The MCS2 is a vintage tabletop MIDI control station with sliders and buttons that can be assigned to transmit any type of MIDI controller messages. It can basically add Control change to module, some time clock to drum machine and sequencer. The most neat feature is the management of the yamaha famous control breath with analog input and conversion to any CC or pedal assign. The rear panel provides 2 footswitch jacks and 2 continuous (expression) foot controller jacks. The assignable jacks and the sliders provide a continuous range of assignable values. The MCS2 is the same width as the QX21 sequencer and the TX7 expander.
I heard time ago about the MCS2, but not really looking for it. The average price today is about 150-200 quids maybe with the original box, a bit too much for a Midi box. Unless you use the Breath controller, there a dozen of Control Change midi box around with modern features.
Once again, the Craiglist invited me to spend some more money on a new stuff I don't need (Jacques Lacan dixit). So I found this MCS2 very close to my home at fair price; the main point for this purchase (to convince myself) is the black Yamaha design that I do really love.
So i just contacted the nice seller, he claimed he's moving and now he's doing everything on a single computer, so he doesn't need that stuff anymore. That's what I call a wiseman! So back home and test the Japanese box with some FM retro stuff.
Not much! the controller works pretty fine and looks good. The battery just need to be replaced but it's quite elementary if you can use solder iron.
There are just a pair of screws and you have access to full board in no time. The battery is near logic IC12 and a nice tantalum cap- to be watched in the future. So once finished I just put back the screw... bu...
UPPER: Using the MCS2 is quite easy , you just have to HOLD the EDIT-ASSIGN BUTTON to assign the different control change to the machine. I tried a bit of CC, but, for some weird reasons, Yamaha implemented only Control change from 1 to 64! I know it's before THE GS GM protocol, but sometime assigning cutoff 71 is pretty useful. Need a workaround.
Ok, time to replace the original eprom with a FIX for this bug or limitation.
Popping the EPROM is quite easy. Switch on and... working! now you can assign all 128 Control change.
If you need it, here's the english MANUAL
SAD ENOUGH, NO SERVICE MANUAL, if you have it, please do write US.
Built - Click now