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"There is something very unique about this MC 202. For one, as you can hear from the recordings, it has a little bit of a harder, edgier sound than other 202's. I don't know if it's due to the modifications or just the fact that no two analog synths are alike, but this particular 202 sounds good! It can go from a total acid box to a bass monster that transcends musical genres.
The sound of the 202 is generated by a Curtis CEM3340 analog Voltage Controlled Oscillator IC. This VCO is the same that is found in the Sequential Circuits Pro One. On offer are a Saw, a Square (with Pulse Width Modulation), and Sub Oscillator wave shapes. What's great about the 202 is that it let's you mix in waveforms so that complex wave shapes are possible without much fuss. Also, since the sliders in the VCO section attenuate the LEVEL of each waveform, the control one has with the 202 is different from other synths (like the Pro One) that only allow you to switch waveforms on and off. This is ideal in a live or recording setting when an individual wishes to seamlessly transform a saw wave into a massive Pulse-Width modulated square or feed in the deep sub-oscillator.
The filter is a genuine Roland IC. This filter has SQUELCH! Many claim that the 202 sounds similar to the 303. I would have to agree but with an amendment: while the 202 will do TB 303 type sounds with little trouble, the filter is much better and more versatile than a 303 filter could ever be. Basically you can go into self resonating sine waves or deep and rumbly sub-bass that rival any other monosynth of this era. If you are looking for a synth that can be as much Roland SH 101 as a Roland TB 303, then this is the box for you. The fact is that since the filter is so versatile, a myriad of sounds are possible. The filter is extremely tweakable and the sweet spots are not hard to dial in as on other filters (meaning that the filter has been calibrated to provide the best response when attenuating from completely open to completely closed and vice versa). Also, the filter takes on a whole different characteristic when combined with the modification for the LFO.
This particular Roland MC 202 has been modified so that a switch on the front panel permits the LFO's frequency to double. What that means is that with this switch, the user is able to set the LFO to oscillate at audible frequency ranges. What's great is that the user is still able to attenuate the LFO speed when the frequency is doubled and when put back into the original position, the stock frequency range is still present. This modification is mental. If you set the filter to self oscillate and then feed some LFO modulation via the MOD slider in the VCF section, the user is able to generate some serious clangs. I have an Arp 2600 and some of the sounds you can get with this mod border on the 2600's territory. Also very cool is that this frequency doubled LFO will go anywhere that the LFO goes to so you can do FM Pulse Width Modulation or modulate the pitch of the Oscillators to get FM sounds that are out of this world. And since the switch is mounted right on the front panel, the user can flip back and forth between the LFO rates on the fly while the synth is being played. With the sequencer running and tweaking some knobs and the mod switch, the sound palette is HUGE!
The envelopes on the 202 are extremely fast. Anything from percussive and tiny clicks to in your face basses are possible. On board is a complete ADSR that can be used to tweak the amp, the filter, and the pulse width of the square oscillator wave-shape. Also great about the amp section of the 202 is the fact that the envelope can be switched off and a gate can be used to open and close the amp instead of the ADSR. This frees up the envelope for filter duties and the sounds are great. Imagine resonant bass sequences that hit hard but still sound even after the filter closes. Because the envelopes are so fast, the 202 is able to produce some very heavy sounds. When combined with the sequencer, the gated VCA response yields the much sought after 303 sound.
The 'brain' of the MC 202 is the onboard sequencer. First of all this sequencer will clock to Din Sync (so use something like a Kenton or Doepfer MIDI to Din Sync Converter) so integrating it into a modern set-up is easy. Second, the sequencer is a two track sequencer meaning that in addition to sequencing the internal synth, the 202 can send a DIFFERENT sequence to another analog synthesizer. This is really a big advantage if you have other synthesizers that have cv and gate inputs. The sequence will also transmit PORTAMENTO (slide) over the cv output so you can get THAT signature Roland slide integrated onto another synth! The sequencer itself is very straightforward to program and once the basics are learned, it becomes second nature. The fact is that this sequencer is much better than the TB 303's sequencer because crazy rhythms are possible. Triplets are a breeze. The user decides whatever subdivisions for each step and also regulates what kind of note a step is (meaning if it's played legato, staccato, or tied to the next note) and if it has accent and slide. Since the accent can be routed to accent the AMP and the FILTER, the infamous 303 sound is possible. Seriously, this sequencer is amazing and is able to replicate the intricacies of a TB 303 without a problem. However, it can do SO MUCH MORE than the humble silver box could ever dream of doing! In any case, enough of my blabbing! Search around on the web and take a look at some youtube videos of this box in action and you will see just how amazing and versatile this box is.
The modification has not hampered on the performance of this synth and electronically the beast in excellent (just listen!). There were other mods performed for this particular MC 202 and mostly they were done for the previous users integration preferences. The CV and Gate inputs have been disabled. This really doesn't matter as the MC 202 would route external CV and Gate data through its ancient microprocessor and there was no real way to play it accurately over these inputs. The user (and I can provide A LOT of resources for this and additional MODS) can open the box up and modify the unit to have PROPER CV and Gate inputs if they so desire. For me, this box was best used with the internal sequencer. Also, the buzzer that clicks when edits are made was bypassed and the Din Sync OUTPUT sends Clock but no start stops. This is INTENTIONAL because when we needed to send DIN from the 202, we used a button switch to start and stop other Din Sync units so that we could, on the fly, start and stop a Roland TR 808 independently of the 202 or anything else. The unit slaves to external Din Sync without a single problem whatsoever. This is a great synth that sounds absolutely mental. Bid with confidence and take this chance to own a totally CUSTOM 202!"
Update via pac in the comments: "The 202 is soundwise a slightly stripped down version of the SH-101 (no noise generator) - it should not be compared to the 303 which has a different architecture. That said many "acid classics" in the 1990s were actually done with 101/202 rather than 303. For all the mod instructions check cykongs mod page
http://www.cykong.com/Synths/Roland%20MC-202/RolandMC-202.htm and do a search on the "novamod" for the 101 (similar circuit - similar mods)"
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