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Review: Roland MV8000 Production Studio(Roland | Posted 2005-01-04)  I've always been a fan of desktop computer based recording. To me, it always seemed the most flexible way to facilitate songwriting. Today's newest studio recording software packages usually include functions for building loops, sampling, MIDI sequencing and more. It's not difficult, though sometimes overwhelming, to build professional quality tracks at home.
Where shall we start? Well, I wouldn't be honest if I didn't mention I was a bit humbled by the whole thing. The MV8000 has so much functionality; the learning curve could be somewhat significant for some folks who may claim to be a little technically challenged. The unit was easy enough to jump in and play around with using the quick start guide, but going through the motions of setting up a new project, creating a new song, assigning patches to the pads, recording and playing back tracks will take a bit of practice and getting used to. Don't let this discourage you, though. Many functions, once learned, will become second nature to you as the control layout is very intuitive. Things just make sense as you navigate around the console and your next key or button press never seems to be more than a stretch of the finger away. Bravo to Roland for the design. So what can you do with this unit? Well, as a production studio, the MV8000 provides the capability to record audio via line in functionality (such as a guitar signal or vocals), sample sounds, create loops, import samples and loops from CD's, construct MIDI sequences and more. The velocity pads built into the unit allow you to assign up to 16 samples or patches that you can control through the "after touch-sensitive" pads while recording. In addition, you can record up to 128 MIDI and 8 audio tracks utilizing the various input capabilities, apply effects with the professional COSM processing system, mixdown, master, and then burn to CD-ROM. Everything you need to manage an audio production is built into this unit. Another special feature of the Roland MV8000 is broad compatibility. This unit can work with WAV, AIFF, MIDI, Acid files - even rip music right off of audio CD's. Just about any way you can imagine to get audio information into this unit is available, including a USB interface. When sitting down with the unit for the first time, I loaded the sample song and played with some of the functions using the pre-loaded patches on the velocity pads, recording over tracks, adding or deleting tracks, etc. My urge to put together a song right away took over, however, and I created a new project, and a new song. My first task was to load up a CD of samples we had sitting around to review from Loopmasters. This was the "Lounge / Chillout" CD and had a lot of cool grooves, samples and sounds to experiment with. I assigned several to the velocity pads, and then began to add tracks, laying down beats and sequencing various other sound effects over top of them. After I had brewed up an admittedly strange concoction, I decided it was time to lay some guitar solo work over the bit. Piece of cake. Several rounds of sampling, and several strange grooves later I was really starting to warm up to the unit. What appeared to be a little overwhelming at first sight became second nature as many of the tasks flow right off the fingertips. I was even using a mic and sampling vocals, dogs barking, nature sounds - you name it. From what I've explained so far, you can probably conjure an image in your own mind of what is possible with this unit. I probably could have left the Cyber-Twin amp at home since there was already built in COSM effects, amp modeling and more. Last but not least, we also wanted to mention the optional MV8-VGA expansion card ($275). This peripheral gives you VGA monitor expansion capability and the version 2 software to run it, as well as a port for a mouse (mouse included). For those of you that see employing this unit in a less mobile environment such as a home or project studio, this may just be the upgrade for you. Although we became very comfortable working the onboard controls, there's just no substitute for a larger screen and mouse control, especially when you need the speed and efficiency for that rapidly approaching project deadline. Summary For a MSRP of $2,695.00 (and we've seen it a few hundred less online), you get a traveling studio that removes any creative limitations and songwriting blocks you can impose upon yourself. There is simply no excuse for lack of creativity with this unit. Keep in mind, that I approached this unit as a guitarist. Just imagine if you're equally adept in the keyboard / MIDI / synth environment.. When Roland states "From Sample to Finished CD", they are not kidding, folks. You can do it all with the MV8000. It is the ultimate songwriting machine. 
Noted below is some product and feature information direct from Roland: Product Description Roland MV8000 Production Studio From making beats to sampling and CD-burning, the MV-8000 Production Studio does it all-fast and elegantly. Sample your own sounds or import Roland, Akai, ACID and .WAV libraries, then arrange it all using 16 velocity/aftertouch-sensitive pads and Roland's most powerful audio/MIDI sequencer. Add a selection of professional COSM effects, onboard mastering tools, a built-in CD-RW drive and USB port, and you've got the ultimate studio for today's producers. A Complete Studio for Modern Production While there are other hardware studios on the market, none can compete with the MV-8000's ability to quickly turn raw samples into song. With up to 101 minutes of sampling and compatibility with a wide range of audio formats, the MV-8000 offers unlimited possibilities. And sequencing is easy, thanks to 16 velocity-sensitive pads and a graphic LCD interface. Users can record up to 128 MIDI and eight audio tracks, apply effects and burn a CD-making the MV-8000 the first Roland product capable of handling every part of the production process. From Sample to Finished CD Thanks to the onboard CD-RW drive, producers can create entire songs armed with only an MV-8000 and their favorite CDs. The sampler can load sample libraries ranging from Roland and Akai to .WAV and ACID formats--all with just a few simple commands. Then it's just a matter of tapping in some beats, arranging the song and adding effects before burning it all to an audio CD. 136 Tracks of Sequencing Bliss The MV-8000's sequencer section boasts total integration of audio and MIDI and up to 136 tracks of recording. These include 128 MIDI tracks (with 32-channel operation) and eight stereo audio tracks (16 mono) that can be used like a linear recorder. Program beats on the MIDI tracks and combine them with freestyle vocals or acoustic instruments on the audio tracks, including the ability to 'punch in' at any time. The innovative MV-8000 can even sync audio to the sequencer's BPM. Luxurious Velocity Pads and LCD Interface Users of other sampling studios can now upgrade to the MV-8000 without sacrificing the distinctive feel they're used to, thanks to 16 large drum pads for programming beats and triggering audio phrases. The pads are both velocity- and aftertouch-sensitive for maximum expression, and when combined with the MV-8000's large, graphic LCD and realtime control knobs, make sequencing more natural and spontaneous. Compatible with Popular Audio Formats When it comes to sound libraries, the MV-8000 offers compatibility with some of the biggest formats around-including the ability to import Akai MPC disks via the built-in floppy drive. Users can also load Roland S-700 Series libraries and .WAV/AIFF discs from CD-ROM or via USB transfer, and 'rip' audio directly from CD. The MV-8000 also loads ACID files and can automatically calculate the bars and BPM, making it easier to work with loops. User sampling is also provided-complete with Phono inputs for sampling records. Studio-Quality Effects and CD-RW Drive The dream of a complete studio in a box becomes a reality with four dedicated effects processors and an onboard CD-RW drive. The MV-8000 delivers 24-bit Reverb, separate Chorus/Delay and a versatile MFX (multi-effects) processor with COSM effects made famous in Roland's V-Studios. These include algorithms like guitar amp modeling, microphone and speaker modeling, plus unique tools like Lo-Fi and Slicer. A Mastering Tool Kit offers everything needed to sweeten up mixes before going to CD. Massive 40GB Hard Drive While audio and samples are played back using the onboard sample RAM, the MV-8000 can store its sounds and projects to an internal 40GB hard disk. This makes it easy to manage large sound libraries, once they have been converted to MV-8000 format, and it's also a great way to load sequences quickly during performance. When connected via USB, the hard drive can be accessed directly from a computer's desktop. Options Galore By purchasing the optional MV8-OP1 expansion card, users gain six additional analog outputs, a digital input, plus an R-BUS port that can be used to transfer up to eight channels of digital audio to R-BUS equipped V-Studios, or to ADAT-compatible devices using the optional DIF-AT Interface Box. And with Roland's V-LINK technology inside, the MV-8000 can be used to trigger and manipulate video clips when used with optional video equipment from Edirol. So when it comes to sampling studios, don't settle for second best. Get the Roland MV-8000. Features
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