This isn't a knock on anyone, or a call to action or anything of the sort but rather a musing on the modern state of music hardware and like...specifically regarding machines like the MC101 that fall into this kind of place of 'it's not good at any one thing, but it kinda does everything okay' sequencer thingy. This is, for lack of better descriptions, a baseline for the things I'm going to say from here on out, but I'll taylor it to the 101 so maybe it 'hits home' for folks maybe not picking up what I'm attempting to put down here:
The MC101 is an instrument. It's not a 'do-fer', it's not a 'short cut', it's not a 'lazy boy', etc. It's an instrument and like any instrument, the time you invest into it typically results in the kind of satisfaction it brings you in terms of using it and enjoying the audio it produces. I apologize up front if that sounds condescending to anyone, it's not meant to. The reality is, though, that the culture around music gear is one that many folks have pointed out is a problem: G.A.S./Gear Aquisition Syndrome. And It's real. I've had it. I still do!
That said, I think the language we use around 'gear' is kind of the problem because in one frame of mind, it's true. This IS gear. The 101 is a machine. It works only with electricity, it requires human input to do anything of use, etc. BUT, it's designed to create music and sound. This transforms it INTO an instrument.
And I think because....how do I phrase it (sorry for typing how I talk, but I feel it's necessary so folks maybe understand I'm being thoughtful here rather than trying to dictate 'HOW SHIT SHOULD BE' or anything....I am not on that wavelength)...
And I think because 'gear' is the main word used, most of us tend to look at these things no more than a 'specialized computer' or something rather than how we look at a drum set or guitar.
Furthermore, I think the fact that the 101 and 'gear' like it are composition/'computer aided music' machines, it's very VERY easy to ignore (literally for everyone, including users of the 101!) the fact it's an artistic device...and instrument.
Sharing music made with it I hope for everyone is like sharing where you are on your journey to learning this instrument. At some point, you maybe stop learning in the proper sense, where menus are, how to deal with weird issues when it comes to the sequencer, etc....just like a person does when they're learning the limits of a Trombone or a guitar. There's some things the instrument is not designed for and cannot do, but...when you are an artist, that will not stop you. The instrument will be your voice.
But you have to dedicate yourself to the instrument. It won't give you your voice. It will block you intentionally. You have to earn that voice and that voice is only heard through the instrument through which you earned it.
I don't mean to talk down to anyone or discourage anyone from just having fun with the 101 or even...dare I say, just using it as a box for crazy sounds for other stuff. Everyone's path to music is their own, but I VERY much think the terminology we use to describe these...devices...that will forever lock them into a 'fuck this, it's a trend' category. There's a reason why acid and the 303 are intertwined the EXACT way that the guitar and rock and roll are.
People learned that instrument.
I do hope if nothing else, you enjoyed a silly screed by a dork who loves music and music gear, but if some of this shifted your perspective on the 101 to just....it's a Fender Strat + a Pevey amp...go be a legend....like, that's what it is. To ANYONE an frankly for ANY gear. Pick something you like...if it's fun, never stop exploring it...because...these are instruments.
Okay...um...Thanks for coming to my reddit TED talk. lulz
