Roland MKSs

Post by **Mixolydian** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 4:17 am

I just bought a Roland MKS-30 taking my MKS collection to 4. It's a compulsive excessive something something for sure, but whatever. I have a Roland MKS-7, 30, 50, & 70 - plus an R-8M with a gray volume knob. Oddly, I don't have a single PG controller. The MKS-50 can be controlled with the excellent PG-300 Emulator software. The rest require manual reading and button pushing. I really have no plans to buy an MKS-80 as they are simply too expensive.

I made a short demo of some presets - just a few notes each:
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=6458447

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:25 am

congrats for the additional to the already nice collection of the series.

Mixolydian wrote:Oddly, I don't have a single PG controller.

something like the PC1600x would be effective for that much MKSs. It even has several pre-made templates for the MKS-7/50, JX-8P. but mind you that it didn't have any free editor. If you plan to edit everything from scratch, some newer programmer with a free editor such the Kenton Kontrol Freak and other would make things easier.

Sir Ruff · Post by **Sir Ruff** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:33 pm

why not just sell the 7/30/50 and your already at least halfway to an mks-80?

I know they each have their quirks and charms, but the the 80 would be worth the sacrifice (especially if you're controlling all externally anyways).

Tridact · Post by **Tridact** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:03 pm

I used to have the JX-3p and miss the sound. How's the editing off the front panel of the MKS-30?

Post by **Mixolydian** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:17 am

I was looking into using a programmable controller and making a modified connecting cable for the MKS-70 and possibly the MKS-30.
The MKS-7 doesn't have that many adjustable parameters so it really doesn't need a controller (although the parameters can be adjusted via midi.) I use the PG-300 Emulator program on the MKS-50, and it works just fine.

As for selling these and buying the MKS-80, I don't know. I've used an MKS-80 and know what a powerhouse it is, but each the MKS-7/30/50/70 have their own cool sounds and quirks.

MKS-7: same DCO/ VCF/VCA chips as Juno 106, but different architecture. A very cool sounding synth though. Plus one additional DCO/ VCF/VCA for bass which sounds a lot like a TB303 without the reso and cutoff controls.

MKS-30: I'm still exploring, but already love it. Front panel editing is simple - just print a copy of the Edit Map from the manual.

MKS-50: The most widely produced of the MKS series. Stablest too. Full midi editing. A good box for the money.

MKS-70: 24 oscillators. Huge sound. Lacks the punch of the MKS-80, but still an excellent synth in it's own right. The ultimate analog string synth + so much more. The MKS-70 is one of those synths that you can always find new sounds on - many parameters and modulation methods.

Here's the MKS-7 and MKS-50 plus a little MKS-70:
http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?PID=965935&t=7275
Bass, crazy patch changing synth, and drums are the MKS-7. Other steady tone synth is the MKS-50. The wind-up at beginning and break is MKS-70.

Post by **Solderman** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:11 am

Your demo song reminded me a bit of this band from '92: http://www.discogs.com/release/123678

Does the PG300 software allow Midi thru so you can send a Midi In and MKS50 sysex simultaneously? I am using EZAlpha http://www.discointellect.org/software.htm with my Alpha Juno and am forced to use the local keyboard to audition while editing.

Post by **Mixolydian** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 2:40 pm

Solderman wrote:Does the PG300 software allow Midi thru so you can send a Midi In and MKS50 sysex simultaneously?

No, or at least I've never figured out how to do it.

steveman · Post by **steveman** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:26 pm

Mixolydian wrote: The MKS-7 doesn't have that many adjustable parameters so it really doesn't need a controller (although the parameters can be adjusted via midi.) I use the PG-300 Emulator program on the MKS-50, and it works just fine.

MKS-7: same DCO/ VCF/VCA chips as Juno 106, but different architecture. A very cool sounding synth though. Plus one additional DCO/ VCF/VCA for bass which sounds a lot like a TB303 without the reso and cutoff controls.

Thought this was fairly editable via Sysex. Found a user manual here : http://www.analoghell.com/studio/index. ... =Downloads
Seems like the bass part does have editable Cutoff & Res as well as ADSR & PWM via Sysex.
Interesting box though.

donaldm · Post by **donaldm** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 6:59 pm

The MKS-30 was my first synth (or second, I got a 101 around the same time). And I remember it fondly. The architecture is simple enough that programming from the interface didn't seem that bad.

I kinda wish I hadn't sold it because I haven't owned a decent polysnth in years.

stikygum · Post by **stikygum** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 3:22 am

donaldm wrote:The MKS-30 was my first synth (or second, I got a 101 around the same time). And I remember it fondly. The architecture is simple enough that programming from the interface didn't seem that bad.

I kinda wish I hadn't sold it because I haven't owned a decent polysnth in years.

Kinda isn't good enough to buy back.

I sold my MKS70 and it was a great synth, but I'm glad I sold it. The sounds didn't fit my music and the pads were great, but somehow that wasn't the sound I was looking for. I liked the bells on it, but those can be done well on others as well. I think the DCOs are what made it so smooth sounding.

That sound coming in at :36 sounds like the tone used in.... what is that act.... Princess Superstar or something.

Post by **Mixolydian** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:47 pm

steveman wrote:Thought this was fairly editable via Sysex. Found a user manual here : http://www.analoghell.com/studio/index. ... =Downloads
Seems like the bass part does have editable Cutoff & Res as well as ADSR & PWM via Sysex.
Interesting box though.

You're right, the MKS-7 is editable from the either sysex or the front panel including the bass section. I played with the reso and cut-off on the bass, and it doesn't sweep enough to work as a 303. Still, some of the preset bass sounds are very 303 like. I sure wish the Bass Detune knob was on the front instead of recessed in the back panel. The Bender and Mod sensitivity knobs are on the back panel too.

I usually set the MKS-7 in Whole Mode which combines the Melody and Chord sections into a 6 voice polyphonic like the Juno 106 (but without the sub-oscillator.) It also routes all oscillators through the stereo chorus. Roland put 2 chorus chips on this, one stereo on the Chord section and a mono on the Melody section.

Post by **Mixolydian** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:55 pm

donaldm wrote:The MKS-30 was my first synth (or second, I got a 101 around the same time). And I remember it fondly. The architecture is simple enough that programming from the interface didn't seem that bad.

I kinda wish I hadn't sold it because I haven't owned a decent polysnth in years.

I've only had my MKS-30 a few weeks, but I'm really getting into it. Here's a great vid I found on youtube with many synths including an MKS-30. The second time the MKS-30 comes in at 2:00, it sounds very Prophet-like. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5dcrLJh0Rg