UPDATE: the "bring your own screen" functionality has now been released with version 1.03 - here's my brief coverage of its pros and cons: th-cam.com/video/74q7kCenEJ4/w-d-xo.html
I owned the MV1 for over 18 months. I wrote so many songs on it and it was so easy and fun. I then bought into the MPC live 2 thing. Sold the verselab, got frustrated with the mpc and lack of synths, sold the mpc and are now saving up to get the Verselab back. I love this thing. Small screen..not an issue, the mpc had a big screen but felt like an Apple ipad app.
Btw...you get a one year subscription to roland cloud incl. Zenology pro if you register your zen core hardware- Even if bought secondhand...I did that with my mc 101. Personally, I think zenology pro should be free for hardware owners, but it‘s better than nothing;). And that‘s a deeeeep engine...
What a brilliant comprehensive review, and so nice to hear it create a song in a style outside of those Roland themselves have been doing in their marketing
Overwhelming. MV-1 does so much. Coming from a hardened hardware user this looks fantastic. I don’t want to use a DAW as I already have huge screen time. There’s enough here to keep me extremely fascinated for years. Looks great & seems to be amazing value. So after watching this & Sonic Lab I bought one.
I love how spoiled we are for stand alone workstations now! 😭 It wasn't that long ago that I'd be hunting ebay comparing old MPCs I couldn't afford, or broken Roland MC-XXX wondering if I could repair them.
Have owned this for a bit. I also own a lot of the current market grooveboxes and hardware daws. Imo the MV-1 is a great backing track maker. 95 percent of my music doesn’t have a vocal. As a guitarist I use the vocal track for lead guitar (works great). I think the sounds in the box are some of my favorite. Imo it is much easier to get a great sounding mix quickly than most of my gear. Streaming the tracks into my daw is fantastic. I thought I’d hate the screen… but hasn’t really bugged me. Sure it is not my Mpc live in that regard, but it hasn’t been a big deal.
Aaaaa.... finally a guitarist commenting. I have a question that I can't figure out. Can you apply all the effects within the mv1 onto your guitar when you input it via the stereo 1/4" inputs? I plan on constructing songs and playing my guitar live along with the song and was just wondering if I can use all those great effects on my guitar in real time. Thanks in advance. 👊👍
@@eternalvernal1286have you found an answer? My mv1 is coming this weekend and i plan to use it similar to how you are. I will test it and let you know if you never found out
Excellent video, I think Roland made a very clever move with having the vocal track disconnected form the music sequences as singers come in just before bar 1 of a sequence.. also note if you want vocals around whilst constructing the music to say weave the music around a vocal you can load a vocal to a drum pad on a kit.
And that vocal "track" is actually 16 tracks 👍 and it's not just for vocals obviously as you could mic your amp or anything else. I still can't understand though if you can apply effects to an instrument that your inputting via the two inputs. Does anybody know if in real time I can apply say a boss compressor or a boss chorus while I'm playing my guitar to a song that I completed already? Thanks
@@eternalvernal1286 right! 23 tracks on a hardware unit is nuts to me! 12 mins in mono or 6 mins in stereo. This box can do a lot man and Roland can definitely compete with akai as far as extra sounds. This box is a steal and about to be mine soon. I was having a hard time between this and the mc707. That 8 track limit is rough to me lol.
Roland designer: I can't wait to design this groove box to end all groove boxes, let me start building. Roland accountant: Good for you, but since you've used up your budget, we can only afford these two-line displays that were found in an 80's parts warehouse.
Roland designer: Ooohkayyy! Do we have another colours except green? Roland accountant: White... but then you have to go for only 8 potis and a crappy built in microfone.
This masterful review from the master himself, coped with the zealous hatred the unit attracts from the beat making bois has sealed the deal for me. Ordered :)
I think this could be a great tool for somebody playing a woodwind instrument, being able to record and arrange them into the vocal tracks could make it very easy to make arrangements
I can appreciate that someone took a Roland project and applied some human workflow and logical thought to it. It is not much like the MC-707 that had no pattern chain (initially) or other products that just leave you wondering why on earth. Certainly it is not ready for the pros yet given the display and limitations, but this is great as a sketch pad or for banging out rap or some other genres. But this indicates that Roland is considering humans and their use of the tool which is exciting and deserves respect.
@@cl1xor This is so frustrating. I got a System-1 M used, and they put a 2-character LED display on it... That is for browsing your banks and patches, plus some secret menu functions!.. It is absurd. I've left it sitting unused on a shelf because of that, even though it makes some really cool sounds. If I want to actually USE it, I'll need to tape a cheat sheet to it with my patches and names, and just pray that I never accidentally overwrite anything. I think I'll just sell it at a loss, honestly.
The review definitely made the device look more interesting to me but I still think if you are looking for a DAW in a box the Force is going to serve you better. The sound of the effects on the MC/MV units are amazing that's for sure but at the price Roland is asking for that box I would buy a Force. If the release like an MV-8 or something like that with a larger screen and more opportunity to edit samples and instruments that would be interesting.
i just picked mine up, and right away began having an absolute blast. the only thing im griping on so far is the restart/lag time when switching between the main modes on the fly or re triggering patterns from the song mode. if it could seamlessly switch between sequence and section, and had a per pad mute shortcut on a kit track it would improve its performance ability a lot.
It feels like gear in the 80s and 90s was made to the limits of the technology. Now everything is made within the limits of a cost. I have a better screen on my D50 and 01w/fd than this has 30 odd years later. Editing one parameter at a time? Come on, Roland.
This is a big problem with Roland, Yamaha and all the big players. But especially Roland. I also hate when products are deliberately castrated so they don't compete with another product the company makes.
I think computers can do so much in terms of options and control, that hardware is usually aiming for the 'fun' or 'dawless jam' type market. That usually means fewer options in the box. In the 90s mpcs, grooveboxes and workstations were literally what people made all their music on, including power users. I actually agree with you though - even from a market segment point of view, loads of synth people are quite nerdy and into options galore (as the success of elektrons and deluge has demonstrated). I think they missed a trick with this, and even more on the mc101. That box with a decent screen and full editing on teh device could have been amazing; instead it's an overpriced preset player.
@@geecen The Akai Force is the closest thing to a complete DAWless solution on the market. It still needs some updates to it's arranger, more synths and better some better effects like a more transparent limiter, but it is pretty awesome.
@@inthefade FA-06 is a DAW in a keyboard, MC-707 is a DAW in a groovebox, let's call PC DAWs what they are: PC DAWs. Non-PC DAWs have always been around, like the MPC *digital audio workstations* that so many folks love and use. Anyway, the screen limitation is asinine. There's no reason for them to skimp out on the screen, today more than ever.
I think they are making the screen as needless as possible for a reason, it's hardware, true hands on instrument style hardware, not a tablet with knobs on like a lot of the new releases
There's no reason a hardware workflow can't have a decent display too - it just makes life easier. Roland keep taking the piss with inadequate displays - having used an MPC one, I could never go back to something so needlessly uncommunicative as this.
@@Paul_Y_T The entire point is learning the instrument, not needing a massive screen holding your hand, if you get the functionality on lock the workflow is twice as fast as menu diving, finger swiping and pointing tentatively at a finger smudged grubby screen, if you like a big screen stick to a tablet or pc, these instruments are for people trying to move away from that.
@@xn-triq7607 it's not about holding one's hand, it's about having the information - and in the case of the mpc, providing multiple different workflows as a result. I like being able to draw in automation, or at least *see* the automation I've entered via a knob, and I am a big fan of using list view to see/edit all the events in a track - sort of single channel tracker-style. I've put the time with plenty of roland gear in the past, and with other devices like the deluge - but the screen of the mpc has been a revelation *for me*. And your well-worn comment of stick to tablet/pc completely misses the point. A screen doesn't have to feel like using either if it is integrated well within a hardware environment (I use the buttons and knobs at least as often as the screen). In a way my post is aimed at the prejudiced me that held similar views to what you've posted - I just hope that if I saw it I might at least give the mpc more of a look than I had done previously.
I can definitely see this being a great creative ‘sketchpad’ rather than a replacement DAW for making professional productions. If the workflow is good, it could be a nice way to get ideas down quickly.
I can hear that the drums on the studio version sound better. I don't know if that was just a mix choice or a real difference in quality. I would lean towards the former without experience to the contrary. I hope people buy this. I'm looking forward to an MV-8 even though I like the mobility of the MV-1. I'd like more outputs to run it directly to a mixer/studio desk. Still this is a solid solution for mixing and finalizing in and out of the box.
Just got one of these and so far it’s mostly love with a dash of significant hate. There are some really basic things that are not at all intuitive to figuring out. For instance, after loading a sample (non-looper), they just ring out ad-infinitum. Adjusting the decay and release obviously affect those parameters, but why isn’t “hold” one of the default system parameters? I don’t want every sample to ring out forever. I want samples to play only as long as I hold the key! Come on Roland. This is sample-playback 101.
@@cresshead Akai force has a full arranger with Ableton project support for loading and saving. Thats a big thing for a daw in a box imo. Roland's synths are super nice and I plan to get a mc-101 to use them.
@@raindrop8966 I have a Force, and I have to say that the arranger is not quite ready for showtime. Automation recording is a mess, for example. If they improve it in the 3.0.7 update, then I'd recommend it based on that. However, besides that and the lack of vocal processing (especially pitch correction), yeah the Force is 5x better. The synth engines aren't 100% imo, but they make lots of great sounds with some finessing. However, you can find plenty of free multi-sampled classic synths or make your own from VSTs or hardware, and I LOVE using keygroup programs like that. The sampling is generally really really good. As far as the arranger goes, I just arrange the whole song in Launch mode and hit the launch buttons sequentially while recording into my DAW. The arranger isn't really needed, imo. Also, once you go 8x8 pads, it is hard to go back to 4x4. You can buy an external controller with a 4x4 pad if you prefer that for performance, but for launching clips and "notes" mode, 8x8 wins every day.
Hey Ziv, mine arrived today, really got a lot of this video and half way into my first track. I proudly joined your Patron, happy to support you. Your videos have helped me SO MUCH the last 2 years. Keep up the great work! ✌️🎹🎹🎶🎶🎶
I pre-ordered and picked it up when it arrived to my local store. While it's not perfect (undo would really help, battery power and touchscreen would be great), I do love it for what it does for its price. I also have a maschine plus but I find this is far more intuitive than the plus (at least for myself) , with the tradeoff that to me the maschine looks and feels more premium (at a more premium cost) and sounds better to me.
Great review as usual, thanks for putting in the time 👍 I'm not keen on this workflow. Roland always seems a bit clunky by comparison to the competition, in my opinion. Scrolling menus is a huge inspiration killer. If they had a small screen onboard, like a cell phone or the like, this would have blown my mind.
Hardly , Roland have had this sort of setup for literal decades , is basically just their rompler tech. The sp16 sounded great but was really more if sampler player , although it does sample you can’t do much with it, and the effects were meh. Rolands effects are way better, but this groove box belongs in the 90s. That said I love my 707, but the tech outdated.
@@H4NDCRAFTED Zencore is a synthesis engine, not a ROMpler :) Anyhow, if you really want to try 21st sequencing, Polyend Tracker and Toraiz Squid are must haves (I own both). However, I like the immediacy of the workflow on the MV-1. Plus the ability to overlay my own voice, which isn't all that easy on my mixing console.
Lol... If that is the case then I definitely need to stay clear of the MV-1. Lioneer waxed me on that pre-order scam... the Lioneer SP-16 is great hardware ...but that is it. A disaster and still has improper note on note off and bad midi implementation. Funny how they released the Squid with the sequencing capabilities that were supposed to be implemented in the SP-16 depending on sales of the Squid (via Lioneer rep Matt) opposed to just simply finishing the SP-16. So after they talked me into buying an XDJ-RX which was dropped from compatibility with no warning...then purchased a Squid which I may add still doesn't work right w the SP-16 esp being the SP has better UI and should be a main... Was able to return that and got a Novation SLMKiii easily via Perfect Circuit... Anyhow.. Lioneer and Unsweetwater are straight up thieves all I can say... Do no support them. Do not trust them. And buy from Perfect Curcuit Zzounds or Amazon so you can get a return or exchange. I learned a huge $2700 lesson from Lioneer with my SP-16(sitting in box) & XDJ-RX useful but half done and discontinued cause DJ link is still a farce. Everyone hates on Behringer for making cheap synths,.. but should maybe use some of that energy to fight back against lying thieving corporations like Lioneer.
100% agreed. I have a feeling consumers are gonna start regretting voting for the subscription models with their dollars more and more in the coming years. Look at the Vital VST synth for a subscription model that actually works. You make a couple of one-time payment tiers, and let people subscribe for extra benefits on top of the top paid tier. My main worry at the moment is for Native Instruments to go all in on the subscription model for Komplete now that they've been bought. I hope it's later than sooner so I can upgrade my Komplete 9 and beat them to the punch.
interesting, but I think I prefer something like the deluge, which gives me a sort of unique intuitiveness a computer can't. this just seems much more like an actual daw, only worse.. but I might be very wrong!
There isn’t a single groovebox that’s gonna please everyone but there’s a few that come close... I think this in combination with my 1010 Blackbox would be an absolute killer production rig.
This thing is a beast! This is for us people that are wanting to get away from screens. Also, the clear button is the same as undo...not sure what folks are going on about. I love your gear reviews sir. Top notch as usual. peace
Thanks! Though how is clear like undo? If you had something and change it by mistake, clear won't get you back. For example if you clear a pattern by mistake.
@@loopop Ok, yes I see what you're saying on the undo function. That said, what would get changed that you couldn't just change back? Not likely to happen in most cases imho. Also, if you are in the habit of saving often then you have nothing to worry about. I have used all the Electribes and personally save often out of habit. Anyway, to each his/her own and use what works for you personally. Everyone seems to like bashing products for this or that. No one box is going to be perfect. If you know of one, I'm all ears...and eyes : ) peace
@@djantix1200 oh I’m not bashing this at all - just pointing out what it has and what it doesn’t. I agree frequent saves are a workaround, but I can tell you that undos are a way faster workflow for experimentation
@@loopop I'm not saying you were bashing. It's the viewers and commenters... You always give non-biased/fair reviews of all these products, which is why I like watching your content. Take Care.
The mv-1 is not really a product I‘m strongly interested in aquiring, but I remember the MV 8000 (?) being a really cool piece of gear for one thing in particular: It had a port for a computerscreen and for a mouse. - The Zenbeats-connection for this one here is a economically good solution but I‘d prefer the system of the predecessor (if you could make that connection). I‘m aware of changing interfaceconnections but having to rely on support for an app on a certain series of smartdevices instead of just keeping an old screen seems as well not as futureproof.
Check out the Akai Force if this is something you are interested in. The main feature it is missing compared to this is comprehensive vocal production effects.Also Roland's time stretching algorithm might be better, if that is something you need. Otherwise, for the price, you are getting much, much more out of the Force.
@@tahiche. I honestly can't comment on that because it isn't something I have tried with my Force; I do vocals and other instruments as overdubs in my DAW right now, though I'd like to eventually move to only using the Force eventually. *Edit: I do make ENTIRE tracks on the Force, with only DIY mastering in my DAW. I just haven't recorded guitar, bass, etc on it yet. I know other people who do everything on the Force without complaint though (the Facebook group for the Force is a really great, kind, and helpful community, have made friends with lots of cool musicians). I definitely can't make any comparison to the Verselab. I can say that having a large touch screen like on the Force is going to be a big advantage for that kind of recording compared to the Verselab!
@@tahiche. it is more geared towards electronic music and hip hop imo. If you just want to record and mix your stuff, maybe look into the Tascam "portastudios", and similar products? I do complete songs except for vocals on the Force and LOVE it (despite some frustrating flaws). But I'm making 70/80s style electronic music, so take that into consideration.
@@KaosEngineering Yeah man! I'm more than 20 years into making music and I haven't ever been more inspired by a piece of gear. Making the best music of my life with it. Update 3.0.5 really made it amazing. Hopefully 0.7 takes it out of the stratosphere!
I feel like loopop has become my only friend during this lockdown period not buying any of these gears cuz I'm jobless due to covid but after watching all these reviews I will certenely know what I would get once money starts to flow Thanks man you're pure gold
The FACT IS,you can make a song,and LP,whatever,with the Roland MV-1.If YOU sit down,work with it,learn it,explore with it,and stop worrying about what it does NOT do/have,you will have success.That's pretty much the deal with MOST samplers since the Ensoniq EPS16+,Roland S770.Akai MPC4000 days..period..It pains me that grown folks,or supposed to be grown,start crying,nitpicking,and complaining every time something new/different comes out.It's a waste of time,and it's sad,that instead of taking charge,they take the easy road to cry.This makes me wanna break out some diapers,cribs,boxes of tissue,and baby bottles. I have a 7 year old grandson who was talking about taking his tools and fixing one of the ACs that stopped working in the house.When he was 6,I showed him how to use my professional level full frame camera,and in seconds,I gave it to him,and he was taking pictures.Point being,many children are curious,daring,experimental,if they have been encouraged to thnk for themselves,and explore.Sure,I understand we would love the gear with all the features WE want,yet if we are that hellbent on making music,we work with what we have.BOTTOM LINE..If you are so creeped out by some gear,you have three basic choices....1)CONTACT ROLAND,speak to them,and then get a JOB designing a sampler...2)MAKE YOUR OWN company and samplers,since you're such a damn expert..hehehehe,imagine that....3)Just work with it or buy something else.Any choice is better than CRYING,because CRYING makes it hard to see what you're doing and actually get some music created...WOW,that was pretty simple and didnt take a degree in engineering to figure out.. I just bought a synth that was not that popular,and if the screen was any smaller,they might as well not have one,and I love it.I wrote to Alesis,they got back to me,and hopefully they will end me the editor soon,so I can hook it up to an older computer,make music,and dig in deep.If not,i am thinking,i can mount a magnifying glass and see better,etc...
Yeah, ppl complain too much. If all the artists from the 70s, 80s, 90s complained as much, they wouldn't have made any of the music that ppl look up to now.
Fantastically good review. At first, I thought there was only one bass track and two "instrument" tracks, because of the labeling. It is actually seven tracks instrumental (including drums), and sixteen vocal tracks merged.
You are the Man Bro 👏💯👊💪🔥🔥🔥🙏. It doesn't matter if I'm actually looking into or learning about an instrument. Even if I have no interest in it. I'll watch it anyway. You video's are wicked my Man ✊👊💯. Mesmerizing. U could sale audio books 👏😎 You ain't just Top 5. You are the Billy Goat at this s#*t 👏🔥🔥🔥
The one feature this has that I wish the MPC had is the vocal tracks being separate from the sequences. I can get around the limitation when recording myself but if I was recording someone else sing or play I'd have to sync my multitracker or PC and record them to that.
you can bounce your sequence-chain/song to a single long sequence (in theory up 999 bars) , record a full continuous vocal track in the sampler section whilst that long sequence is playing (up to 20 mins in length) then add the vocal sample to an audio track in the long sequence where it can be split, and sections moved around, copied, edited etc. you could then continue to edit and work on your song in that long sequence - using other short sequences to create sections that you can insert into the long sequence if you wanted, or punching in and out in the audio track to add new audio. or you could create a new song from the short sequences and bounce that out to a new long sequence and use the vocal sample to move/copy vocal sections to fit.
@@Paul_Y_T thanks for the explanation Paul. I did have a try but I couldn't start the sample in sync which meant as soon as I stopped recording the sample was out of sync and I had to try to line it up. Is there a way to synchronize the start of the recording of the sample beside trying (in vain in my case) to hit Record accurately on a beat?
@@unclemick-synths I'd normally just crop the sample start from the first vocal element and move it along the timeline, but there is a kludge way to have the sample in sync with the song if your vocal doesn't start right straight away. Set the sampler's input to "resample l+r", (top left) so it starts recording the moment the song starts playing, press "play start" then immediately change the inputs to those of your vocal eg "input 1,2". Then when you stop the sampling, name it and click create, then click "sample edit" button, select the initial resampled song part with the start and end markers, go "process" and "silence" to get rid of it without affecting the sample length, the set the end marker back to the end of the sample, and that will just leave you the vocal sample that plays in sync with the song if you have the sample positioned from the start of the audio track.
Auld Unca Mick one last thing, I should have explained that the sampler workaround is only necessary if the bounced song/long sequence is more than 5 mins. If it's less, may as well just use an audio track which will obviously start recording in sync.
What do you think? I got the 101 too but I miss the vocal track and it would be great with 8 channels. Keep both of you buy this one? This one does not really have any competition? The screen is a joke and the lights are not strong enough to be used outdoors and that’s one of the reason I want this one
I think this is a perfect alternative to the MPC One for folks who are more focused on songwriting and popular song structures but I just don't think this is really the box for electronic musicians.
Its all about the talent of the person using it. I know someone who could make a sick house track within a couple hours after touching it for the first time.
I almost purchased one of these and a noob......since in my reserch it had the most for the money......after watching this it confirmed that it is one of the most capable for the money....but man it seems complicated! I dont think I could fig this out.....or could i??
Why would you pick this over any modern MPC is the real question. It's trying to compete with MPC but falls about 20 years short. The MC909 did all this stuff decades ago, with a bigger screen.
because it has all the roland fantom 2019 presets built in. i had the 909 that aint close to this. this can also do 808 octaves and hi hat rolls. mpc is great for sampling and using a sound module to sequence this is an mpc without the sampling power but with a sound module. not for you obviously but for me the best drum machine to make beats
Great review and example of what can be done with talent. I’ve been on the fence with all these Xencore machines. Having briefly owned an MC-101 I just wish Roland would improve the screens on them. The menu diving really gets me struggling to keep track of where I am!
What I really like is the fact that Roland sent it out for review not even one month before release. So if you want it you can buy it without longer waiting time. I really don’t like those reviews half a year or longer before release - and I don’t get that from a selling point of view.
Literally a few months after I bought a Deluge exactly for the Dawless DAW purpose. :-D THE WORLD SPINS TOO FAST! But so far the Deluge is great, so that's fine. I haven't learned it fully yet, thought.
I have a deluge also...I love it except I still can’t figure out how to build complete songs which is the whole point in getting it in the first place. I have it over a year but basically stopped playing with it the last few months and might just sell it. I just want a simple band a box I can create backing tracks for live original songs. But the learning curves on the gear I have tried has been too steep so far. I got an MPC live before the deluge and sold it immediately. It was way too confusing. But I don’t know if this is what I’m looking for or not.
Great review, but.... just terrible product. It just seems so out of date already. You are not getting $700 of hardware at all. It's not like there isn't massive completion from Akai MPC/Force, Polyend, Native Instruments, Novation (new Circuit in 3 days)
I actually would have preferred it to be more expensive, as I would have with the MC 707.. And then make the build/design really nice... For it being a box that you really have connect with also visually and tactically I think they are very underwhelming.. I use a Tempest, which is much less powerful, but so much more pleasing to interact with
Roland really needs to flip its product development and business strategy. A shame for such an amazing company that they can't come up with some great stuff that the people actually want - like Korg, innovation, elektron, and such does. Please, Roland, listen to your customers... This MV-1 thing definitely looks like a big bummer, engineers apparently tried to copy somewhat of the analog RYTM design, but then with a 80's calculator screen and a very narrowed range of capabilities. Such a shameful product. However, Loopop, You are the best in reviewing products, even when they are bad.
Thanks for the help. Your videos have been really helpful for me to decide if something is worth buying, and also to use as a tutorial when I get something new. I have a question. I am looking for a MIDI controller, to be used with a synth (Roland JP-08). I would like to program a single pad to trigger an entire chord. Can you think of a piece of hardware that can do that without having to use a computer in the mix?
Oh great timing. Incoming next week. But is just a songwriting machine, or is the quality good enough to use in production? Love the content, love the delivery. Keep it up and have the best of days sir.
I can see how this works for people from the "when I push this pad something happens" event management generation. Nothing wrong with that but far from the optimum for anybody who thinks like a musician or composer. Compared to do what Roland did with the VS series multitrack workstations 20 years ago it is very limited, which is already indicated by the home keyboard style labeling. So I "soldier" on with my VS2480 which allready offered a user dedicated, ultra stable, high power, hardware multitrack audio recording studio with all typical DAW style advantges such as big screen digital editing. It might not have the super high audio rates and unlimited trackcounts that are theoretically available today but it does everything a multitrack studio owner could dream of without any limitations in project length. This might grow with the anounced on-screen software but I fear it will stay convoluted for anybody else then the envisaged user group..
@@drew335 Hey, don't laugh! I still use them! :-) That VS2480 is my main production station but also a VS-880, which preceded it but I nowadays still use as a quick around the house mixer / headphone amp, and a VSR-880 , which is the main audio hub of my most important keyboard rig. Granted; I would probably own one less if they where still worth anything but it is a testament to their good build quality they are still all in good nick and that is not for a lack of use. The first real problem I encountered is that I had to clean the automated faders of the VS2480 a year ago because they would no longer acurately track the level automation commands. I wonder if any DAW plus the needed hardware and operating system will ever last that long!
I did - really enjoyed making this track, but indeed, saved the project every little step of the way (20 saves in total...). Funny thing is I never used them, but just the thought of loosing something made me do it
@@loopop Well hopefully they add an undo function because this machine needs it. I can't think of a groovebox (out of all 14 I own over 20 years) that doesn't have that function.
Splendid Loopop as always! And the song is sensational!!! Soo good !! Link to your friend, please !! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have not yet heard the original, but it can’t possibly be better than this.
@@basehead617 No good sounds?? The packs offer thousands of good sounds, but I just simply add my own, and use midi ... The sequencer is incredibly powerful for a stand alone.
A hardware set aiming to challenge the DAW user should have built the display screen to at least the size of : Akai MPC ONE. 2 lines LCD display is disappointing. Bigger display would have help the user easily, though the MV-1 does have nice song/ seq features. This unit looks like a direct fight against the Akai Mpc One while being priced @ Usd$699 for both units.
When recording your vocal take, the self-deprecation is funny up to a point, then it becomes depressing. Many people have somehow convinced themselves they shouldn't try to sing: the rest of us freely enjoys this wonderful built-in musical instrument that most of us use every day. If you can talk, you can sing: I encourage you to join us.
It is depressing, but I don't let it get to me no worries. However, unfortunately in my case it's backed by facts, if I'd join you, you'd quickly kick me out, as I would too...
Thanks for another A+ tech review - learned enough to understand this is an unfinished design rushed to market or insufficiently market researched design either way it can stay on the shelf with its glaring shortcomings
To make a simple beat, just press shift while holding the value button while adjusting the pad control while browsing through 10000 menu items on a 2 line display. Using only two hands, no cheating!
It's interesting seeing the comments on this, it kinda seems like people don't get it. I've used the MC-101 a lot, and this just seems like a bigger version of that with more layers, pads, a song mode, and better recording capabilities. Given how good the 101 is, this seems like a no-brainer. But maybe that's also describing the MC-707. How would you say they compare?
I really don't think MC-101 and 707 are in the same category as this, and song mode isn't the main thing that makes them different. The entire workflow here is oriented toward making a song from start to finish, that plays without user interaction once it done, unlike the 101/707 which are more performance oriented, even if they ever get a pattern chaining song mode. It is indeed confusing because they share the same zen core engine, but really two different purposes IMHO
I could use it, though the DAW is second-nature now. It would be great for threshing out quick ideas, for creating vocal melodies and polyphonic arrangements--if the need arises.
I wish they would add a Touch Screen like the MPC Live or MPC X. Also would took out the Mic function. Most people these days have an interface and PC where they record vocals.
8:27 - states one wont have phantom power on USB. According to the MV-1 manual, it seems you can. "To use USB bus power without limiting functionality, hold down the [VALUE] dial while powering up this unit. Note that this unit may not start up, depending on the amount of USB bus power supplied." I do not have my unit yet from Roland so I can not confirm but wanted to ask if the reviewer can verify this...
Great video, thanks!. I did suffer some serious anxiety as I watched the song parts running out and was afraid the song wouldn’t reach the end!. How is Verselab for guitars?. I assume you can use vocal tracks for other recorded instruments?. Eager to see the integration with Zenbeats.
Thanks! I assure you I suffered the same anxiety ;) I lucked out and it was exactly enough. However, if I needed more variety, there are a few hacks around this limitation, for example, sequencing clips at half speed, or indeed repeating sections and using vocal tracks for instruments. To your second question, yes you can use the vocal tracks for any audio, though there's no hi-z input so you'd need to run a guitar through an effect/DI or something to preserve its tone
UPDATE: the "bring your own screen" functionality has now been released with version 1.03 - here's my brief coverage of its pros and cons: th-cam.com/video/74q7kCenEJ4/w-d-xo.html
Now, that’s too cool. 👏👏
K
How about if you have tracks already done and you wish to load them into a bank for editing,is that possible?
I owned the MV1 for over 18 months. I wrote so many songs on it and it was so easy and fun. I then bought into the MPC live 2 thing. Sold the verselab, got frustrated with the mpc and lack of synths, sold the mpc and are now saving up to get the Verselab back. I love this thing. Small screen..not an issue, the mpc had a big screen but felt like an Apple ipad app.
Once again, you can‘t tell unless YOU‘ve reviewed it - best gear reviews out there, period.
Btw...you get a one year subscription to roland cloud incl. Zenology pro if you register your zen core hardware- Even if bought secondhand...I did that with my mc 101. Personally, I think zenology pro should be free for hardware owners, but it‘s better than nothing;). And that‘s a deeeeep engine...
@@yuruharuto2915 🦉 Subscriptions suck. You're better off saving that money towards an Integra or Jupiter synth if you want those Roland sounds.
What a brilliant comprehensive review, and so nice to hear it create a song in a style outside of those Roland themselves have been doing in their marketing
Overwhelming.
MV-1 does so much.
Coming from a hardened hardware user this looks fantastic. I don’t want to use a DAW as I already have huge screen time.
There’s enough here to keep me extremely fascinated for years.
Looks great & seems to be amazing value.
So after watching this & Sonic Lab I bought one.
I love how spoiled we are for stand alone workstations now! 😭
It wasn't that long ago that I'd be hunting ebay comparing old MPCs I couldn't afford, or broken Roland MC-XXX wondering if I could repair them.
Have owned this for a bit. I also own a lot of the current market grooveboxes and hardware daws. Imo the MV-1 is a great backing track maker. 95 percent of my music doesn’t have a vocal. As a guitarist I use the vocal track for lead guitar (works great). I think the sounds in the box are some of my favorite. Imo it is much easier to get a great sounding mix quickly than most of my gear. Streaming the tracks into my daw is fantastic. I thought I’d hate the screen… but hasn’t really bugged me. Sure it is not my Mpc live in that regard, but it hasn’t been a big deal.
Aaaaa.... finally a guitarist commenting. I have a question that I can't figure out. Can you apply all the effects within the mv1 onto your guitar when you input it via the stereo 1/4" inputs? I plan on constructing songs and playing my guitar live along with the song and was just wondering if I can use all those great effects on my guitar in real time. Thanks in advance. 👊👍
@@eternalvernal1286have you found an answer? My mv1 is coming this weekend and i plan to use it similar to how you are. I will test it and let you know if you never found out
@@eternalvernal1286 im not sure but i be surprised if you cant hear the effects in real time
how do you like the mv1 compared to the mpc? i have an mpc but i feel like the mv1 might be better for putting songs together quickly. thanks
Have them both and the MV-1 definitely lends itself better to composing full songs, I’ve been having a blast with it.
Excellent video, I think Roland made a very clever move with having the vocal track disconnected form the music sequences as singers come in just before bar 1 of a sequence.. also note if you want vocals around whilst constructing the music to say weave the music around a vocal you can load a vocal to a drum pad on a kit.
Exactly why you can’t finish a song on Maschine!
MV-1 is quietly clever imo.
@@davidholmes3776 the Clips update solved that issue quite a while ago.
And that vocal "track" is actually 16 tracks 👍 and it's not just for vocals obviously as you could mic your amp or anything else. I still can't understand though if you can apply effects to an instrument that your inputting via the two inputs. Does anybody know if in real time I can apply say a boss compressor or a boss chorus while I'm playing my guitar to a song that I completed already? Thanks
@@eternalvernal1286 right! 23 tracks on a hardware unit is nuts to me! 12 mins in mono or 6 mins in stereo. This box can do a lot man and Roland can definitely compete with akai as far as extra sounds. This box is a steal and about to be mine soon. I was having a hard time between this and the mc707. That 8 track limit is rough to me lol.
Roland designer: I can't wait to design this groove box to end all groove boxes, let me start building.
Roland accountant: Good for you, but since you've used up your budget, we can only afford these two-line displays that were found in an 80's parts warehouse.
lol you guys will never let up on that
Roland has some nutty engineering😂
Roland designer: Ooohkayyy! Do we have another colours except green?
Roland accountant: White... but then you have to go for only 8 potis and a crappy built in microfone.
funny thing is that a bigger oled screen with graphics capability cost less.
Man, I’m so pissed because of this fact. Now I’d need an mpc too so what’s the point? I’ll just use MY COMPUTER GOD DAMNIT.
This masterful review from the master himself, coped with the zealous hatred the unit attracts from the beat making bois has sealed the deal for me. Ordered :)
I'm thinking too..It's like the girl everyone talks about because they dont like her,yet she's the woman you end up happy with for 60 years...
Your recreation of the song is well done and shows the Potential of the VerseLab. Thx to you and Dana!
I think this could be a great tool for somebody playing a woodwind instrument, being able to record and arrange them into the vocal tracks could make it very easy to make arrangements
Thats exactly my plan. I play flute in trip hop and synth stuff and all kinds of things. This looks like it can replace half my dawless setup ❤
I can appreciate that someone took a Roland project and applied some human workflow and logical thought to it. It is not much like the MC-707 that had no pattern chain (initially) or other products that just leave you wondering why on earth. Certainly it is not ready for the pros yet given the display and limitations, but this is great as a sketch pad or for banging out rap or some other genres. But this indicates that Roland is considering humans and their use of the tool which is exciting and deserves respect.
The tiny screen is a deal-breaker for me. Tiny screens to be a Roland trademark now along with a lot of menu diving.
How on earth can you release such a 'premium' device in this day and age with such a screen. You can't even edit a waveform properly this way.
Ditto, even a phone size display would be much more interesting that the few knobs it would replace.
Akai had waveform editing in the 90s lmao
@@cl1xor This is so frustrating. I got a System-1 M used, and they put a 2-character LED display on it... That is for browsing your banks and patches, plus some secret menu functions!.. It is absurd.
I've left it sitting unused on a shelf because of that, even though it makes some really cool sounds. If I want to actually USE it, I'll need to tape a cheat sheet to it with my patches and names, and just pray that I never accidentally overwrite anything.
I think I'll just sell it at a loss, honestly.
@@bassc to make matters worse, the Mc-707 has got a proper display. Why not use that one??
You are making that machine sound like gold, loopop
The review definitely made the device look more interesting to me but I still think if you are looking for a DAW in a box the Force is going to serve you better. The sound of the effects on the MC/MV units are amazing that's for sure but at the price Roland is asking for that box I would buy a Force. If the release like an MV-8 or something like that with a larger screen and more opportunity to edit samples and instruments that would be interesting.
Verselab is half the price of force 🤔
@@kimi625 and less than half the functionality 🤔
i just picked mine up, and right away began having an absolute blast. the only thing im griping on so far is the restart/lag time when switching between the main modes on the fly or re triggering patterns from the song mode. if it could seamlessly switch between sequence and section, and had a per pad mute shortcut on a kit track it would improve its performance ability a lot.
Best gear reviews on TH-cam by far! I will battle anyone who thinks otherwise lol
Rap battle?
@@gokugoma3258 rap battle, beat battle, battle royale, it don’t matter 😂
@@SwishStillPimp 👍🏽 I hear you, this thing is cool it remind me of one of their old groove boxes but with vocal capabilities
I drink otherwise
Who would think of battling on this matter : this is an ultimate fact ;)
Dana has a wonderful future ahead of her.. What a voice (the music isn’t bad either;-) ) You Guys got to release an EP..
I appreciate that the top half of the timestamps in the video make the shape of half of a near-perfect sine wave cycle
Wait til you figure out it's at 432hz
Now that I think about it, the Roland MC-505 had an orange display that had the same number of lines and pixels, and that was in 1998.
It feels like gear in the 80s and 90s was made to the limits of the technology. Now everything is made within the limits of a cost. I have a better screen on my D50 and 01w/fd than this has 30 odd years later. Editing one parameter at a time? Come on, Roland.
This is a big problem with Roland, Yamaha and all the big players. But especially Roland. I also hate when products are deliberately castrated so they don't compete with another product the company makes.
I think computers can do so much in terms of options and control, that hardware is usually aiming for the 'fun' or 'dawless jam' type market. That usually means fewer options in the box. In the 90s mpcs, grooveboxes and workstations were literally what people made all their music on, including power users. I actually agree with you though - even from a market segment point of view, loads of synth people are quite nerdy and into options galore (as the success of elektrons and deluge has demonstrated). I think they missed a trick with this, and even more on the mc101. That box with a decent screen and full editing on teh device could have been amazing; instead it's an overpriced preset player.
@@geecen The Akai Force is the closest thing to a complete DAWless solution on the market. It still needs some updates to it's arranger, more synths and better some better effects like a more transparent limiter, but it is pretty awesome.
@@geecen they forgot the D-Beam that's what it is!
@@inthefade FA-06 is a DAW in a keyboard, MC-707 is a DAW in a groovebox, let's call PC DAWs what they are: PC DAWs. Non-PC DAWs have always been around, like the MPC *digital audio workstations* that so many folks love and use.
Anyway, the screen limitation is asinine. There's no reason for them to skimp out on the screen, today more than ever.
I have one on pre-order. I've been waiting for this video from.you guys specifically. Thank you. You're my favorite channel for gear
Roland really should put more effort in displays.
I think they are making the screen as needless as possible for a reason, it's hardware, true hands on instrument style hardware, not a tablet with knobs on like a lot of the new releases
@@xn-triq7607 I understand your conservative point of view but...nevermind.
There's no reason a hardware workflow can't have a decent display too - it just makes life easier. Roland keep taking the piss with inadequate displays - having used an MPC one, I could never go back to something so needlessly uncommunicative as this.
@@Paul_Y_T The entire point is learning the instrument, not needing a massive screen holding your hand, if you get the functionality on lock the workflow is twice as fast as menu diving, finger swiping and pointing tentatively at a finger smudged grubby screen, if you like a big screen stick to a tablet or pc, these instruments are for people trying to move away from that.
@@xn-triq7607 it's not about holding one's hand, it's about having the information - and in the case of the mpc, providing multiple different workflows as a result. I like being able to draw in automation, or at least *see* the automation I've entered via a knob, and I am a big fan of using list view to see/edit all the events in a track - sort of single channel tracker-style. I've put the time with plenty of roland gear in the past, and with other devices like the deluge - but the screen of the mpc has been a revelation *for me*. And your well-worn comment of stick to tablet/pc completely misses the point. A screen doesn't have to feel like using either if it is integrated well within a hardware environment (I use the buttons and knobs at least as often as the screen). In a way my post is aimed at the prejudiced me that held similar views to what you've posted - I just hope that if I saw it I might at least give the mpc more of a look than I had done previously.
radio...THIS IS THE WAY 😂
just snuck it in there.
I feel like this would be a good thing to take on holiday for those moments of inspiration..
When we can go on holiday again of course..
@Lucifer some people can, some people can't. location and situation cause variance in possibilities.
I can definitely see this being a great creative ‘sketchpad’ rather than a replacement DAW for making professional productions. If the workflow is good, it could be a nice way to get ideas down quickly.
I can hear that the drums on the studio version sound better. I don't know if that was just a mix choice or a real difference in quality. I would lean towards the former without experience to the contrary. I hope people buy this. I'm looking forward to an MV-8 even though I like the mobility of the MV-1. I'd like more outputs to run it directly to a mixer/studio desk. Still this is a solid solution for mixing and finalizing in and out of the box.
babe wake up, loopop uploaded a new video!
I’m up honeypoo
@@FernandoDCDuarte 😳
@@RizzlinHD the reply is coming from inside the house!
@@els1f 😰
I'll be interested if a bigger version get released. Rocking the good old mv-8000 at the moment. Would not say no to a MV-9000!
Just got one of these and so far it’s mostly love with a dash of significant hate. There are some really basic things that are not at all intuitive to figuring out. For instance, after loading a sample (non-looper), they just ring out ad-infinitum. Adjusting the decay and release obviously affect those parameters, but why isn’t “hold” one of the default system parameters? I don’t want every sample to ring out forever. I want samples to play only as long as I hold the key! Come on Roland. This is sample-playback 101.
First time this much comes for this little. I find it quite attractive as the perfect balcony studio.
I feel like the akai force is a far better buy than this.
depends on what you require... vocal processing and superb synth engine - roland
cool sampler, clip based workflow - akai force
This unit is price at same rate with Akai Mpc one, its direct fight, the Force is at much higher price range.
@@jansenwilder1335 In the UK, the force is not alot more. Only around 150 more for some retailers. Makes the roland a much harder sell.
@@cresshead Akai force has a full arranger with Ableton project support for loading and saving. Thats a big thing for a daw in a box imo. Roland's synths are super nice and I plan to get a mc-101 to use them.
@@raindrop8966 I have a Force, and I have to say that the arranger is not quite ready for showtime. Automation recording is a mess, for example. If they improve it in the 3.0.7 update, then I'd recommend it based on that.
However, besides that and the lack of vocal processing (especially pitch correction), yeah the Force is 5x better. The synth engines aren't 100% imo, but they make lots of great sounds with some finessing. However, you can find plenty of free multi-sampled classic synths or make your own from VSTs or hardware, and I LOVE using keygroup programs like that. The sampling is generally really really good.
As far as the arranger goes, I just arrange the whole song in Launch mode and hit the launch buttons sequentially while recording into my DAW. The arranger isn't really needed, imo.
Also, once you go 8x8 pads, it is hard to go back to 4x4. You can buy an external controller with a 4x4 pad if you prefer that for performance, but for launching clips and "notes" mode, 8x8 wins every day.
Hey Ziv, mine arrived today, really got a lot of this video and half way into my first track. I proudly joined your Patron, happy to support you. Your videos have helped me SO MUCH the last 2 years. Keep up the great work! ✌️🎹🎹🎶🎶🎶
Thanks so much for taking the time to write and joining - good luck with this!
Man, I keep coming back to this video. Thanks again Ziv for the awesome rundown.
I pre-ordered and picked it up when it arrived to my local store. While it's not perfect (undo would really help, battery power and touchscreen would be great), I do love it for what it does for its price. I also have a maschine plus but I find this is far more intuitive than the plus (at least for myself) , with the tradeoff that to me the maschine looks and feels more premium (at a more premium cost) and sounds better to me.
That song at the end slaps, very inspiring!
Great review as usual, thanks for putting in the time 👍
I'm not keen on this workflow. Roland always seems a bit clunky by comparison to the competition, in my opinion. Scrolling menus is a huge inspiration killer. If they had a small screen onboard, like a cell phone or the like, this would have blown my mind.
This connects to your cellphone /iPad
You've helped me make educated decisions about nearly all of my most recent gear purchases. I've also become a patron. Thank you for your reviews.
My pleasure and awesome, thank you!
That graphic in the intro of the wave forms is super cool
This is clearly “inspired” from the Toraiz SP-16; would you mind doing a review on that as well?
The whole Toraiz line is deadware at this point. I've got the Squid sequencer. Brilliant machine, but doomed to remain as it was launched.
Unfortunately nothing going on in that space. At that price point is probably better to consider the Maschine+
Hardly , Roland have had this sort of setup for literal decades , is basically just their rompler tech. The sp16 sounded great but was really more if sampler player , although it does sample you can’t do much with it, and the effects were meh. Rolands effects are way better, but this groove box belongs in the 90s. That said I love my 707, but the tech outdated.
@@H4NDCRAFTED Zencore is a synthesis engine, not a ROMpler :)
Anyhow, if you really want to try 21st sequencing, Polyend Tracker and Toraiz Squid are must haves (I own both). However, I like the immediacy of the workflow on the MV-1. Plus the ability to overlay my own voice, which isn't all that easy on my mixing console.
Lol... If that is the case then I definitely need to stay clear of the MV-1. Lioneer waxed me on that pre-order scam... the Lioneer SP-16 is great hardware ...but that is it. A disaster and still has improper note on note off and bad midi implementation. Funny how they released the Squid with the sequencing capabilities that were supposed to be implemented in the SP-16 depending on sales of the Squid (via Lioneer rep Matt) opposed to just simply finishing the SP-16. So after they talked me into buying an XDJ-RX which was dropped from compatibility with no warning...then purchased a Squid which I may add still doesn't work right w the SP-16 esp being the SP has better UI and should be a main... Was able to return that and got a Novation SLMKiii easily via Perfect Circuit... Anyhow.. Lioneer and Unsweetwater are straight up thieves all I can say... Do no support them. Do not trust them. And buy from Perfect Curcuit Zzounds or Amazon so you can get a return or exchange. I learned a huge $2700 lesson from Lioneer with my SP-16(sitting in box) & XDJ-RX useful but half done and discontinued cause DJ link is still a farce. Everyone hates on Behringer for making cheap synths,.. but should maybe use some of that energy to fight back against lying thieving corporations like Lioneer.
Whoah it's cool you got the first model to review-you do good work!
I hate the subscription cloud pay forever model, that is what they are trying to do get us to own nothing, but rent everything.
100% agreed. I have a feeling consumers are gonna start regretting voting for the subscription models with their dollars more and more in the coming years. Look at the Vital VST synth for a subscription model that actually works. You make a couple of one-time payment tiers, and let people subscribe for extra benefits on top of the top paid tier.
My main worry at the moment is for Native Instruments to go all in on the subscription model for Komplete now that they've been bought. I hope it's later than sooner so I can upgrade my Komplete 9 and beat them to the punch.
The lady has a beautiful voice !!... love the Portishead (trip hop) vibe
I thought it was Passenger. Sounds male at times.
interesting, but I think I prefer something like the deluge, which gives me a sort of unique intuitiveness a computer can't.
this just seems much more like an actual daw, only worse.. but I might be very wrong!
There isn’t a single groovebox that’s gonna please everyone but there’s a few that come close... I think this in combination with my 1010 Blackbox would be an absolute killer production rig.
I was thinking the same way...only with an MC-707 and a Blackbox...
This thing is a beast! This is for us people that are wanting to get away from screens. Also, the clear button is the same as undo...not sure what folks are going on about. I love your gear reviews sir. Top notch as usual. peace
Thanks! Though how is clear like undo? If you had something and change it by mistake, clear won't get you back. For example if you clear a pattern by mistake.
@@loopop Ok, yes I see what you're saying on the undo function. That said, what would get changed that you couldn't just change back? Not likely to happen in most cases imho. Also, if you are in the habit of saving often then you have nothing to worry about. I have used all the Electribes and personally save often out of habit. Anyway, to each his/her own and use what works for you personally. Everyone seems to like bashing products for this or that. No one box is going to be perfect. If you know of one, I'm all ears...and eyes : ) peace
@@djantix1200 oh I’m not bashing this at all - just pointing out what it has and what it doesn’t. I agree frequent saves are a workaround, but I can tell you that undos are a way faster workflow for experimentation
@@loopop I'm not saying you were bashing. It's the viewers and commenters...
You always give non-biased/fair reviews of all these products, which is why I like watching your content. Take Care.
🙌🏻🙏🏻
Best review system on the web.
Also, don’t usually care much about these things but good god is it ugly.
Hi there Your still one of the best Music Tec Reviews/lighting/camera/work information is very good excellent .
The mv-1 is not really a product I‘m strongly interested in aquiring, but I remember the MV 8000 (?) being a really cool piece of gear for one thing in particular: It had a port for a computerscreen and for a mouse. - The Zenbeats-connection for this one here is a economically good solution but I‘d prefer the system of the predecessor (if you could make that connection). I‘m aware of changing interfaceconnections but having to rely on support for an app on a certain series of smartdevices instead of just keeping an old screen seems as well not as futureproof.
Great they finally upgraded the MS-1.
Loopop is da best rapper 2021!!!
yes!!! we both know that's not true though
Check out the Akai Force if this is something you are interested in. The main feature it is missing compared to this is comprehensive vocal production effects.Also Roland's time stretching algorithm might be better, if that is something you need.
Otherwise, for the price, you are getting much, much more out of the Force.
+1 for Force
Recording guitars, bass and so on to make complete songs... is that better on the Force?
@@tahiche. I honestly can't comment on that because it isn't something I have tried with my Force; I do vocals and other instruments as overdubs in my DAW right now, though I'd like to eventually move to only using the Force eventually.
*Edit: I do make ENTIRE tracks on the Force, with only DIY mastering in my DAW. I just haven't recorded guitar, bass, etc on it yet.
I know other people who do everything on the Force without complaint though (the Facebook group for the Force is a really great, kind, and helpful community, have made friends with lots of cool musicians). I definitely can't make any comparison to the Verselab.
I can say that having a large touch screen like on the Force is going to be a big advantage for that kind of recording compared to the Verselab!
@@tahiche. it is more geared towards electronic music and hip hop imo. If you just want to record and mix your stuff, maybe look into the Tascam "portastudios", and similar products?
I do complete songs except for vocals on the Force and LOVE it (despite some frustrating flaws). But I'm making 70/80s style electronic music, so take that into consideration.
@@KaosEngineering Yeah man! I'm more than 20 years into making music and I haven't ever been more inspired by a piece of gear. Making the best music of my life with it. Update 3.0.5 really made it amazing. Hopefully 0.7 takes it out of the stratosphere!
That screen reminds me when I used a Roland D-10.
Seeing this makes me sentimental.
I was literally just thinking it reminds me of my ancient D-110 😀
We’ve come a long way. Not.
I feel like loopop has become my only friend during this lockdown period
not buying any of these gears cuz I'm jobless due to covid but after watching all these reviews I will certenely know what I would get once money starts to flow
Thanks man you're pure gold
Sorry to hear about your job and thank you for taking the time to write - it's my pleasure to be a friend.
This looks like what I AM LOOKING for..... somewhat simple songwriting/recording device
The FACT IS,you can make a song,and LP,whatever,with the Roland MV-1.If YOU sit down,work with it,learn it,explore with it,and stop worrying about what it does NOT do/have,you will have success.That's pretty much the deal with MOST samplers since the Ensoniq EPS16+,Roland S770.Akai MPC4000 days..period..It pains me that grown folks,or supposed to be grown,start crying,nitpicking,and complaining every time something new/different comes out.It's a waste of time,and it's sad,that instead of taking charge,they take the easy road to cry.This makes me wanna break out some diapers,cribs,boxes of tissue,and baby bottles.
I have a 7 year old grandson who was talking about taking his tools and fixing one of the ACs that stopped working in the house.When he was 6,I showed him how to use my professional level full frame camera,and in seconds,I gave it to him,and he was taking pictures.Point being,many children are curious,daring,experimental,if they have been encouraged to thnk for themselves,and explore.Sure,I understand we would love the gear with all the features WE want,yet if we are that hellbent on making music,we work with what we have.BOTTOM LINE..If you are so creeped out by some gear,you have three basic choices....1)CONTACT ROLAND,speak to them,and then get a JOB designing a sampler...2)MAKE YOUR OWN company and samplers,since you're such a damn expert..hehehehe,imagine that....3)Just work with it or buy something else.Any choice is better than CRYING,because CRYING makes it hard to see what you're doing and actually get some music created...WOW,that was pretty simple and didnt take a degree in engineering to figure out..
I just bought a synth that was not that popular,and if the screen was any smaller,they might as well not have one,and I love it.I wrote to Alesis,they got back to me,and hopefully they will end me the editor soon,so I can hook it up to an older computer,make music,and dig in deep.If not,i am thinking,i can mount a magnifying glass and see better,etc...
Yeah, ppl complain too much. If all the artists from the 70s, 80s, 90s complained as much, they wouldn't have made any of the music that ppl look up to now.
Fantastically good review. At first, I thought there was only one bass track and two "instrument" tracks, because of the labeling. It is actually seven tracks instrumental (including drums), and sixteen vocal tracks merged.
Thanks very much. Indeed there's more to this that meets the eye
You are the Man Bro 👏💯👊💪🔥🔥🔥🙏.
It doesn't matter if I'm actually looking into or learning about an instrument. Even if I have no interest in it. I'll watch it anyway. You video's are wicked my Man ✊👊💯.
Mesmerizing. U could sale audio books 👏😎
You ain't just Top 5.
You are the Billy Goat at this s#*t 👏🔥🔥🔥
The one feature this has that I wish the MPC had is the vocal tracks being separate from the sequences. I can get around the limitation when recording myself but if I was recording someone else sing or play I'd have to sync my multitracker or PC and record them to that.
you can bounce your sequence-chain/song to a single long sequence (in theory up 999 bars) , record a full continuous vocal track in the sampler section whilst that long sequence is playing (up to 20 mins in length) then add the vocal sample to an audio track in the long sequence where it can be split, and sections moved around, copied, edited etc. you could then continue to edit and work on your song in that long sequence - using other short sequences to create sections that you can insert into the long sequence if you wanted, or punching in and out in the audio track to add new audio. or you could create a new song from the short sequences and bounce that out to a new long sequence and use the vocal sample to move/copy vocal sections to fit.
@@Paul_Y_T thanks for the explanation Paul. I did have a try but I couldn't start the sample in sync which meant as soon as I stopped recording the sample was out of sync and I had to try to line it up. Is there a way to synchronize the start of the recording of the sample beside trying (in vain in my case) to hit Record accurately on a beat?
@@unclemick-synths I'd normally just crop the sample start from the first vocal element and move it along the timeline, but there is a kludge way to have the sample in sync with the song if your vocal doesn't start right straight away. Set the sampler's input to "resample l+r", (top left) so it starts recording the moment the song starts playing, press "play start" then immediately change the inputs to those of your vocal eg "input 1,2". Then when you stop the sampling, name it and click create, then click "sample edit" button, select the initial resampled song part with the start and end markers, go "process" and "silence" to get rid of it without affecting the sample length, the set the end marker back to the end of the sample, and that will just leave you the vocal sample that plays in sync with the song if you have the sample positioned from the start of the audio track.
@@Paul_Y_T Thanks so much Paul for taking the time to answer this. I'll give all of those suggestions a try.
Auld Unca Mick one last thing, I should have explained that the sampler workaround is only necessary if the bounced song/long sequence is more than 5 mins. If it's less, may as well just use an audio track which will obviously start recording in sync.
This video helped me determine if it was worth the upgrade over the mc101 . Thank you loopop!!!
What do you think? I got the 101 too but I miss the vocal track and it would be great with 8 channels. Keep both of you buy this one? This one does not really have any competition? The screen is a joke and the lights are not strong enough to be used outdoors and that’s one of the reason I want this one
I think this is a perfect alternative to the MPC One for folks who are more focused on songwriting and popular song structures but I just don't think this is really the box for electronic musicians.
Its all about the talent of the person using it. I know someone who could make a sick house track within a couple hours after touching it for the first time.
Great Tutorial as always..
I almost purchased one of these and a noob......since in my reserch it had the most for the money......after watching this it confirmed that it is one of the most capable for the money....but man it seems complicated! I dont think I could fig this out.....or could i??
Why would you pick this over any modern MPC is the real question. It's trying to compete with MPC but falls about 20 years short. The MC909 did all this stuff decades ago, with a bigger screen.
Agreed. Bloody awful
The MC-909 Is in my profile picture; I'm using the MPC more these days. But I see no reason why would someone choose the MV-1.
@@DoctorNemmo yep agreed.
Sampling looks like a right arduous task. The screen is dreadful. Daw replacement really?
because it has all the roland fantom 2019 presets built in. i had the 909 that aint close to this. this can also do 808 octaves and hi hat rolls. mpc is great for sampling and using a sound module to sequence this is an mpc without the sampling power but with a sound module. not for you obviously but for me the best drum machine to make beats
@@SubliminalThaKid it's interesting hearing others views. Gear is different things to different people
Great review and example of what can be done with talent. I’ve been on the fence with all these Xencore machines. Having briefly owned an MC-101 I just wish Roland would improve the screens on them. The menu diving really gets me struggling to keep track of where I am!
What I really like is the fact that Roland sent it out for review not even one month before release. So if you want it you can buy it without longer waiting time. I really don’t like those reviews half a year or longer before release - and I don’t get that from a selling point of view.
*Ahem* Korg Volca FM2...
Love the design and concept. Thank you Roland! A Performance Sampler next please. 😁 Great review like allways! 🙏
Performance sampler? Like, the SP-404 mkii … ?!
Yes.
Excellent Tutorial dear Loopop 🎉❤🌸🕊🙏🏻✨🌈
A minute and 20 seconds into this video and I am already committed to watch to the end.
Literally a few months after I bought a Deluge exactly for the Dawless DAW purpose. :-D THE WORLD SPINS TOO FAST!
But so far the Deluge is great, so that's fine. I haven't learned it fully yet, thought.
I have a deluge also...I love it except I still can’t figure out how to build complete songs which is the whole point in getting it in the first place. I have it over a year but basically stopped playing with it the last few months and might just sell it. I just want a simple band a box I can create backing tracks for live original songs. But the learning curves on the gear I have tried has been too steep so far. I got an MPC live before the deluge and sold it immediately. It was way too confusing. But I don’t know if this is what I’m looking for or not.
@@almostmachines6414I’m looking for something similar to you
At this price point, an iPad Pro/Air (along with a suitable DAW - Cubasis?) appears to be a more versatile choice.
Great review, but.... just terrible product. It just seems so out of date already. You are not getting $700 of hardware at all.
It's not like there isn't massive completion from Akai MPC/Force, Polyend, Native Instruments, Novation (new Circuit in 3 days)
I mean it is a full fledged sampler though and does vocals too. Nothing else really does that.. yeah I dunno about 700 dollars but
It's probably an experiment. If it's enough of a hit, we'll see a much improved MV-1S, I bet.
I actually would have preferred it to be more expensive, as I would have with the MC 707.. And then make the build/design really nice... For it being a box that you really have connect with also visually and tactically I think they are very underwhelming.. I use a Tempest, which is much less powerful, but so much more pleasing to interact with
Roland really needs to flip its product development and business strategy. A shame for such an amazing company that they can't come up with some great stuff that the people actually want - like Korg, innovation, elektron, and such does. Please, Roland, listen to your customers... This MV-1 thing definitely looks like a big bummer, engineers apparently tried to copy somewhat of the analog RYTM design, but then with a 80's calculator screen and a very narrowed range of capabilities. Such a shameful product. However, Loopop, You are the best in reviewing products, even when they are bad.
Looks great. I would consider this in addition to my Deluge.
Thanks for the help. Your videos have been really helpful for me to decide if something is worth buying, and also to use as a tutorial when I get something new. I have a question. I am looking for a MIDI controller, to be used with a synth (Roland JP-08). I would like to program a single pad to trigger an entire chord. Can you think of a piece of hardware that can do that without having to use a computer in the mix?
You should try the Roland J-6 into the JP-08... cheap and awesome.
Thing ain't even that expensive by music industry standard, great bang for buck if you like this workflow
Oh great timing.
Incoming next week.
But is just a songwriting machine, or is the quality good enough to use in production?
Love the content, love the delivery.
Keep it up and have the best of days sir.
Nice demo. This is 100% not for me, I love my daw, but I guess if you think of this like a REALLY souped up tascam porta-studio it's pretty neat.
I can see how this works for people from the "when I push this pad something happens" event management generation. Nothing wrong with that but far from the optimum for anybody who thinks like a musician or composer. Compared to do what Roland did with the VS series multitrack workstations 20 years ago it is very limited, which is already indicated by the home keyboard style labeling. So I "soldier" on with my VS2480 which allready offered a user dedicated, ultra stable, high power, hardware multitrack audio recording studio with all typical DAW style advantges such as big screen digital editing. It might not have the super high audio rates and unlimited trackcounts that are theoretically available today but it does everything a multitrack studio owner could dream of without any limitations in project length. This might grow with the anounced on-screen software but I fear it will stay convoluted for anybody else then the envisaged user group..
I remember the VS Planet forum days. 😅
@@drew335 Hey, don't laugh! I still use them! :-) That VS2480 is my main production station but also a VS-880, which preceded it but I nowadays still use as a quick around the house mixer / headphone amp, and a VSR-880 , which is the main audio hub of my most important keyboard rig. Granted; I would probably own one less if they where still worth anything but it is a testament to their good build quality they are still all in good nick and that is not for a lack of use. The first real problem I encountered is that I had to clean the automated faders of the VS2480 a year ago because they would no longer acurately track the level automation commands. I wonder if any DAW plus the needed hardware and operating system will ever last that long!
I bet you enjoyed reviewing this product.......... No undo button..... Fun times right?
I did - really enjoyed making this track, but indeed, saved the project every little step of the way (20 saves in total...). Funny thing is I never used them, but just the thought of loosing something made me do it
@@loopop Well hopefully they add an undo function because this machine needs it. I can't think of a groovebox (out of all 14 I own over 20 years) that doesn't have that function.
@@AveMcree well, the Electribe 2 didn’t had undo at launch so there is hope.
Splendid Loopop as always! And the song is sensational!!! Soo good !! Link to your friend, please !! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have not yet heard the original, but it can’t possibly be better than this.
Thanks! It's in the description!
I’d rather just use the MPC one honestly.
it has almost no good sounds or sound engine
@@basehead617 but the MPC has at least one MIDI-out and full control for all the super synth/expander !
@@basehead617
No good sounds??
The packs offer thousands of good sounds, but I just simply add my own, and use midi ... The sequencer is incredibly powerful for a stand alone.
@@basehead617 thats where sound design comes in tho.
A hardware set aiming to challenge the DAW user should have built the display screen to at least the size of : Akai MPC ONE.
2 lines LCD display is disappointing. Bigger display would have help the user easily, though the MV-1 does have nice song/ seq features. This unit looks like a direct fight against the Akai Mpc One while being priced @ Usd$699 for both units.
When recording your vocal take, the self-deprecation is funny up to a point, then it becomes depressing. Many people have somehow convinced themselves they shouldn't try to sing: the rest of us freely enjoys this wonderful built-in musical instrument that most of us use every day. If you can talk, you can sing: I encourage you to join us.
It is depressing, but I don't let it get to me no worries. However, unfortunately in my case it's backed by facts, if I'd join you, you'd quickly kick me out, as I would too...
I wish it could link with an android tablet or ipad or touch screen for more visual feedback and touch control.
This is coming. Zenbeats app integration.
Thanks for another A+ tech review - learned enough to understand this is an unfinished design rushed to market or insufficiently market researched design either way it can stay on the shelf with its glaring shortcomings
Yeah... I think I'm going to add this to my MODX and Force
thanks for review! I'll pass this thing now
To make a simple beat, just press shift while holding the value button while adjusting the pad control while browsing through 10000 menu items on a 2 line display. Using only two hands, no cheating!
Nailed it as always, mr. Loopop.. Salute
It's interesting seeing the comments on this, it kinda seems like people don't get it. I've used the MC-101 a lot, and this just seems like a bigger version of that with more layers, pads, a song mode, and better recording capabilities. Given how good the 101 is, this seems like a no-brainer. But maybe that's also describing the MC-707. How would you say they compare?
I really don't think MC-101 and 707 are in the same category as this, and song mode isn't the main thing that makes them different. The entire workflow here is oriented toward making a song from start to finish, that plays without user interaction once it done, unlike the 101/707 which are more performance oriented, even if they ever get a pattern chaining song mode. It is indeed confusing because they share the same zen core engine, but really two different purposes IMHO
@@loopop Okay awesome, thanks! Having Zencore with a "hardware DAW" setup is pretty appealing, imo.
people get it ..
Probably for a specific audience. It would be cool to get a tape or cassette extension for that "analog" feel :P
I could use it, though the DAW is second-nature now. It would be great for threshing out quick ideas, for creating vocal melodies and polyphonic arrangements--if the need arises.
It's 2021 and Roland continue to use a screen from 30 years ago...at least Akai have moved on...!!
Yooo . That rap verse was fireeeeeeee.lol..Thank you . good review as always .
I wish they would add a Touch Screen like the MPC Live or MPC X. Also would took out the Mic function. Most people these days have an interface and PC where they record vocals.
Want the Mic feature, sitting on a beach building a song.
8:27 - states one wont have phantom power on USB. According to the MV-1 manual, it seems you can. "To use USB bus power without limiting functionality, hold down the [VALUE] dial while powering up this unit. Note that this unit may not start up, depending on the amount of USB bus power supplied."
I do not have my unit yet from Roland so I can not confirm but wanted to ask if the reviewer can verify this...
Great video, thanks!. I did suffer some serious anxiety as I watched the song parts running out and was afraid the song wouldn’t reach the end!.
How is Verselab for guitars?. I assume you can use vocal tracks for other recorded instruments?.
Eager to see the integration with Zenbeats.
Thanks! I assure you I suffered the same anxiety ;) I lucked out and it was exactly enough. However, if I needed more variety, there are a few hacks around this limitation, for example, sequencing clips at half speed, or indeed repeating sections and using vocal tracks for instruments.
To your second question, yes you can use the vocal tracks for any audio, though there's no hi-z input so you'd need to run a guitar through an effect/DI or something to preserve its tone
The old MV-8800 smoked this thing in every way. It's 2021 what's up with the mini crap screens like it's the 90's?