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Roland MV-1 Verselab Music Workstation

Beat and Vocal Workstation with 3,000 Onboard Sounds, 4x4 Touchpad Matrix, 16-step Sequencer, Mic Preamp with +48 Phantom Power, Onboard Mic, and USB
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Hands-on Groovebox and Vocal Workstation

From writing songs on the road to making beats at home, the Roland MV-1 Verselab brings hands-on, analog-inspired workflow back to your modern productions. This hybrid groovebox and vocal workstation possesses all the tools you need to capture ideas and flesh out songs off-site or in the studio. Tap into the MV-1's 3,000 native sounds and bang out beats and bass lines using the responsive 4x4 touchpad and powerful 16-step TR REC sequencer. Or, connect to the Zenbeats app to access optional Sound Packs that are brimming with old-school inspiration. Once you've got your groove established, a studio-quality mic preamp with onboard vocal effects (tuning, doubling, and harmonizing) gives you 16 takes to craft the perfect vocal track. From here, you can either mix and master directly from the MV-1 Verselab and upload sessions to cloud storage, or augment tracks in the Zenlab app with top-notch plug-in effects, world-class ZEN-Core instruments, and heat-bringing mix and mastering effects.

Intuitive touch-based workflow

At Sweetwater, part of the reason we've witnessed such a hardware boom over the past decade is that many producers prefer a hands-on approach to music making. The Roland MV-1 Verselab succeeds in bringing a familiar tactile workflow to your beat production. Whether you're tethered to a USB device or enjoying the MV-1's battery-powered performance on the go, touch-based groove production is a reality with the Roland Verselab.

4x4 RGB touchpads

Dynamic and responsive, the MV-1's backlit 4x4 pad matrix makes it fast and fun to bang out drum tracks, bass lines, melodies, and more.

TR-REC step sequencer

The MV-1 Verselab also features a powerful 16-step sequencer built around Roland's iconic hardware sequencing units. Here you can sequence drum and bass parts, turn notes on or off with the touch of a pad, and follow sequences in real-time as you work.

Studio-grade mic preamp with onboard vocal processing

The Roland MV-1 Verselab is also a veritable vocal studio to go. Its XLR input features a high-quality mic preamp with onboard +48V phantom power to help you get the best sound from your handhelds and studio microphones. Inside, you'll find on-demand vocal effects — vocal doubling, an auto-pitch, and a harmony generator — to turn your rough ideas into mix-ready vocal stems, all without turning to the computer or plugging in additional effects.

16 easy-access vocal takes

Comping the perfect vocal take no longer means firing up the DAW. The MV-1 Verselab lets you record up to 16 easy-access takes, which you can copy and paste anywhere in your song to create gold-star arrangements.

Convenient built-in mic

No mic in sight? Use the MV-1's onboard mic to keep track of your vocal ideas anywhere life takes you.

Powerful ZEN-Core sound engine

The MV-1 Verseland features Roland's most sophisticated sound engine to date: the ZEN-Core Synthesis System. ZEN-Core is the key to the MV-1's top-notch audio quality and sample playback.

3,000 onboard sounds

Arguably, no manufacturer has been more influential in the development of groove-based music tools than Roland. From its groundbreaking TR-808 drum machine to its latter-day SP404 sampler, the Roland name is inextricable from the sounds of dance and hip-hop. Roland draws on its rich sonic heritage to infuse the MV-1 Verselab with a curated collection of more than 3,000 iconic sounds from its past and present. We're talking beefy analog-based kick drums, crunchy claps and snares, 303-inspired bass lines, and more groove-enhancing samples and effects than you can shake a stick at.

Grow your tones with Sound Packs

If you're looking for genre-specific inspiration, then look no further than Roland's expandable Sound Packs. These samples are drawn from the ZEN-Core synth lineup to give you instant access to that special sound in your head.

iPad and Pencil not included

MIDI control, stereo I/O

Want to integrate the Roland MV-1 Verselab into your analog studio with your old-school groove tools? Standard 5-pin MIDI in/out makes those hardware connections a snap. You also get stereo line inputs and outputs to take advantage of the MV-1's rich stereo sounds.

Cloud session storage

Ever wanted to collaborate with a partner in another state? Or do you just want to work out of the studio for a while? The MV-1 Verselab's cloud storage makes both feats possible.

Zenbeats app integration

A Plug-and-Play USB connection connects the MV-1 to the Roland Zenbeats app. Here you're able to augment tracks with plug-in effects, add virtual instruments to create fuller-sounding productions, and mix tracks in a familiar DAW-like format. The Zenbeats app also gives you onboard mastering tools — 5-band EQ, compressor, limiter, and more — so you can ready tracks for listeners' ears before you export them to music platforms and social media. All told, if you're looking for a powerful production tool with a friendly hands-on interface, the Roland MV-1 Verselab comes highly recommended by beatmakers at Sweetwater.

Roland MV-1 Verselab Groovebox Features:

  • Hands-on workflow, with 4x4 RGB touchpads and TR-REC 16-step sequencer
  • Powerful ZEN-Core sound engine gives the MV-1 top-notch sound quality
  • 3,000 onboard sounds inspired by classic Roland units of the past: TR-808, SP-404, and more
  • Optional Sound Packs give you inspiring ways to grow your sound library
  • HQ mic preamp with +48V phantom power gets you the most out of your handheld sand studio mics
  • On-demand vocal processing includes auto-pitch, doubling, and harmonizer
  • 16 easy-access takes makes it possible to comp the perfect vocal track
  • Convenient built-in mic is useful when inspiration strikes outside the studio
  • MIDI control and stereo line connections for convenient studio integration
  • Cloud session storage for collaborating and off-siting
  • Plug-and-Play USB connectivity
  • Zenbeats app integration lets you augment songs with plug-in FX and virtual instruments, mix and master natively, and export tracks to popular music platforms

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Beat Production Workstation
  • Internal Sound Engine: ZEN-Core
  • Screen: Backlit LCD
  • Pads: 16 x Performance Pads
  • Sounds: 3,000 x Tones, 80 x Drum Kits
  • Polyphony: 128-note (varies by sound generator load), 8-note (looper)
  • Sequencer: TR-REC 16-step Sequencer
  • Looper: 2-track with Time Stretch and Pitch Shift
  • Sampling: 12 minutes (mono), 6 minutes (stereo)
  • Effects: 90 x Multi-FX: 9 x Chorus/Delay, 7 x Reverb, Master Compressor, Master EQ, Track EQ
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR (mic), 2 x 1/4" (line), Built-in Mic
  • Analog Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (line)
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4", 1 x 1/8"
  • MIDI I/O: In/Out/USB
  • USB: 1 x Type B
  • Storage: SD/SDHC Card Slot
  • Software: Zenbeats app compatible
  • Power Source: AC Adapter (included) / USB bus powered
  • Height: 2.37"
  • Width: 13.93"
  • Depth: 8.18"
  • Weight: 2.6 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MV-1

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

A Dream Machine

As I approach my 50th birthday, I can affirm that keeping up with DAWs has become kind of tedious. Back in the 90's I bought the Roland XP-80 workstation, which was a heavy beast of a keyboard workstation. Created some great music on that thing and was so heartbroken when it got broken by my roommates (probably ten or so years after I got it).
The MV-1 is such an interesting upgrade. Of course, it's not intended to be an upgrade to the XP-80, but this is my own experience. There are less tracks, but more sounds. Plus, vocal tracks! There's also onboard sampling and mixing and mastering tools. I don't suppose I need to describe everything to you since you're on this page. It's amazing. A revelation. It sits in a case right next to my spot on the couch, and I can whip it out any time and make music very quickly. Let me post a video of some music for you. It doesn't show the MV-1, but it was all completed on the MV-1. It doesn't showcase the sampling capability, the ability to record outside instruments, or vocals. I still need to learn these aspects as I am also a guitar player and singer. Obviously, I'm a pretty decent sequencer.
Music background: Been playing music for 35 years.
Rated 4/5

It's good, but limited by the sequencer.

I grabbed one of these used, and after a few weeks, I'm comfortable enough with it to give an honest review.
TL;DR:
This unit didn't do everything I hoped it would, but it's still useful in my DAWless setup. The TB-8/Volca style sequencer just isn't up to task. Everything else is pretty good. Great for sketching out song ideas, but not made for replicating live instrument playing.

Pros: The electronic sampled sounds (synths, 808/909's, keyboards) are plentiful and great sounding. The pads are quality, and the workflow is okay once you learn it. The built-in effects are very good, and a mic preamp is just icing on the cake. If you're into pattern-based electronic music (EDM, Synthwave, pop, hip-hop, etc.) this unit is perfect for you. The ability to program chords/arps/scales for synths is fantastic.

Cons: The drum sequencer's limitations, and lackluster acoustic sounds (these can be expanded/upgraded).

The sequencer is obviously designed for pattern-based electronic music. It doesn't record in measures, it only works in steps & subdivisions. Each "song section" is a multiple of step lengths, not measures. But clips can be different lengths & subdivisions, which means you have to do math to figure out how long a section is supposed to be. Song sections play ALL the clips in that section, repeated, for the length of the section. So if you want a short fill pattern at the end of a 16-bar verse without having to make it a separate song section (and replicate all the tracks at the right length), you have to use another track and automate muting it.

And as for 16-bar verses, 128 steps isn't enough to program 8+ bars of realistic acoustic drums. If you want basic boombap beats, sure. But fills, ghost notes, flams, triplets, etc. just aren't going to happen. You have to be extremely stingy with your beat divisions if you want variation over a long section. The MV-1 sequencer is very easy to use, but with only 128 steps, if you want to write a hi-hat part using any 32nd notes, that's only 4 measures.

In comparison, the Alesis SR18 drum machine can sequence 128 beats (in any time sig) w/ up to 96 subdivisions/notes per beat, times 4 A/B/fill sections per preset. And then you can chain those patterns, from any preset, in any order, into a song. The sequencer in a 25-year-old drum unit stomps all over the sequencer in the new Verselab MV-1 for making complete songs, and it isn't even close.

So what to do with the Verselab MV-1? For now, I'm using the pads on it to sequence drum parts on the SR18, and use the MV-1 for synth/keys/loop parts. I could even use the MV-1 pads to record sequences on the SR18, and then play those midi note sequences back into the MV-1 with re-sampled drum sounds, and record that audio into my multitrack! Since I have it, I'll make use of it the best I can.
Music background: Former gigging musician, home producer
Rated 5/5

Follow up to Sequencer review!

Finally, after a month of owning the MV-1, I figured out how to add flams, rolls, and ratchets directly in the sequencer, even with MIDI output. It took me finding it by accident, the manual doesn't make how to do this clear.

In the sequencer, hold "edit" and tap the step you want to edit. It's the "Sub" setting. If you subdivide a step this way though, they all have the same velocity, like a ratchet. Can also use the "STA" setting to adjust the note's attack relative to the beat. This works on drum or tone tracks.

It's still not an ideal solution for acoustic drum tracks, but considering how I really struggled with this at first, it's a big improvement. Giving it 5 stars to offset the frustration I had with the step limitations. It effectively doubles the amount of usable steps... I wouldn't use it for triplets/sixteenths because it does sound "ratchet-y" at that point.

It's still not perfect, but the more I use it, the better it gets.
Music background: Former gigging musician, home producer
Rated 5/5

Don't be fooled by the Marketing!!

All of the marketing Roland has put forth to promote the Verselab has mislead a lot of people (based on youtube user comments numerous music forums) into thinking this thing is only for EDM and Trap/Hiphop. Let me tell you, that is far from the truth. Even if you're into classic rock, pop music from the 80's, 90's 2000's etc, indie music of all genres, you will have no problem creating some amazing stuff with this thing (Musical talent sold separately). Yes, the obvious target demographic are EDM, Rap, Hiphop creators, but that's just scratching the surface. The flexibility of this machine is unbelievable.

One more thing, for those who can't be bothered to read the online pdf manual, don't be turned off by the named tracks, (Kick, Snare, Instr 1 and 2, etc) These are labeled as such to help keep focused and organized. Each track except the vocal track, can be a drum kit, drum sound, tones to make use of the massive sound library.

I don't care if you're a beginner or a season pro, if you get bored with the Verselab, then that's on you. This thing is a beast!!! :D
Music background: Hobbyist for 30 years
Rated 5/5

Intuitive, Doesn't bog you down

Having used an MV8000 for many years I welcome this easier to use start to finish MV1 to get out of the way and let creativity flow! You simply move left to right along the steps and viola! A complete song. If you need more technology, it interfaces with Zen Beats, but there is plenty here to get the job done. I use this for pop music as I play guitar and Bass and mix it together on the MV. It's not just for Hip Hop, but it does great at that as well.
Music background: 50 years of Guitar Playing and Song Writing,

Simply put, modern electronic music wouldn't exist without Roland. Many of the electronic musicians here at Sweetwater cut our teeth on TR Rhythm machines and fondly remember programming our first TB-303s. We owe a good part of our careers to this amazing and innovative company. It's been fun to watch and grow right alongside Roland, as they've introduced wave after wave of revolutionary keyboards, digital pianos, and more. For example, Roland's V-Drum Kits continuously redefine the possibilities of electronic drums, beginning with SuperNATURAL technology to the latest Prismatic Sound Modeling. We're huge fans, and we'd love to tell you all about them. Whether you want a pocket-sized synth or a cutting-edge video mixer, if Roland makes it, then Sweetwater is 100% behind it.

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