Roland MC-505

The Roland MC-505 is a groovebox conceived in 1998 as a combination of a MIDI controller, a music sequencer, a drum machine, and a desktop synthesizer with many synthesis features: arpeggiator, oscillators, and voltage-controlled filter, control of attack, decay, sustain and release, different envelopes and 2 Lfo. It was released as the successor to the Roland MC-303 and is a compact version of the Roland JX-305 Groovesynth without the full set of 61 keys. It is also the predecessor to the Roland D2, Roland MC-307, Roland MC-909 and the Roland MC-808.

Features
The key features of the MC-505 are:


 * 64 voice polyphonic digital subtractive synthesis engine (derived from the Roland JV-1080) with 251 different oscillator, acoustic and drum sample waveforms
 * 512 built-in preset sounds, 256 user sounds & 26 rhythm sets (includes the Roland CR-78, TR-808, TR-606, TR-909, TR-707 and R-8)
 * 8-track MIDI sequencer + Mute Ctrl Track
 * Recording length of up to 32 bars per pattern
 * 714 preset sequencer patterns, 200 user patterns, 50 user songs
 * 3 multi-effect units: Reverb, Delay and 24 different EFXs
 * Infrared D-Beam controller for hands-free sound modulation
 * MEGAMix function for intuitive realtime mixing of beats and patterns
 * 5 volt Smartmedia card slot for doubling user patch and pattern memory

Tribute Album
In 2000 the Grand Royal record label released a compilation album At Home with the Groovebox, where all the artists contributed a track primarily using the Roland MC-505. Artists included Beck, Money Mark, Air, Jean-Jacques Perrey and Pavement. This was considered to be an interesting and well received album.

Notable artists

 * Beck
 * Chicks on Speed
 * Cibo Matto
 * Duo 505
 * Eric Prydz
 * Freddy Fresh
 * Gustavo Cerati
 * James McNally (Afro Celts)
 * Kirlian Camera
 * Lasgo
 * The Legendary Pink Dots
 * M.I.A.
 * New Order
 * Peaches
 * Radiohead
 * Rambo Amadeus
 * Skinny Puppy
 * Sean Lennon
 * Grace Ives
 * Juan Atkins
 * I-F
 * The Prodigy