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ianker « mixed feelings »
Published on 04/07/11 at 10:35
Best value:
Excellent
I will not repeat the features, they are described in great length on the manufacturer's website.
The connection is fairly complete (separate outputs, midi, USB, SPDIF, etc..), The beast has many fully editable sounds and a variety of effects section. Note that memory cards are used in the format smart media, hard to find today.
UTILIZATION
It takes a little time to take the machine in hand. I work on Roland instruments for many years (including previous Groovebox), and it's a little gas plant at the start.
Fortunately the manual is very well done, we found it very easily. The front knobs allow editing of the sounds very easily. Regarding the part sequencer, sampling, effects, it will navigate through menus and submenus.
Everything is very readable thanks to the big screen of the MC-909, and quickly found its brands. Regarding the factory sounds, they are usable, but not transcendent either. It is possible to modify or even create its sound, but I find the sounds a little skimpy.
Let me explain that bump on analog synths long ago, I can not find the typical grain of Juno (as another example, but since we are at Roland, as compared with their stuff). The sounds blend perfectly in a mix, but sounds a bit like the end, the machine really lacks character (which is also often criticized the manufacturer).
The effect section comes to the rescue on the side sounds a bit dull. Two multi-effects are available (in addition to a compressor and reverb), and the quality is at the rendezvous. Do not expect either to achieve effects such as on a rack costs 2 times the price of the machine, but that's enough for a groovebox.
The effects are well-adjusted, what is most important, and can bring some consistency and life to a mix. The sampler is very honorable, the converters have a good dynamic, and editing is pretty easy. Of course, there are tools to perform much better on Mac and PC for editing samples and then send them on the 909, but nevertheless allows the Groovebox work properly if you have no PC at hand. Part sequencer is really nice shape. Those familiar with software sequencers easily end up there, but it will forget this reflex to want to click on any price that you see on the screen (obviously, without a mouse unless it works well).
The keyboard aged badly, mine somehow reacts to velocity. I have a midi keyboard to control the machine, so it does not bother me especially. Note also that the MIDI implementation is very good on this machine, I'm just in passing for those who have bumps on the MC-303 MIDI system and its disastrous. Here, it works seamlessly, no headaches.
SOUNDS
The sounds of factories are correct, but you can edit them. Once processed with effects (internal or external), we come to learn something.
I find it regrettable on the other hand, but it is common to all manufacturers of user memory stick if reduced to patches and patterns, while we rot memory with their own programming unnecessary (I'm using it to compose, so I have no great interest to find myself with 800 preset patches for 256 users, and over 200 patterns of the manufacturer that only serve to outline the possibilities of the bike).
There are about 600 waveforms, and can still add more through SRX (expensive). The programming is more or less unlimited so the parameters are numerous, but one remains in his typical "Roland", no real surprise. The sampler can still adding their own colors, and it arrives at the end to get something very different from the original sounds on offer.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for some years. I had bought used with several memory cards, and 256MB of RAM (the maximum that can be added) installed.
For 500 euros is very correct, but at the cost new at the time, and without options is still limited.
I tried just about all models of Groovebox Roland, Yamaha and Korg. Like many sounds from Yamaha, just under the side ergonomics. Korg sounds I do not really agree on what type of product (Electribe). What I like most: - powerful sequencer - the accessible front panel knobs - FX section provided good - readable display - well thought out menu system (we found it) What I like least - sounds a bit dull - memory limit (you can save on memory card or via USB, but it's still a constraint in my opinion) The quality / price is good for the price of the occasion. I certainly do it again this election, if only for the sequencer which allows me to control other machines without using a PC (go find a sequencer hard at this price point).
The connection is fairly complete (separate outputs, midi, USB, SPDIF, etc..), The beast has many fully editable sounds and a variety of effects section. Note that memory cards are used in the format smart media, hard to find today.
UTILIZATION
It takes a little time to take the machine in hand. I work on Roland instruments for many years (including previous Groovebox), and it's a little gas plant at the start.
Fortunately the manual is very well done, we found it very easily. The front knobs allow editing of the sounds very easily. Regarding the part sequencer, sampling, effects, it will navigate through menus and submenus.
Everything is very readable thanks to the big screen of the MC-909, and quickly found its brands. Regarding the factory sounds, they are usable, but not transcendent either. It is possible to modify or even create its sound, but I find the sounds a little skimpy.
Let me explain that bump on analog synths long ago, I can not find the typical grain of Juno (as another example, but since we are at Roland, as compared with their stuff). The sounds blend perfectly in a mix, but sounds a bit like the end, the machine really lacks character (which is also often criticized the manufacturer).
The effect section comes to the rescue on the side sounds a bit dull. Two multi-effects are available (in addition to a compressor and reverb), and the quality is at the rendezvous. Do not expect either to achieve effects such as on a rack costs 2 times the price of the machine, but that's enough for a groovebox.
The effects are well-adjusted, what is most important, and can bring some consistency and life to a mix. The sampler is very honorable, the converters have a good dynamic, and editing is pretty easy. Of course, there are tools to perform much better on Mac and PC for editing samples and then send them on the 909, but nevertheless allows the Groovebox work properly if you have no PC at hand. Part sequencer is really nice shape. Those familiar with software sequencers easily end up there, but it will forget this reflex to want to click on any price that you see on the screen (obviously, without a mouse unless it works well).
The keyboard aged badly, mine somehow reacts to velocity. I have a midi keyboard to control the machine, so it does not bother me especially. Note also that the MIDI implementation is very good on this machine, I'm just in passing for those who have bumps on the MC-303 MIDI system and its disastrous. Here, it works seamlessly, no headaches.
SOUNDS
The sounds of factories are correct, but you can edit them. Once processed with effects (internal or external), we come to learn something.
I find it regrettable on the other hand, but it is common to all manufacturers of user memory stick if reduced to patches and patterns, while we rot memory with their own programming unnecessary (I'm using it to compose, so I have no great interest to find myself with 800 preset patches for 256 users, and over 200 patterns of the manufacturer that only serve to outline the possibilities of the bike).
There are about 600 waveforms, and can still add more through SRX (expensive). The programming is more or less unlimited so the parameters are numerous, but one remains in his typical "Roland", no real surprise. The sampler can still adding their own colors, and it arrives at the end to get something very different from the original sounds on offer.
OVERALL OPINION
I use it for some years. I had bought used with several memory cards, and 256MB of RAM (the maximum that can be added) installed.
For 500 euros is very correct, but at the cost new at the time, and without options is still limited.
I tried just about all models of Groovebox Roland, Yamaha and Korg. Like many sounds from Yamaha, just under the side ergonomics. Korg sounds I do not really agree on what type of product (Electribe). What I like most: - powerful sequencer - the accessible front panel knobs - FX section provided good - readable display - well thought out menu system (we found it) What I like least - sounds a bit dull - memory limit (you can save on memory card or via USB, but it's still a constraint in my opinion) The quality / price is good for the price of the occasion. I certainly do it again this election, if only for the sequencer which allows me to control other machines without using a PC (go find a sequencer hard at this price point).