Roland MV-8000

The Roland MV 8000 is a machine that I do not own as of now. But I have used it several times and I must say it was one of the only machines that could even come close to what the mpc can do. The MV 8000 has sort of copied the MPC with a lot of its functions, but it has tried to out due them by adding more options and giving you more control over the whole project not just sequencing and drumming. There are a lot of things that you can do on the MV 8000 that I wish the MPC was capable of.


UTILIZATION

It was not easy at all for me to understand this unit. It took sometime but maybe because I am used to the MPC and so many other sampling machines. But it did seem like this one was more difficult to understand that navigate through, even when I use it now I still have difficulty getting to what I want. I have opened the manual a few times but its so unattractive to me I just don’t waste my time reading it.


SOUNDS

Sounds are good, the pads are ok. They definitely don’t feel like mpc pads though.


OVERALL OPINION

At the end of the day, if you are looking for a sampling machine, there are a few to choose from but the reason that you would want to go with the MV 8000 is because it can do everything. It can really be the middle and focal point of your set up with its ability to do a whole song right on board and run it on a external screen so it will feel like a computer. Most all sequencers can do the same thing so is the MV 8000 worth the 1500 that it cost now? Could be, it just depends on what you need it for. But I wont purchase it because its too much of a headache trying to navigate through everything.

At first I was skeptical about the MV 8000, but after playing around with it I was amazed. The workflow seemed to be extremely easy and self explanatory. I didn’t even have to open up the manual at first. As soon as I sat down and started messing around I got the hang of it and started creating sequences immediately. The MV 8000 packs a powerful punch! It has a great design and just sitting at it will give you some creativity you didn’t know you had. This is one powerful sequencer that is a computer program and a drum machine tied up into one piece of equipment with the ability to load vst’s and external instruments in a flash!


UTILIZATION

Everything is very functional and easy to use, the manual is very straight forward!

SOUNDS

The sounds are top quality Roland has always produced rich warm sounds out of all of their products and this is no exception. You can also edit each individual sound on each pad. You can compare this to the MPC 4000. Both machines are great and have great sounds. It has 6 outs for speakers along with midi ins and outs which is a must have.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall this is a solid machine for a reasonable price, this is the only machine that can compare to the MPC. I love the grid editing fruity loops style editor. Makes me feel like im on the computer. Which you can actually hook up an external monitor so you don’t have to use the on board monitor. This is something that MPC hasn’t done yet! This is the real deal, full production studio from top to bottom. I was very happy with my purchase of this MV 8000. I bought mine for 2000 dollars. But it was well worth it and I still use the MV 8000 almost every single day in the main studio!

-96 khz of sampling. -More Drum Kits.

Price paid

$2000

UTILIZATION

Very after you spend time. Nothin beats time invested you'll learn without knowing.

It has a real great design.

SOUNDS

The sound quality on this machine is great. The features is off the hook; sampling, making beats, its like pro tools in a box for beats. crisp sound, intense editing features, u can edit each sound on the pads individually; volume, LFO, Amplifier and much more for the quick edit feature. Mastering tool kit, Pix jam. It is truly a piece of machinery for you if your trying to create a different sound, especially if your on a decent budget. This machine obtained the Remix Award. An optional card can be installed MV8-OP1, this adds 6 analog outputs Speakers etc., digital and coxial inputs and an R-Bus connectors, those are just to connect to other devices, digital recorders etc. You can also add the MV8-VGA; this allows you to connect a screen and mouse to use it like an station, it doesn't just operate it uses a software, 3.0 is the latest version. This includes pattern and sequence mode, drum grid editor for all you fruity loops users; the drum grid editor makes those hard drum parts easier and you can change the velocity on every note easy as hell. With MPC you always have to switch pages. It allows you to make finished beats and songs. The downfall of this is you can't connect a condenser mic but you can record on a workstation and transfer vocals and master them and create finished songs. This piece of machine is living up to 'Production Studio'. but i cant make you buy it, in this business you can't just buy things because of wut you heard. The MPC has always been raw though, its that hardcore drummin'. I plan to get the 4000 next year. The MV-8000 is new in the game, you'll hear producers like us in the street talkin bout the MPC, thats wut everbody know about, I be killin niggas with this even producers who been doin it longer than me (grown men) they cant believe i'm so knowledgable. You have to do research and find wuts comfortable fo you. It still needs more time to develop, but when they do, u can get the free updates.

OVERALL OPINION

I wouldn't change it Its an MPC and a half.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Rudeboy_407 ( 7-, 2005)

To see videos of the unit go to http://www.phillyheat.com/Mv-8000.html I try to keep em updated...U also see me live workin with it. Its nice to be able to create tracks in a linear mode and pattern...It has an option for Vga and Mouse...Has an option for additional 6 outs if u need it!....upgradable to 512mb of ram but Ive seen people put a gig of Ram in there...This slaughters the sample times of other hardware sequencers....40 gig Hd for storage(I had mine since Feb 04 and only used 10 gig I have seen people upgrade to 120 gig hard drives they are standare Ide)....It has usb option for easy transfer from the computer...DRum grid is excellent for people who have used Fruityloops and like to program there sounds in . It also has a piano roll. Easy too sync loops when importing your own or from a sound cd . Unit has cdrom and Floppy....It has a built in Preamp to connect a turntable directly in. Mixer in unit is good along with the effects Roland should add anothe mfx processor or 2(but the medy fo this is the nice resampling feature + A moving locator in the sample edit screen....I wont be surprised if roland adds this in a new os update..

Price paid

$2100 but that was in Feb '04

UTILIZATION

Its easy as hell to use providing previous Akai users get deprogrammed from the MPC's language(I have attempted to get into akai products but there are too many sub screens to do the simple things they make good products though) ...lol...You have to speak roland now...its too easy really...Once u learn how to load patches eand save everything then falls into place...I tell people to peep my videos and chechk out the #1 forum for the machine www.mvnation.com over there u got a resource of Mv vets that can help u easily get into this machine.

I have never had to get it repaired...Never has locked up ....Beats the hell out of a Pc or Mac....lol...I do know a few peeps that have pressed buttons not pads to hard and they sunk in but I was like wtf thats abuse....lol

SOUNDS

Roland hasnt slipped up here has decent factory patches to start with....Has a great mastering section to give u that knock!

OVERALL OPINION

My girl is Jealous of the machine because Im always on it....I wake up 4 in the morn to get on it....I feen for this machine like a crackhead to crack..like Jayz to Rap....It actually gets tempting to call out of work....ha ha

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: DaMADMAN ( 9-, 2005)