127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
Harmony Central Summer NAMM 2003 Coverage
Nashville, Tennessee: July 18-20
Summer NAMM Home | User Picks | Complete Coverage
PRESS RELEASE

NAMM Preview: Roland's MV-8000

July 08, 2003

From making beats to sampling and CD-burning, the MV-8000 Production Studio does it all. You can sample your own sounds or import libraries including Roland S-700, Akai MPC2000/4000, ACID, .WAV and AIFF formats, and then arrange it all using 16 velocity/ aftertouch-sensitive pads and Roland's most powerful audio/MIDI sequencer– complete with realtime time stretching. The MV-8000 also offers a selection of COSM effects, onboard mastering tools, a built-in CD-RW drive and USB port for connecting to a computer.

Compatible with Popular Audio Formats

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 load Roland S-700 and Akai MPC2000/4000 libraries and.WAV/AIFF files 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. Of course, user sampling is also provided–complete with Phono inputs for sampling records.

136 Tracks of Sequencing

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 using external MIDI gear) and eight stereo audio tracks (16 mono) that can be used as 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 MV-8000 can even sync audio to the sequencer's BPM.

Velocity Pads and LCD Interface

Users of other sampling studios can upgrade to the MV-8000 without sacrificing the distinctive feel they're used to, thanks to 16 large, velocity 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 graphic LCD and realtime control knobs, make sequencing more natural and spontaneous.

Effects and CD-RW Drive

The MV-8000 also includes four dedicated effects processors and an onboard CD-RW drive. The MV-8000 delivers 24-bit Reverb, separate Chorus/Delay and a MFX (multi effects) processor with COSM effects. These include algorithms like Isolator, Filter, Delay, RSS, Guitar Multi, Vocoder and Microphone Modelling–plus vintage effects like Roland's RE-201 Tape Echo, SDD-320 Dimension D Chorus and the SBF-325 Stereo Flanger. A Mastering Tool Kit offers everything needed to sweeten up mixes prior to burning a CD or exporting the stereo .WAV file to a computer.

40GB Hard Drive

While audio and samples are played back using the onboard 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've been converted to MV-8000 format; it's also a great way to load sequences quickly before a performance. When connected via USB, the hard drive can be accessed directly from a computer's desktop. It is not possible to record directly to the hard drive however - recordings are made using the internal RAM and then saved to the hard drive.)

Options

With Roland's V-LINK technology inside, the MV-8000 can trigger and manipulate video clips when used with optional Edirol video equipment. (V-LINK requires the Edirol DV-7PR Digital Video Workstation (sold separately) with software version 1.50 or higher.)

Feature Summary:

  • Self-contained production studio with sampling, sequencing, effects and CD-burning
  • 16 velocity/aftertouch-sensitive pads for programming beats and arranging audio
  • 128MB RAM; expandable to 512MB for 101 minutes of recording (when in mono)
  • 136-track sequencer (128 MIDI tracks + 8 stereo audio tracks) with easy software-style operation and realtime timestretch
  • Large icon-based LCD and realtime control knobs for easy operation
  • Sampler compatible with a variety of audio formats: Audio CD, .WAV/AIFF, ACID, Akai MPC2000/4000 Series and Roland S-700 Series
  • Independent reverb, chorus/delay and MFX processors, plus mastering tools
  • Onboard CD-RW drive, 3.5
  • V-LINK function for controlling Edirol video equipment (sold separately)
  • Stereo Mic/Line and Phono inputs, plus stereo analog and digital Master outputs

For more information, visit their web site at http://www.rolandus.com/.

667 readers say this product rates (out of 5):
4.36
Vote on this product!
Based on the article, what do you think of this product? (1-boring 5-cool)
1 2 3 4 5   

Recent Roland headlines

More Roland Headlines

Similar Products at Musician's Friend

Email: webmaster@harmony-central.com | © 1995-2009 Harmony Central, Inc. All rights reserved.