After putting the Roland MV-8800 through its paces in my home studio I can say without reservation that the MV8800 represents a major advancement in the eternal quest to develop a comprehensive in-the-box production solution for the producers of R&B, rap, hip hop, and electronic music. The MV-8800 offers 16 velocity-sensitive pads arranged in a 4×4 matrix, giving users a comfortable, intuitive interface to create beats and sequences.
The MV-8800 has a large, full color display right of the box, but one of the most exciting features of the unit is its native compatibility with a mouse and VGA monitor. These features place the MV-8800 in a class by itself in terms of ergonomics and ease of use.
In addition to its high-quality internal sounds, the MV-8800 is capable of recording up to eight tracks of audio in song mode. This is the feature that allows the MV-8800 to transcend the level of mere “beat machine,” into the category of comprehensive production platform.
I can say without hesitation that the Roland MV-8800 offers greater flexibility (both in sonics and workflow) than most similar units. With an expansive library of internal sounds ranging from the classic TR-808/909 to a full complement of strings, pianos, horns, and basses, the MV-8800 will open up a wealth of sonic options for the professional musician or producer.
