Daz.
the MV has 2 modes of creating seq's,in Pattern mode you can have up to 64 Midi tracks per pattern and can utilise a maximum of 999 Measures per pattern,so you could essentially create your songs in pattern mode only,you can then chain those patterns in the song mode to create a larger song or multiple pattern data,you can either use a pattern track whereby you just have to enter the pattern order and the MV will call up those patterns dependant on the song location,or you can paste the track data inot the linear song mode so you can edit even further if you wish,these 64 midi tracks in Pattern mode can also include audio tracks too,there is room for 500 Pattern location in pattern mode so theres more than enough location to create multiple pattern variations,you can also assign any of those pattern to a single pad and play the whole patterns by triggering a pad(Kind of Like the RPPR)
In the song mode you can also step input those patterns assigned to the pads into the pattern track so its easy to build an arrangement in no time(or you can record it in real time if you so wish)song mode has 128 midi tracks and 8 Audio tracks,the only downside to having 128 midi tracks is that the Machine can only use 16 Internal Instruments(Patches) at a time,but I use mainly external synths/gear for sequencing anyway
Most of the basic functions are accomplishable with the Oasys,but it takes time to build up the track,and you only have access to 1 pattern at a time unless you assign the patterns to the RPPR,think of the MV pattern inputs modes and chaning systems as a far better easier Interface to that of the Korg MX,Part of the appeal with the MV pattern mode is that I was used to creating sections of my songs on the Triton using the cue list feature and then chain them together to create a full song and by doing this I could rearrange the songs dependant on how I wanted the m structuring,pattern mode on the MV is exactly the same but you have more scope and more flexibility when editing songs
theres a dum editor/Like the electribe?TR method of drum inputting or you standard grid mode/ Piano roll/ Event List,Just a few things that make editing so much more better,and all these on the MVscreen too,as well as the VGA....why the hell can't they do it for the 10 Inch "O"!????The MV screen is a quarter of the size
The MV makes assignments so much easier plus you have a better representation of where everything is,part of the problem with the Oasys is that you have to keep flipping between pages to get to assingn things with the VGA every aspect of the operation is on the one Screen via Pull down menus so you don't have to keep leaving sub menus or pages,and even with the MV screen everything is still within the same sub menu(everything that you would need for each function)is there and is accesible from the menu button obviously due to the size limit of the MV screen the VGA can display more in the same page
Just think of the MV8800 As hardware sequencer meets Electribe,meets Cubase,and you pretty much see how flexible it is,granted it has minute omissions compared to a dedicated Workstation,but I haveyet to find anything that has crippled me to do an operation.
I looked at the possibility of getting a secondhand MPC4000,but the only thing that it had to offer over the MV was the extra Midi outs(4 ) whereas the MV only has 2(Hey ho back to daisy chaining I suppose,but can live with that)
I'm not trying to convert people to this machine,but seriously people should give it a look to see how much it can improve your working methods,if you prefer working with Hardware,then this machine is perfect,and if you prefer software,then this machine is also for you,part of the reason I chose it,was because I wanted to return to Hardware,but at the same time I didn't want to sacrifice the comfort and ease of a PC type platform,the MV fits the bill on both accounts,it even has resampling(so you can sample via the internal fx to fre up processor power etc)
if you do everything internally,you can then use the mixdown mode and finalize your tracks iwth all the mastering fx etc(Havent got down to that stage yet so can't tell you if its up to pro standards)
I've hardly dived into the Manuals,other that for a few References it so easy to get along with,which from my past experiences with Roland gear was surprising
Anyone who gets along with the Oasys or Triton sequencers will find this a breeze to sequence with,and if your at ease with Cubase environment,you'll find it a breeze too
I'm so astonished by this machine,yes sure it has its limits to the sounds it can utilise at the same time as its basically flash rom memory,and apart fro mthe Drums the sounds are pretty raw,but I bought it mainly for the sequencing of external gear,as most of the Korg will provide the sounds for me anyway
Just some nice additional things,Theres a function called Pix Jam,you can load in either Jpegs or Bit maps and then assign them to the pads and create a kind of audio visual sequence along with your tracks,which is displayed on the VGA,ok so its a gimmick but it adds some cools graphics to your songs and in time,it also has a screen saver too,you can load in your own pics and assign those to the screen saver.Ok so there Novelties but its just nice of Roland to add a little finesse
I am just so used to working this way and I am WAY to lazy to change!! 