I own a Roland RSS-10 with MCR-8 controller.
The degree of dimentionality and 3-D localisation the RSS-10 can convey in an “acoustic environment” sense is quite amazing...it is far, far more than a gimmick or fad.
If you are a fan of some of the early-to-mid 90s ambient along the lines of Sun Electric, The Orb and other Thomass Fehlman productions such as FFWD, etc., this box delivers in spades! They were all heavy users of the RSS system.
Also, as a pure reverb box, it delivers some impressive ambience, spaces and lush reverb. It must be said, however, that the reverb has a distinct “artificial” quality that lends a somewhat-exotic flavor that is not to be found in the pro reverbs from t.c. electronic, Lexicon and Sony. Mind you, I do not say that as any kind of negative, especially if you are working with a more electronic-oriented music style...in fact, I find its nature to be quite special and lovely as it regards many electro-ambient styles!
Having said all that, I will now get on to the “ugh” bit.
The RSS-10 has
no front panel editing whatsoever! What that means is you have to control it from a Mac or PC running a dedicated software app, and at this point in time, those apps are quite old in comparison to the march of computer OS development. I use a Mac, and the app, while flaky, does still work, but I cannot speak to the compatibility of the PC version.
The app allows you to edit the two “modes” of the RSS-10...the static sound-in-3D-space localisation/reverberation mode, and the motion-path-based doppler mode, where a sound source can be made to follow a XYZ-based trail relative to your virtual head, so it seems to move around you if you so desire, with the usual pitch-shifting doppler effects.
The MCR-8 controller is a small knob and slider box made by Roland that can function as a generic GM/GS editor, but it can also function as a real-time editor for the RSS-10’s static sound-in-3D-space localisation/reverberation mode. In this regard it works quite well, and means you can use the RSS-10 for tweaky reverbs without the use of a computer. The motion-path-based mode requires the use of the computer app regardless of the presence of a MCR-8. I will say that the MCR-8 is quite hard to find used at this point.
So, is the RSS-10 worth it? For many people, even most people, I am afraid the answer is no. I say this because of the nature of the non-existant front-panel editing, the aging computer apps and the difficulty in locating a MCR-8.
On the other hand, if you are the kind of person who is a dedicated sound designer, can deal with the idea of dedicating an older computer to editing various pieces of gear and you are into ambient and related styles, it might be for you if you can find one at a good price.
The RSS-10 was originally $2995, Musician’s Friend sells it for $1495, AMS may still have some for $499. I found mine used, but basically new-in-open-box with all disks and templates for the MCR-8 at a Guitar Center that either did not know what it had, or just wanted it gone, and I paid $99 for it.
I was not looking for one, but when I found it, I knew it was mine. I do like many ambient styles, and I am a big fan of many of the records I mentioned above. I am also an effects processor slut in general, and I do appreciate quality reverb and ambience.
I hope this has been of some help to you!
cheers,
aeon
