Uploaded February 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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A look at the Roland MicroComposer / MC-4 from 1981.

In 1977 Roland introduced the first ever microprocessor controlled digital sequencer, which was the MC-8 designed by Ralph Dyck. The MC-4 was the successor and was one of Roland's few CV/Gate digital sequencers before they moved over to MIDI shortly after.

Both when it was new and many years after it was seemingly obsolete, numerous artists swore by it and they're now sought after. In the video we explore why.

With thanks to Pea Hicks for the MC-8 footage and images.

0:00 Intro Jam
0:41 Origin of the MC series
2:54 Interlude
3:31 Demonstration of how it works
10:20 The end result
10:47 Summary of the experience
12:09 Others ways to program
13:16 Experiments & explorations
19:03 MC-4b etc
19:39 Who used it, when and why?

Links:
MC-8 History: rolandmc8.wordpress.com
Vince Clarke MC-4: muzines.co.uk/articles/vince-clarke/7547
YMO MC-4: youtu.be/wgkj7-VCmEw
Chris Carter: soundonsound.com/reviews/roland-mc8
Landscape MC-4: muzines.co.uk/articles/burgeoning-burgess/3439
Thomas Dolby MC-4: https://fb.watch/beBq4hp7W5/
Hard Corps MC-4: youtu.be/swKs2TsuIw0
Toto MC-4: musicradar.com/news/toto-rosanna-synth-solo
AFX (Richard D James) MC-4: youtu.be/t3Qx4Yg96Ao

Roland's latest MC units:
roland.com/uk/products/mc-707
roland.com/uk/products/mc-101