MV 8800

I never used the MPC series, but I use the MV 8800. I've had it for about a year and a half now. There are a bunch of pdf files you can download, plus the manuals that the MV comes with to help you learn the machine. Not to mention the videos on youtube. You could join the MVNATION forum and learn and research all there is you want and need to know. Peace

I have the MV-8800 and it's not hard to use at all. If you require a short learning curve have you ever considered an SU-700 by Yamaha? Super easy to use, alot cheaper on ebay, does anything the MV-88 can do, except easier and does not have a built in HD which is great. On the 700, you'll need the SCSI board and then you can add a HD... I also have the I/O board with 6 outputs analog for total of 8 outs which helps a lot when tracking to P.C. or mutlitrac recorder, plus digital and optical I/O... The knobs on each track react to whatever function button you press, so if it's volume, effects, cutoff resonance, EQ, LFO, whatever... It also has a handy ribbon controller which you can use for any function you assign to it, and it can even be set to be used as a sample scratch and it scratches samps just like vinyl... had mine since 1999, and although I use the MV-88 a lot now, the SU700 is still a dream to use over the MV. but they both give me different character to my music when using one or the other, so I like them both.. And that's why I could never sell this unit.

Here's a link to some dude using one on youtube. Don't look at what he's making, look at what he is doing and picture whatever it is you would do on there..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgltJC2AlBk&feature=related

someone else

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xl74yfQJwU&feature=related

What also helps the 700 a lot are scene buttons. You can set the song to have all the drums to mute on the first scene then unmute on the second. change effects on the third scene, change the sequence pattern on the next etc. and you can record all the scenes to arrange you song easily...

an idea how scenes work..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrNJ-3txM7k&feature=related

whatever you use, nothing will ever be this easy.. totally underated machine because of the MPC hype that was goin on in those days. Don't get me wrong the MPC is great but the SU-700 does **everything** MPC or MV88 does but Waaaay easier... this was yamaha's "sliced bread" invention..

F.A.Q. PDF.

https://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/Documents/KeyboardsDMI/su700.pdf

Thanks so much for the great advice and websites. I really appreciate the help. I think the MV is for me! I just will have to take advantage of the videos and really learn the beast.

Thanks again.

Yep.

I just got my MV8800 so it's maybe too soon to be 100% sure it's the right tool for me.

But my research revealed this:

If you want to import drum loops or samples, lay them out across some pads and record record drum patterns, maybe with a little bass and other sounds thrown in, get an MPC of some sort.

If you want to add some vocals or live instruments, the MPC5000 might be a good choice.

But if you want to go a bit further, with serious pattern and linear MIDI sequencing combined, studio quality FX, non-percussive instrument multisamples, mix down, mastering and CD bruing; If a VGA screen and mouse are your 'thing', get the MV.

Ok so I bought the MV 8800, got a great price of $1799 for a new one. I have been using it for a few days and it has some great features. However; the processing time for importing, project start-up, etc...is extremely slow. Secondly, I wanted to purchase the additional output board for assigning tracks out but Roland no longer makes them. In fact the 8800 is not even advertised on the Roland website unless you search for it. This tells me that a newer model maybe coming out. If so, how does this affect the current users? I purchased my unit from Sam Ash Music so I have 45 days to decide if I keep it or go for the MPC. Right now it's 50/50.