Roland Announces MC-80/MC-80EX Hardware Sequencers

January 28, 1999 -- Roland is proud to introduce the MC-80/MC-80EX MicroComposer, a dedicated MIDI sequencer offering realtime control and playback of sequences, enhanced audio resolution, and the portability, durability and easy setup necessary for today's live performers and composers. The MC-80 is the base model, while the MC-80EX includes the high-powered VE-GSPro Voice Expansion Board.

For live performances, both models offer operational flexibility not found in dedicated MIDI sequencers until now. A Mark/Jump function allows song markers to be set and instantly accessed in real time, enabling, for instance, variations in song structure for solos and choruses. Solo/Mute, Music-Minus-One and Transpose functions allow the quick removal of any desired part, including the melody track for singing, and for global transposing of all MIDI data into any key.

A number of functions such as Mark/Jump, Play/Stop, Punch In/Out, and Fade Out can be assigned to optional footswitches for hands-free operation-a great boon to live performers. And an intuitive control panel layout and a high-definition backlit graphic LCD enables quick access to parameters, even in low light settings and on stage.

Composers will appreciate the inclusion of several Roland XP Series' popular features, including 16 Phrase tracks and a separate Tempo track, Time Signature track and Pattern track, Non-Stop recording functions, RPS Phrase Sequencing, Groove Quantize functions, the XP-80's Arpeggiator, Disk Quick Play capability, Microscope Editing, MMC and MTC compatibility, and two MIDI outputs to control up to 32 MIDI channels simultaneously.

Storage of onboard sequence and parameter settings is accommodated via a 120,000-note internal memory and a floppy drive, with a capacity of 118,000 notes per disk. Additional storage is available via an optional internal 2.5-inch IDE hard drive, an optional internal Zip drive, and/or an optional SCSI interface board for connecting to external SCSI storage devices for data backup.

Voice and sound expandability is available via the optional VE-GSPro Voice Expansion Board, offering 1,117 high-quality GS instrument tones ranging from grand pianos to TB-303's, 42 full rhythm sets, 128 Preset Patches, and powerful effects processing capabilities. This configuration, also available as the MC-80EX model, presents a complete "all-in-one" sequencing and sound module solution.

For more information, visit Roland on the web at www.rolandus.com and www.rolandgroove.com.