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Roland Max-out With MC-909
US
Desktop Groovebox joins the pros 08/10/02
Buying Choices
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After their tantalizing teaser campaign featuring coy glimpses of the forthcoming MC-909, Roland are finally fully exposing their new MC-909 Sampling Groovebox.
Later today (8th Oct), Roland are releasing a full product demo video filmed at the AES. Also, if you visit their site you get the chance to win one of these beauties hot from the plant.
(right here)
We now have the definitive specifications for you too:
Parts: 16 (MAIN) + 16 (RPS)
Maximum Polyphony: 64 voices (include audio sample)
Wave ROM: 32 M Bytes (16-bit linear equivalent)
Waveforms: 693
Sampling audio format: 16bit linear
Sampling Edit Functions: CHOP, TIME STRETCH, NORMALIZE, EMPHASIS etc
Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz
Sampling Time: Standard 16MB: mono. 180sec (stereo 90 sec) maximum up to 272MB (standard 16MB + DIMM 256MB): mono. 51min (stereo 26min)
Loadable audio format: WAV/AIFF Save format of audio: WAV/AIFF
Preset Memory: Patches: 800 Rhythm Sets: 72 Patterns: 215 Sample (Archived in system program for Preset Pattern 1- 5): 18 Wave Expansion Board SRX Series: 1 slot
Connectors: LINE OUT: 6 LINE IN: 2 Phones: 1 MIDI: IN, OUT Digital audio interface: IN, OUT (Optical/Coaxial) USB: 1 AC IN: 1
Dimensions: 491 (W) x 386 (D) x 123 (H) mm 19-5/16 (W) x 15-3/16 (D) x 4-13/16 (H) inch Weight: 6.0kg 13lbs 40oz
Accessories: Owner's Manual, AC Cables, Sample Data (Audio) CD
Roland's Own Words Follow:
The MC-909 is the first Groovebox with sampling and synthesis combined. Samples can be recorded from the analog or digital inputs, or imported via the USB port (.WAV/AIFF formats only). Once inside, waveforms can be edited and processed via Chop, Timestretch and other functions, resampled, and even used as synth waveforms. The synthesizer section boasts specs on par with Roland's flagship modules. This professional, stereo 4-Tone synthesis engine also comes with 800 new Patches and 64 Rhythm Sets, based on a new 32MB-equivalent wave ROM. New sounds can be added via an optional SRX-Series Wave Expansion Board.
As a music production tool, the MC-909 rivals that of even computer-based systems with its tight integration of audio and MIDI. Samples can be sequenced and played back alongside MIDI tracks, and even synchronized automatically. The sequencer's timing has also been upped to 480 TPQN and pattern length can now be a whopping 998 measures. You can even import/export Standard MIDI Files via USB. And like all Grooveboxes, the MC-909 comes with hundreds of all-new patterns in the latest dance styles.
For effects, the MC-909 includes a 24-bit reverb processor, a dedicated compressor, and two multi-effects processors with 38 and 47 algorithms respectively. A new Mastering processor with 3-band compression makes it easy to create finalized tracks. And with the MC-909's large LCD screen, navigation is easy. In fact, nearly all major parameters can be directly accessed via dedicated knobs, sliders and buttons. Performance controllers include a Turntable Emulation slider for independent manipulation of pitch and tempo (even with audio phrases) and Twin D-Beam Controllers. And for those who wish to integrate video, the MC-909's V-LINK features makes it possible to trigger video clips from the sequencer when used with the Edirol DV-7PR Digital Video Workstation (sold separately).