the mc-202 is a microprocessor-controlled cv/gate-sequencer with a built-in monophonic analogue synthesizer, all in a very small, extremely portable (optionally battery-powered) grey plastic box.

the sequencer section offers two separate tracks with a capacity of about 1000 steps each, which can be chained to form a single 2000+ step sequence. despite its tiny size, it offers the features of the big roland sequencers of the time, the mc4 and mc8, as it records 3 basic note events per step: pitch, step time and gate time. additionally, each step can be marked with 'accent' (applied to filter+vca or vca only) and 'portamento' events, the strength of which is determined by two potentiometers on the panel and can be changed in real time. also available are three different recording modes and copy/paste/insert/delete operations for single notes or whole bars. the synthesizer section is almost identical to a sh-101, except the noise generator and the switchable lfo-waveforms - it is only a sine-lfo. the single vco offers saw and pulse waves with pwm (manual, lfo or envelope control) and a sub oscillator. also in there is a resonant 24db lowpass filter, an adsr envelope and a vca, controlled by either the adsr or a simple on/off gate signal.

interfacing is the main point in a sequencer, so the mc-202 is plastered with 3.5 mm jack sockets - cv/gate in for the sequencer and synth, 2 cv/gate outs for the 2 sequencer tracks, tape in/out for memory backup and 1 din sync in / 2 outs for synchronization. the sliders of the synth section are small, a bit fiddly to set, but nice to use, the sequencer is controlled by small rubber buttons and communicates by means of a 4 digit lcd-display. such is the drawback of the mc-202: it offers a mighty, sophisticated sequencer, but programming can be really painful, as it is anything but straightforward and takes a lot of planning ahead and endlessly tapping small rubber buttons. nevertheless, it provides very detailed control over cv/gate sequences, and the implementation of accent/portamento for the internal synth opens up very exciting possibilities, far beyond the level of 303esque sequences. together with its ridiculously small, yet quite powerful version of an analogue synthesizer, this machine can do deep bass sounds as well as high pitched bleeps and effects, with one of our most appreciated synth filters around.