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Hey guys,

I am revisiting my music hobby and I have a few questions.

I have an MC-303 ( don't laugh ) which has a pretty decent drum machine and sequencer, tb-3 and a volca keys, which I love to bits.

I want all three units to sync and play nice, what do I need to get these units to play together without a computer - I want a live set-up, I am not too bothered about recording - this will probably happen later on.

Any ideas on a cost effective solution - I am thinking of a christmas treat to myself, but, I am on a budget.

Many thanks in advance.

I was also wondering if I could use the effects on the MC-303 to influence the sound on the volca keys.

Any ideas?

Damocles wrote:I have an MC-303 ( don't laugh ) which has a pretty decent drum machine and sequencer, tb-3 and a volca keys, which I love to bits.

What a nice rig you have there! I especially like the combination MC-303 vs. TB-3, classic meets modern so to speak! Volca Keys rounds up this setup nicely!

I’d take the MC-303 as master and hook it up to Doepfer MSY-2 MIDI-in, then connect TB-3 and Volca to Sync.

I was also wondering if I could use the effects on the MC-303 to influence the sound on the volca keys.

MC-303 doesn't have audio in, does it?

Thanks Dragan,

I've had the MC-303 sitting around for around 20 years, does that make it vintage , it has had a hard rap over the years, but, re-looking at it has revealed some features that are quite useful, as usual with Roland, you have to dig deep into system configuration to get the best out of it.

I agree old and new is always good, at the very least interesting.

Many thanks for the heads up, I will look into the Doepfer MSY-2

I am looking forward to making everything work together.

Warm regards.

Damocles wrote:I've had the MC-303 sitting around for around 20 years, does that make it vintage ,

This is Vintage as Vintage can be!

it has had a hard rap over the years, but, re-looking at it has revealed some features that are quite useful, as usual with Roland, you have to dig deep into system configuration to get the best out of it.

I guess it is similar with all good gear. Sometimes after I fiddle with bigger synths and return to Volcas they always surprise me. It's their form factor which makes you see them as toys, but they can be pretty serious beasts.

Thanks my friend, I know...when I heard the bottom end of the Keys I was....WOW all this for £85. I could not believe it - it's harmonics in detune are beautiful too. What a machine.

The MC is pretty good in retrospect too.....I want more.

Not sure if you're considering a sequencer, but I have a BeatStep Pro, from Arturia, and it's pretty amazing. I'm using it to sequence my Volcas.

It has 3 sequencers (2 instruments, 1 drum) and each sequencer stores up to 16 sequences, 64 steps each - with pitch, gate, and velocity adjustment for each step - It also has forward, backward, forward and backward, swing, randomize.

Honestly, the thing is super fun.

Right now I'm passing miid through my daw, but the computer is only there as a middle man (and for recording) until I get a more versatile midi box. I think I'm going to end up getting the iConnect Midi4+

Hey Damocles ,it looks like a pair of midi cables and you are good to go.Daisy chain.The TB3 has midi pass thru if I remember correct.You have to set it up on its utility type set up page.You need to read the manual as I'm not at home.But its on start up,hold a certain key,like scatter.Here we set midi channel and stuff.Select midi thru and the Out becomes a Thru.
So then connect midi out MC303 > TB3 > Volca.Set MC as clock source and TB to ext clock.
I use a iCM4+ but this may be too much for you unless you expand a lot.
A midi splitter will do if you want a bit more gear.Or get by without and buy another Volca,etc.Lots of gear uses their sync protocol.Check Pocket Operators from Teenage Engineering.Or Monotribe.

Smutek ,your set up sounds nice.But I'd recommend similar advice to you too.
Midi splitter will do well unless you plan to seriously expand.
I find iCM4 offers me more midi options than I could use in a lifetime .Its great. Extremely powerful ,but expensive and deep.

Thanks for all your help everyone - I shall look in to it.