Intro
This is a MIDI synth module (ie no keyboard). It is essentially an expansion card from a JV1080 synth
put into a box.
The sounds are made up of the best of Roland's classic analogue synths (mono & polysynths) along
with some other classic keyboards such as (great) Hammond organ & Mellotron sounds. It is the sounds
which really make this box worth having. There are 256 of them, with a wide variety. Almost all are
extremely usable and many are quite inspiring! However, if you are an addicted knob-twiddler,
forget it. There is VERY little you can change from the front panel of this machine.
The Specs
| Sounds ("Patches") | 256, plus 8 drum kits |
| Multitimbral | 8 part (inlcuding 1 drum channel). 17 Multitimbral memories ("Performances"). |
| Polyphony | 28 note (max, including drums) |
| Effects | Stereo effects, very quiet. 3 types of chorus, 8 types of reverb (including 2 delays). NB all effects are preset & apply to all instruments. |
| Outputs | Stereo jacks + headphone. Instruments can be set within the stereo field. |
| User Interface | 3 digit LED display. Parameter/patch up/down buttons, with matrix for selecting parameters. |
| Multitimbral Memories - Parameters Per Patch | Patch number, Volume, Stereo pan, Reverb/chorus amount, MIDI channel, Key shift, Detune, Min polyphony, MIDI receive - Vol & Hold, Prog Chg, Bank Sel, Sys Ex. |
Memories...
In many ways the unit is very limited - it is not at all programmable - you cannot change the
patches significantly from the front panel. Although you can edit patches on (eg) a PC via MIDI
you still can't seem to store them permanently on the unit - as soon as you select another patch
your changes are lost.
Bizzarely, this even seems to apply to the multitimbral memories (AKA Performances) - so if you set up
(eg) Performance 1 with a set of sounds/MIDI channels, etc, then select Performance 2, your settings
for the Performance 1 are reset to the factory settings! Oh dear!
Fortunately, the unit will respond to MIDI patch/bank changes, volume, pan settings etc. So you can
put all the multitimbral stuff into your sequencer & have it set the unit up when you start playing
(ie ignore the Performances on the unit). This, of course, assumes that you are happy for the
unit to always respond on MIDI channels 1-7 & 10 (drums).
However... it's not quite as simple as that!
The different types of chorus and reverb seem to be hard-coded to particular Performance
locations. So if you want Hall1 reverb & Chorus 1, you need to select Performance 1, then
select the patches you want with the sequencer.
It all seems a bit clumsy, but I've actually found it is easier to use in many ways than other multitimbral
synths, as long as you give it exclusive use of MIDI channels 1-7 & 10!
NB If anyone knows differently about getting the MVS1 to save performances, please
let me know 'cos I haven't been able to do it! (email roland_rock@yahoo.com).
Them Sounds!
What makes it all worthwhile are the sounds. They really are excellent. It has sounds from
loads of great synths (TB303, SH101, Jupiters, JX, Arp, Moog, OBX, D50, etc, etc) & other
keyboards (Mellotron, Hammond, RS202, VP330, Clav). They seem like real sounds, not
just samples. It would have been nice to have mod-wheel control over the filter cut-off on the
303 sounds for wobbly Aceed sounds, but you can still do it with after-touch.
It can do some great squelches, or v.tight bass lines. It also has some searing leads and very
full pads. Most sounds respond v.well to velocity info.
The unit also has 8 drum kits. These each have 61 drum sounds and have sounds from the
TR808, CR78, TR909 drum machines, along with many other percussion sounds
(including reversed sounds).
NB I suspect that some of the sounds use more than one 'unit' of polyphony, as I have
had sounds cut off early during sequenced play when the unit has definitely been playing
less than 28 notes.
Here is just one (20K) of the MVS1 sounds (Mellotron strings).
Resources
I understand that the MVS can be programmed using any standard JV1080 editing program, though I haven't actually tried this. The SyntheZone Web site has a Roland Page, though there's nothing specifically on the MVS1 there. I haven't been able to find any MVS1 specific stuff on the Web.
Getting your hands on it
This is a bit of a problem, as the unit is now discontinued. There are a few firms still
selling them off at reduced prices, but soon there won't be any left! It'll be 2nd hand
only from then on.
The original price was 500 UK pounds, but they have been sold at about 240 pounds recently.
I think at the full price, the MVS1 would be a slight disapointment, given the lack of
programmability and its severe preset nature. However, at 240 pounds it's a total bargain!
It blows my K1 away in terms of sound quality,
and it is considerably easier to use than the MS6
(despite having a smaller LED display).
This review written by Dave Sherriff, 1998.