jahrome
Diamond Member
1. The hard drive is tied to some of the most important functions of the MV. Hard drive failure, corrupted data, or erasing an important file can crash the entire unit. It is more like a PC than a hardware sequencer. It even performs start up and shut down like a PC. Since verything hinges on the hard disk, you should view the hard drive as temporary storage and back up everything on CDRW or your PC.
2. 8 audio tracks. This is a feature that is getting its props. However, most MIDI sequencers, if not all, that have audio tracks are software on computer platforms (Pro Tools, Nuendo, Cubase, Logic, Sonar, etc). These are software based. Audio is recorded to the PCs hard drive. This is extremely efficient and doesn't bogg down the computers RAM. Hard drives today can store more than 200 gigs. The MV-8000 on the other hand stores audio in its RAM, which is maxed at 512 I believe. This RAM is shared by the sequencer, patches, and any samples. A large project can eat up this memory. When it comes to saving such a large project...it can take a very long time to save. In reviewing the unit, I created a projecrt that took 5 minutes to save. I found it far from efficient. I would limit my use of the audio tracks for this reason. I also have to add..one a sample or audio file is stored in RAM, there is no easy way to just delete it like other similar units. You have to go to the project menu and go through an optimize process just to get rid of the sample to free up memory. A simple sample delete key would be nice...just like other samplers that were created from 1988-2002.
3. Being a MIDI crazed maniac..I found the 2 MIDI outputs limiting. I can work around it..but for a unit that is aiming for professional use and claiming to be the center piece of a studio..additional MIDI outputs would be desirable. 4 MIDI outs would be nice
4. It has all the common sync protocols like MMC and MTC, but I would like to have SMPTE as a future option.
5. It has seperate input connections for sampling turntables and also line sources...but you cannot a turntable and a line source to the unit at the same time, the MV will disable the line inputs. If this is the center piece of my studio, I don't want to connect and disconnect cables all the time. I can work around this by using an external mixer but....
6. The LCD screen is small and is very cumbersome with all the functions that are displayed on it. Since it isn't adjustable, I found myself hunched over the unit. You NEED the VGA option with this unit..no question. It should be a standard not an option.
7. Time stretching. Roland products may probably have the best real time stretching of any harware synths.samplers, etc. This is the highlight of this unit. A serious tool for remixers and sample-based producers. But, I have to add that if one spends $2000 on this unit, they would most likely own and use a computer in their studio. Most of the new digital audio progranms have this function as well and is as powerful or better.
8. As a highend unit, I was disappointed that it didn't have ADAT digital ouput option like other workstations in its price class. There is Roland's R-Bus digital protocol and also a converter box for ADAT connection...but I found this Roland's attempt to make more money and keep everything in the family. I don't know of any non-Roland R-bus products.
9. The onboard layout of the MV is very similar to other leading sequencers. But int its attempt to be the last sequencer you will ever need, it has added cunbersome menus and keys that perform the same funtion. There are functions that are so simple that it should take minmal navigation to accomplish yet you have to go to another MENU...project optimize, project save, project save as, project delete, project protect, create new project, project load, project back-up to CD, recover project from CD, project rename...I am all projected out. Everything can be combined to a project load or save. To load a project, it will be in two places..either the hard drive or CDRW..no need for additional menus for that..the reason why hardware sequencers have remained popular because producers like being spontaneous....we have enough of Windows/menus in our lives.
10. The pads are ok. However, if you strike them hard enough, it may trigger sounds on an adjacent pad. Roland added a pad input sensitivity to help you if you have this problem.
11. On-board sounds are not really on-board as in sounds in a sound module. These sounds/patches are stored on the hard drive. Not really a reason to buy jump for joy. Most sequncers today come with sounds on a CD or DVD Rom that can be stored to any medium you like. The sounds are no better or worse than anything I have heard in similar products. However, there is a big support forum intended to help (jump start sales of the MV and related products)users. You can purchase patches/sounds designed for the unit a fair price which is ok. But..most similar units can load just about any commercially available sample CD roms with similar sounds without any or very little tweaking.
12. So when it is all said and done, it really comes down to do you really need the bells and whitles this unit have? Do you mind the waiting time it takes for it to perform certain functions? And best..does it fit your budget.
You may never need 128 tracks and its attempt to add audio tracks (which would only be useful to me if the tracks could be recorded and streamed to/from its hard drive). Cheaper alternatives exist for real-time time stretching such as Acid (which is software based). Nothing new or original in the MIDI sequencer or the layout of the industry standard 16 pressure sensitive grey pads..
But, despite its short comings, I have found it to be a worthy addition (not a replacement) to my gear addiction. Especially since Roland is dedicated (for the time being..where is the MC-909 these days)to promoting this item. If Roland supported the MC-909 sampling groove box better that they are now, I would opt for it instead. It can do many of the similar things plus you can install Roland's SRX chips in it. Only if they mad a MV-8000 with slots ofr the SRX expansion boards...that would be a killer..
2. 8 audio tracks. This is a feature that is getting its props. However, most MIDI sequencers, if not all, that have audio tracks are software on computer platforms (Pro Tools, Nuendo, Cubase, Logic, Sonar, etc). These are software based. Audio is recorded to the PCs hard drive. This is extremely efficient and doesn't bogg down the computers RAM. Hard drives today can store more than 200 gigs. The MV-8000 on the other hand stores audio in its RAM, which is maxed at 512 I believe. This RAM is shared by the sequencer, patches, and any samples. A large project can eat up this memory. When it comes to saving such a large project...it can take a very long time to save. In reviewing the unit, I created a projecrt that took 5 minutes to save. I found it far from efficient. I would limit my use of the audio tracks for this reason. I also have to add..one a sample or audio file is stored in RAM, there is no easy way to just delete it like other similar units. You have to go to the project menu and go through an optimize process just to get rid of the sample to free up memory. A simple sample delete key would be nice...just like other samplers that were created from 1988-2002.
3. Being a MIDI crazed maniac..I found the 2 MIDI outputs limiting. I can work around it..but for a unit that is aiming for professional use and claiming to be the center piece of a studio..additional MIDI outputs would be desirable. 4 MIDI outs would be nice
4. It has all the common sync protocols like MMC and MTC, but I would like to have SMPTE as a future option.
5. It has seperate input connections for sampling turntables and also line sources...but you cannot a turntable and a line source to the unit at the same time, the MV will disable the line inputs. If this is the center piece of my studio, I don't want to connect and disconnect cables all the time. I can work around this by using an external mixer but....
6. The LCD screen is small and is very cumbersome with all the functions that are displayed on it. Since it isn't adjustable, I found myself hunched over the unit. You NEED the VGA option with this unit..no question. It should be a standard not an option.
7. Time stretching. Roland products may probably have the best real time stretching of any harware synths.samplers, etc. This is the highlight of this unit. A serious tool for remixers and sample-based producers. But, I have to add that if one spends $2000 on this unit, they would most likely own and use a computer in their studio. Most of the new digital audio progranms have this function as well and is as powerful or better.
8. As a highend unit, I was disappointed that it didn't have ADAT digital ouput option like other workstations in its price class. There is Roland's R-Bus digital protocol and also a converter box for ADAT connection...but I found this Roland's attempt to make more money and keep everything in the family. I don't know of any non-Roland R-bus products.
9. The onboard layout of the MV is very similar to other leading sequencers. But int its attempt to be the last sequencer you will ever need, it has added cunbersome menus and keys that perform the same funtion. There are functions that are so simple that it should take minmal navigation to accomplish yet you have to go to another MENU...project optimize, project save, project save as, project delete, project protect, create new project, project load, project back-up to CD, recover project from CD, project rename...I am all projected out. Everything can be combined to a project load or save. To load a project, it will be in two places..either the hard drive or CDRW..no need for additional menus for that..the reason why hardware sequencers have remained popular because producers like being spontaneous....we have enough of Windows/menus in our lives.
10. The pads are ok. However, if you strike them hard enough, it may trigger sounds on an adjacent pad. Roland added a pad input sensitivity to help you if you have this problem.
11. On-board sounds are not really on-board as in sounds in a sound module. These sounds/patches are stored on the hard drive. Not really a reason to buy jump for joy. Most sequncers today come with sounds on a CD or DVD Rom that can be stored to any medium you like. The sounds are no better or worse than anything I have heard in similar products. However, there is a big support forum intended to help (jump start sales of the MV and related products)users. You can purchase patches/sounds designed for the unit a fair price which is ok. But..most similar units can load just about any commercially available sample CD roms with similar sounds without any or very little tweaking.
12. So when it is all said and done, it really comes down to do you really need the bells and whitles this unit have? Do you mind the waiting time it takes for it to perform certain functions? And best..does it fit your budget.
You may never need 128 tracks and its attempt to add audio tracks (which would only be useful to me if the tracks could be recorded and streamed to/from its hard drive). Cheaper alternatives exist for real-time time stretching such as Acid (which is software based). Nothing new or original in the MIDI sequencer or the layout of the industry standard 16 pressure sensitive grey pads..
But, despite its short comings, I have found it to be a worthy addition (not a replacement) to my gear addiction. Especially since Roland is dedicated (for the time being..where is the MC-909 these days)to promoting this item. If Roland supported the MC-909 sampling groove box better that they are now, I would opt for it instead. It can do many of the similar things plus you can install Roland's SRX chips in it. Only if they mad a MV-8000 with slots ofr the SRX expansion boards...that would be a killer..