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Roland MC-500

19-Mar-2024

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Roland MC-500



Category:  Products / studio equipment / hardware sequencer

Added: 22-Dec-98  |  Author: admin

New price: discontinued  |   S/H price: 100-160 quid


Roland MC-500

The MC-500 is Rolands newest and most powerful stand alone midi sequencer. Features include 4 recording tracks-each track can store data for all 16 midi channels, a seperate rhythm track, track merging allows 'ping pong' of data - but can be recalled for later editing, a 20 x 2 character LCD display, built in 3.5" disk drive with note capacity of up to 100,000 notes per disk, 30,000 note capacity in RAM, more......

Well... that was the blurb.... when these came out, they were THE sequencer to have.... so there ya go.... a great live and studio unit with disk storage... all the Roland MC range were good sequencers... comments please...













Product Manuals or Files





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User Comments

Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Harold E. Baker
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 19-Apr-02

The manual doesn't seem user friendly I need support to use The MC 500

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Tully
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 19-Apr-02

Balderdash!! It's as easy as a tape recorder.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: jambeezee
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 09-May-02

I have no comment ,only a question of where do i get a copy of the mc-500 instruction manual from, u see i'm kindda new to this.....pls reply....thanks

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: brett
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity:
Date: 13-May-02

try polyfusion

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: jon
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 24-May-02

Anybody who has the MC-500 manual in English? I have the Japanese version but I don't understand it. Please help me!

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: geikler
Email: Email supplied but hidden
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~uws/mc2smf.htm
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 12-Jun-02

English manual and more for your mc-500:

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: David Deselles
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 12-Feb-03

i am trying to connect my mc-500 to my pc, i have the midi cable but my pc is saying that it is connected to an unknown device. i checked everywhere for drivers. is ther any softwhere to make it posible to tranfer midi file off my pc to my mc-500.
thanks
david

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Hans
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 22-Aug-03

Hallo
I am the owner of a MC-500 .
How can I upgrade for MC-500 MK II?
Thank´s Hans

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Paul Clothier
Email: No email added
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 06-Jan-04

The MC500 is the finest sequencer ever created. Nothing has ever come close in terms of simplicity, user-friendliness or reliability. Great, individual tunes are created on this one whilst uninspired idiots churn out stale acid loops etc on their computers. They should bring them out again, unchanged but with odd little fixes (like being able to extract one particular note of one midi channel, useful if there are two drum parts on one track.)

I bought mine in 1997, and whilst everything else I bought at that time has been sold off (like the Kawai K1r, Poly 800, Tandy mixing desks, TR505 etc), the MC500 still has pride of place among superior synths like the Nova, JV1080 and Microwave 2. It won't write the tracks for you, and you have to delve into it, scroll through notes to do more complex stuff to them - but this is where you go:"hmm, I've been doing that to this snare hit on every 7th beat; what would happen if I did this instead for 32 beats?" and an engaging rhythm is born.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Roland
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 05-Dec-04

All my conversion files for mc-500 were lost and I need a fresh copy to convert SMF/MRC plus the PC/MRC file for saving the converted files.
Please, send me the site to access with. Thanks!


Roland del Castillo Sr.

Arranger, programmer. keyboardist, guitarist, bassist and lead vocals

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: William Toynton
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 11-Mar-05

I am the proud owner of a MC500 Micro Composer, but it is of no use to me. When it is switched on all looks good until MC500 asked for system disk, I only have copies of originals, but believe them to be OK. When put into the disk drive I get ERROR 3 – DISK I/O See owner’s manual!
On a few occasions I may get SYSTEM LOADING / LOADING SYSTEM then ERROR 3 – DISK I/O See owner’s manual!
The disk can be read by IBM dos, so I think I can make copies using an old 286 computer that I have still working. Using old DS/DD 720KB Floppy’s.
I think the disk drive may be at fault with the MC500.
I removed disk drive from MC500 and put in my old 286 computer had to move a jumper on drive so that computer could see it.
But my old 286 computer could not read the MC500 system disk.
It would run drive, move heads but would not find any thing on disk.
This drive may be out alignment or just worn out.
For my next test I fitted a new type disk drive into MC500, had to move jumper so that MC500 could find it, but MC500 could not find any data on disk.
MC500 disk drive is type Matsushita Model JU 363 13 and is 6mm taller than new type Drives. This drive seems to have all the right connections.
The drive from my old 286 computer is a 1.4M / 720KB Disk drive by Mitsubishi.
I believe tracks on new disk drive may by narrower than the tracks on old type MC500 disk drive, and may not be compatible.
What can I do next; any one got any more ideas.
Bill

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: admin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
http://www.rolandus.com/support/genappstools/index.asp?catid=0
Activity: Professional
Date: 12-Mar-05

get the d/loads required at the address on the Roland link above and mebbe try creating a fresh system disk?

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Ben Zeb
Email: No email added
Activity: part-timer
Date: 03-Mar-06

Theze boksez paved way fo dead muzik

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Paul Clothier
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 11-Mar-06

Canza paves da way fo' ded people, if yo don' do nuffin' bout da bludd on da toilet paper or da dry coff fo' two munfz...

You could of course buy an MC307 etc and have it play the tunes ready- made for you, with your sole creative input being to twiddle the filter cutoff knobs in a groundbreaking, paradigm- shifting way, but then why do these machines always appear in the second- hand ads so quickly after they are first released? Technology will not write the music for you, and is not the determinant of how your music will sound and feel; you could write orchestral arrangements on the MC500 with some work, or techno music with an orchestra (I've seen this done on TV once). The MC500 can give you perfectly- quantized music if you want that, or you can play music straight into it and retain the same 'feel' with which you originally played it.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Dave Somers
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 19-Jun-06

I have just recently come into possession of the MC-500. Though when I bought
it, I did not know it required a specific system disk in order to operate but that
that I could use any standard 3.5 floppy and the machine could format it. Would
somebody know how I could acquire the system disk?

Also does anybody have an electronic copy of the MC-500 Users manual?

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Rob Austin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 16-Jul-06

I have built and owned several recording studios in my 40 years experience in the recording industry. I have a honors degree in audio engineering and i have been playing live on stage as a pro since 1972. The change in my stage and studio carreer came to life when i purchased an MC 500 in 1986 and i am still using the same machine on stage at this time, 20 years later, although all my competitors are using laptops with cakewalk etc. Where i have the advantage, is that my backtracks are perfectly balanced and they have all the CC's and PG's etc right from the word go, BUT, MC 500 has a huge drawback as it only allows a limited amount of songs loaded at any one time, as a set. The time taken to reload a new song or set on the spur of the moment takes too long so in this regard the competitors nail me silly. BUT with sound and sequencing, I have still to meet a better, faster and more efficient machine, easy to work with and accurate as the ROLAND MC 500 Mk 11. I wouldnt swop my trusty old MC, not even, no way and you know what !!!! It's never ever even skipped a beat and i play 6 days a week. Now that says something hey.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Rob Austin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 16-Jul-06

I have all the manuals you want and they are all in english but of corse, you could have me to instruct you with my 20 years experience with that machine which i still use on stage daily today. That will cost you big time LOL

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Shelby
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 25-Jul-06

I have the system disk for the Roland Mc-500 if anyone is interested

swills86@sbcglobal.net

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Tony Hutchinson
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 19-Oct-06

I recently acquired a MC 500 with the programmer and all discs. But no user manual for the MC 500. Can you advise where i could obtain a copy or maybe one through you. I am happy to pay for it! Tony

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Roger Côté
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 11-Mar-07

I've just bought a Roland MC-500 used and i need a system disk. Can you help
please?

Thanks!

Roger

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Techno-iD
Email: Email supplied but hidden
http://www.techno-id.com
Activity: part-timer
Date: 16-Mar-07

==================Roger ! ================


Le disque en question est proposé plus haut dans cette page ....ha la la...


Je viens de vous mailer...


PieR

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Techno-iD
Email: Email supplied but hidden
www.dancetech.com/file-library/document/super_mrc_om.zip
Activity: part-timer
Date: 16-Mar-07

Mon post précédent avec le lien faisait allusion au Manuel de MC 500 réclamé.

My precedent post concerns the MC 500 Manual requested...

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: gideon
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 30-May-07

very good !!

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: gideon
Email: Email supplied but hidden
.
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 15-Sep-07

Hallo mc500 friends ,i have a question about the manuel, have anybody the Dutch manuel of the Roland mc500 midi composer mkII manuel is welcom to in Dutch,,thank yo

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: dwight
Email: Email supplied but hidden
none
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 09-Dec-07

first time user

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: monsieurvague
Email: Email supplied but hidden
no web site sorry i'm free musician
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 04-Apr-09

In this date of 4 april 2009 and for the first time since a very far away day, i have make a copy of my
mc500 system operator.
It's a good news.
I have make it on a 1DD floppy (from a sample disk of s900)
Because all other disk i try to initialise goes in the trash or recycle for sun eclipse glasses....
I'm sorry for my very personal language.....
IF you need some small things who i can make for help you, mail me and try to understand my
words..
try again....

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: christopher heppner
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 02-May-09

how much for the disc

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: joe black
Email: Email supplied but hidden
http://www.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/eula.aspx?downloadid...
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 17-May-09

download link for super mrc software for the mc500 mc500 II microcomposers.

get it while it is still on this website.



other available software for mc series sequencers here

xxx.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/general_apps.aspx

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Andre
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 09-Aug-09

I have an MC-500 also, lost the boot up disks, and as you, I find the manual not too user friendly. I love the unit though, its a super machine,but without the initiating disks, I cant format other disk, and those I have, are all full.
I use it with my sound canvas, midi to my main keyboard, and get super results.
Way to go ROLAND, you make a good brand of instruments.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: admin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 09-Aug-09

[quote] Andre wrote: I have an MC-500 also, lost the boot up disks, and as you, I find the manual not too user friendly. I love the unit though, its a super machine,but without the initiating disks, I cant format other disk, and those I have, are all full. I use it with my sound canvas, midi to my main keyboard, and get super results.Way to go ROLAND, you make a good brand of instruments. [/quote]

didnt you see the right column of this page? Product Manual or Files? - the supermrc disk-maker is there for download

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: John Laccohee_Joslin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Hobby-ist
Date: 02-Nov-09

I am in the same hole as it appears many others are.
I own a MC500 which still works well but have not been using it for a while but now need to and cannot find the user manual so need to try and find acopy or pdf files of same can anyone assist please?

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Eric Prince
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 02-Nov-09

Hey Guys -
if your looking for manuals, google Rogue Music store
(Sorry, I can't put the link in this post)

They usually have old manuals for EVERYTHING!

I first started using the MC-500 in the early 80's. It was a workhorse
back then and I bet they are still a workhorse now. I have moved on to
other sequencers since but I still have fond memories of this little
baby.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Dominik S.
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 22-Dec-09

Just came across one of these critters (original MK I) and I have to say I love it! Only thing I wonder is if I
should be able to boot into the Super MRC (Version 2.0 or 2.015) with my MK I. I've created a Super MRC
disk from a site that has them, correctly on a 2DD (720KB) floppy disk but I get the Error 3 on booting.
MRC Version 1.0 and 1.10 work fine.

Woiuld love the extras that Super MRC offers..

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: tim
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 31-Mar-10

I have this and I was wondering, is there some way I could edit the (MIDI track on the) floppy discs on my computer and put them into the mc 500 and have it play what I wrote on my computer? Is there certain software I need?

any help would be great

Cheers
-Tim

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: T Cullen
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: part-timer
Date: 02-May-10

I have a Roland MC 500 that won't boot up when I load the boot disc, what could the problem be.
Also can the drive be replaced by a DD drive and can the operating
system be converted to a DD disk?

Regards
Thomas

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: TonMaison
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 24-May-10

[quote] T Cullen wrote: I have a Roland MC 500 that wont boot up when I load the boot disc, what could the problem be.Also can the drive be replaced by a DD drive and can the operating system be converted to a DD disk?Regards Thomas [/quote]

I am having the same problem. Tehe message screen just Reads Roland MC500

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Loony Toons
Email: Email supplied but hidden
http://www.rolandus.com/support/downloads_updates/general_apps.php
Activity: Professional
Date: 17-Feb-12

All system software (including MIDI file transfer software) for the MC-500
available for FREE from Roland US Website. See above link or go to
'downloads and updates' and select 'General Apps'.

You will need a PC with a floppy drive to create system disks. Make sure you
use 720 double density disks.

Downloads include:

MC-300 and MC-500 System MRC.
This SDISK file is the MRC-300/500 system disk for the MC-300 and MC-500.
Note: You will need the SDISK program to create the system disk.

Super MRC System
This SDISK file is the Super MRC system for the MC-500.
Note: You will need the SDISK program to create the system disk.

MRM-500 SMF Converter
This SDISK file is the MRM-500 Standard MIDI File converter for the MC-500
and MC-50.
Note: You will need the SDISK program to create the system disk.

MRD-500 Rhythm Bank - S-MRC
This is the Roland MRD-500 Rhythm Bank software. This file contains many
rhythm patterns for the MC-50/MC-50mkII or MC-500mkII MicroComposer.

SDISK (PC Only)
This application allows you to create system disks from .OUT files. Use this
program to create system disks for the S-series samplers and the MC-300/500
sequencer.

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: Charlie Munk
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 19-Dec-12

I have just recently come into possession of the MC-500. Though when I bought it, I did not know it required a specific system disk in order to operate. Would somebody know how I could acquire the system disk?

Thanks,
munk

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Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: admin
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 19-Dec-12

[quote] Charlie Munk wrote: I have just recently come into possession of the MC-500. Though when I bought it, I did not know it required a specific system disk in order to operate. Would somebody know how I could acquire the system disk?Thanks,munk [/quote] on this page! try looking!

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Last added comment

Product:  Roland - MC-500
Name: JanaBanana
Email: Email supplied but hidden
Activity: Professional
Date: 18-Mar-13

Hi. I bought my MC-500 MKII back in the late 80's, found it too difficult to use, and it has been boxed ever since. I am now getting back into composing, and wonder if it is still a viable tool? I have Windows PC, not Mac, and all my Mac friends use Garage Band...
I also still have my Roland U-20 synth...

TIA for any advice

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