Roland MC-8 Microcomposer

The Roland MC-8 MicroComposer by the Roland Corporation was introduced in early 1977 at a list price of US$4,795 (¥1,200,000 JPY). It was the first stand-alone microprocessor-driven CV/Gate music sequencer, and an early polyphonic sequencer.

Roland called the MC-8 a "computer music composer" and it was considered revolutionary at the time, introducing new features, such as a keypad to enter note information; 16 kilobytes of random access memory which allowed a maximum sequence length of 5200 notes, a huge step forward from the 8-16 step sequencers at the time; the allocation of multiple pitch CVs to a single Gate channel, creating polyphonic parts within the overall sequence; and eight-channel polyphony, allowing the creation of polyrhythmic sequences.

Due to the high price, only 200 units were sold worldwide, but it represented a huge leap forward in music technology. It was the first in the Microcomposer family of sequencers, including the Roland MC-4 Microcomposer and Roland MC-202. The Roland MC-8 had a significant impact on electronic music, with the MC-8 and its descendants having more of an impact on electronic music production in the 1970s and 1980s than any other family of sequencers. CV/Gate sequencers such as the MC-8 and MC-4 were eventually succeeded by MIDI sequencers in the 1980s.

The MicroComposer could precisely adjust multiple sound producing and effects elements of a synthesizer, such as the VCO, VCF, and other voltage-controlled components very rapidly, which is nearly impossible to do manually by a performer. The MC-8 was designed to work with large complex modular synthesizers such as the System 700 and System-100M. It could also be used during a live performance to control lighting by using pre-programmed, timed pulses, and pre-programmed timed voltage levels.

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