO'.
PORTA TIME: 'FUNC'* then PORTA TIME knob.
LFO RATE: 'LFO'# then 'FUNC'# then LFO knob.
LFO MOD: 'LFO'O then 'FUNC'# then LFO knob.
CUTOFF: 'FUNC'* then CUTOFF knob.
RESONANCE: 'FUNC'* then RESONANCE knob.
ENV. ATTACK: 'ENVELOPE'# then 'FUNC'# then ENVELOPE knob.
ENV. DECAY: 'ENVELOPE'O then 'FUNC'# then ENVELOPE knob.
ENV. RELEASE: 'FUNC'* then ENVELOPE knob.
LFO WAVE: 'SHIFT'+'9' then VALUE dail.
LFO PITCH: 'SHIFT'+'10' then VALUE dail.
LFO FILTER: 'SHIFT'+'11' then VALUE dail.
LFO AMP: 'SHIFT'+'12' then VALUE dail.
BEND RANGE: 'SHIFT'+'13' then VALUE dail.
OUT ASSIGN: 'SHIFT'+'14' then VALUE dail.
Storing part settings in a pattern: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'15' then 'ENTER'.

Effects

O Delay/ Reverb
Select the type: 'SHIFT'+'5' then VALUE dail.
Adjust the delay time: 'EFFECT'# then 'FUNC'# then TIME/RATE knob.
Adjust the overall effect sound: 'EFFECT'# then 'FUNC'* then EFX LEVEL knob.
Adjust the effect sound for each part: 'SHIFT'+'6' then VALUE dail.
O Flanger/ Chorus.
Select the type: 'SHIFT'+'7' then VALUE dail.
Adjust the speed of modulation: 'EFFECT'O then 'FUNC'# then TIME/RATE knob.
Adjust the overall effect sound: 'EFFECT'O then 'FUNC'* then EFX LEVEL knob.
Adjust the effect sound for each part: 'SHIFT'+'8' then VALUE dail.

System settings

Tuning: 'SHIFT'+'16' then VALUE knob.
Repeatedly play back a song: 'SHIFT'+'16' then SELECT '>' then VALUE dial.
Change the function of the pedal: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' twice then VALUE dial.
Set synchronization settings: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' three times then VALUE dial.
Transmit signals for external synchronization: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' four times then VALUE dial.
Specify how the metronome will sound: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' five times then VALUE dial.
Adjust the volume of the metronome: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' six times then VALUE dial.
Change the velocity produced when the keyboard pads are played: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' seven times then VALUE dial.
View the remaining amount of memory: 'SHIFT'+'16' then press SELECT '>' eight times then VALUE dial.

Other settings

Metronome on/off: 'FUNC'+'SCALE/MEASURE'.
Make adjustments while viewing the display: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+knob.
Save data: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'16' then 'ENTER'.
Load data: 'SHIFT'+'FUNC'+'16' then SELECT '>' then 'ENTER'.
Use the MC-303 as a MIDI sound module: 'PLAY MODE' + power switch.
Reset to the factory settings (all settings): 'SHIFT'+power switch then 'ENTER'.
Reset to the factory settings (except for user data): 'FUNC'+power switch then 'ENTER'.

Error Messages

If incorrect operation is attempted or if the requested processing could not be performed, an error message will appear in the display.
Refer to the explanation of the error message that appeared, and take the appropriate action:
Err 01: The internal backup battery that preserves user memory has run down. Contact your dealer or a Roland service center to have the battery replaced.
Err 02: There is a problem with MIDI cable connection.
Err 03: More MIDI messages were received in a short time than could be processed by the MC-303.
Err 04: The checksum value of a received exclusive message was incorrect.
Err 05: More recording data than the MC-303 could process correctly was received all at once.
Err 06: User memory is full, and futher recording or editing is not possible.
Err 07: Since two or more parts are un-muted, the data can't be registered as an RPS set.
Err 08: Since a preset pattern or a variation pattern is selected, it is not possible to modify, edit, or store settings.
Err 09: No quantization is selected.
Err 10: Up to 999 patterns can be registered in a song. It is not possible to register more patterns than this.
ENP-Ptn: Since no musical data is recorded in the pattern, playback is not possible.

Software update (not in Roland information)

Check your MC-303 ROM update: 'SHIFT'+'SCALE'+'R (BD)'
Circulated ROM Bios versions: V1.00 (1996); V1.01; V1.02 and V1.03 (1997)
Latest chip is more stable.
� Yoonchi 2002

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This page was last update on March 24th 2002.