Roland MV-8800

The Roland MV 8800 is an all out monster. You can do pretty much everything on it, I was in guitar center for about 3 hours just messing with it when they had it set up. It attracted me right away. Probably the only reason I didn’t purchase it is because of my MPC 5000 which is probably the only sampling sequencer that can compete with the MV 8800. The MV 8800 just provides so many things that you can do with your music. One of the main things that is crazy to me first is that you can hook up and monitor to it which is KEY. Because you don’t want to make a whole project on the built in back lit screen. Also, you can plug in a mouse for the internal software that it uses. Not to mention the ability to use software synths or vst’s right in the MV 8800. This might be the first of its kind, im surprised the mpc hasn’t implemented most of this stuff yet.


UTILIZATION

I cant say its really easy to understand all of the functions of it, it will take some time jus to get familiar with everything but Roland has made the MV 8800 about as simple as it possible could. So when using the MV 8800 for the first week or maybe more depending on your ability to learn fast you will need the manual. You will need to keep the manual close by too because has you keep moving forwared with your project you will hit a few bumpbs in the road that will keep you from moving forwared so you will need to look these things up fast.


SOUNDS

The sounds are realistic and the pads are great, not as good as a feel on the MPC line though but very close. Its as close as you will get to an MPC but you really cant compare it to the Akai MPC because this just does a lot more. So it will really come down to what you need out of a sampler?


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I love it. Its pretty expensive though but its worth every penny. Plus I think they have a new model out for it or are working on one that is suppose to blow this one out of the water. It could be my next big purchase.

The Roland MV 800 allows the project to create a song mode and up to 96 patterns. From there, when is in pattern, you can switch the play pattern, which can trigger the reading of the patterns created through the pads (a function "wait" to specify the machine to read the pattern through a pad at the end of reading the current pattern, and function "immediate" because the pattern is read from the activation of the pad), and reading all the sentences of the audio track audio. Each pattern can maintain its own tempo and align with a global tempo set or editable during playback. Pattern Play mode, the sliders are functional, but can not change their assignment during playback.


UTILIZATION


In song mode, you have a past pattern function, which allows you to play a series of pattern live as we please, or make a song clean mode with all the pattern created.
We also have a function with the quantize grid modes, shuffle, and template (to give a little groove in the sequences).
To respond to some opinions, I want to point out some errors, there are shortcuts! I would say all that are needed are present note "erase event" and "delete" on the front, as well as for the locator, markers, loop and a host of other super practical.


SOUNDS


No complaints, the pads are great and fully programmable on all parameters midi. You can even assign up to five sounds per pad, so it was not over the fingers to wear them. If he adds a master keyboard was all it takes.

OVERALL OPINION

Overall, Good sampling machine, but you love the MPC’s then stick with them. This will allow you to do more, but it does not have the feel of the MPC that we all love. There are a lot of menus and sub menus that will confuse you. If you haven't used the MPC at all then go with this sample because its an all in one machine.

(Originally written by le.ti.ardennais/translated from Audiofanzine FR)

- Types of connections (audio, MIDI, etc.):

Midi, digital, analog

- How many presets and programs are available? Are they editable? With a Mac/PC software?

Unfortunately not many presets included, which is so often the case with Roland. You'll have to buy expansion cards or find another trick to get sounds. You can connect it to a PC, which is very convenient to import data, but you'll have to be patient because the hard drive isn't the fastest!

- Does the unit have an effects section?

Yes

- Sequencer features:

Lots and lots.... very nice indeed. Otherwise it's easy to use.

UTILIZATION

- Is it easy to make settings?
- Is it easy to access the main functions?
It's ok but it's easier with the VGA option! I recommend you to use a screen.

Is the user's manual clear and comprehensive?

Not very helpful: "In order to solve th problem see page 50 then page 200 and then page 257(!)" It's like a riddle and it is often written in a dialect I don't know

SOUNDS

There is no comparison to a computer! The sound is really perfect, no noise, no system crashes, very stable, no overheating problems. These are the main advantages compared to using software with Windows, even though I have a really powerful computer...

OVERALL OPINION

- I've "used" it only a few months because the manual is so awful that I've had to really work in fits and starts but I do have fun sometimes.

I love its looks and sturdiness. The sound is very good and its a very a comprehensive piece of gear.

I hate its complexity, it's irritating, and it is also very, very slow!

- How would you rate its value for money?

It's not an easy task to rate such a product.

- Based on your experience, would you buy this product again?

No!!! Although the concept is great, the technology is already obsolete because of the long conception and production time needed to develop such a product. As a result, when the unit comes out some of its components (like HDD/memory) are already too slow compared to other products. It's almost like installing an old 40 Gb hard disk in a modern computer! We all love high speed!
In short, this unit didn't convince me, but that's only my opinion.

It's too slow, too irritating and the manual is awful. For me, music ought to be a pleasure not a torture every evening when you know that your project isn't going to get anywhere