Oberheim MC-3000

If you know MIDI, etc., then it's really easy and intutive, thanks to the comprehensive LCD screen. (If you don't know much about MIDI and keyboard programming you'll find it baffling, but then that would be true of any other controller keyboard you tried to program). There are different screens for different things, but not so many that you get lost. Every value is clearly marked and easy to change.

The manual is okay as well. It's not as bad as someone implied here earlier. There are much worse manuals out there.

There is no other controller keyboard around at the moment that comes anywhere near having the features the MC3000 has: 1024 patches, lots of chains, 8 MIDI Outs, 2 MIDI Ins, 8 zones which can easily be switched in and out real-time, 8 auxiliary zones which allow you to send program changes to other external equipment, each zone having independent programmability.... it's just fabulous. Complex setups which are just impossible on standard controllers are a breeze with this.

In general, controller keyboard features have generally gone backwards. In the case of Fatar they've gradually gone from being prehistoric to only centuries behind Oberheim. The MC3000 stands out like a beacon these days.

I simply couldn't do what I do live with anything else. And in the studio it's great because you have oodles of patches you can set up for various situations.

No onboard sounds. I like the action, it's a good as anything else I've tried, and not quite as heavy as the usual Yamaha action which will break your wrists if you play fast (some Rolands are like this as well).

The wheels are fine, aftertouch is fine.

Reliability was my one concern with it. The LCD display gradually went, and it was a slow, tedious process getting it back to Italy to be repaired (I went through Turnkey, the UK distributor, who said this was the only way to do it). It was lost in transit, but Turnkey at least replaced it with another unit (apaprently the original did eventually turn up again).

But then the LCD started going on this unit, and before the LCD went the whole thing went dead one day. This was not good.

However, the good news is this. The second time it was out of warranty, and I found a very good local repair shop that knew its stuff who said it could fix the LCD problem (the deadness was just a matter of fixing or replacing the power supply).

They fixed it, although there were two lines missing which they said was probably caused by the spike that killed the keyboard rather than anything to do with the LCD. If I couldn't live with that, they could fit a new LCD if Oberheim would supply it. So I e-mailed Viscount --- who now own Oberheim -- and they sold me a new LCD. They also sent me a service manual for free.

The repair shop fitted the new LCD, which worked fine. They said that the new LCD had an extra little circuit board that looked as though it had been added to fix the LCD problem, so that's good news for the future. They also said that they were impressed with the insides of the MC3000 nice layout, well put-together, etc.

So my worries about the MC3000's reliability have mostly gone. (I should point out that I did used to have it on all day and evening for years). Other than that it seems bullet-proof, it's extremely road-worthy with solid wooden ends and a metal body (no chipboard such as even Yamaha uses these days). The switches have all survived years of me hitting them, they keys are as good as new, it's built like a tank.

Unfortunately this makes a bit heavier than the usual keyboard -- I can carry it single-handedly but a sensitive type will need a hand -- but I prefer it to be solid. I have lighter keyboards, but I don't trust them half as much to stand up to punishment.

See above.

As I said, there's nothing else like it, and what was like it has disappeared. I already bought a spare when the other one was having LCD problems (also to use if the other eventually does die permanently and they stop making it). It doesn't look like another company is ever going to make a product like this again, so I hope to be using the MC3000 for a long, long time.

Turnkey have stopped selling the MC3000 (although they still sell the 2000), but you can buy it in Europe from places such as musicstorekoeln.de.

If you're a serious keyboardist with a serious sound module setup then this is the controller to have. Personally, if it didn't exist I wouldn't bother with any other controller, as they don't cut the mutard, I'd just buy something like a Fantom with the weighted keyboard.

Viscount page:
http://www.viscount.it/product.asp?idcat1=-250368922&idprodotto=1296180404

the sound should be gm compatible meaning 128 sound and more

yes for midi controller

try and get it upgrade with more sound i think like more grand piano and Fender Rhodes sample would work very very good on the mc2000ex and mc 3000

1) i don't know if i would buy a next mc2000ex
2)i think it with the mc 2000 and with jv1080 waldof micro q gears
3)no
4)as i say more sound
5)the mc 2000 do as a piano controller
6) no

Bought this unit online in 2000 - has had scant use since then. But I bought it because it was the biggest, baddest m0-f0 on teh planet as far as MIDI controllers were concerned. Sadly, I checked out this resource four years ago, and here I am as poster 10!!! People don't know what they're missin.

Presets - This is a MIDI CONTROLLER. The presets in the factory offerings cajoled me to buy a Roland JV-1010 (prestuffed), which, seriously, no semi-pro should be without anyway. The JV-1010 is muchas smoochas for the money. I added the Orchestral expansion board, turning it into the greatest half-rack piece of synthesizer on this oblate spheroid.

Patch editor??? OMG!!! Where else can you use a mouse? Although this is obscurely a performance feature - tweak your profiles during a smoke break. But I've not used this feature.

Features... yes. If you're looking for a MIDI controller, this is the greatest such thing on the planet. I dare people to name all the controllers that have a couple MIDI ins, a couple MIDI outs, EIGHT friggin MIDI outs with EIGHT friggin slider bars, and SEVEN pedal controls. Go ahead, I'll wait for you to google all the other MIDI controllers that support seven foot pedals. Aftertouch - yes, but I'd rate the keytouch overall as a bit muddier than my Yamaha P-150, which is crystal goodness. Concert pianists won't like the muddy hammer action on this unit, but anyone who already knows how to play may be able to compensate. No delicate arpeggios in the high octaves - uniform muddiness. Get a Yamaha P-200 if you want electronicness of that. But I wouldn't sell this thing if my house were on fire.

Expressiveness is a challenge with this beastie. Genuine hammer-weighted piano action, but as we all know - piano players are very particular. Some guys love Yamaha action/sound; some guys like Boesendorfer action sound. This is a Boesendorfer, just a little sloppier. Japanese and Yamaha fans will hate this. Not as appropos for synth; but if you're trying to learn/play Beethoven - as I am - This is the One.

Sorry, can't say on reliability - haven't used much. Don't gig.

Just fired off an email to MusicYo for a manual. As this was a "Joint Venture" that didn't work; don't expect salespeople slobbering over you. Dealt with MusicYo in the past - I swear they were real-time. Browse musicyo.com - blame me if you drop a couple hundred bucks on stuff you didn't know you could afford.

Lost or stolen - moot point, as where I bought it from doesn't sell them anymore. So I'll rephrase it as - this is the most capable MIDI controller I've ever seen, and if it were stolen, I would hunt down that nancy boy and dance on his grave.

I love the potential - but as far unexplored - capabilities of this unit. Try to find another MIDI controller that does half of this beast. Ain't one.

Don't care much for the keyboard crispness after playing a Yamaha. But then, this is a MIDI controller, and not a digital piano.

You cannot compare this unit to other products, because as a pure MIDI controller, it is incomparable. And no, I am not selling mine. Evar.

I was looking for an 88-key keyboard that would stand the test of time. I was hot for a Yamaha DX-7 in college - who would want one now? I wanted hammer-weighting; portamento, velocity-sensitivity, aftertouch - all the things that a MIDI controller should encompass, without marrying a technology like a Workstation will. The MC-3000 is engaged to the Roland JV-1010, but it'll pair up with anything.

It kinda gets in the way of music in that it's not a ready-set-go unit. In a race between this and my venerable ESQ-1, the ESQ-won. It's not a unit that has preset of velocity matching your patches, but just the tour guide through this thing - oy vey! I swear, if you're looking for a soundless MIDI controller, you won't find a more capable product on the planet.

I have no idea of the Software Rev. etc, since there is no editor for this damn thing and the manual is written and translated by apes. the operating system is intuitive as gar as editing the presets and global parameters, but that is all.

Keyboard action is STIFF. A UK retailer wants to sell you a GM-sounds card (fits the MC 2000/MC1000), but there is no mention of this capability whatsoever. Most of the "features" (mouse, sysex tables etc.) are outdated and useless! Yes, it does have 8 midi outs,a ton of curves, but the patch bay is useless!

This is a mother keyboard controller that has more features that any other on the market, but has not kept up with USB ports, an editor, a useful Midi patch bay and sysex sending capabilities in these fast changing PC days.

It is built dependably, fuses on the inside, battery indicators, sturdy case and buttons, and it shows in its weight!

Viscount never answers their emails, there is no user group, the manual sucks (they explain the oblvious and ommit what needs to be explained, such as the Sysex "learning" facility, how/where to use the Chains etc.); they just dumped them on the market and they could be had for $700 at a well known online retailer. If this is the best there is in 2004, I feel very sorry...It was behind the times in 1998 even...

There is a shortage of 88-note pure Midi controllers out there, the Yamaha KX-88, Peavey DPM C8 have all but disappeard, the Roland A-90 is scarce, Fatar/Studiologic have downgraded their lines, and so has Doepfer, so I am ties to this, would exchange it with any of the above and pretty much do the same things...Give me something with decent PC/sequencer interface support, a built in patch bay that WORKS, sliders easily assignable to send whatever I want - including sysex, a decent manual and a bit of support...Won't happen...

Medium , not especially good .

Mixture of features : some things overdone , others ... missing !

Good heavy keyboard with piano action , but a bit physically noisey .

Probably OK , well built within good sturdy case .

I've already done a review for this item . Why I'm writing again is to mention to other users that I have prepared some charts in Powerpoint which are diagrams from the User Guide . I think you'll find them useful . Let me know if you want a copy at christopher.james'at'ntlworld.com .

There are many features . There's a big screen to set them in ( variaous tables etc .. ) , but the screens are full of wasted space and you have to keep on keying to yet another page .
There's a 'program' mode where you can just look at the values of things , and there's an 'edit' mode where things can be changed . I can't really see the point of this , since the edit mode is 'write-protected' anyway . One poor effort is the special program change sending page which only sends when the user taps 'enter' . Seems no problem , but it's far easier if the program change is sent when the user resets the value !
I like the rather crude (positive) feel of the buttons .

Best feature is the midi-patch facility which is very capable .
The plug-in mouse is a bit of a joke . What's really needed is a software controller program for the PC , and a USB port . Zone velocities and aftertouch can be set , but you can't set the velocities so that overlapping zones crossfade !! ( a serious ommission ) . As well , unbelievably , there is no key mapping !! The nearest thing to it is a (limited to two lousey ocaves) zone transpose . So if you want B3 to send note B7 , you can't do it on this keyboard . So , if you want 'two small pianos beside each other' for teaching , this unit can't do it !!! Incredible !!

Keyboard has a good chunky feel .
Key depression depth is on the shallow side , but I know this has become popular .

very heavy for gigging . Nevertheless , I would take it . I also bought an MC3000d ( the desktop module version ) to maybe take out with just a modest synth (keyboard) , and some modules -- breaks up the load somewhat .

Turnkey in the UK are owned by the extremely greedy Arbiter company .
Hence the UK price of this item is an absurd 50% more than the US price .

If 'lost' , I might just keep using the m3000d desktop unit with one of the roland heavy-key pianos .

This is a follow up review from one I posted in december.

I had a counter-weight on one of the keys crack. This caused the key to sink about a quarter of an inch and lose the weighted action. (Still plays, just annoying.)

Haven't picked it up from the repair shop and miss it badly.

I haven't had the keyboard that long, and with the key breaking, I'm kinda disappointed. Took it to the local repair guys because I bought it mail order and it costs $70 to ship back to them. Also, musicyo.com does not do repairs, only swap outs - and they are out of stock. Cost of the repair was $142 (so it woulda been the same as shipping). Musicyou picked up the cost (woohoo!). Still, the fact that the board would work even if the counter weight breaks is a good thing in my book.

musicyo was a little slow getting the ball rolling. I had to be a little indignant to get information back from them. But when all was said and done, I got a professional repair and my credit card credited.

I would replace this thing so fast because, IMO, there isn't anything on the market that offers the features that this controller gives in MIDI control. And for the price, its a downright steal.

This is a programmable MIDI controller and so to make the most of its capabilities you need to get into the details. If you're not familiar with the MIDI language then this might be a problem for you. However, all the menus are logically laid out and the manual takes you through step-by-step. After a few goes of editing your own layered, multi-zoned patch you'll get the hang of it.

As for playing it out of the box, well as long as you hook up a MIDI tone generator to MIDI port 1, then it's as easy as pie.

The keyboard action is better than I'd hoped for. I bought the unit on the strength of reviews and had not seen one live (there's only one dealer in the UK and they're in London, 200 miles away).

Its support for MIDI control is comprehensive, 1024 programmable patches, 88 keys, 8 assignable pedal inputs, 8 keyboard zones (and 8 aux zones) 8 assignable sliders, three wheels (two assignable), sysex tables, multiple programmable velocity and aftertouch curves, 8 MIDI outs, two MIDI ins, two thrus and a programmable MIDI patch bay make this controller very versatile. You can even use the sliders to control MIDI reverb units! The patch chain facility even lets you define sequences of patches to use; very useful in a live set as you don't have to remember all the patch numbers.

A nice big screen and mouse support makes programming easy.

you can even programme patches to select variation sounds on a Roland GS module using bank select messages. Every patch can squirt sysex down the line.

No sequencer controls, but you can programme keys/wheels/sliders to send song start/song stop messages.


What did annoy me was that you can't programme a zone to have variable amplitude across its range (aka Bias points on my Roland D-20). This means that to have a true cross-fade patch you need to rely on the attached synths being able to have this programmed directly into them.

I loved the expressiveness. It has made my sound modules come alive as the good weighted keyboard gives you lots of control (unlike the 'toy' keyboard on my Roland D-20).

It has aftertouch, but as yet I can't get my Dr Synth to respond to it.

I looks reliable. At 27.4 kilos it's very solid and sturdily built. Just watch out for the internal lithium batteries - they run out after about 4 years! But there is an indicator that tells you if they're running low.

I've not had it long enough to let you know if it's reliable or not. It works for me in my Church setting at the moment.

The Oberheim web site is not very useful. I want an FAQ section and programming hints 'n' tips. Don't know about their actual support as I haven't needed it yet.

I would replace it at the drop of a hat. It's such good value for money at 800 quid. It blows the Fatar/Studiologic keyboards out of the water.

I wish it had the ability to control sysex functions from the sliders (e.g. resonance sweeps); of course, it may do this already, but I just haven't found out how yet. I also wish it had the facility for defining real crossfades. For layering and splits its superb.

I was going to get a StudioLogic controller originally. I didn't like the SL880 because it doesn't give easy access to stored programs. The SL1100 is more versatile than the SL880 but more expensive. Also, I have heard that they're more prone to breaking than the Oberheim.

I also considered the MC2000EX with the built-in sound card (the MC3000 doesn't support this feature). Whilst the MC2000 is cheaper, it's not as programmable, doesn't have the patch bay, has a much smaller screen and (according to the shop!) doesn't have quite as nice an action.

I LOVE this baby! Oh, and it's a nice shade of cream too, so it stands out from those anonymous black plastic boxes.

ps, you'll need a good solid stand to go with it. I got a QuikLok X-frame.

The Oberhiem MC3000 does not have any sounds. Be perhaped to program this awesome keyboard to recongize your Sound device. I have mine hooked up to a Alesis QSR unit. It took me at least three readings between the two manual in order to be able to switch to different Banks that held programs on the QSR. Be Prephaped to put on you MIDI Program hat on.

I picked up the keyboard from Music Yo. Same thing no Manual, However they were kind enough to send me a Xerox copy of one. Yah Hoo!
There was light at the end of this dark tunnel Armadillo-Enterprises was able to send me an original Manual for $24.99.

Keyboard features Mono and Polyphony. For an eletronic Keyboard this one does favor me on action. No built in effects. Unbeliveable expansion capabilities since it is a Midi Controller. If your a MIDI geek this will suit you very well.

No sounds on board, No onboard effects. Keyboard reacts very well to my playing. No static. Great reaction to velocity and aftertouch. You can change those very easliy. After all you have 64 different curves. You can program your own curves too.

This is my first Midi Keyboard since the days of Analog and tone wheels. I can depend on it. It is a bit wee heavy. I already used it on a gig. No problems.

Good luck on this one. For true customer support depend on yourself and the manual. Not even a detailed web site for Oberheim. After all their from Italy what do you expect?

I enjoyed the keyboard. However it would be great if the manufactor team up with other manufactor(s) to easliy identify their products. Yes the Oberheim MC3000 has preset progam tables. However it may not match up to your sound device or midi device. Be perpared to a good amount of manual programming to access some and perphaps all of your sounds on your Midi Device. I have a Alesis QSR unit what I truely see are only the Program tables within the tables of the Keyboard. Then programming the keyboard to switch banks within the Program setting of the QSR took me awhile to figure out. It would be great if there was a how to book on this. I guess I expect to much.

I choose this Midi Keyboard because its a MIDI Keyboard. Also because the cost $799.00. I can always purchase any sound unit or other MIDI devices and plug it in. Then enjoy the programming part of the new device. Be perpared to put on you MIDI programming hat. I wonder if they offer any classes or Certifications in this area?

This is really easy to use because Oberhiem thoughtfully preset this bad boy with a bank of different configurations. Changing/adding configurations is a breeze once you learn how to get around (read the manual - its not hard).

This midi controller has more features as a controller than any other on the market. 8 midi outs (so you can control up to 128 separate midi instruments simultaneously) 2 in and 2 thru. Pedal jacks, sliders, chunky knobs make this a truly configurable to your needs controller. Beats the crap out of anything Fatar offers. Only drawback is that you need to buy yamaha conmpatible pedals - don't get any with the opposite polarity or you'll be in mirror land.

It sounds like playing a piano that doesn't have strings - hahaha.
Seriously - the aftertouch and velocity are wonderful and the keys feel so natural. Its easy to modify the at and vel curves to suit your style.

So far, not a whit of complaints. But I've only had it for a month now.

Didn't come with the manual in the box. Told the distributor. They sent me a Xerox copy. bleah. Don't like this one bit. But hey, this is the music business. Got it at MusicYO, if you care.

This is an extremely cheap (if heavy) board and it is worth every penny and more. My initial reluctance was based on the fact that no store around me carries Oberhiem anymore. But the closest Fatar that could compete in features was about $400 more and still had less features as a controller.